Inner districts – Local tips (coffee & tea)

There is already a puff piece about Tunnel (check the Tunnel article) on this website, but for those who are a little scared by the crowds and the size of this students “most go”, there is an alternative: Café Merkur.

Merkur, which has been re-opened just recently, is actually the smaller brother of Tunnel and can be found literally around the corner from the other spot. It has the same motto as the bigger brother: International food for affordable prizes.

Moreover, it has the same menu (so for this, take a look at the Tunnel article) and promotes the acts/ music shows and art exhibitions of the Tunnel. But for me, according to food and good service, Merkur is the better option. An additional plus is that in Merkur breakfast is served until 17:00 on weekends – and you almost always get a table there.

So, just enjoy the variety of breakfasts known from Tunnel with one of the (international) newspapers. There is hardly any better start into the weekend…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café Merkur | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Intern. ) | Snacks à € 2.50
Lammgasse 1 | Inner districts | +4319905413
10:00 – 02:00 daily

One summer about 8 years ago, it was love at first sight; it felt like meeting someone I have already known all my life. Maybe I felt like that, because the Café Rüdigerhof represents Vienna as it is.

For more than 100 years, the coffeehouse has been situated in one of the famous Jugendstil-buildings of the Wienzeile/ Naschmarkt-area. The golden letters saying “Café Rüdigerhof” invite you to a more glamorous era, and inside it feels like time stood still: The menu still offers traditional Austrian dishes which are prepared in a way like my granny used to cook them.

If you want to be on the safe side, take the “Wiener Schnitzel” but for people who love to take risks I recommend the “glasierte Leber”. If you really want to know what it is, I am sure one of the friendly, relaxed and caring waiters tell you more about it. You get all that for reasonable prizes – especially the lunch menus, which attract a lot of students to Café Rüdigerhof.

But it is not only students whom you meet at the coffee shop, it is everyone – from old ladies to artists; from knitters to couples in love and even some of the high-society of Vienna. In summertime, the crowd is mostly in the beautiful shadowy garden; in wintertime the cosy rooms provide a refuge from the stressful world outside. So, choose a coffee or tea – and enjoy Vienna as it is.

And please: Even if you really want to indulge yourself with a coffee and some desert, do not forgot to take a close look at the building from the outside – especially on the side. The house with lots of blue and golden decors is just one of a kind.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café Rüdigerhof | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Restaurants (Viennese) | Main € 5.50
Hamburgerstraße 20 | Inner districts | +4315863138
09:00 – 02:00 daily

Do not expect tasty coffee or friendly and anxious service, do not expect clean and stylish atmosphere – typical Viennese coffee shops are not about these things. On the contrary, the harsher the service, the more worn out a place is, the better it is. So, what is the mystery behind the Viennese coffee shops then? Well, I guess it is all about experiencing those places and travelling back in time.

Café Sperl, built in 1880 and a listed monument now, is one of the oldest Viennese coffee shops and definitely a must-see and must-go in Wien. In former times the russian occupying forces used the Café Sperl as shelter for their horses. And students of the academy of arts used to trade their hand drawings for coffee – pieces of art, which are now shown in the famous Viennese Albertina.

Now, Café Sperl is often ranked high considering service and other qualities, even though I recently have experienced some really rude waiters. Moreover, I would not recommend having lunch or dinner there, but sticking to deserts like Strudel and cakes such as the Original Sperl Kaffeehaustorte.

Alternatively, just go inside, order a coffee (Attention: Cappuccino is with whipped cream, Melange with milk) or a glass of water, take one of the international newspaper and just suck in the atmosphere of many centuries of Viennese tradition.

NB: You might be interested in this article on Viennese coffee culture on our main website.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café Sperl | Coffee & tea | Deserts from € 5.00
Gumpendorfer Straße 11 | Inner districts | +4315864158
Mon – Sat 07:00 – 23:00, Sun 11:00 – 20:00 (15:30 – 17:30 piano music)

The first address after arriving in Vienna by train (if you arrive at the West-railway station) is this old traditional café.

Smoky atmosphere, dark furniture, comfortable benches, and perfectly dressed waiters, that’s the Westend. Don’t expect to be warmly welcomed. The waiters, most of them as old as the place itself, are unfriendly and moody.

But they have yummy cakes, good coffee and the warm atmosphere let you forget about them immediately. Actually these moody characters make this a typical café in Vienna.

The location of the café invites all kind of types of people stopping by for a coffee and makes it also interesting to watch people. Somehow you have the feeling that many people have this hobby here – having a coffee and observing the situation.

You can also find typical Austrian dishes at every hour (breakfast, lunch, dinner).

