Situated in one of Vienna’s many beautiful and remarkable Art Nouveau buildings (already 110 years old!) this place combines great coffee with a special nostalgic atmosphere. Once you’ve entered the place you’ll recognize the many things that are to explore inside, from the many medal coffee badges and old fashioned lamps promoting Fanta lemonade, to that one of a kind cushioned telephone booth (maybe not suitable for claustrophobics).

This place represents one of Vienna’s traditional coffee houses, which means that there were already many generations spending time in here having a chat about life, discussing the latest urban news or reading one or another tome. Besides coffee and tea they offer a selection of Viennese pastries and cakes. Around lunchtime there’s also the possibility to enjoy an easily-affordable menu, maybe one of the reasons many students come here.

And when it’s getting warm outside you should definitely explore the Café’s terrace from which one can enjoy a view on the Wienfluss flowing by. Last but not least one should mention that the Café is open until 02:00 which makes it a great place to either start your night or get a caffeinated energy boost in between two club visits.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café Rüdiger Hof | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Viennese) | Strudel € 3.00
Hamburgerstraße 20 | Inner districts | +4315863138
09:00 – 02:00 daily

Some like it hot. Those, and also the other ones of course, love to go to Maschu Maschu.

For those who are familiar with the town’s international cuisine scene one things is clear: Maschu Maschu is one great insider tip when it comes to foreign lunch and snacks. So what’s this spot about? Falafel and a variety of Israeli kitchen, quite simply.

The best things come in small packages, and so does Masch Maschu. The place itself is a real cosy one, outfitted with oriental pictures and collages. If this place happens to be full, there’s also the possibility to visit the other Maschu Maschu in Neubaugasse which is, of course, just as nice!

In the menu you’ll find various Israeli “Health Food” dishes, so besides Falafel you can also get to know Pita, Hummus or Nana Mint tea. Of course there’s also the possibility to round up your meal (and, in case, ease your taste buds) with a sweet and smooth Mango Lassi. Actually there are loads of exotic things to taste and smell, I’m quite sure movie hero Zohan would have liked to stop by and have a bite here.

By the way, on every table you’ll find a choice of Israeli sauces you can spice up your meal with. But caution, some of them are real hotties!

Freely translated from Hebrew “Maschu Maschu” means “Wow, that’s something!” and believe me, you should really trust in the name.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Maschu Maschu | Snacks, Restaurants (Intern.) | Falafel from € 3.80
Rabensteig 8 | Danube Canal Area | +4315332904
Sun – Wed 11:30 – 00:00 Thu – Sat 11:30 – 04:00

Nomen est Omen. So, as the name (Donau = Danube) suggests, be prepared to have the feeling of diving into a world of lights, music and sombre colors when entering the place.

This is a great place to start your evening at. Maybe you’re just done enjoying contemporary art in Museumsquartier (check Museumsquartier article) or need a chill out after an exciting shopping expedition on Mariahilferstraße, so much the better coming here as it’s right next to a couple of urban hot spots!

Donau shows itself as a wicked combination of a place where you can have a beer or two, get to know the newest tunes and still are able to have a conversation, as the music’s volume is not beyond the convenient. There’s also quite stylish snack bar and some really comfortable original cinema armchairs giving the place a certain old school Viennese character.

And – I love this interior’s element – don’t miss catching a glimpse of the ceiling and the remarkable art installation giving you the feeling of actually floating lazily along the blue river…

Plus; if you already feel like gaining an impression of what your evening might be like or if you just want to see whether you like the music or not, there is also an online radio station you should check out!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Das Donau | Bars, Music, Snacks | Beer € 3.00
Karl Schweighofer Gasse 10 | Inner districts | +4315238105
Open from 18:00 daily

As the title implicates you’ll find several places within this spot, true to the maxim “Why be satisfied with just running a pub when you can have some many things at one time?”.

