Rudolf Brestel (16 May 1816 in Vienna – 3 March 1881) was an Austrian politician.

In 1848, he was elected as a Liberal deputy in the Austrian parliament (Reichstag).

After the defeat of the revolution of 1848-1849, he lost his position as a professor and was persecuted for his political views.

On 30 December 1867 he was appointed by Emperor Franz Joseph I as Finance Minister (Finanzminister) in the so-called "Citizen's Ministry" (Bürgerministerium) under Minister-President Auersperg until his resignation on 4 April 1870 (effective on 12 April).

In 1883 Vienna's 16th District (Ottakring) named the Brestelgasse in his honour.