Cafe Central
A palatial coffeehouse once frequented by Freud and Trotsky, all vaulted ceilings and marble. Come for the ritual of a Melange and a slice of cake – the queue is part of the experience.
Vienna
Neni am Naschmarkt
A buzzy, family-run spot on the Naschmarkt serving vibrant Israeli and Middle Eastern sharing plates – hummus, sabich, shakshuka – amid the market bustle. Book for weekend brunch.
Schonbrunn Skip-the-Line Tour
Skip the queues with a guided tour of Schonbrunn’s imperial state rooms and gardens, a guide unpacking the Habsburg soap opera as you go. Often combined with the grounds and Gloriette.
Reznicek
A gourmet Viennese tavern in the 9th that turns sceptics into Austrian-food fans – the classics (Cordon Bleu, Zwiebelrostbraten, Backfleisch) done better than most, alongside seasonal and nose-to-tail dishes.
Figlmuller
The famous home of the plate-overhanging Wiener Schnitzel since 1905 – hammered thin, breaded and fried golden. Yes it’s touristy and busy, but the schnitzel really is that good; book ahead.
Plachutta
The temple of Tafelspitz – tender boiled beef served in its copper pot with marrow bones, roast potatoes, apple-horseradish and chive sauce. A refined, quintessentially Viennese ritual of a meal.
Kolonitz Beisl
A deeply local eating-and-drinking joint in District 3 with a weathered bar and rustic wooden tables. Lentil stew with pork cracklings, big dumplings and schnitzel variations – about the cheapest sit-down meal in central Vienna.
Glacis Beisl
A modern take on the classic Viennese Beisl, hidden like a secret garden in the old city walls behind the MuseumsQuartier. A short, well-executed menu of schnitzel, goulash and seasonal specials – lovely on a summer evening.
Zum Holunderstrauch
An unassuming neighbourhood tavern a few blocks off the main drag, full of regulars rather than tourists. Straightforward, hearty Viennese comfort cooking at fair prices – the real, unpolished thing.
Donauinsel
A 21km-long slip of island in the middle of the Danube – Vienna’s free playground for swimming, cycling, skating and barbecues, and home to Europe’s huge free Donauinselfest each summer.