Old city/center Vienna – All our local tips

Vienna’s pink heaven can be found all around the city at 26 different locations. The café and pastry chain has got a long tradition in Vienna and is well known as everything is pink: the outfits of the waitstaff (even the socks) and the cakes itself, such as the raspberry bomb.

Most of the cafés are still in their original 50ies/70ies style. It is popular among senior citizens and pink lovers. Some nice locations are next to the St.Stephens cathedral or in the Wollzeile (old city center).

If you want to bring home a sweet souvenir, buy one of their delicious boxes of chocolates, of course in pink!

Check the Aida cafés website for other locations.

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Aida cafés | Coffee & tea | Sacher cake € 2.60
Wollzeile 28 (and see the website) | Old city/center | +4325826110
Mon – Fri 06:30 – 20:00, Sat 08:00 – 20:00, Sun 10:00 – 20:00

Situated just in the city center this cocktail bar can be surprisingly empty. There are two reasons. The first one is that it is well hidden in an inconspicuous looking side-street. Furthermore it is right next to a restaurant, which has a much bigger sign and which doors is right next to Alcazar’s. Remember, you have to open the right door and there should be stairs going up.

Second of all, it looks very fancy. Actually it’s not although it seems so at first sight. In fact, this place is quite unpretentious. No dress code, no class code, simply no code. Close to the Opera, the Musikverein and some very expensive hotels it kind of misses their target group and keeps a friendly vibe instead of cold and “classy”.

The cocktails are good (that is they have the right amount of alcohol) and the variety is huge. The prices start at around 7 Euro what is normal considering cocktails are seldom both good and cheap.

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Alcazar the Cocktail bar | Bars | Mojito € 7.50
Bösendorferstraße 2 | Old city/center | +435043545
Mon – Wed 19:00 – 02:00. Thu – Sat 19:00 – 04:00

A pool on the Danube, what do you want more? A place to catch a sunburn nearby, where tasty food and drinks are almost close at hand, and a bar plus dance floor to never ever leave this location again. That is what you get at the Badeschiff Wien.

The pool is heated and open until 00:00. It is trailed to the ship, which has a sun deck on it, where you can lie on the deck-chair and watch those people who watch you. What you don’t get at the Badeschiff is privacy because of the people passing by who cannot help but stop and stare. On the other hand at which outdoor pool can you avoid the average Peeping Tom ? Around October the pool gets covered with what looks like a big white balloon and it becomes a bar.

In the evening, the party starts in the so-called Laderaum (cargo bay). There they play Indie, Electronic, 90s and more. Entrance is free on the weekends including access to the pool! What I like about this place is that parties can get crazy but still don’t go overboard.

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Badeschiff Wien | Bars, Music, Relaxing, Snacks | Beer € 3.40
Danube canal | Old city/center | +4369915130749
Pool May – Oct 10:00 – 00:00 | Club 22:00 – 04:00

The famous Café Hawelka was one of the centers of Austrian cultural life since the middle of the 20th century. Its charm lies in the owner’s habit of hardly ever renovating the place and keeping the old Viennese coffee house customs from the 20th century like selling single cigarettes in a glass.

The old Mr. Hawelka used to stand at the door and greet the customers but I haven’t seen him in a while. I remember that when I was there once with a friend from abroad, I wanted a list of beverages, so she could order something to drink. I asked Mr. Hawelka, if I could have the menu. He looked at me like I was crazy needing a menu and pointed at the chalkboard on the wall, where the writing was so smudgy that I could not read a thing.

Since the last renovation it is a bit cleaner and there is a well legible chalk board but amazingly the original furniture is still there.

If you go there you have to try the freshly made dessert Buchteln (only in the evenings). They are to die for.

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Café Hawelka | Coffee & tea | Melange € 3.40
Dorotheergasse 6 | Old city/center | +4315128230
Mon & Wed – Sat 08:00 – 02:00, Sun 10:00 – 02:00

The charm of this typical Viennese café, which was founded in 1904, attracts many people from businessmen to students to seniors.

