The week of Easter is always such a nice week. With the combination of Good Friday and Easter Monday here in Europe, it’s a really relaxing long weekend that feels like spring has arrived. Easter has been one of my favorite holidays since I was a kid. I used to dye eggs with my mom and she would plan an epic Easter egg hunt. She made the best Easter baskets too, always so thoughtful with every detail. That one Cadubury egg buried inside was the ultimate treasure. I still love the joy Easter brings and so I was excited to travel to Vienna this year to experience an Easter market in a city known for its sweet treats. We spent most of Easter week exploring Vienna and its stunning architecture, delicious food, ornate museums, and even its vineyards. Vienna has so much to offer. Our first visit was 15 years ago so this trip felt entirely new. This is my Eat + Stay + Play: Vienna, Austria guide!
Where to Eat and Drink in Vienna
Café Sacher – Let’s start with dessert first! There are many places all over Vienna to have an amazing dessert. The Sacher Torte is a famous chocolate sponge cake covered with apricot jam and a chocolate glaze. You can find the original at Cafe Sacher. I thought it was really good but a little more dry than I was expecting. There are other places to have this famous cake that might be just a bit better but the atmosphere here was lovely with its high ceilings, chandeliers, and red velvet seating. It’s right by the Vienna State Opera so you can pop in for a sweet delight before or after your opera tour.
Naschmarkt – We always seek out the outdoor markets when we travel and the Naschmarkt in Vienna is worth checking out. There are over 100 market stands and restaurants here, with a wide range of culinary finds. On the day we arrived we were looking for an easy and super casual lunch. We had fantastic hotdogs and beer here. Sometimes there is nothing better than simplicity.
Atmosphere Rooftop Bar at The Ritz-Carlton – For a nice drink and a great view, we really enjoyed the rooftop of the Ritz-Carlton. We happened to be staying here as well (see Where to Stay below). The staff is very friendly and on a nice day you get a 360° view of the city with St. Stephen’s Cathedral just in the distance. They also have a food menu and take reservations.
Meissl & Schadn – For one of the best (or maybe THE best) schnitzels you’ve ever had, I highly recommend Meissl & Schadn. To be fair, I am a huge fan of schnitzel – it’s one of my favorite foods – and they execute it perfectly here. It’s been pounded thin, lightly encrusted, and served with a lemon wedge and an amazing potato salad. Save your appetite for this place and come hungry. Meissl & Schadn can be found in the Michelin Guide and reservations are needed.
Café Das Hegel – I loved this place for a relaxing breakfast and big coffee. They have a very cute terrace that gets a nice amount of sunlight and chic interior. Everything was delicious.
Neni am Prater – We met a friend for lunch here on their elevated terrace and loved the Mediterranean menu. Unfortunately I neglected to get any photos but the hummus and pita were quite nice. Plus you have an exciting view of the amusement park rides!
LOLA – We absolutely loved our dinner at this Spanish tapas restaurant. The staff is so lovely and ready to recommend the right dishes for any preference you may have. Every single plate was so delicious. The artichoke hearts and Spanish tortilla were probably my favorite but it was hard to choose as everything was just so good. They have a nice selection of wines and a very cozy atmosphere. Make a reservation (they’re also in the Michelin Guide) and don’t miss out on Lola (not that I’m partial to the name or anything) 😉.
Laolao – For “grandma’s homemade dumplings” grab a tall table inside their small dining room. If you have to wait, it will be worth it. These were some of the best dumplings – made fresh and ready to order. We came here for lunch on a rainy afternoon and it was perfect. Is it just me or do hot dumplings always taste better on a cold and wet day?
Kleinod am Ring – If you fancy yourself a nice cocktail then head here. You can eat here as well but we were looking for a nice pre-dinner drink and they understood the assignment. Drinks are expertly shaken, stirred, and smoked here. There is a dress code required of “casual chic” which they refer to on their website as a relaxed, elegant style. Reservations are recommended but we were able to be seated at the bar without one. I had a very delicious Porn Star Martini and a simple vodka martini that was equally as good.
Ef16 Restaurant Weinbar – This place is tucked away down a narrow little alleyway that you can almost miss. A few votive candles and small lanterns will light your way, however, and lead you to a beautiful space with low vaulted ceilings reminiscent of a wine cellar. We opted for the multi-course menu which meant being surprised by the whims of the chef. Each course was paired with a surprise Austrian wine which was also fun. The filet was excellent. This restaurant is also dog-friendly. We enjoyed sitting next to a family with their yellow labrador asleep on the floor. This place is also in the Michelin Guide and a reservation is needed.
