Dining in Wien
Amacord
This small cellar café has been around for donkey's years. It's popularity stems from its convivial vibe, friendly staff, lovely vaulted ceilings, comfy surroundings and good, affordable food. Viennese classics are mixed in with a healthy range of Italian pastas and the salad selection is extensive. However, some will find the smoke overpowering as the evening rolls on, and trying to find a seat on a Saturday morning is a fruitless enterprise.
Amerlingbeisl
Amerlingbeisl's solid Austrian fare (and sprinkling of Italian pasta dishes) won't set your tastebuds alight but when combined with the setting, this is a lovely place to dine. Situated in the pedestrian quarter of Spittelberg, an old-worldly spot of tight cobblestone streets and quirky shops, this Beisl's inner courtyard is a lush oasis. On balmy summer nights the roof slides back to allow more fresh air to enter.
Aromat
This funky little eatery fuses Upper Austrian and Vietnamese cuisine. The menu changes daily with the chef's whims and often caters to those with an intolerance to wheat and gluten. The food is always fresh and prepared right in front of diners in the open kitchen. The charming decor includes simple Formica tables, 1950s fixtures, a blackboard menu and one huge glass frontage. Personable staff help to create a convivial, bar-like atmosphere.
Bagel Station
Over 20 varieties of freshly baked and filled bagels are available at these bright-orange bagel shops. At the bottom end of the price scale is the classic cream-cheese bagel, at the upper end the classic New Yorker, with smoked salmon, cream cheese, cress and capers. In between, anything is possible, from chicken, salami, roast beef and Brie to fresh salad. Coffee-to-go is a given and, unusually for Vienna, is also available with soy milk.
Beim Czaak
Beim Czaak is a polished Beisl , and one of only a handful left in the Innere Stadt. Meat dominates the menu and difficult choices need to be made between the likes of the Waldvierteler Schnitzel (with fried bacon, onions and mushrooms) and the Haus Schnitzel (weighted down with ham, cheese, mushrooms and onions - yum). Standard Viennese vegetarian, such as Eiernockerl (egg pasta) and Spinatknödel (spinach dumplings), are also options.
Bodega Marqués
Calamari specialities, Gambas, (shrimps) and over 30 different tapas straight from Spain help make Bodega Marqués an excellent choice for dining in the Innere Stadt. The 120 varieties of wine also do their part, but the sheer volume of choice can be overwhelming. The vaulted ceilings and subdued lighting create a romantic atmosphere, except on Friday and Saturday nights when live flamenco music is featured.
Breakfast Club
Mix and match from an international range of ten breakfasts at this compact New York-style breakfast joint on lively Schleifmühlgasse. The Vienna Special of bread roll, honey, egg, seasonal fruit and Melange (milky coffee) is a fine choice, but is completely outdone by the BC Royal (salmon rolls, onions, hard boiled egg, toast and sekt). Kids will also love it: there's a small bar especially designed for the little ones, and a separate menu, too.
Café Bräunerhof
Bräunerhof is an authentic coffee house of some standing amongst Kaffeehäuser aficionados. It remains little changed from the days when Austria's seminal writer Thomas frequented the premises; smoke stained walls, tight tables, surly staff, and a huge newspaper selection. Classical music from the Bräunerhof features 15:00 to 18:00 on weekends and holidays.
Café Central
Grand Central has a rich history - Trotsky came here to play chess, and turn-of-the-century literary greats like Karl Kraus and Hermann Bahr regularly met for coffee. Its impressive interior of marble pillars, arched ceilings and glittering chandeliers now plays host to tourists rather than locals, but it's worth stopping in for a look. There's live classical music from 16:00 to 19:00 Monday to Saturday and 12:00 to 17:00 Sunday.
Café Der Provinz
A charming little café near the Piaristenkirche, Café der Provinz brings a touch of France to Vienna. Choose from sweet crepes, served with the likes of Nutella, chocolate or honey, or sour galettes (buckwheat crepes, cooked on one side only) complimented by ham, cheese or egg. It's a sweet spot any time of the year - inside in winter it's warm and cosy and outside in summer the streetside seating is cool and breezy.
Café Engländer
Attracting the rich and the famous, Engländer is no classic Kaffeehaus , but rather a modern edifice with a discerning air, top wine and a contemporary take on Viennese cuisine. Its service and coffee are of the highest standard.