Even if it is a real smokey place (like almost all the cafés in Vienna!) there is a non-smoking corner. At least you don’t have to inhale the smoke of your neighbor!

Read more about Viennese coffee culture here.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café Westend | Coffee & tea, Restaurants | Espresso € 2.20
Mariahilfer Straße 128 | Inner districts | +4315233183
07:00 – 00:00 daily

Austrian Gemütlichkeit, “coziness” describes this place perfectly. It is another traditional café, like so many in Vienna: International  newspaper, late breakfast, typical Austrian fare, comfortable sitting,  are the keywords for our beloved cafés.

The café Zartl was founded  in 1883, and didn’t change a lot since 1919 when a Monsieur called Zartl  took over this place. It has always been a meeting point for writers and  philosophers, especially during the years between the wars, writers such  as Robert Musil came here. Now a days you might come to write a blog entry, taking advantage of the Wi-Fi hotspot while drinking a Melange (Viennese coffee specialty with milk foam).

The waitstaff is not the most  attentive, neither the food has a super quality, but here you can spend hours relaxing, chatting and reading in a comfortable warm ambient. Have a walk at the nearby Prater before coming here!

Read more about Viennese coffee culture here!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café Zartl | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Austrian) | espresso € 1.70
Rasumofskygasse 7 | Inner districts | +4317125560
07:00 – 00:00 daily

Walking in, the inconsistency of the range of furniture will strike you. And every piece has a price tag attached. Right. They are all for sale. Young and striving designers leave their products in the Moebel, hoping to sell them. But don’t worry, you don’t have to stand while eating or drinking and you will not be charged for spilling.

Being a young and hip place it has to have healthy snacks and beverages like organic, ayurvedic and herbal teas and unfiltered juices. Besides, opening not until 10.00 and serving breakfast until 14.00 it becomes very clear what the targeted clientele is: students and artists.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Das Moebel | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Beer € 3.20
Burggasse 10 | Inner districts | +4315249497
10:00 – 01:00 daily

As soon as the first sun rays come out, there is one spot where people already sit in the sun, enjoying their café latte or their Aperol spritz – and this is Kunsthallencafé located on Karlsplatz.

It immediately gives you a holiday feeling when sitting either on the big terrace of the restaurant overlooking the Naschmarkt (see the Naschmarkt article) on one side or the Karlschurch at the other side. And when summertime is really here, there is also the chance – if you are fast – to grab one of the chairs in the grass and get the impression of chilling out on the beach.

Kunsthallencafé is the little sister of “Motto” (check the Motto article), it is the summer location of Bernd Schlacher, who is the owner of not only Motto and Kunsthallencafé but of another spot, “Halle” in Museumsquartier as well.

The system is basically the same in all three of them: Providing good atmosphere with chill out (and sometimes live) music, Asian-Austrian-Mediterranean kitchen for prices which are affordable but not too favorable, tempting the young, urban, stylish people to go there and have a good time. Well, and this is what you can expect from Kunsthallencafé for sure!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kunsthallencafé | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants (International)
Treitlstraße 2 (Karlsplatz) | Inner districts | +4315870073
10:00 – 02:00 daily | DJ-Line Summer Wed – Sun, Winter Sat – Sun from 14:00

&source

Eat vegan and take care of our environment – that is the (inofficial) slogan of “Loving Hut”, an international chain of vegan (!) restaurants, which grows and grows and grows rapidly – and which has finally arrived in Vienna as well.

The main principle and the theory behind the concept is simple: A vegan dish made out of organic ingredients uses 200 times less water than a meat dish. Moreover it produces up to 94% less CO2-emission within a year. You can find this calculation on the website, and it is quite impressive and convincing, isn´t it? Not convinced yet? There are even more arguments for being vegan on the website.

The first Viennese Loving Hut on the Neubaugürtel is quite unspectacular outside and you can overlook it quite easily as it is surrounded by grey-in-grey-buildings. Inside it is a bit nicer: Very light interior, including radio and television radiating music and images from the company owned happyness channel, “Supreme TV”. Soon after the first restaurant, a second Viennese Loving Hut has opened its doors in Favoritenstraße 156.

What food can you expect at Loving Hut? Vegan AND fairtrade dishes are on the menue, some soye products replace meat dishes and lots of the ingredients are from local and organic productions. All the food is also available as take away.

So, I actually could imagine worst things than eating vegan: In the end it´s all about saving the planet while eating, isn´t it?

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Loving Hut | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Vegan)
Neubaugürtel 38/5 | Inner districts | +4312939182
Mon & Wed – Sat 11:00 – 21:00, Sun 12:00 – 21:00

Despite the sign “Hunde- und Katzenpflege” outside – which literally means “dog and cats care”, Mon Ami is a spot where humans are taken care of. Inside, the location is quite simple, rather plain: An ideal bar for private birthday parties and pre-drinking gatherings.

