Sidewalk cafés, beach bars, wine taverns: savour the flavours of summer in Vienna
When the sun is shining, outdoor seating in the fresh air is always hot property — and Vienna’s sidewalk cafés are the perfect places to enjoy a laid back meal or drink, a chat with friends or simply watch the world go by. There are about 1,800 of these seasonal guest gardens in the city. Bars and restaurants set up tables and chairs in nearby public spaces — on squares, pedestrian zones or pavements. Framed by flower beds and shaded by parasols, they are ideal for relaxing and enjoying the finer things in life — right in the heart of the city, but still outside.
Although Vienna is a long way from the sea, it has more than its fair share of beach bars. The capital’s al fresco waterfront bars are popular hangouts — favorite spots include the Danube Canal which borders the historic first district, and the Alte Donau, a former branch of the Danube with naturally maintained banks. While the MuseumsQuartier — an ideal place to chill out in the fresh air — is not on the river, its comfy outdoor loungers and excellent restaurants are always in demand.
And Vienna wouldn’t be Vienna without its Heuriger wine taverns. Cozy surroundings, great wines and delicious buffets create an inimitable sense of wellbeing in the shaded guest gardens and picturesque vineyards. In fact, Vienna is the only major world capital with an extensive winegrowing industry operating within its city limits. Around 700 hectares of vineyards shape the cityscape and the Viennese way of life.
Thank you to Wien Tourismus for their contribution to this article.
