The best shopping in Vienna
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Vienna – with its charming antiques boutiques, luxury hat ateliers and lively markets – is seriously underrated as a shopping destination. Telegraph Travel experts Diane Naar-Elphee and Barbara Cação round up their pick of the best options, whether you are after traditional Viennese 'candy mosaic rock', a dirndl with a modern twist or some one-off Art Deco jewellery.
City Centre (1st district)
Meinl am Graben
Vienna's most established delicatessen and wine shop, where the city's foodies buy luxury local delicacies and gourmet gifts. The iconic Austrian household brand for coffee, hot chocolate, jams and pickles not only showcases quality food from its own range as well as premium Austrian companies but also sells its own crockery: most coveted are Meinl's iconic coffee mugs printed with its famous poster boy's upside-down red fez, used by many traditional coffeehouses in Vienna. Coffee tins featuring Klimt designs are also a popular gift option, and those in the know buy Meinl's powidl (plum) compote, which is a fantastic accompinament to pancakes.
Contact: 00 43 532 33 34; meinlamgraben.at
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 8am-7.30pm, 9am-7.30pm; Sat, 9am-6pm; closed Sun
Prices: ££
Riess at Cuisinarum
Every Austrian grandma worth her salt used to own a set of Riess enamel pans and mugs. When the 470-year-old family business updated its cookery range a couple of years ago it triggered quite an extraordinary revival in enthusiasm for the brand. A traditional gugelhupf cake tin with 'Gmundner Streublumen' (traditional flower design), a mug with green jumping deer, a blue-and-white patterned milk jug, or a classic white (dumpling) skimmer will delight passionate cooks with a love for countryside design.
Contact:00 43 890 21 41; cuisinarum.at
Opening Times: Mon-Fri, 9.30am-6.30pm; Sat, 9.30am- 6pm; closed Sun
Prices: ££
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Österreichische Werkstätten
While 'Wiener Werkstätte' (the Viennese design and production company) and its co-founder Josef Hoffmann may ring a bell with lovers of Austrian Art Nouveau and Art Deco, fewer know its modern successor Österreichische Werkstätten. Founded by the very same genius designer, the label continues Wiener Werkstätte's tradition of beautiful everyday objects designed in simple and elegant shapes. Best buys include the 'Ver Sacrum' fabric-and-leather bags and accessories, decorated with some of Josef Hoffmann's most iconic Art Deco patterns. The Art Deco jewellery designed by Neue Wiener Werkstätte is also divine.
Contact: 00 43 512 24 18; oew.at
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 10am-7pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; closed Sun
Prices: ££-£££
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Mühlbauer
Hats are quite a tradition in Vienna, owing to the city's noble heritage and, at times, extreme temperatures. The Mühlbauer family, one of the country's oldest hat makers, has not rested on its laurels. By blending traditional styles with cutting-edge design, and remaining mercilessly committed to quality, pieces from their atelier remain a trendy must-have among chichi Viennese society. For a dash of regional elegance, go with a stylish remake of a Styrian, Tyrolean or Salzburg felt hat with green or brown ribbons. Or opt for one of the classical lines, from dazzling summer straw hats to sophisticated winter options made from the likes of lambskin and cashmere.
Contact:00 43 512 22 41; muehlbauer.at
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 10am-6.30pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; closed Sun
Prices: £££
Dorotheum
This 300-year-old auction house and Viennese institution located in splendid Dorotheum Palace merits a visit in itself. Gift shoppers in search of certified antiquities, 'Wiener Werkstätte' (early 20th century) pieces and quality vintage will find an ample selection of jewellery, silverware, porcelain, glass, ceramics, drawings and paintings. Most travellers go for suitcase-sized, non-breakable objects rather than fine porcelain, such as jewellery and watches. Though the Galerie is generally pricey it includes antiques for under €100 and has proved a fertile ground for bargain hunters.
Contact: 00 43 515 60 99 690; dorotheum-juwelier.com
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm; Sat, 10am-5pm; closed Sun
Prices: ££-£££
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Zuckerlwerkstatt
Vienna's 'Candy Workshop' is the one for travellers with a sweet tooth. When owners Maria and Christian started out in the sweet making business they roamed the world for inspiration in all things candy-themed before finding their ideal confectionary master in Fritz Heller, of legendary Austrian sweet factory Heller. Their shop around the corner from Hofburg sells vibrantly coloured silky candy with a retro feel. Go for the traditional Wiener Seidenzuckerl or Heller's arty 'mosaic rocks'. Visitors can watch the candy makers in action at the shop various times a day.
Contact:00 43 890 90 56; zuckerlwerkstatt.at
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; closed Sun
Prices: ££
Mothwurf
The Styrian couture family business has given the traditional dirndl and folkloric Austrian gear a stylish makeover, with clear cuts and modern interpretations of historic fashion pieces. Seasonal collections usually include sharp and playful casual wear, and stylish country gear, as well as lovely evening dresses. Expect authentic design made from the finest textiles, from luxurious linens, softest cottons, and buttery leathers to sumptuous silks. The Viennese flagship store is located on the ground floor of elegant Batthyány Palace close to Café Central.
Contact: 00 43 513 14 42; mothwurf.com
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 10am-7pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; closed Sun
Prices: £££
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Leopoldstadt (2nd district)
Simon & Jakober
Slightly off the tourist trail (but nonetheless a five-minute walk from the beautiful baroque Augarten and its eponymous porcelain manufactory) you'll find this lovingly tended boutique owned by the local Heinischs family; they originally opened this charismatic little shop to sell the honey they produce at their Moosau farm in Northern Lower Austria. Over the years, they have added a rich selection of regional knick-knacks sourced across the country, from artisan chocolates and mustards in various flavours, and fragrant handmade soaps to traditional linen bread bags and 'grandma' kitchen towels.
Contact: 00 43 676 909 3882; simon-jakober.at
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm; Sat, 10am-3pm; closed Sun
Prices: ££
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Wieden (4th district)
Naschmarkt
Vienna's most popular flea market still has a few hidden gems. Among the shops to watch out for are Styria's Zotter chocolates which offer a range of innovative flavours (think 'Ayurveda Indulgence Cure', with Asian spices, white-soy glaze and sesame nougat cream; and one option oozing with red altar wine filling and frankincense-flavoured ganache). Erwin Gegenbauer's special oils and vinegars made in his nearby manufactory is worth a gander. For rare Austrian wine head for 'Beim Georg'. More generally, there are plenty of great bargains to be had just wandering through the market, especially silverware, vintage leather handbags, and gemstones.
Contact:naschmarkt-vienna.com
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 6am-7.30pm; Sat, 6am-5pm; closed Sun
Prices: £££
Neubau (7th district)
Susanne Bisovsky at the Salon
Never has Viennese folklore looked so sophisticated and inspiring. Celebrated Austrian fashion and costume designer Susanne Bisovsky reinvents local chic by using the sweet 'Wiener Mädel' (Viennese girl) as her muse, playing with elements of historic Trachten (traditional garments) from Austria and Eastern Europe. Black fabrics that radiate with vibrant flowers, bouffant skirts and cheeky Austrian-style hats have become her signature. It's not your usual souvenir spot, but for those looking to add some authentic Austrian flavour to their wardrobe, it is perfect.
Contact:00 43 699 111 767 55; bisovsky.com
Opening times: By appointment: Mon-Fri, 10am-7pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; closed Sun
Prices: £££
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