Soup and Snacks are served daily (€ 3,50 bis € 6,80),you can get a nice cocktails from €6,80 on and the home made sandwiches on Wednesdays are quite filling. There are DJ-Lines and Live music occasionally and you can access WLAN for free. Nothing spectacular, right?

Well, you definitely have to take a closer look: Mon Ami is not only a bar, but a fashion store. Inside the restaurant area hides a fashion shop – or rather a fashion studio of young Austrian designers. During the opening hours of the bar, you can take your drink and browse through the creative clothes, coloursful hats, knitted scarves and many, many other things. Or you can watch a designer creating and sewing a dress which can be found on the coat hooks the next day.

It does not surprise that from time to time, fashion design shows are taking place in Mon Ami too. Coffeeshop, bar, restaurant AND fashion – well, what more can you ask from your friend, mon ami?

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Mon Ami | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Shopping, Snacks
Theobaldgasse 9 | Inner districts | +4315850134
Mon – Sat 16:00 – 01:00

Need some spices for a traditional Thai dish – don´t worry, go to Naschmarkt. You want to buy fresh vegetables from farmers – well, go to Naschmarkt. You are craving for sushi – the answer is obvious: Go to Naschmarkt.

For more than 300 years now, the area on the Wienzeile between Karlsplatz and Kettenbrückengasse is used for markets – and it is getting bigger and bigger.

You will find a visit at Naschmarkt recommended in every tourist guide, and it is always quite a challenge to find your way through the crowds. But still the Naschmarkt is not only a place for foreigners, but also for Viennese locals who love the international atmosphere: Little stalls with fresh vegetables and fruits, wines, cheese and sausages; stand-up buffets offering Italian, Turkish, Greece, Egypt, Indian, Slovakian and of course Austrian food; highly motivated sales persons welcoming you in different languages to their house – that´s what Naschmarkt is all about.

For the last years, Naschmarkt has also become the place for Asian restaurants so do not be surprised to stumble over a Sushi or Thai or Chinese bar every two minutes.

As there is also the biggest Viennese fleamarket every Saturday, especially during summertime it seems like all of Vienna is on Naschmarkt. So, if you are more up to go shopping and relax, it might be better to visit the place during weekdays or in the morning. And do not forget to take a look at the surrounding: You will find some of the most beautiful buildings in this area!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Naschmarkt | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks
Naschmarkt | Inner districts
Mon – Fri 06:00 – 18:30, Sat 06:00 – 17:00 | Fleamarket Sat 06.30 – 18:00

The Point of Sale is not a retail store but a comfy local hang-out , at brunch and tea time (if you will) packed to the rafters. When I was someone fresh of the boat by that I mean new to the 4th district scene and a fresh(wo)man at university this place was basically my living-room.

This place (and the people frequenting it) and I clicked immediately. In summer 2008 it was redone and has got a fancier look to it now. It is not only eye candy to the design aesthete but also a culinary delight. It has got the charme of a French bistro (or like franchise chains like Pret a manger or Le Pain Quotidien). See and be seen through the huge windows is the motto.

Local comedians, artists and actors use this place as meeting point, to work on their stuff or to just hang out and have a coffee.

Now that it is summertime, you can enjoy a cafe latte outside while observing the bobos passing by.

Italian, Greek, American, Indian bfast – you want it – they have it…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
P.O.S | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (International) | meal from € 7.00
Corner Schleifmühlgasse 12 | Inner districts | +4319669891
Sun – Thu 10:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 10:00 – 02:00

“By the way, the chair you are sitting on is for sale, oh and yes, the  book, which you just grabbed from the bookshelf as well. Of course we sell the record you are listening to.” That’s the phil, a colorful café-bar-bookshop-recordstore-interior shop-flea market and if you find something you can’t buy, then you are probably in the toilet, well actually I’m not even sure about that.

Actually the owner recently told us: “We don’t sell the toilet (except for the lamp maybe), we don’t sell the coffeemachine because she’s from the 60s and something special, we don’t sell the clothes we’re wearing, and we don’t sell the
artists (singers, writers, painters) when one of our from-time-to-time
events takes place.”

Students, young families, artists  and many more appreciate the easygoingness in the phil. The furniture are  mostly 70ies and as mentioned before, they can be bought. There is a  large corner with books, Dvds, records and posters which you can browse and sniff into while having a drink, and if you like it, you bring it home.