The cozy interiors with its low armchairs in 50s style make you feel at home. Some people use the café as their private office, as free Wi-Fi is available. Others enjoy reading an international newspaper after a lunch from the daily menu and some come to listen to the live piano music on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 19:00 – 22:00!

It is a place where you can spend hours watching people without getting bored.

The kitchen is typical Austrian, pastries such as the apple-strudel are homemade, coffee is served with a free glass of water and the waitstaff is dressed penguin style. Their Sacher cake is another delight, and according to many one of the best in Vienna.

Read more about Viennese coffee culture here!

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Café Prückel | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Austrian) | Apple-strudel € 2.90
Stubenring 24 | Old city/center | +4315126115
08:30 – 22:00 daily (closed Dec 24th – 26th)

Vienna is called the “city of music”, but if you want to discover what sounds, notes and rhythm are about, Haus der Musik is definitely a Must-go. You will find it in almost every tourist guide and it is not too exaggerated to say that you can spend a day in there. Not mentioned all the time though is Cantino, the restaurant in Haus der Musik.

Family Weinzirl, who not only own Cantino but also the restaurant Weinzirl in Konzerthaus, are experts in making you feel comfortable. Taking the glass lift up to the roof top of Haus der Musik, you will discover Cantino and feel welcome immediately.

With its passion for details and lovely decorations, changed according to the season, the restaurant is worth a visit. Furthermore, you get one of the best views at the old city center.

But you should not go just because of the view or the interior, it is about food: In Cantino they really serve good Spanish tapas (according to Gault Millau ‘09 maybe the best tapas outside of Spain”!), Italian pasta, and fresh sea food and a huge variety of wine. Of course, you cannot afford to eat there daily, but for an unforgettable evening, it is definitely the place to go.

If you have the chance to be in Vienna on a Sunday, I can highly recommend the Tapas Brunch from 12:00 to 15:00 for a very special start of the day.

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Cantino in “Haus der Musik” | Art & culture, Music, Restaurants (Spanish) | Menu € 37.00
Seilerstätte 30 | Old city/center | +4315125446
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 15:00 & 18:00 – 23:00, Sat 18:00 – 23:00, Sun 12:00 – 15:00

At the Filmmuseum you may watch everything but the Hollywood blockbuster movies. I like to think of it as the artistic, alternative cinema in Vienna.

They often have theme programmes, mostly older (black and white) movies and artistic ones. If you walk in uninformed it may happen that you catch an endlessly long short- film of a single perspective of a moving staircase (it made me challenge my perception of art).

The ambiance is simple but classy. For example the screening room is called “Invisible room” because it’s completely black and without any ornaments. It was designed in order to keep the focus on the film. The bar fits to this description as well. It is small and black leather seats are placed at the windows in a kind of notch. The red house wine there is cheap AND tasty.

Due to new regulations smoking is only allowed after 21.00.

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Das Filmmuseum | Bars, Cinemas, Snacks | Entrance adults € 9.50
Augustinerstraße 1 | Old city/center | +4315337054
Bar: 10:00 – 00:00 daily | box office: one hour before 1st screening

When you visit Vienna during the autumn or winter you may want to stop and warm up with a nice cup of tea. At the Demmers Teahouse you will find a huge variety of different black, green and fruit teas… and more. It will take you at least 15 minutes to choose.

There are 5 more shops but the biggest is on the Mölker Bastei (in the center) where you can also sit down and take at least 15 minutes to choose what to order.
There is also a big and beautiful selection of tea pots and cups.

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Demmers Teehaus | Coffee & tea | Tea pot one person € 2.90
Mölker Bastei 5 | Old city/center | +4315335995
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:00

A hidden treasure of Vienna’s “Bermuda-triangle”, a popular nightspot in the center, is this cocktail bar.

The “First Floor” is hidden, as it reveals its name, in the 1st floor. The small door which doesn’t let you spy from outside leads you in this cocktail paradise. Dimmed light, dark wood panelling and the vast aquarium add the special flair to this sophisticated place.

The staff knows how to mix a good cocktail and the choice is wide. Over 200 cocktails are offered. Enjoy your cocktail while watching the flowing seaweed in the aquarium and listening to a good selection of Jazz, Soul and Lounge music.

