A model organic restaurant in the heart of Vienna – meet Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater, best 2023 organic restaurant/food service winner
*** Applications for the EU Organics Awards 2024 are open, visit our website for more info and apply by 12 May! ***
Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater, located in the heart of Vienna, is the winner of the 2023 European Organic Awards for best organic restaurant/food service. This Austrian restaurant boasts the title of “largest 100% certified organic restaurant in the world” and it’s driven by a commitment to sustainability and net zero impact.
Luftburg-Kolarik was founded in 1991 in the middle of Prater Park in Vienna by Elizabeth Kolarik. Since 2020, the company has been run by Paul Kolarik, Elizabeth’s son, and his wife Bianca, who have built their business around two values: family-friendliness and sustainability. They believe that, as a big restaurant with over 1,200 seats and 500,000 clients a year, they can have a substantial impact on the economy and agriculture. Luftburg-Kolarik hopes to inspire other businesses to go the organic way by showing that being 100% organic is possible even on a very large scale.
Since 2001, the Kolarik family has been taking steps towards sustainability and greater ecological and social responsibility. In 2019 came the decision to serve exclusively organic food and the same happened with beverages in 2021. Due to their commitment to sustainability, they make sure to use their resources responsibly, and pay attention to this in all areas of their business, such as procurement, disposal, and as well with their partners. In addition, the restaurant is entirely powered by renewable energy produced from hydroelectric sources. Because of their achievements in sustainability and ecological responsibility, they received several awards and certifications, such as the gold seal “Naturally Good Food” and the Environmental Award 2019 by the City of Vienna.
Want to learn more about the other winners of the EU Organic Awards 2023? Read our dedicated article.
The annual European Organic Awards reward the most excellent and innovative actors in the organic value chain. Jointly organized by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe, they aim to stimulate organic production by sharing the inspiring stories of actors who achieved excellence in this field. Organic production combines the best environmental and climate practices and enhances biodiversity and the health of soil and plants. Its fundamental role has also been recognized by the EU, which identified organic production as playing a key role in the achievement of the objectives of the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork strategy and the Biodiversity strategy.
Want to be the next winner of the EU Organic Awards? Applications for the 2024 edition are open until 12 May! Read more on our website and apply today!