Autumn is the best season to fall for this enchanting city!
Cosy autumn cafés & bars around Vienna’s district Mariahilf
09/2022 - Barbara Keller
The days are getting shorter, the air is crisp and clear, the trees in the parks glow in shades of yellow, orange and red, and the first chestnut stands beckon with their delicious, seductive scent—autumn is finally here. During the summer months Vienna usually lies in quiet sleep. The city’s residents are away on holiday, the students leave while they’re on a break from university. But this is just the calm before the storm, or much rather the refreshing autumn breeze that delights us every October. Suddenly the city is bustling with life, people are enjoying the last rays of sunshine in the vibrant shopping streets while having one too many glasses of Sturm, a fermenting grape juice, still on its way to becoming wine—Austria's favorite way to celebrate the harvest season. However, as soon as the sun goes down, we look forward to the pleasures of indoor gatherings. And when it’s that time of the day, what’s better than sipping a warming drink in a cosy café while the city streets slowly disappear under a thick layer of fog? The area around the popular Mariahilferstraße offers a wide range of cafés and bars for every taste. If you’re having a hard time deciding among the rich offerings, here comes an overview of some must-visit places to make your life easier.
Café Kafka
Capistrangasse 8, 1060 Wien
Café Kafka is one of the favourite coffee houses of everyone that enjoys a cozy atmosphere. Here you can spend hours reading the newspaper or a thrilling book, meet friends and talk endlessly. Despite its modern elements, the interior of this café is strongly reminiscent of the classic Viennese coffee houses of the 19th century. You can either take a seat in the comfortable, old leather sofas in the back of the room, or savour a slice of cake in one of the classic coffee house chairs.
Café Sperl
Gumpendorfer Straße 11, 1060 Wien
Cafè Sperl is one of the oldest coffee houses in Vienna. Nowadays protected as a historic monument, it opened its doors in 1880 and offers everything you’d expect from a traditional Viennese coffee house. At least as far as the ambience is concerned: stucco ceiling yellowed with smoke, velvet-covered benches, a large selection of daily newspapers or magazines and pool tables.
Mon Ami
Theobaldgasse 9, 1060 Wien
Co-working space during the day, bar and club at night. No matter if you just fell out of bed with half-closed eyes or if you’re ready to start your day, Mon Ami is open for you from 10am. Find a cosy place between the numerous plants and vintage lamps, sink into a couch and work, or simply read, chat with your beloved ones and enjoy the flat-rate coffee. After dusk the hip café turns into a club, offering great drinks and a dance floor in the basement.
Radio - The Bar
Schottenfeldgasse 17, 1070 Wien
If you’re looking for the right place to spend a brisk autumn evening, don’t miss out on Radio! Even though minimalism is trending right now, this bar offers quite the opposite... it glitters and flashes as far as the eye can see, the walls are covered in colourful wallpaper with 70s patterns and records, and the furniture comes straight from the flea market. Radio is definitely a unique experience not to be missed when visiting Vienna.
Needle Vinyl Bar
Barbabitengasse 8, 1060 Wien
Records, record players, gramophone and photos of jazz and soul artists—the name says it all. Apart from the interior design, there’s also a lot to discover on the cocktail menu. In addition to popular bar classics, it also includes in-house creations, such as the Purple Guardian with Beefeater, blueberry liqueur and lemon juice. There’s only one thing you won’t experience in this cosy bar: boredom.
And last but not least the best news: all of these places are located within walking distance of our numa properties Wood and Strauss. Go out and make the absolute best of the season! Winter’s freezing cold days will surprise all of us soon enough.