A perfect place for a intimate meeting or hanging out with good friends.

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First Floor | Bars | Cocktails from € 6.00
Seitenstettengasse 5 | Old city/center | +4315337866
Mon – Sat 19:00 – 04:00, Sun 19:00 – 03:00

Not only is Gartenbaukino a festival location for the independent film festival Viennale but also a host for every year’s Oscar Award -night screening including free breakfast at 3ish am.

Built in the 60ies it still got that kind of communist-Berlin-style touch to it, retro-style as we would put it now. It has got more than 700 cosy, non – Cineplex seats and a huge wide-screen with old school curtains that open when the movie starts. Gartenbaukino is an integral part to Viennale’s success (side note- Viennale is the owner of Gartenbaukino).

Along side with other independent art house movie theaters like the stylish Metro, the small but nice Stadtkino (all of them also Viennale locations) or DeFrance (focus on French movies) the purpose of Gartenbaukino is to be an opponent to the commercial franchise cinema complexes that spring up like mushrooms.

I have to admit that sometimes they are more convenient than the old ones (wider screens, more service, ) but they’ve got no unique character and there’s definitely no genuine interest in showing movies that are not part of mainstream pop culture.

COMING TO TOWN “up in the Air” – the new Clooney movie – maybe a mainstream movie but watch it an extraordinary setting – the Gartenbaukino.

IMPORTANT NOTE – already a bit in advance. March7th,-nite of the Oscar’s (aka the Oscar Award) – great ambiente, bfast for free, great talks – better than in front of your a small tv – all by yourself.

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Gartenbaukino | Art & culture, Cinemas, Festivals & events | Row 4- 14 € 6.50
Parkring 12 | Old city/center | +4315122354
Daily

A couple of years ago when I did an internship in London, one of my most favorite cities in Europe, apart from my hometown, I fell in love with the city’s charm – which was also caused by certain British products.

This time I am not talking about food but about furniture, fashion items and home accessories. An Austrian/British couple brought a wide range of those goods to Vienna. They do not only sell products made in England but also from different other charming countries but mainly from the UK.

The owners will be more than happy to tell you stories about each and every one of these great products – may it be a “shabby-chic” piece of furniture or a baby’s rattle .This is daydreamer’s paradise -romantic furniture that gives you a “home sweet home” feeling – happy living at its best.

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Happy living | Shopping | Lghters € 2.00
Singerstrasse 26a | Old city/center | +4315124051
Tue – Fri 10:00 – 18:00, Sat 11:00 – 18:00

Sometimes it is difficult to find a restaurant in the center which is not too formal and too expensive, but also not too touristy! The so called “pancake-pan” is very centrally located and offers salty and sweet pancakes in an nice atmosphere. Sit down in one of the cozy wooden parlors (some with fireplace), or on the terrace, either smoking or no-smoking. Free Wi-Fi is a bonus for those who quickly want to check their email before eating.

The pancakes are served in pans, and usually they come in a combination of 3 different ones. Vegetarian choices, cheese pancakes and pancakes stuffed with meat; all in all there are 29 delicious variations. The sweet crepes are another delight and usually come with whipped cream or an ice creaming topping.

In the evening the restaurant tends to be crowded, so I recommend you to make a reservation.

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Heindl’s Palatschinkenpfandl | Restaurants (Pancakes) | Pancake pan € 10.

Recently, one of my best friends started talking starry-eyedly about this “lovely and intimate restaurant” where her boyfriend and her use to celebrate one evening every year. Her enthusiasm was so contagious that I had to check it out immediately – and cannot contract her in any ways.

Himmelsstube, which is located on the 12th floor of the hotel “Parkring” (book here!) is really a gem, and a quite unknown one. With only little space (about 10 tables), it is rather small and provides private atmosphere for romantic dinners with your lover or chatty girl-evenings with your best friend. Even some business events or family gatherings are possible there. There is a special room which provides space for about 36 guests. Due to its size, booking a table in advance is more than recommended.

