I recently spent a week in Vienna. Here is what stood out to me in the Austrian capital in terms of food and drink and entertainment.

Food and drink

Naschmarkt is probably the most popular food market in Vienna, its roots dating back to the 16th century. Throughout the years, it used to be called Aschenmarkt until switching to the name it goes by nowadays—Naschmarkt (“naschen” in German means to snack, or to nibble, and “markt” is of course, market). If you are a foodie and like trying different cuisines, then the Naschmarkt in Vienna is a must when visiting the Austrian capital. Besides the typical goods that the market offers, such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, herbs, pastries, etc., there are multiple small, cozy restaurants that vary in cuisines, with, of course, Austrian dishes, but also Japanese, Greek, Turkish, and others. Every Saturday since 1977, there has also been a flea market at Naschmarkt, where one can get lost among thousands of different trinkets, antiques, and souvenirs and take a piece of Vienna with them.

Other food and drink places I would recommend are Brandauer Schlossbräu, Viva la Mamma, or any Christmas market if you are visiting in the wintertime.

Brandauer Schlossbräu is a spacious restaurant right next to the Schönbrunn Palace, which offers mostly Austrian cuisine, done with detail and super tasty. It is particularly nice and cozy in the winter, but they have outside seating for summer days as well.

Viva la Mamma is an Italian place in the center of Vienna, perfect for a date or just for an outing with friends. With an eye for detail and hospitality, it left a very good impression on me, as the hostess welcomed us to our table with a little cup filled with popcorn to share for me and my friend. The food was impeccable—I ordered black spaghetti with mussels.

The Christmas markets in Vienna mostly offer the same types of food everywhere—different types of Bratwurst (sausages), Leberkäse, different types of potatoes (my favorite were the Spiralkartoffeln—potatoes sliced thinly and put on a stick; they taste like chips!), Maroni (roasted edible chestnuts), chimney cakes (a cinnamon-y sugary goodness), as well as waffles, crepes, or Kaiserschmarrn, a traditional Austrian dessert—shredded pancake with dried fruits. Glühwein (mulled wine) is also a must if you are a wine/alcohol fan, of course.

Daiquiri Shotothek is a place I would recommend for drinks or for pre-gaming a night out. They serve 12 shots on a wooden platter with holes for each shot glass, and you can pick and choose different tastes. Pricing is great, too.

Entertainment

After pre-gaming, it is time for the real deal. If you are a club fan, then surely you will appreciate Volksgarten—Vienna’s biggest night club. I liked it very much despite not being the biggest partygoer—it is the cherry on top for the perfect night out.

If you are visiting the Austrian capital any time between mid-November and the end of December, I would recommend visiting a Christmas market the most. It sounds cliché, but people love and recommend these markets for a reason. Whichever one you pick from the ones scattered across the city center, you will not go wrong, and that is why I am not picking a particular one; I will just list them below. Every market has its own charm, something that differentiates it from the others despite selling pretty much the same products. It is a wonderful activity for people of all ages, with some markets having specialized kids zones as well. The Schönbrunn market has a ferris wheel, for example, on which anyone can go, not only children.

Here is a list of Christmas markets in Vienna (with their websites hyperlinked for convenience):

In terms of museums, I was strongly impressed by the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology (Technisches Museum Wien). Located a bit outside of the central area, actually near Schönbrunn Palace, I think this museum is a hidden gem.

A vast, spacious three-story building houses this museum, and when I say vast, I am not exaggerating—there are actual helicopters, a gondola lift cabin, and huge locomotives on display inside. The museum offers such a diverse range of exhibits that one can easily spend half a day exploring. It is particularly engaging for kids and teens, featuring interactive, hands-on demonstrations that bring some exhibits to life.

One of the highlights is a large exhibition on media, complemented by a fascinating section on the history of radio, showcasing tens of radios from different decades. This museum left a profound impression on me, as I learned so much about technology and its influence on the world around us. It’s truly a must-visit destination!

From the multiple art museums that Vienna has to offer, I picked Albertina this time, and it definitely paid off. I saw works of Picasso and Monet and immersed myself in the peace and quiet of the museum. Definitely worth a visit if you are an art connoisseur or just want to look at pretty and interesting artworks.

The Schönbrunn Zoo is also a place I loved, even though I visited it years ago. It is the oldest operating zoo, and it is concerned a great deal with the preservation of species, which is something I love. I wandered aimlessly, trying to take in as much of the animals around me as I could. I saw a giant hippo, penguins, polar bears, koalas, and perhaps my favorite—orangutans with their offspring. Despite what many would think, a zoo is not only a children's activity—I had the perfect amount of fun as a mid-twenties visitor alone in there. Its architecture is also very charming, with remnants of baroque style still visible today, for example, the central pavilion, which once used to be a breakfast pavilion for the imperial family.

Those are just a few of my biggest impressions and recommendations throughout my one-week stay in the Austrian capital. Vienna is a gorgeous city in any circumstance, any month of the year, and any time of day. I highly urge you to go and see for yourself!

(A special thanks to my dear friend Mariela Latinova for the lovely time we spent together in Vienna last month.)