Right inside the heart of Vienna’s inner city there’s a calm hidden spot, perfect for having a short break between two sightseeing checks on your Vienna-to-do list, just waiting for you. Despite of its central position this place remains a peaceful one and I’d highly recommend you stop by here for having an urban picnic or just to round up your Albertina visit with some moments of admiring the city panorama from the inside.

Also if you’re just about to end a classy evening in Vienna’s opera house this place represents a good destination of a short late night stroll, as when it’s dark already, you can see the opera building itself in its, in my opinion, most beautiful appearance: illuminated by dozens of dimmed lights.

The way to get there is also kind of interesting: instead of taking the elevator or escalator that leads you right up to the place itself you shouldn’t be too lazy to climb up the big steps leading to the museum. Changing from time to time, their design is dedicated to one of the exhibition’s artists, so maybe you’ll happen to walk upon one of many artists’ masterpieces such as Magritte, Kandinsky or Monet…but don’t step on the water lilies!

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Albertina Terrace | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Albertina | Old city/center
24 hours daily

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.

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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

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

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 in its name, on the 1st floor. The small door which doesn’t let you spy from outside leads you in this cocktail paradise. Dimmed light, dark wood paneling 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

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.

They have separate smoking and non-smoking areas.

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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)

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 a 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. Some say they serve one of Vienna’s best “Kaiserschmarrn“, a typical Austrian sweet dish.

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

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Heindl’s Palatschinkenpfandl | Restaurants (Austrian) | Pancake pan € 10
Köllnerhof-/Grashofgasse 4 | Old city/center | +4315138218
10:00 – 00:00 daily

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 all you can find are loudly packed bars with people who have 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

Street food stands in Vienna are not just for sausages and kebabs, you may as well find other goodies! Last year I discovered an unbelievable street stand for sweets on the Ring (Schottentor), near the University. It is, to be precise, exactly at the tram stop of the lines 1, D, 43 and 44. I am often at Schottentor to change trams and after I got to know this place, changing the tram was never a struggle anymore!

Considering the size of the place you have to be nothing but amazed by the variety of sweets they offer. The cakes are just delicious and of outstanding quality. They offer not only the classic bakery, but also further things calling for your bite such as spinach filled bag, cookies, muffins, fresh fluffy apple strudel, Nusschnecken, almond chestnut cakes, marzipan cakes… (I hope you are not on an after-Christmas diet…). Once more said: all of them are really delicious!

At Barke’s you can also get for only 2 Euros a large coffee to go. Just all you need! If you are more into chocolate bars you might rather visit the neighbor hut called “Zuckermaus”. Again the place is small but the offered variety of chocolate bars and other candies is stunning. Beside the usual selection of Snickers, Bounty or Mars you find as well hard to get jewels like a Bobby banana.