When you book a table you can order a menu: either a romantic dinner (€32,-) or heavenly astro menu (€42,-), where you get the right dish for your sign of the zodiac; another option is to combine dinner & casino (€57,-) or – if you are still under 30 years old – get the first taste during a young gastronom dinner every Tuesday (€25,-). There is the right menu for everyone.

But I still have not mentioned the best of all: It´s not the delicious food nor the lovely atmosphere, on top of that you also can enjoy a really spectacular view of the roofs of beautiful Vienna. You should not miss that, that is for sure!

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Himmelsstube | Restaurants (Austrian) | Menu from € 32
Parkring 12 | Old city/center | +4351480417
12:00 – 14:30 & 18:00 – 22:00 daily (July & August only dinner) &source

The Jazzland is a tiny place, really well hidden (the best places are) in a cellar in the city center. The unpretentious interior with the nice staff makes you feel welcome immediately.

The best part though is the music. The bands are mostly traditional Jazz, Blues, Boogie, Swing, Folk and sometimes modern Jazz.

The average age of the audience is a bit higher, but that’ okay. They are just people who now their stuff and good music.

There is no possibility to make a reservation. Therefore (and because of the size of the place) strangers have to sit (don’t really have to, only if they want to sit and not stand) at the same table quite often.

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Jazzland | Bars, Music, Snacks, Restaurants (Austrian) | Entrance from € 11.00
Franz-Josefs Kai 29 | Old city/center | +4315332575
Mon – Sat 19:00 – 03:00 (Live music 21:00)

Seeing the window display of Kaufhaus Schiepek I always behave like a mot drawn to the light. So much colorful, glittering and individualistic stuff that my brain is not able to form more than this thought: “I want”.

The mainly self-made jewelry is trendy and beautiful. But they also offer pearls in any kind and shape as well as wires, threads and more to create your own accessories. If you have any practical questions the nice ladies from the shop will sure help you with words and deeds.

Additionally, Kaufhaus Schiepek has some nice bags and most importantly everyday objects in the flashiest styles. And let me tell you, they really brighten up your life. For more useful and colorful things go across the street to the store called “Shipping” which belongs to the Kaufhaus. Somehow this place seems to be bewitched putting thoughts into people’s mind like: “You need new stuff”. And somehow the stuff happens to be sold here.

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Kaufhaus Schiepek | Shopping
Teinfaltstraße 3 | Old city/center | +4315331575
Mon – Fri 10:30 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

A special place for BOBOs (members of the bohemian bourgeouisie – an expression made up by the city’s well known magazine FALTER) It is really tiny indoors and maybe has a greater atmosphere in summer when you can sit outside on the wonderful Franziskanerplatz where you feel like you have hopped on a time machine and entered medieval times (when you first lay eyes on it what I am talking about). – a very intimate and picturesque place in modern Vienna.

If you don’t know it you will probably not stumble upon it by chance. An interesting fact is, that the Kleines Café “starred” in “Before Sunrise” alongside with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Even the actor Hanno Pöschlo who runs the Kleines Café makes an appearance in the film – as an extra playing the role of a husband on the Budapest-Vienna train where the two main characters meet.The French student and the American traveler spend about 14 hours in Vienna -discussing love and life while exploring the city. All of these spots are definitely worth a visit.

Side note – an artist of ours, Berenice Darrer (she is a painter), LOVES that cafè – it is her favourite place to be (she already said it on tv so i guess it is fine to say it on a blog) – maybe you will spot her among that extraordinary crowd.

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Kleines Café | Bars, Coffee & tea | Wine from € 2.00
Franziskanerplatz 3 | Old city/center
Mon – Sat 1010:00 – 02:00, Sun 13:00 – 02:00

Ski lodge flair combined at TOP location “Am Ring” – an insider tip for travelers who did not yet come across Austrian cuisine or conaisseurs who can’t have enough of it.

Newly opened in May 2008 Martinjak breeds Après Ski flair in a tasteful surrounding – stone pine furniture and an open fire place. Dessert specialty – the well-known Viennese apple strudel with cinnamon cream will be the highlight of a dinner in Austrians capital.

One might ask him/herself “Did I just die and woke up in heaven?”. Delightful ambiance, delicious food and courteous waiters -what else does a hungry traveler need? As a saying points out – traveling is not about arriving but about the way itself.

