Going shopping in Vienna is a delight, not merely because all principal shopping-streets are so close together, but also because many shops are luxuriously appointed. Most business premises open from 9am to 7pm on weekdays, and till 5pm on Saturdays, but there are exceptions.
The range of goods on offer is considerable, especially with regard to local specialities. Nowehere else in the world are there so many shops selling national attire for men and above all for women. One also finds places selling handcrafted objects and artifacts, most of them still made entirely by hand. Whether it is handmade footwear, original furniture and accessories, jewellery or sports equipment you are looking for, the choice is enormous, the quality dependable. Culinary souvenirs from Austria are paricularly popular: Burgenland cheeses, schnaps (gin) from Styria or wines from the vineyards north of Vienna. The principal shopping streets lie in the centre: Graben, Karntner Strasse and Kohlmarkt. But Mariahilfer Strasse too is a first-class place to go shopping, having lately been renovated and embellished. Interesting little boutiques have sprung up in the numerous alleyways. For well-heeled visitors, the Viennese department stores are a must. In Karntner Strasse, for instance, a wide range of unconventional clothing is on offer. But perhaps you prefer small, exclusive boutiques that take you back to those bygone times when the customer was still the undisputed king.
Books, Stationery
Freytag & Berndt
I., Kohlmarkt 9
Tel. 53 32 09 40
Enormous choice of travel guides and road-and street maps.
Huber & Lerner
I., Kohlmarkt 7
Tel. 533 50 75
Monarchs, politicians and other notables have their visiting-cards printed here and order their stationery and writing-material.
Kuppitsch
I., Schottengasse 4
Tel. 533 32 68
Bookshop with an antiquarian section.
Confectionery and Patisserie
k.u.k. Hofzuckerbackerei Demel
I., Kohlmarkt 14
Tel. 53 51 71 70
Seductive assortment of highest-quality sweets and cakes.
Sacher
I., Karntner Strasse 38
Tel. 51 45 68 79
Fax 51 45 78 10
After a lengthy court battle between Sacher and Demel it has finally been established that the original recipe of the Sachertorte was indeed first used by Sacher. The calorie-packed cake is available in four sizes and even gets dispatched all across the globe in small wooden crates.
Fashion and Accessories
Boudoir
IX., Berggasse 14
Tel. 319 10 79
Bedding and nightwear with erotic motifs by designer Renate Christian, pupil of Vivienne Westwood.
Chegini
I., Plankengasse 4
Tel. 512 22 31
Extravagant fashion by Jean-Paul Gaultier, Paco Rabanne, DKNY Donna Karan, Dolce Gabbana and others.
Constellation
Ringstrasse-Galerien
I., Karntner Strasse 11-13
Tel. 512 72 65
This is where Austria's modern designers present their creations. Also sells hats and jewellery.
F. Frimmel
I., Freisingergasse 1
Tel. 533 32 19
Button store. Has been selling shiny buttons bearing the Habsburg Double Eagle since 1844.
R.Horn's
I., Braunerstrasse 7
Tel. 513 82 94
Classical leather goods: travelling- and handbags, attache cases, briefcases, satchels and nostalgic travel-accessories.
Hugler
I., Freisingergasse 4
Tel. 53 39 61 90
Vienna's oldest and most traditionalist jewellers.
Humanic
I., Karntner Strasse 51
Tel. 512 58 92
This 'flagship of initiative' displays here all that is chic and trendy.
Judengasse
Vienna's maddest, most outlandish fashion trends can be seen in this alleyway's shop windows. Of course, perhaps you can also discover your fancy in its boutiques: anoraks, sweaters, jeans, frocks, blouses, shoes.
Loden Plankl
I., Michaelerplatz 6
Tel. 533 80 32
Austrian traditional wear, Dirndl dresses and hunter's coats (loden) made to measure.
Wines and Teas
Joh. Schonbilcher
I., Wollzeile 4
Tel. 512 18 68
Stylishly restored Delicatessen with more than a hundred kinds of tea and other noble beverages.
Vinothek Casa del Vino
XVI., Panikengasse 35
Tel. 49 51 96 40
Rare wines from all over the world, tracked down by 'wine scout' Jurgen Steinbrecher.
Vinothek St.Stephan
I., Stephansplatz 6
Tel. 512 68 58
Large assortment of international wines. Efficient sales staff.
Vinothek St.Urban-Kellerei
I., Am Hof 11
Tel. 532 28 35/6
Specialises in expensive high-class wines.
Vinothek Vinissimo
VI., Windmulhgasse 20
Tel. 586 48 88
Specialised in around 400 different Austrian wines.
Viennese Markets
In the 19th century, the hey-day of Vienna's markets, there were more than thirty of them in the heart of the city. Cabbages were sold on the Kohlmarkt (now selling expensive clocks), meat on the Butcher's Market, poultry and game on the Wildbretmarkt. As the city grew larger, many markets moved from the centre to the outskirts. Most markets are held on weekdays from 9am to 6.30pm, on Saturdays till 4pm.
Brunnenmarkt
XVI., close to the underground station Josefstadter Strasse. Vienna's second-largest market, in the workmen's district of Ottakring. The atmosphere has an Oriental flavour to it. This market is particularly popular with students and artists.
Flohmarkt (flea market)
IV., Wienzeile
Austria's largest jumble-sale market. Every Saturday 8am-6pm
First Viennese Market Hall
III., Hauptstrasse
Corner Rasumofskygasse
In the mid-19th century, covered markets became the fashion, after the example of the former halls. Mainly meat and cold cuts.
Karmelitermarkt
I., near the Salztorbrucke
Schwedenplatz
A tranquil atmosphere reigns on this, Vienna's oldest market. Here one finds vegetables, fruit and Asian specialities. The Turkish butchers sell what is said to be Vienna's best lamb.
Market on Mexicoplatz
II., Mexikoplatz, Trading quay near the Reichsbrucke.
Here the 'wild East' is prevalent: colourful stalls owned by East-European traders.
Naschmarkt
IV., near underground station Kettenbruckengasse
The Naschmarkt originates from 1916 and has hardly changed. Here one finds attractively stacked vegetables and fruit, the finest cheeses and sausages. At weekends, farmers from the surrounding countryside come and sell their farm-fresh produce here. Home-made Blunzen (black pudding), smoked delicacies and wines can be sampled at little stalls. Furthermore, fresh trout and carp from Burgenland, home-made Fleischstrudel (meat strudel). Also many biological products, oils and spices.
