My 24 Hours in Vienna

On Saturdays I love to start my day with a nice walk to the market. There are several organic markets in Vienna and one of my favourites is just around the corner of my flat, in the 8^th district in the Lange Gasse. I always buy fruit and veggies for the week there. Luckily my favoured cheese shop called Jumi is close by. They offer their cheese in beautiful wooden humidors and you can taste everything before you decide what to buy. This shop has a fun atmosphere, they play music and a mirror ball blinks above your head while the owner tells you all about his cheese.

When I want to have breakfast outside my apartment, Joseph Brot is where I go to start my day in a delicious and healthy way. I savour their terrific bread and pastries while sitting in the wonderful light of an Ingo Maurer lustre. The Koko Chanel drink (a refreshing coconut boost) along with a healthy breakfast consisting of whole-grain bread, salmon, eggs and a sweet chia vanilla pudding makes me very happy.

Afterwards I leisurely stroll from the 3^rd district into the 1^st district. I pass by a great new cheese shop and restaurant called Lingenhel. Their products and dishes are amazing and so is the interior; well-chosen and conductive to a pleasant atmosphere. I stop for a short visit at the MAK – the museum of applied arts – for some contemporary art inspirations. Check out the impressive main hall of the building, hang around for a while and take in the effect of this spaciousness. The museum shop is worth visiting, too.

Now I wander along the ancient buildings of the city centre and pop into Marco Simonis Bastei for a glass of crémant and some crunchy saffron-curry nuts to go. For some sophisticated fashion finds I head to the concept store called Song in the 2^nd district, close to the Danube river. Ringing the bell here before entering always allows you a special welcome. Selected high fashion articles and several luxurious leather goods, creative perfumes and candles are presented throughout the store and a beautiful gallery completes this extraordinary shopping experience.

For the best coffee in town I walk into the coffee shop Balthasar which takes me five minutes walking, coming from Song. These guys work with a very unique machine and fulfil all your coffee wishes in a perfect manner.

I simply love roaming the streets of Vienna, especially because of the stunning architecture everywhere. It might be lunchtime by now and for that I highly recommend the Israeli bistro Miznon in the 1^st district. A vibrant restaurant where you order with self-service and they shout out your name through the whole place as soon as your meal is ready. The atmosphere in there is very pleasant and amusing. Most of the time I end up having the grilled and very tasty cauliflower or broccoli dish. The stuffed pita breads I also like a lot.

For a little timeout after lunch, I like to relax in the wonderful Burggarten. I lie down in the grass and read a book or I just watch the clouds passing by in the sky. If it is already late afternoon, I meet with friends and we have a glass of wine leaning on the balustrade of Palmenhaus. Sometimes I also take a walk through the nearby Volksgarten which is just another fantastic park in the city. When I stroll through this park I like walking around the ancient Theseustempel which is surrounded by thousands of rose bushes gleaming in different colours. Sometimes you even see and hear skilled guitar players in front of the temple – an unforgettable moment, every time!

For a special view over the city I drive to the 16^th district (reachable by bus), where I walk up the hill Gallitzinberg to the castle Schloss Wilhelminenberg. Be amazed by this exceptional view of the Viennese downtown! On your way up or down the hill, stop at the romantic Villa Aurora for a cool drink and a little snack.

Back in the city, I’m heading to one of my favourite stores in Vienna. Habari sells exceptionally manufactured story-telling goods. You can find all sorts of unique interior products, textiles and accessories produced in traditional workshops, hailing mostly from Africa but also Japan, France and the UK. Especially the lower floor provides a special atmosphere if you feel like escaping into another world from time to time. Near Habari you can find a very charming old staircase called Fillgraderstiege. Built around 1905, this staircase bridges the gap between different levels of the 6^th district. If you keep on walking you will get to one of Vienna’s landmarks, the Naschmarkt, within minutes. Besides all the other fantastic food stalls, there is the most authentic Japanese kitchen bistro called Kuishimbo. It’s very small but lovely for lunch or a snack in between. I love the spinach sesame salad as well as the different Ongiri or Takoyaki – a Japanese speciality with octopus.

Slowly but steadily moving towards my neighbourhood I stop for a delectable scoop of ice cream at Veganista which has the best vegan ice cream in town. Try “matcha” or something even more fancy like black sesame which will give you a natural high because of its intense flavor. It’s also this corner of Vienna, around St. Ulrichsplatz, where some of my favourite shops are located. There is Burggasse 24, a very cool secondhand shop (as well as café) offering brands of international and Austrian fashion designers. Close by, Sous-Bois is selling the most fabulous stationery items made by prestigious brands and designers like Kaweco, Nomess Copenhagen, Midori and many more. Sometimes they even offer arts and crafts workshops. At the fashion store Mala I always try on the latest Scandinavian collections by Munthe or Filippa K. On the opposite side of the street you can find SU jewelry. I adore their unconventional and distinct handmade necklaces, rings and bracelets by designers from Istanbul. Now I’m in my beloved neighbourhood which never gives me a big city feel and I really appreciate this cosy and snugly atmosphere.

Sometimes I feel like squeezing in an art exhibition on my little shopping tour whereby I prefer to go to  the Leopold Museum in the Museumsquartier. Especially on Thursday evenings (extended opening hours to 9 pm) I like joining the curator-guided tours. The museum shows a great collection of the artworks of Egon Schiele and some famous Klimt paintings, too. The museum Albertina is another favourite spot of mine for enjoying some beautiful art that is exhibited in an iconic classical building.

Now that I’m up to date regarding fashion and art, I like to go to ERICH for a laid-back dinner. It is a modern bistro located in front of St. Ulrich’s church with a cosy outdoor area. They also know how to prepare lovely gin cocktails.

For a real gourmet dinner, I recommend booking a table at Shiki which is a Japanese fine dining brasserie and bar in the city centre, close to the Staatsoper. The restaurant was opened by the famous conductor and violinist Joji Hattori. Honestly, I have never had such good sushi before in my life. The tasting menus are simply amazing but the single dishes are also nothing to scoff at. I personally cannot leave without having had the Wagyu Beef carpaccio.

After this flavourful delight a rooftop drink rounds off the day perfectly. Therefore I like to go to Le Loft, situated in the hotel Sofitel. From here you have the best view over the heart of Vienna while sipping a Jungle Bird or French75, sitting on elegant furniture from Jean Nouvel underneath the glowing ceiling designed by Pipilotti Rist. My perfect day ends with some cool beats and drinks at the fly bar Kleinod.

For memorable nights check out our Soulful Hotel collection here.