Restaurant Luftburg – the world’s largest organic restaurant in Vienna: sustainability report published and major renovation in 2025
The Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater restaurant, the largest fully certified organic restaurant in the world, which was awarded the EU Organic Award “Best Organic Restaurant” in 2023, published its sustainability report as part of the EU Organic Day 2024.
“Trust is good, control is better! We want to be as transparent as possible for our guests, which is why there is not only the voluntary labeling of origin of our main products on the homepage, but also a complete report on all our activities in the area of organic and sustainability.” Paul Kolarik
The sustainability report covers the topics:
- Employees (MA benefits, accessibility)
- Resources (energy, water, mobility, etc.)
- Regionality (responsible consumption, green partners, bees on the roof, etc.)
- Trust (certifications, awards, partners)
“With the voluntary sustainability report, we not only create transparency, but also record the status quo. We want to improve every day and become even more sustainable. This report also helps us to show where we can go further and which screws we can still turn. We want to offer our guests an all-round feel-good experience in which they can enjoy with a clear conscience.” Paul Kolarik
Further information on the topic of sustainability and to download the sustainability report: www.kolarik.at/nachhaltigkeit
Renovation 2025
“We not only want to offer our guests an atmosphere in which they feel comfortable and enjoy spending time, but also our employees. We know that motivated employees are the heart of a company. That’s why we attach great importance to the satisfaction and well-being of our team. Fair working conditions, a pleasant working environment and the opportunity for personal development.” Paul Kolarik
That’s why the entire employee area will be redesigned or rebuilt from January 2025. Not only a well-equipped team lounge, but also a prayer room is being built. This room is open to all employees – no matter what religion or worldview they have. Employees from around 15 nations, with different religions, LGBTQIA+ and inclusive employees – they all make the team unique.
“Employees who are treated with the same respect as our guests, who feel comfortable in the company and have fun at work, have the best opportunity to live our philosophy of “hospitality – noticeable – sustainable” and to pass it on to our guests to pass on.” Paul Kolarik
In addition, new cloakrooms and office space will also be created. The sink and delivery will also be updated to provide improved operations and use less energy.
The capacity of the PV system is being expanded so that even more electricity needs can be covered through in-house production. In the future, heating and cooling will be done using the power of water – so the air castle is “out of gas”.
About the Luftburg – Kolarik restaurant in the Prater
The Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater restaurant, founded in 1992 and then still the Luftburg café-restaurant, offers everything a connoisseur’s heart desires – from the legendary cured grilled Stelze to vegetarian and vegan dishes – in 100% organic quality. Since 2020, the company has been run by Paul, son of Luftburg inventor Elisabeth Kolarik, and his wife Bianca. As parents of three children, the concept of family and child-friendliness is lived on, in the spirit of the inventor. The Luftburg – Kolarik restaurant in the Prater bears the gold seal “Eat naturally well” from the City of Vienna. The switch to organic products has been pushed forward since 2010 and in 2021 the complete switch to organic food and drinks was achieved. This makes the Luftburg – Kolarik restaurant in the Prater the largest organic restaurant in the world.
Factbox:
Restaurant Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater
Prater 28
1020 Wien
2018 First-time organic certification “Naturally Eat Well Bronze”
2019 conversion of all dishes to 100% organic – certification “Naturally eat well gold”
2019 Award of the Environmental Prize of the City of Vienna
2020 The company was taken over by Paul & Bianca Kolarik
2021 renovation and conversion of all drinks to 100% organic
2021 The Luftburg – Kolarik restaurant in the Prater is the largest fully certified organic restaurant in the world (1,200 seats)
2023 Winner of the EU Organic Award in the “Best Organic Restaurant” category
2024 Reconstruction of the winter gardens, expansion of the children’s play area