LETO – Another Mediterranean restaurant we really enjoyed. A starter of “LFC” – Leto’s fried chicken – with garlic chili mayo was excellent. I also really enjoyed the octopus. For dessert we tried the “Baklava in a non-traditional way” and loved the layers with a serving of vanilla ice cream. We had a cozy booth by the window to take in our last dinner in Vienna.
Where to Stay in Vienna
As I mentioned above we stayed at The Ritz-Carlton. I’ve never stayed at a Ritz-Carlton before but this one was great. The hotel is both contemporary and classical as it is housed in four historic 19th century palaces. Each evening we returned to our room to find a nice turndown service had occurred as well as a plate of something sweet on our little coffee table. Everything from chocolate cake to cheesecake to little chocolate bon bons were placed in our room accompanied by a thought-provoking quote. I loved the surprise of it each day. On our final morning, which was Easter, we opted for a full room service breakfast.
Where to Play in Vienna – Things to See & Do
The best way to see Vienna and appreciate its beautiful architecture is by walking. We spent our first day just exploring on foot but there is a lovely tram system available too.
At Helmut-Zilk-Platz you will find the Memorial Against War and Fascism by Austrian sculptor Alfred Hrdlicka. It is dedicated to all victims of war and fascism.
Pop inside J. & L. Lobmeyr and admire their glassware but also the building itself – it is a work of art. Lobmeyr partnered with Thomas Edison in 1880 to co-develop the world’s first electric chandeliers.
Make your way over to Stephansplatz and St. Stephan’s Cathedral. Completed in 1578, this cathedral is one of my favorites in all of Europe. I love its multi-colored tile roof – there are 230,000 tiles to be exact! Entrance is free and very worth it.
The Hofburg Palace is the former imperial palace of the Hapsburg dynasty. Since the end of WWII it has served as the official residence and workplace of the president of Austria.
While you’re at the Hofburg Palace, be sure not to miss the Austrian National Library. This library was like the Beauty & The Beast library on steroids! One of my favorite things to do is to check out the libraries everywhere we travel and this one did not disappoint! Soaring ceilings, over 12 million items, and an extravagant mix of marble, wood, gold, and frescoes make up this overwhelming space. Looking up you feel more like you’re in a grand cathedral than a library. It was very, VERY impressive and worth the ticket to get in.
If you’re traveling with kids I recommend the Museum of Natural History Vienna (although adults will love it too). It is one of the best natural history museums we’ve been to and if the collection doesn’t impress you then the building at least will. It’s stunning!
Directly across from the natural history museum is the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum). Another absolutely gorgeous example of Vienna’s architecture, this museum has a very nice collection of art including my favorite Caravaggio painting, David With The Head of Goliath.
The Vienna State Opera offers guided tours all day so we joined one on a rainy day. The process is a bit chaotic to start but once you are in your groups the tour proceeds nicely. This is a must see, especially if you are a musician or have a great appreciation for classical music and opera. You can clearly envision generations of patrons ascending its grand staircase dressed in their finest attire. I loved getting to see the stage and orchestra pit up close. We also saw the imperial suite where we were able to peek inside and see all the original details including the ivory door handles. Construction began in 1861 and ended in 1869. Most of the original building was destroyed in 1945. Only the foyer, frescoes, main stairways, the vestibule and tea room remained intact. After reconstruction the opera house was reopened in 1955. Bravo!
Vienna is a great destination for Easter because of its Easter markets. The two markets we went to were the Old Viennese Easter Market on Freyung and the Am Hof Easter Market. Both had a large assortment of handicrafts and food and more decorated eggs than you’ve ever seen. We sat down at a table with a glass of white wine and a giant pretzel to enjoy the live jazz band on stage. There was an area for children to paint their own eggs and everyone was having a great time. There is also an Easter market at Schönbrunn Palace but we just did not make it over there.
Something that came as a complete surprise to me was how close the vineyards are to the heart of the city. Within about 25 minutes we were transported from Vienna to Nussdorf where locals and visitors alike go for wine walks through the vines. After your hike, reward yourself with a glass of Austrian wine from a heuriger, a wine tavern that serves wine only from its own vineyards alongside a selection of local foods. We had many glasses of Grüner Veltliner at Wieninger am Nussberg as well as a delicious board of cheeses, meats, pickles, and bread. The views over Vienna and the Danube River are amazing. This was a highlight of our entire trip for me and I cannot wait to come back and sip crisp white wine in the Austrian sunshine.
Have you added Vienna to your travel bucket list yet?
As always, thank you for reading!
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xo – Erin
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