Pickwick’s is, above all, a real nice and relaxed Irish pub providing its guests with all kinds of beverages, snacks and music. What I personally love about the spot is that it really gives you a little bit of the feeling of being at home. Creating a great atmosphere, the place is furnished with some cosy armchairs, old fashioned sofas and big shelves filled with loads of books inviting you to stay a little bit longer and delve into English literature masterpieces.

And here’s the kicker: if you feel like exploring the place a little bit further, you should go and see the basement. Down there you’ll be amazed to see that Pickwick’s also houses Vienna’s biggest English video and DVD store, open way longer than all the other stores in town.

And just to make completely sure that guests are kept entertained, there are also weekly happenings such as Quiz Nights, Karaoke and similar..what more could you possibly wish for?

Pickwick’s offers you so many great and interesting things to spend your evenings with, and what’s best about it: every single one of them is worth a visit.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pickwick’s | Bars, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Beverage € 3.00
Marc Aurel Straße 16 | Danube Canal Area | +4315330182
Mon – Thu 11:00 – 00:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 02:00, Sun 12:00 – 00:00

When in Vienna, do as the Viennese do. So, if you’d like to begin your evening with a placid meal, including the probability to get in contact with the local community, this is the place to go.

Due to its great popularity among the Viennese Kolar already inhabits three locations, all in the inner districts. Let me tell you about my favourite one which, as I do believe, not only is the most charming but also the lucky one as it’s right in the middle of Kleeblattgasse (Shamrock street).

Being situated in Vienna’s oldest apartment building (built 1539!), Kolar impresses its guest both with a great atmosphere and history. Over the years, this house hosted all kinds of establishments, some say even Mozart hung out under the spot’s enchanting low-ceiled vault every once in a while.

Since 1987 Kolar has been offering a big variety of “Fladen”, perfect in combination with an ice cold beer. Fladen is a type of thin bread filled with all kinds of delicious stuff, reminding me a little bit of Italian Calzone. What I love about the place is that you even can watch your Fladen turn golden brown in the open fire of the big stone oven.

Within the last years this place has been turning from an insider’s tip into a real hot spot, so don’t hesitate to join the crowd of people enjoying their meal, watching a soccer game or philosophizing over life.

Fladen and beer. So simple, so great.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kolar | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Fladen, Snacks) | Flade from € 3.00
Kleeblattgasse 5 | Old city/center | +4315335225
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 02:00, Sat – Sun 17:00 – 02:00

Here’s your chance to discover a brand spanking new Bistro right in the middle of Vienna’s university area: Nascha’s.

Nascha’s philosophy is simple: high quality food, student suitable prices, love for the extraordinary.

Being around university campus a lot of time I’m happy to have known this place right from the beginning and I can say: I am hooked.

When you enter the place you’ll first notice the spot’s sweet and enchanting style, beginning with the American diner alike wall paper and the colorful balloons hanging from the ceiling up to the original English school tables from the 60′s, 50 year old chewing gum beneath the table boards included.

Talking to the very welcoming shop owners I found out about the name’s meaning(s): Firstly it refers to the German expression “Naschen” which means “to nibble”, secondly it hints at the Russian expression for “Ours”. (Psst!..there actually is a 3rd meaning that the lovely staff will be happy to share with you if you ask them.)

And what’s most important, the food. There’s a regularly changing variety of luscious organic soups, bagels and quiches. I tried their soups a couple of times, so believe me when I say: they’re a real treat! Plus they have wide a range of sweet delights such as Fudge in a Cup, Ice cream filled fruits and a lot more of lovingly chosen appetizers.

Or to put it in the words of Theodor Fontane: “The magic lies within the detail.”

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Nascha’s | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Intern.) | Bowl of Soup € 3.90
Garnisongasse 7 | Inner districts | +4319255636
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 19:00

May I introduce you: this is Kurt. YoKurt.

It seems the Frozen Yoghurt idea is quite new to Vienna and there are not too many places offering it yet, the more I was amazed by exploring this place. It not only dares to take the role of a trailblazer in Vienna’s dairy culture but also wins everybody over with its friendly and cheerful staff and ambiance. Don’t miss checking out their trademark, you don’t get to see too many flying cows these days.