Since it is freezing cold in Vienna at the moment – it is the perfect hang-out without having to risk your life on a real ski-slope;)

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Martinjak | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Austrian) | Meal from € 7.00
Am Opernring 11 | Old city/center | +4315356969
08:00 – 01:00 daily

As the title says, it has really the best Pita Falafel you can find in Vienna. It is humongous filled with plenty of healthy ingredients (and not just salad and a slice of tomato like somewhere else).

The other food is delicious as well. They put lots and lots of vegetables on your plate. For those who are not Vegetarians, don’t worry they have meat there as well and it is not too bad either.

There are two Maschu Maschus, one in the city center and the other at Neubaugasse 20 in the 7th district. The second one is bigger then the other and slightly more expensive (a Pita Falafel for 3,90 Euro).

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Maschu Maschu | Snacks, Restaurants (Oriental) | Pita Falafel € 3.50
Rabensteig 8 | Old city/center | +4315332904
Sun – Wed 11:30 – 00.00, Thu – Sat – 11:30 – 04.00

Every now and then, I need a little piece of luxury – and the best place to find this in Vienna, definitely is Meinl am Graben. It is not that I can afford to buy caviar from the Caspian Sea or white truffles; it is just about the experience.

Meinl am Graben is not a “normal supermarket” with coffee-shop, wine bar, restaurant and sushi-bar included, it is a piece of art, a temple of delicious things (most of them out of reach); it is all about food and drinks, about taste and smell. If I have to find one word for it: It is all about luxury.

The range is enormous: Over 16.000 delicatessen from all over the world, things you cannot get anywhere else in Vienna, among them 400 kinds of cheese, sausages, chocolates, pâtés, wines, whiskeys – everything you can imagine, and also everything you cannot imagine.

Just do it like all the others: Stroll and browse around, take a look and inhale the feeling of being there. And if you cannot or do not want to afford goose liver, Meinl also has chips, milk, honey and all the things other supermarkets have for the usual prices. But at least you can say: you bought them in Meinl am Graben.

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Meinl am Graben | Bars, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks, Restaurants (int.)
Graben 19 | Old city/center | +4315323334
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 19:30, Sat 09:00 – 18:00

Every year, I can hardly wait for summertime, which starts in March for me: Molin Pradel ice cream parlor at Schwedenplatz opens its doors again then, and provides me with that summer feeling.

With over 84 different tastes of ice cream, semifreddi, soy ice cream and much more, this ice cream parlor has been serving the needs of Viennese and tourists for more than 118 years now. No matter if you pick cream cheese, amaretto, hazelnut or pistachio (just to mention a few) – you will not be disappointed, everything is worth a try. Either sitting on the benches at Schwedenplatz in front of the parlor, sharing the experience with the crowd there or enjoying the great taste in the garden of Molin Pradel parlor, you will be satisfied in the end. And if not, go and get another one …

But be aware: Due to this beautiful weather, everybody wants an ice cream – so be prepared for queuing up and live the saying: It’s always good to have something to look forward to.

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Molin Pradel ice cream parlor | Snacks
Franz-Josefs-Kai 17 | Old city/center | +4315331996
March – Sept 09:30 – 23:15 daily

Vienna is growing up. You can tell by the new restaurants, bars, festivals that are popping up here and there. It is becoming more and more of a cosmopolitan city and can definetely keep up with cities like NYC, Paris and Barcelona.

This new bar/restaurant/chill out place is a testimony to this evolution. It comes off as a Berlin cafe – Kastanienallee 103 comes to my mind when I think of Orlando di Castello. Maybe less wanna-be fancy, the waiters are friendlier but are still keeping their cool. Appealing interior design, even the people working there are conformists – corporate design and identity par excellence . Shoes, clothes, even necklaces with the “ODG”-logo (abbreviation for the cafe’s name) – a new brand is born.

The food is yummy – and most important thing of all for people who just LOVE italian way of living. You can have a “cadè al banco” for only 1 Euro. Ain’t that great – something that I really missed about Vienna. Even though we are proud of our coffee culture I have to say that this is on top of my favs-list.

