In a nutshell
- Here we share our absolute favorite spots and hidden gems in Vienna — places most tourists never find.
- Short on time? Our top picks are: Kahlenberg for the best city views, Donauinsel for a local escape, and Weingut Heuriger Muth for wine the Viennese way.
- We’ll tell you where to find the best Wiener Schnitzel, the most delicious ice cream, and Vienna’s top secret restaurants — all tried and tested by us.
Cool Hidden Gems in Vienna Off the Beaten Tourist Path
Once you’ve seen the main attractions in Vienna, it’s time for some real insider tips that show you a whole different side of the city.
We’re true Vienna obsessives — and we’ve also asked locals about their favorite spots and under-the-radar finds in Vienna. Here are the best ones.
The Best Insider Tips in Vienna
Kahlenberg
Whenever we asked Viennese locals about the most beautiful viewpoint in the city, the answer was always the same: the Kahlenberg.
The 1,575-foot summit sits northeast of the city and delivers a stunning panorama over Vienna.
On a clear day, you can even see the Carpathians in neighboring Slovakia. Weekends bring plenty of Viennese up here — it’s genuinely a local favorite. Just a few hundred meters away is the Cobenzl, a hill officially called Latisberg that also offers a great view of Vienna.
Getting there: Take the U4 to the last stop, Heiligenstadt. From there, hop on bus 38A — it stops at the Cobenzl first before continuing on to the Kahlenberg.
Our Viennese blogger friends Kathi and Romeo have rounded up even more great vantage points on their blog Sommertage: the most beautiful viewpoints over Vienna.
Donauinsel
The Donauinsel is a 13-mile-long, up to 820-foot-wide artificial island on the Danube.
Built in the 1970s and ’80s primarily for flood protection, it’s now the city’s most popular recreational area — and honestly, it shows.
The Donauinsel is perfect for hiking, cycling, skating, or just having a picnic when you need to escape the city buzz.
It’s especially great for a family vacation with kids in Vienna. There’s a swimming beach, a climbing park, a huge water playground, and the world’s largest floating trampoline facility.
By the way, the hop-on/hop-off buses in Vienna also stop at the Donauinsel.
Our tip: Mosquito has a lovely little terrace overlooking the Donauinsel, and the grilled fish on a stick is absolutely delicious!
Our tips for a day on the Danube Island can be found here:
Donaukanal
The Donaukanal is the arm of the Danube that flows right through the city, separating the 2nd district (Leopoldstadt) from the 1st and 3rd.
Along the canal you’ll find loads of graffiti and street art, and in recent years some seriously great beach bars have popped up along the banks.
Especially popular with locals are Neni and the Strandbar Hermann.
Our tip: You can also explore the Donaukanal on a boat tour through Vienna.
Franziskanerplatz
Franziskanerplatz is a small square in Vienna’s city center. It’s just as beautiful as the rest of the center, but there’s something truly special here: the Kleines Café.
At first glance, the Kleines Café looks completely unassuming — and it’s true, it’s not a grand institution like Café Sacher. But that’s exactly what makes it so special. It’s cozy and intimate, and it feels as though time stopped here many decades ago.
If you want to experience a genuine Viennese café away from the tourist crowds, the Kleines Café at Franziskanerplatz is the place to go.
Want to go even deeper into Viennese coffee house culture? You can also join a guided tour:
Guided Tour of Viennese Coffee Houses
A Look Inside a Traditional Café with Viennese Craftsmanship
Rooftop Bar das LOFT
Das LOFT is a fantastic bar with an absolutely breathtaking vista over Vienna. It sits on the 18th floor of the luxury hotel SO/ Vienna and is a genuinely unforgettable experience.
Not only is the view incredible, but the cocktails are seriously good too.
Beyond the bar, Das LOFT also has a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Both the bar and the restaurant are always busy, so it’s well worth making a reservation in advance.
Spittelberg
Spittelberg is a small, charming neighborhood in Vienna’s 7th district.
Strolling through Spittelberg, you almost feel like you’re in Paris — the area really reminds us of Montmartre.
The MuseumsQuartier, home to some of the best museums in Vienna, is also part of the Spittelberg neighborhood.
We especially love the narrow lanes like Spittelberggasse and Gutenberggasse — they’re perfect for a slow wander.
Our tip: At the restaurant Amerlingbeisl you can enjoy delicious Viennese cuisine in a lovely courtyard.
This is one of our favorite Vienna hidden gems — the little neighborhood of Spittelberg tucked behind the MuseumsQuartier. Wandering through those narrow lanes genuinely feels like a detour through Montmartre.
The Best Wiener Schnitzel in Vienna
Of course we asked the most important question: where do you find the best Wiener Schnitzel in Vienna?
Here are tips from us and real Vienna insiders:
#1 Figlmüller
Admittedly, Figlmüller is hardly a secret. Still, Viennese locals named this arguably the most famous Wiener Schnitzel restaurant as their absolute favorite. There must be something to it.
At Figlmüller, you can choose between a classic Wiener Schnitzel made from veal and the famous Figlmüller Schnitzel made from pork — so large and thin that it often hangs over the edge of the plate.
Figlmüller has two restaurants in Vienna, very close to each other: the original is on Wollzeile, and the branch that opened in 2001 — with significantly more seating — is at Bäckerstraße 6, right in the city center.