About the product! You’ll get to choose between different flavors, aside from the classic pure one they are varying regularly. Just to name some types: Mango, Blackberry, or – real good one -Pomegranate with Raspberry. And topping (caution, wordplay) it all: a great variety of nuts, cookie crumbles, muesli, sauces and fresh exotic fruits (preferential Fair trade) you can jazz up your Kurt with.

Here’s a well-tried combination, especially in Christmas time: Pure Yogurt + ginger bread crumbles + cinnamon apple mousse, a real kickshaw.

As Kurt’s situated right next to ‘Artis International’ Cinema which shows most movies in English, a medium cup of fresh and mellow Fro’Yo also turns out to be a  great popcorn-alternative..

And that’s not even all! Kurt not only refreshes people in Vienna’s streets with light delicacies in a hip an original way but also takes interest in ecologic and ethical issues which makes him use biodegradable spoons and cups only and participate in human rights projects.

A real delight, both for your taste and your good conscience.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kurt | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Little Kurt (small cup) € 2.50
Schultergasse 2 | Inner districts
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 22:00, Sun 15:00 – 22:00

This little restaurant, well actually size wise it’s more of a snack bar, really needs to find a new, more capacious location. Since what started as an insiders’ tip now happens to be really packed, many stop by for taking away the Thai delights.

When I got back from Thailand I had a hard time finding genuine Thai food in Vienna. So going to Thai Isaan Kitchen, I ordered in Thai language. The fact they understood what I tried to order left me proud but mostly surprised. I had found a place that made me feel like being back to the land of smiles after all.

Isaan, or อีสาน, is what the northeast part of Thailand is called; important part of their cuisine is sticky rice & all sorts of meat. The variety of the menu here however has got quite a selection of typical Thai food. From 12:00 – 15:00 you get lunch (2 meals, usually 2 differing ones) for € 6.90. Also in their menu they mark the dishes with 1-3 chili’s to tell you how much spiciness you’ve got to expect.

The restaurant is conveniently located just right next to the bus station “Hirschengasse” of the line 57. For desert I’d suggest to go for some nearby chocolate candies (check out the Blühendes Konfekt article!).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Thai Isaan Kitchen | Snacks, Restaurants (Thai Isaan) | Soup from € 3.90
Gumpendorfer Straße 91 | Inner districts | +4315952800
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 22:00, Sun 17:00 – 22:00

Fruits, vegetables, Kebab, Pizza, clothes, cafés and many Nations: that’s the Meiselmarkt. Maybe you will ask now: so what is special about it? Well, it is the atmosphere! Every market has another charm, so does this one.

Depending on who is selling what, which country’s influence is stronger and so on… Here you have the feeling that it is very well balanced between foreign stalls and Austrian ones. A Turk sells meat next to an Austrian bakery. While a Pakistani sells cheap clothing and shoes close to the cheese section of the Italian. And everybody seem to be friends, even if sometime there is a language barrier, people are warmhearted here and open to other cultures.

Sit down in one of the small eateries and just watch the people! A slice of Pizza at Intermezzo for 1,50€ is usually a good deal.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Meiselmarkt | Shopping, Snacks
Hütteldorfer Straße, corner Johnstraße | Outer districts
Mon – Fri 06:00 – 19:30, Sat 06:00 – 17:00

This small market stall at the Rochusmarket (metro U3 Rochusgasse) is the perfect stop over for a nice lunch. The owner Roman is preparing a choice of delicious homemade soups (veggie and non-veggie) to take away or to eat there.

Not only his soups are a delight he also offers a small selection of good wines and depending on the seasons salads or other typical Austrian dishes.

If you are looking for a cheap and healthy lunch try KochbaRoman!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
KochbaRoman | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Soups) | Soup (small) € 3.50
Rochusmarkt 39a | Inner districts | +436643563904
Tue – Fri 10:00 – 19:00