The only criticism I have to add is that the toilets, well actually the waiting room, has some kind of faulty design – people are always cuing in front of it because it is way too small. But apart from that – I’d say one of THE places to be at the moment.

Check it out. It is worth it.

Side note – the coffee (espresso) is good but strong..if you want a real italian coffee, creamy and traditional go to the NEW Vapiano – even though it is a chain and they all kinda look the same to me – the have great coffee and decent priced food…herrengasse 6 to 8 right next to the subway stop u3 “herrengasse”

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Orlando di Castello | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Italian) | Main meal € 8.00
Freyung 1 | Old city/center
Mon – Sat 07:30 – 00:00

Traditional meets experimental Austrian cuisine – reinterpreted by the star-chef Helmut Österreicher, staged by Peter Noever, the director of the MAK (Museum of Applied Arts). Creativity combined with a down to earth touch that is what the interior, the menu and the affiliated MAK design store are shouting out loud and clear.

Already when you enter the restaurant/bar/café you are amazed by the chandelier made out of empty bottles. At first glances it looks like a classic one but on a closer inspection you notice something outstanding about it.

The most fascinating part about this place is the interior design which is rounded up by the delicious plates the menu has to offer. They offer a great variety of Austrian and international wine – Italian, Spanish, French (the usual suspects).

Typical drink at Austrian restaurants: “G’spritzter” (white wine with bubbly mineral water).

A great aspect is also the shop where you can get yourself a Vienna art gallery guide or the latest up to date design doorstop.

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Österreicher im MAK | Art & culture, Bars, Shopping, Restaurants (Austr.)
Stubenring 5 | Old city/center | +4317140121
09:30 – 01:00 daily

In need of food that makes you feel good, that cools you down, refreshes your mind, contributes to your well-being. The right food is able to improve your mood, your ability to concentrate and achieve all your goals for the day. It is being prepared freshly every day.

The owner actually used to work in the marketing business. She is always there to prepare the food – is more than happy to be of help to make the perfect choice meal-wise. The interior is dashing – new age (reloaded) combined with Scandinavian design.

When I first set eyes on this tiny cuisine to go-restaurant one thought crossed my mind “Vienna is growing up and becoming more and more of a cosmopolitan city – including all the ingredients it needs to meet the young crowd’s expectations!” Since it is only open at lunch time you can imagine how incredibly packed it is – a place where 6 people fit in comfortably but 15 want to get in at the same time. So expect the worst and get the best service, best food in the end.

Now that this place is not an insider thing anymore, make sure to arrive early so you won’t have to squeeze in and all the delicious menus will still be available by the time you get there.

At the risk of repeating myself – Vienna is step by step growing up – it is the right time for adventurous caterer/gastronome.

Close by is also fresh, soup & salad (www.fresh.at) – it might not be as healthy and cosy as Pat’s brainfood but nevertheless a great choice if you are into – tatatatata – soups, salads and well…Asian-style food.

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Pat’s brainfood | Snacks, Restaurants (Healthy) | Curry soup with beef € 4.80
Plankengasse 4 | Old city/center | +4306642038303
Mon – Thu 11:30 – 16:30, Fri 11:30 – 15:00

One of the best Italian restaurants in town – if not THE best.

While it may be tough to find for a non-local, the great food, charming service and souther italian ambiance, make it more than worth the effort.The guest are being welcomed with a charming “Buona sera Signori!” and if there were not the streets of Vienna outside you would actually get to the feeling of being somewhere in the south of Italy.

Apart from the fact that it is famous – special appearances were made by the Italian singers Romina Power and Albano Carrisi – you will fell home right away. I might be a bit biased since I am a big fan of Italian culture – be it food, way of living, art or…men;)- but I guess there are lots of people like me out there who appreciate it as much as I do and would die for a tasty pizza or an Amaretto soaked tartufo – and above all: an authentic Italian cafè. The interior design is a nice mix of Austrian influences and a typical Italian pizzeria (upscale though).

Insider tipp – you should go there on Sundays, “il capo” (the boss) is in charge of the kitchen at this day. A nice way to spend your weekend.

