Vienna
Few cities balance grandeur and liveability quite like Vienna. Imperial architecture, storied cafés and a thriving contemporary culture sit alongside leafy neighbourhoods and an easygoing pace that makes the Austrian capital feel both stately and surprisingly. ““It’s a place where grand tradition and modern life don’t compete but coexist effortlessly,” says Martin Wenig, head of concierge and guest relations at Park Hyatt Vienna. “I like to guide guests towards that intersection where Vienna feels both timeless and entirely of the moment.”
Here, Wenig shares his local recommendations, followed by Monocle’s own favourite addresses across the city.
Park Hyatt Vienna, Innere Stadt
Set inside a former early-20th-century bank on Am Hof square, Park Hyatt Vienna pairs monumental architecture with a softer sense of luxury. Marble-lined interiors, grand staircases and polished service give the hotel a quietly stately feel, while the former vault now houses Arany Spa, an atmospheric retreat beneath the city streets. At the heart of the building, The Bank Brasserie serves reinterpreted classics in a warm, polished setting, with an open kitchen bringing a little theatre to breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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Hyatt Regency Vienna, Favoriten
Mere steps from Belvedere Palace, Hyatt Regency Vienna pairs a calm, contemporary feel with easy access to the Austrian capital’s historic centre. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring light into the hotel’s spacious rooms and suites, while the Nordic-inspired rooftop bar Aurora offers sweeping city views alongside a polished cocktail menu.
Café Kandl, Neubau
Café Kandl is a standout in Neubau, Vienna’s 7th district. It effortlessly blends a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere with inventive cuisine, making it an ideal spot to experience the area’s cosmopolitan energy. The surrounding neighbourhood offers a refreshing counterpoint to the grandeur of the historic centre. It’s a vibrant area filled with independent boutiques, contemporary galleries and design-led concepts, capturing the city at its most modern and creative.
Mayer am Nussberg, Döbling
At the northern edge of the city, Nussdorf marks the point where Vienna gently transitions into rolling vineyards. Among its highlights is Mayer am Nussberg, where you can enjoy local wines in an open-air setting surrounded by vines and sweeping views over the city. It’s a uniquely Viennese experience that combines nature, gastronomy and wine tradition in a beautifully understated way.
Monocle’s top picks…
Bars and restaurants
Café Prückel, Innere Stadt
A standout even among Vienna’s famed coffeehouses, Café Prückel boasts beautiful 1950s interiors, great coffee and mouth-watering apple strudels. Despite the sometimes stern waiters, the establishment’s warm atmosphere invites you to linger over the daily paper. Look out for Stammtische – tables set aside for longtime regulars.
Skopik & Lohn, Leopoldstadt
Skopik & Lohn has won praise for its hearty Austrian fare with a distinct French influence – think beef tartare and coq au vin alongside blood sausage. It’s a little off the beaten track but it’s well worth the detour, especially if you stroll through the nearby Augarten park.
Volksgarten Pavillon, Innere Stadt
Open from April to mid-September, this 1950s pavilion is set among the greenery of the Volksgarten. Come in the evening for drinks and a dance: there are techno nights as well as regular jazz events. The food is excellent too – the pavilion hosts barbecues on an oversized grill.
Culture
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Innere Stadt, and Museumsquartier, Neubau
The Kunsthistorisches Museum, opposite the similarly grand Natural History Museum, was built in the late 19th century to showcase the Habsburgs’ art collection. The galleries feature works by Arcimboldo, Caravaggio, Raphael, Rubens, Vermeer and Velázquez, alongside one of the world’s largest collections of Hieronymus Bosch. Across the street lies the Museumsquartier (MQ), home to the Leopold Museum, which houses Egon Schiele canvases, the contemporary art of Mumok and the interactive children’s museum, Zoom.
The Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, Innere Stadt
Commonly known by its acronym, Mak, the museum focuses on both historical and contemporary design, and is run by Lilli Hollein, co-founder and longtime director of Vienna Design Week. Check out the programme for thought-provoking exhibitions and visit the museum’s design shop, which offers Austrian-made products that you won’t find elsewhere.
