Vienna’s restaurant scene has gained a prominent new addition in a prime location in the first district. Brothers André and Sandro Gargiulo have opened their newest establishment, “Napolino by l’autentico,” on Hanuschgasse, directly behind the Vienna State Opera and the Albertina building complex.
The project marks a strategic expansion of the established brand “l’autentico,” which already operates locations in the 19th and 3rd districts, as well as in the Schlossquadrat. With this new format, the operators are responding to the trend toward fast, yet quality-oriented dining in high-traffic areas. The focus is on all-day operation, from breakfast until late in the evening, appealing to both tourists and local office workers.
The restaurant’s culinary offerings focus on traditional Neapolitan street food specialties, rarely seen in this form in Vienna. A particular highlight is the “Pizza a Portafoglio,” a folded pizza designed specifically for eating while standing or walking. They also serve “Panuozzi”—sandwich variations made with pizza dough, freshly baked in the oven. A new addition to the brand family is the “Build-Your-Own” concept called “LA TUA PIZZA.” Here, customers can choose from various base pizzas and customize them with their own toppings. The dough preparation adheres to strict Neapolitan traditions, which rely on long resting times and high baking temperatures.
The Hanuschgasse location features a year-round outdoor area, heated during the winter months. The concept aims to establish the typical Italian aperitivo culture in Vienna’s city center. In addition to classic Italian drinks and wines, the selection also includes homemade punch variations during the colder months. Cooperation with major delivery services such as Foodora and Wolt also caters to the growing market for home delivery and office catering. The restaurant’s design as a compact, flexible offshoot of the main restaurants reflects the increasing professionalization and diversification of chain restaurant concepts within the Austrian capital.
Additional market observations confirm that the premium pizza segment in Vienna still offers expansion potential despite the high density of competitors. The location near the Hotel Sacher and Kärntner Straße guarantees an international clientele, while the street food approach deliberately sets its prices below those of classic full-service restaurants. With this expansion, the Gargiulo brothers are solidifying their position as leading providers of authentic Neapolitan cuisine in Vienna. The opening is part of a series of new developments in the textile district and around the Opernring, where there is a growing focus on concepts that combine Italian flair with urban speed.
Dining and Cooking