In Italy there is a saying: “Vedere Napoli e poi morire” (see Napoli and then die – just because it is so unbelievably beautiful) – in this case ” Mangiare da Rossini e poi morire” (eat at Rossini and then die).

It does not change that much…and that is the good thing about this restaurant. you can always expect everything …

By the way – If you ever get the chance to go to Naples, visit “Da Michele” for an authentic Napolitan pizza – check out www.damichele.net. Go there before all the locals get there (aka before 20:00) otherwise the probability of a long cue is pretty high.

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Pizzeria/Trattoria Rossini | Restaurants (Italian) | Pizza from € 8.00
Schönlaterngasse 11 | Old city/center
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 14:30 & 18:30 – 23:30

My best friend has been talking about Leschanz-chocolate for ages, but it was not until I had to find gifts for a company event, that I had the honor to get in touch with these royal chocolate delights.

The Viennese confectioner Wolfgang Leschanz is delivering his handmade viands only to the best spots, among them are the famous Meinl am Graben (check the Meinl am Graben article) and the president of Austria for 10 years now.

Some 5 years ago, Leschanz decided to make his creations more accessible – and lucky Vienna, he found the ideal spot to open his shop in the city center: The antique “Button King”.

The original furniture including a golden double-headed eagle from days, when the “Button King” was still purveyor to the court, stayed the same. You can even see reminders of former buttons in the shop. But instead of cloth buttons, you can now get chocolate “buttons”, candies, cakes – everything sweet you could ask for.

In summertime, a fountain for fruits covered with chocolate provides refreshment – and in wintertime, you can warm yourself with hot chocolate.

It is not only the sweets, but it is Leschanz´ passion which makes “Schokoladekönig” special. Experience the chocolate, the service and indulge yourself – just like a queen and a king deserves it.

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Schokoladekönig | Shopping, Snacks | Sweets from € 1.50
Freisingergasse 1 | Old city/center | +4315333219
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 18:00

Shakespeare & Company is an English bookstore with its own personality. It’s small but filled with so many books that by turning around you unwillingly chuck them on the floor- or at least if you are a girl with a big bag.

I was actually very perplexed when the lady at the cash desk lit a cigarette. But then I figured it’s her own shop why shouldn’t she do what she wants? Besides her niece or grandchild was running around the shop and until now I am not sure whether the sign at the door “Beware of the little art” or something like that- was referring to her or some art I could not detect anywhere.

Though the shop is small you have your Austrian guide books and- even better -your Xenophobe’s guides. Beside they don’t sell everything but they have books you may not find in any other stores.

Girls- stop fishing for compliments- you may get them there plus a small discount. As I found an interesting book about the origin of the democratization in Poland the cashier was impressed with my interest in a difficult topic and immediately gave me a discount. Who needs men when there is the Shakespeare & Company bookshop?

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Shakespeare & Company | Art & culture, Shopping
Sterngasse 2 | Old city/center
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 21:00

Street art in Vienna is maybe not as big as in city like Berlin, known for artistic invasion of public space. But also in Vienna artists claim their spots. It embodies absolute freedom and the option to express either a sociopolitical statement or to share a piece of art with as many people as possible.

An art theft has apparently occurred at Schleifmühlgasse 6, 1040 Vienna. (I have to mention that Schleifmühlgasse hosts also three ‘regular’ galleries) One of numerous pieces of street art left all on house fronts all over Vienna by famous street artist Banksy has been stolen. Where once used to be a happy riot cop with a smiley there is now a hole in the wall. Needless to say that this is not only a loss to the art world but also a loss to the locals.

Corr.by the author: I have been told that it was not sold, it is hard to tell what is true and what isn’t – gossip travels fast and urban legends form quickly. I will tr to get the latest updates on this one and will keep you posted.

The good thing is that more and more artists have the urge to express themselves and present their philosophy. Art is not restricted to galleries, museums – the institutional and commercial aspect is to be put aside for a moment or to contemplate on the impact of these interventions.

A couple of months ago a daring artist sprayed “Cross line to feel female” and “Cross line to feel male” tags across town – even or above all in front of museums – questioning stereotypes of masculinity and feminity.

