Brunch has become the most important meal of the day for millennials on holiday and Austria has been ahead of the game for years. So much so that they even have their own word – “Jause” – which essentially means a light late-morning to mid-afternoon meal containing various “brunchy” foods. We take you on a tour of the best places for a pick-me-up in Vienna, including a restaurant inside a Royal Green House and some lesser known cafes in the outer districts.
Located on the grounds of the idyllic Burggarten and adjacent to the National Library and Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Palmenhaus is a beautiful place to catch a bite to eat between sightseeing. This epic glasshouse houses some impressive and exotic plants and was built in the 19th century, originally intended to be used as a summer greenhouse for the Emperor at the time. The restaurant offers a decent choice of traditional cuisine and many “Brunch-style” dishes – sandwiches, cereals and fruits, and the option of a special Austrian breakfast.
If enjoying a delicious brunch dish in Das Augustin, you may be in the company of one of the handsome cats that can be seen proudly prowling around. This cafe, in the lesser known 15th district, is the epitome of homeliness, with a sleepy atmosphere and squishy armchairs that you can sink into while you enjoy an extended brunch. The “simple fried potatoes” are delicious and the chai latte, a comforting combination of cardamom, vanilla pod, cinnamon and organic milk, makes the perfect afternoon beverage.
The Jausen Station is a 1950s-style pavilion café, snugly tucked away behind tall hedges of the imperial grounds of Schönbrunn Palace and is a wonderful place to get a bite to eat after wandering around the large park. The veranda, decked out in coloured tables and chairs, is a wonderful place to enjoy the evening sun and sample one of Vienna’s most famed desserts or a brunch dish. A popular choice is the bread with chives – a classic Austrian snack.
Set up by the local community of the 4th district, this socially savvy café offers senior citizens the chance to take a break from retirement, which can often be boring and lonesome, and showcase their baking skills to the public (a win-win situation for both parties). The café aims to unite the young and the elderly — two parts of society that ordinarily, and unfortunately, seldom collide in everyday life. The brunch dishes include the “opa pikant” – a wonderful spread containing traditionally Viennese ingredients: a Semmel roll, pepper, tomatoes, salami, Austrian cheese, and a boiled egg.
A sizeable burger, similar to those served at Figar | Pixabay
Figar has a number of venues dotted around Vienna, including a food van located on the banks of the Danube canal and a larger restaurant tucked away in the 4th district. This trendy eatery is a favourite among the city’s younger generation, serving all-day brunch and a variety of casual dishes, such as wraps, burgers, salads and “bao buns”. A traditional Viennese breakfast, comprised of bread rolls, jams and egg is also available for those who want to keep things “authentically Austrian”.
Delicious coffee and pancakes are just a few of the highlights at Cafe Z — a delightful addition to Vienna’s largely devoid-of-tourists 15th district. Friendly staff and an interestingly designed interior make this vintage-style cafe a winner. On the menu, there is a generous selection of both sweet and savoury pancakes, including spinach and cheese and jam-filled, on offer to chase away your mid-morning hunger. The outdoor seating area, open in the summer, is also a fantastic place for people watching.
Die Wäscherei is a former laundrette transformed into both a trendy cocktail bar and top restaurant and serving all-day brunches on Saturdays. There is the early option, served between 9 am to 12 pm, and the “high noon brunch”, for late risers, served between 12 pm and 3 pm. It is the ideal place to stop off between seeing the sights and also has the benefit of a comfortable garden to relax in during the summer months.
A somewhat alternative option for those who want a total departure from the Viennese traditions, this sandwich shop makes the best Vietnamese baguettes in town, combining the zesty freshness and spice of Asian food with the comforting softness of French bread. Pair your sandwich (vegan tofu options available) with a cooling pink grapefruit juice or a Vietnamese coffee for a superb and inexpensive lunch.
Located in the city’s 16th-century food and flea market, Naschmarkt, Café Do-An serves almost every brunch-style meal you could think of and has some of the best panoramic views of the surroundings going. A wide variety of salads, burgers, and sandwiches are offer – and you can wander along the stalls to find a suitable dessert afterwards. If the cafe is full, as it often is on weekends, there is a huge variety of brunch spots in the area, so you don’t have to worry about being stranded.
In the backstreets of Vienna’s famously touristy district of Hietzing, home to Schönbrunn Palace and the city zoo, Waldemar is a departure from the nearby Viennese Dommayer, with its strict formalities and dainty, decorative cakes. The interior is minimally modernist — you certainly won’t find any of the frills belonging to the traditional Kaffeehaus here. Everything appears clean-cut and fresh, with jugs of tap water laced with mint, citrus, or stems of rhubarb as well as clean corners, and neon lettering on the concrete walls. The menu follows suit when it comes to contemporary vibes, with a weekend brunch special of pancakes with maple syrup, berries and Greek yoghurt.
