Whether it's to visit an exhibition or for a class, the MAK has plenty to offer. A museum-cum-arts college, this famous building has been a feature of inner-ring architecture since the 19th century. The museum was first conceived in 1863, with plans based on the South Kensington Museum (which is now the V&A) in London. This is something I find remarkable about Viennese architecture: only a handful of buildings, such as the WUK on Währinger Straße, are red-brick in the Northern European style; the majority of Viennese buildings tend to be stuccoed in that familiar off-white and extravagantly ornamented, especially along the Ringstraße.
It is not the only reason I like the exterior of the MAK. First opened to the public in 1871, it was expanded in the early twentieth century, then partially rebuilt in the '40s after damage sustained in the war. During the '80s and '90s the whole interior underwent restoration and was designed in order to reconfigure the exhibition space.
Surprisingly for a Viennese art museum, if you visit the MAK on a Tuesday, admission fees are waived. And, as I briefly mentioned in the introduction, this is no mere museum: MAK is a sanctuary for applied artists. There are many opportunities to study or even take evening courses here - Aktzeichnen (life-drawing) for example. This class is very popular! Also, offers for furniture, Wohngemeinschaften (flatshares) and the like are pinned up regularly in the student space. The vibe is, thankfully, in no way stuffy or elitist.
Find your way with 163 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Emmerich" is a 'Buschenschank' in Vienna - a small wooden stand in a vineyard where the owners offer their spritzer and small plates. Go enjoy the view!
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The Summer Stage is like an outpost of several Vienna restaurants in the form of a huge terrace next to the Kanal with all sorts of different cuisines.
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The Kent family of restaurants is well known in Vienna as vibrant outposts of Turkish culinary delights with their classic array of appetizers, charcoal-grilled skewers, kebab, and many other highlights.
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The architecture is simple, light, and modern and allows the creative food and drinks to shine. Arguably one of the finest in Liesing, it still boasts very reasonable prices and ventures into the many flavors of Asia.
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The Lobau is a national park made of meadows and forests that can be reached via subway and yet it's a world of its own. The perfect escape from city life is a walk in the National Park.
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The noodles just really taste so different if they are hand-made. The decoration of the plates and drinks is lovely and adds to the overall culinary experience.
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A long-time resident of Vienna, Sohyi Kim bridges Korean cuisine with Viennese traditions reaching an outstanding culinary level.
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In the trendy 7th district of Vienna the concept store musette (small "muse" in French) stands out with its thought-through selection of products assorted around a topic.
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The bar fits perfectly into the lobby of the famed Austrian pavilion of the Expo 1958 in Brussels, so much so that you might think it was always there.
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They will make it hard for you to choose from the abundance of sweet (and salty) delicacies. Eastern European and Viennese pastries come in huge portions and diversity.
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