The quartier21 in MQ (Museumsquartier) also turns art into an immediate experience in public space, a passageway is being used as exhibition space -but this is not as spontaneous as the artists that risks something by appropriating the space that belongs to all and no one. Keep your eyes open and you will see a piece of art on almost every corner…

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Street art | Art & culture | Free
Anywhere across town | Old city/center
24 hours daily

The University of Vienna is a place where you may feel that just by wandering the hallways your brain gets soaked up with wisdom (unfortunately it does not work that way). This building may deceive you by looking old and very historical but it’s only a bit more than a 100 years old. Well, I don’t care, I just love it.

In the centre of the University there is a tiny little park with some benches, canvas chairs and a little café. This is a really nice place to relax, especially during the summer break when most of the students are at home and it becomes a lot quieter then.

The best time to take some pictures of the university is Saturday morning- it gets uncannily empty then.

Try to walk around in the University and you definitely get lost. And if you manage to find the library (I couldn’t find it until the 2nd semester of my studies) take a look at the old reading room. It still has old tables and shelves and seeing all those busy students at work may evoke a desire to study as well. But don’t worry, get out of the University, take a deep breath and it will go away.

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University of Vienna | Art & culture
Dr.- Karl-Lueger- Ring 1 | Old city/center | +43142770
07:00 – 22:30 daily

Only some years ago, fair trade and organic products were only available for interested insiders, hidden in small and modest corner shops in some side roads or outside of the inner city. This has changed now! In the center of Wien, surrounded by fashion brands, jewelery and posh restaurants, you can find the modern fair trade shop.

As one of the 88 “Weltläden” within Austria, the flag ship store in the first district is a colourful, bright and beautiful symbol of the change of society. The products range from handmade cloths to delicious coffee, from selected spices from Africa, Asia and Southern America to unique earrings or bracelets, from little boxes for precious things to delightful chocolate.

All of them come from the so called third world, but – as the fair trade concept is – producers get fair prices for them and can make their living in good circumstances. So, the prices of fair trade products might be a little more expensive than usual, but the good conscience you get with it is priceless. Moreover you get really special and unique gifts for yourself and/ or others in “Weltladen”, especially the organic coffee and chocolate are worth a try.

And if you love to dress up differently: You can also find beautiful clothes such as creations of the Austrian brand “Göttin des Glücks” in “Weltladen”. Right now, I am just in love with the new summer leatherbags in blue, green, red and grey. More than enough reasons to take a look yourself, right?

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Weltladen | Shopping
Lichtensteg 1 | Old city/center | +4315352886
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

It’s Saturday night, you’re wandering around in town looking for a place to sit, have a drink or two and maybe a pleasant chat with your friends but everything you can find is loudly packed bars with people who definitely drunk too much. You’re about to head home for quietness and maybe finish that little bit of vodka left at the bottom of the bottle sitting in the fridge. But hey, it’s Saturday night! And that’s how, by absolute chance, we found this little, intimate bar in the heart of the old Vienna.

There’s always a seat waiting for you in the comfortable leather couches of this small bar which is a regulars favorite (mostly artists and students). Even on busy Saturdays. Prices are more then reasonable although the choice is not too sophisticated: They serve two or three basic cocktails, beer and spirits. In the end you’re at home away from home.

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Wunder-Bar | Bars | Gin Tonic € 4.50
Schönlaterngasse 8 | Old city/center | +4315127989
17:00 – 02:00 daily

Watch out chocolate addicts, you may have found your new dealer here.

You will really wonder how a small place like this can make you stay long. Here you will find chocolate in every shape, almost every aggregate state and in almost every flavor. No I am not talking about the lack of some nougat crunchy chocolate but very weird stuff like ketchup chocolate (I know it exists but I could not find it there).

Check out the Austrian brand Zotter, which is hand made. It will make your mind blow what they allow to put in chocolate.

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Xocolat | Shopping | Zotter chocolate bar € 3.60
Freyung 2 | Old city/center | +4315354363
Mon – Fri 10:00- 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00. Sun 12:00 – 17:00