The place is non-smoking and food looks and tastes healthy. Bring your laptop to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and make sure to reserve a table if you plan to come in a larger group.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
phil | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Shopping, Snacks
Gumpendorferstrasse 10 – 12 | Inner districts | +4315810489
Mon 17:00 – 01:00, Tue – Sun 09:00 – 01:00

I have been living in Vienna for more than 13 years now, and I am still happy like a child if I locate interesting spots: One of these findings is the “Pure living bakery”. When I accompanied a friend home from a walk in Schönbrunn, we literally stumbled over this tiny cafeteria – and knew: We have to come back!

“Pure living bakery” is unique here in Vienna, it could rather be found in California: Rumours say that the owner, a former stewardess, collected not only recipes and ideas for the delicious cakes, muffins and waffles on her trips but also every little detail of the interior. Soaps, “furniture buttons”, candles, mirrors, mugs, gift wrap paper – it is amazing how much fits in the quite small shop-restaurant. And the good news is: You can buy almost everything you see to decorate your own kitchen or bathroom.

Apart from the cosy atmosphere, the kitchy interior you definitely have to mention the drinks and food: My friend found THE best coffee ever (according to her of course) here and I have to admit, that I am in love with cinnamon roll or the New York Cheese Cake. Moreover, Pure living bakery offers bagels breakfast till 15:00 and on weekends, American Pancakes with maple sirup, strawberry juice and whipped cream. I could go on like this forever and I definitely have to come back – especially in April, when they re-open their beautiful garden…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pure living bakery | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Shopping
Altgasse 12 | Inner districts
Mon – Fri 09:30 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 18:00, Sun 13:00 – 18:00

Located around the corner of the Rochus Market, this fancy multi-function place is popular for all-day-long-breakfast, business-lunchs, afternoon-friends-meetings, evening-after-work-cocktails and many other occasions.

Stylish interiors, red armchairs, fancy toilets, a place to see and to be seen. A large variety of food, inspired from the market next door, is served a bit slow, though breakfast and lunch “boxes” are convenient in price and quality.

The loungy atmosphere in the evenings make it a popular gathering place to enjoy a cocktail or two!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Rochus | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (International) | lunch box € 7.00
Landstraßer Hauptstraße 55-57 | Inner districts | +4317101060
08:00 – 02:00 daily

Süssi derives from two words- the German expression for sweet and the name “Sissi”. Why would you combine these two? Only if you wanted to open up a bakery in the old Empress Sissi’s way.

When you enter, a whole new world uncloses itself. The greatest scents combined with a wonderful décor – a tiny little parlor that offers a great variety of delicious sweets and in summer even ice-cream. Two tables, four seats – as I pointed out – tiny- but really cosy because of the red plush. A portrait of Sissi hanging above the counter, painted by one of the owners himself in his teenage years.

Actually the young painter’s grand grandmother used to be the Empress’ lady’s companion. An original tissue of Sissi provided the logo for this wonderful parlor -a reminiscence to when Austrian was a great and important world player – a place and a time to remember.

Suessi  expanded their parlor recently- so it is not a tiny little tearoom anymore but that doesn’t mean that it lost its charme but it actually means that it is even more worth it to visit since you will have more room to enjoy this beautiful viennese cafe.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Süssi | Coffee & tea | Ice-cream € 1.00
Operngasse 30 | Inner districts | +4369911294199
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 21:00, Sun 12:00 – 21:00

All movie cinemas offer popcorn, chips, softdrinks, chocolate while watching the newest Hollywood blockbuster? All?! No, not all! One rebellious fighter against mainstream cinema remains: Topkino.

Located close to Mariahilferstraße, Topkino – together with the affiliated Schikander one of the repertory art-house cinemas in Vienna – is known for showing independent movies and focusing on small-budget-pieces-of-art. Another speciality is the Sunday film brunch where you can watch a movie (starting at 12.30) and indulge yourself with a great brunch buffet before or after the film. For those who don´t call themselves “early birds”, there is a special Saturday night line in March and April. And if you want to enjoy a movie together with all your loved ones, you can also rent the movie for private occasions.

As I said though, showing movies is not enough: Topkino is also known as a great hang-out location, restaurant and bar. The menu is quite something and the bar promotes itself on the website as offering everything from “real Italian cappuccino from a venetian coffee roastery to flavourful Single Mal Whiskey from the Scottish Highlands”. All this you can enjoy while surfing on the internet (WLAN is for free if you consume something) or – if you happen to be in Vienna around summertime – in the outdoor area.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Topkino | Bars, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Intern.)
Rahlgasse 1 | Inner districts | +432083000
Mon – Wed 15:00 – 02:00, Thu – Sat 15:00 – 04:00, Sun 10:30 – 00:00 (Jul – Sep Sun from 15:00)