Expect a line of hungry people outside. Your best bet is to reserve a table in advance online.
#2 Gmoakeller
The Gmoakeller is one of the oldest restaurants in Vienna — people have been eating and drinking here since 1858, and the Wiener Schnitzel is of course one of the guest favorites.
Those delicious schnitzels are served in the 3rd district at Heumarkt 25.
#3 Die schöne Perle
Our next pick for the best Wiener Schnitzel in Vienna is die Schöne Perle.
Beyond great schnitzels, die Schöne Perle also serves creative takes on Austrian home cooking that are really worth trying.
You’ll find it in the 2nd district at Große Pfarrgasse 2.
#4 Gasthaus Kopp
Gasthaus Kopp was recommended to us multiple times by locals, so we made a point of trying it on our last trip to Vienna.
Kopp is a family-run operation with honest, down-to-earth cooking. It’s rustic, cozy, and feels a bit like eating at a friend’s house.
And the Wiener Schnitzel? It definitely won us over.
Gasthaus Kopp is in the 20th district at Engerthstraße 104, just a few minutes from the Danube.
#5 Zum Alten Fassl
On our last visit, our Viennese friends took us to Zum Alten Fassl. A proper Wiener Schnitzel is on the menu here too — and it was delicious.
The inn is unpretentious and full of character, with walls that breathe tradition. We felt like we were sitting exclusively among locals.
You’ll find Zum Alten Fassl tucked away at Ziegelofengasse 37 in the 5th district, Margareten.
The Best Restaurants in Vienna
Wiener Schnitzel and Tafelspitz are classics, but Vienna also has fantastic international restaurants from all over the world.
Here are the ones we’ve personally tried and can genuinely vouch for.
#1 Neni: Lovable Chaos
NENI at the Naschmarkt was a happy accident — we stumbled upon it and only later discovered just how celebrated this place is.
Neni is a family business run by Haya Molcho and her three sons. Haya is from Tel Aviv, and her cooking is strongly shaped by Israeli cuisine. She describes her food as balagan — which translates roughly to chaos or confusion.
We are absolutely in love with Neni and can’t recommend it enough.
Beyond the Naschmarkt location, there are two more in Vienna: NENI am Wasser on the Donaukanal and NENI am Prater at the Hotel Superbude Prater, where you can also stay affordably in Vienna.
#2 Ebi: Delicious Sushi in Vienna
Ebi is a sushi restaurant with a very clever concept: all-you-can-eat sushi, but still à la carte.
Using a tablet at your table, you order as much as you like. Portions are small, so you can work your way through a wide variety of dishes. There are also other Asian dishes on the menu.
Ebi now has six locations, and the value for money is seriously hard to beat. Definitely worth reserving a table in advance.
#3 Da Capo Pizzeria
Every now and then the craving hits and only pizza will do. We asked locals about the best pizza in Vienna too, and the answer was clear: Da Capo on Schulerstraße 18.
What can we say? The pizza was sensational. An absolute recommendation from us!
The Best Ice Cream in Vienna
The question of where to find the best ice cream is always important. Vienna insiders kept giving us the same three answers: Eis Greissler, Veganista, and Tichy.
Eis Greissler has five locations in Vienna, including one on Mariahilfer Straße. Veganista has as many as 11. We tried both and found Veganista just a little bit better — though honestly, both are really excellent.
Our third pick for the best ice cream in the city is Eissalon TICHY. This cult ice cream shop is a bit outside the center in the 10th district.
Tichy is a family business with a long tradition, open at this location since 1955. Viennese locals love their Tichy, so the line can get pretty long. But it’s absolutely worth the wait.
The Best Heurigen in Vienna
When Viennese locals go out for wine, they always talk about going to a “Heuriger.” We’re not Viennese and, honestly, we’re still not entirely sure how to pronounce it correctly.
What we do know: it’s all about wine! For Viennese people, Heurigen represent a true way of life — it’s woven into the culture.
At a Heuriger you’re served wine from the most recent harvest in the region, paired with delicious food in a cozy setting.
Our favorite wine tavern in Vienna is Weingut Heuriger Muth — a beautiful courtyard, excellent wines, and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere.
We can also recommend these wine taverns in Vienna:
- Heuriger Schübel-Auer: in Nussdorf and easy to reach by streetcar
- Mayer am Pfarrplatz: very close to the Beethoven Museum
- Weinstube Josefstadt: urban wine tavern centrally located in the 8th district
- Weingut & Heuriger Christ: wine tavern in Floridsdorf in the 21st district
If you want to learn more about Vienna’s wine culture, we can also recommend a wine tasting in a private wine cellar.
Exciting Tours Through Vienna
Vienna has more to offer than the standard sightseeing tours — there are some genuinely interesting options for discovering lesser-known corners of the city and real hidden gems:
Hidden Highlights in Vienna: On this tour you’ll discover a different side of Vienna — fascinating places that most visitors never see, plus a story or two about the city and its history.
Private Tour Tailored to Your Wishes: Want to explore Vienna completely on your own terms? A private tour with no other guests means you set the focus yourself and get real one-on-one time with your guide.
Bike Tour and Wine Tasting in the Wachau Valley: This one takes you out of the city and into the Wachau. By bike you’ll visit wineries and a historic castle, with plenty of good food and drink along the way.
Nothing quite right for you? In this article we show you even more exciting tours and guided experiences in Vienna:
