Not much longer before Vienna cleans up and stores its terrace furniture for winter. It becomes, therefore, urgent to quickly find the best of the people watching terraces in anticipation of a late-fall afternoon coffee or Radler.
Of all the places that I visit, this one is the closest to the epicenter of tourism in the 1st district. The Stadtcafe is located at Freyung 1, smack in the middle of the beautiful ancient Freyung square in the 1st district. It is directly next to the opulent Palais Ferstel Passage and across from the beautiful Schottenkirche (Scottish church).
The major driving point of the Stadtcafe is this amazing location. For the leisure sport of people watching, it gets no better within city limits. Where Stefansplatz is too crowded and bizarrely cramped, Freyung is open and free. Where Schwedenplatz is dirty and has no outdoor seating, there is usually a spot open here. And if one is sick of people-watching tourists, Freyung is just far enough away to get a good mix of locals coming in from Schottentor.
The Stadtcafe's waiters are friendly and very multilingual and the food is decent. It is somehow secondary though to getting lost in thought, gazing across the square or at the fountain and forgetting where and when you are. For 20 minutes, this is one of the more beautiful places in an already beautiful city.
Find your way with 159 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
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Wotruba Church is a wonderful, brutalist architectural miracle made of 152 concrete blocks, located just outside Vienna. Definitely worth the travel...
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Türkenschanzpark is what many call the most beautiful park in the city. It has it all: small pathways, ponds, rolling hills, and rare botanical plants.
by
Flakturm in Vienna has a very interesting history. You can explore it from the outside climbing and enjoy the view, or go inside and visit Haus des Meeres
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L'Orient in Vienna satisfies both my heart and my stomach. This Moroccan restaurant pays attention to detail, and the hummus is some of the best ever...
by
The building at Leopoldsgasse 39 in Vienna just might be the ugliest building in town. It's just painted in all colors. But such building are must-sees...
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"Karma Ramen" in Vienna is a new Japanese ramen restaurant. It was a first for me: I actually came here to eat here three times in a single week...
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"Blumenkraft" in Vienna is by far one of the fanciest and most aesthetic flower shops you'll find around town. Since I'm a big flower person, it's the best
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