Austria, ViennaNovember 28, 2025, by Anouk Ardesch

Vienna off the beaten track: these are the best hidden gems

Austria, Vienna, November 28, 2025, by Anouk Ardesch

Vienna off the beaten track: these are the best hidden gems

Everyone knows the State Opera, Schönbrunn Palace, and the Sachertorte. But Vienna also has another side: small, hidden gems that even the locals love to visit. Think of an English-language bookstore that feels like a secret reading nook, a speakeasy cocktail bar tucked away inside a restaurant, the most delicious cakes baked by Austrian grandparents, and a restaurant inside a record store. Each one of these places makes your city break just that little bit more special.

More crying? We get it!

Hafi Books + Coffee

Right next to the bustling Naschmarkt you will find Hafi Books + Coffee: an English-language bookstore and specialty coffee bar with a surprisingly modern selection; from literary novels and non-fiction to design books, photo books, magazines, and LGBTQ+ titles. Just as good: the coffee. Their specialty coffee is brewed with genuine passion and is one of the best in the city. The café is both child- and dog-friendly. Oh, and be sure to check out their own merchandise: the T-shirts are just as great as the books themselves.

Schleifmühlgasse 12-14, 1040 Vienna | Photo credits: Valentin Steidl and Valentin Lilgenau | ©Hafi

DEVAL Restaurant

Imagine a fine dining experience that feels like you're sitting at a table with friends, that's DEVALDutch chef Daan de Val cooks with passion and explains each dish personally. His culinary skills have won numerous awards in Austria, but here in the Netherlands, he's still a well-kept secret. At DEVAL, you can choose meat or vegetarian and be surprised by a menu full of regional products. This intimate living room for gourmets is located on a small street right behind the parliament building. Book early, as the restaurant is often full.

Doblhoffgasse 5 1010 Vienna | ©DEVAL

Movie Casino

After a day sightseeing In the mood for a movie? Then go to Movie Casino, an arthouse cinema with a beautiful 50s interior and a cozy, atmospheric lobby. The programming is a little different: indie, cult, and international films are always shown in their original language, so no German dubbing (don't call us) like in many other Vienna cinemas.

Margaretenstraße 78, 1050 Vienna | ©BeatsnBeans

Beats and Beans

Create a Beisl – a traditional Viennese eatery – but with a twist: Beats and Beans It's a restaurant and record store all rolled into one. You'll sit in a traditional pub-like atmosphere on creaking, old wooden benches, surrounded by vinyl records and cassette tapes collected by the owner during his travels. Meanwhile, you can enjoy simple yet excellent dishes and delicious local beer. The atmosphere is laidback and slightly retro; a wonderful place to have a drink or simply enjoy the food.

Würffelgasse 4, 1150 Vienna | ©Filmcasino

The chapel

When we talk about secret tips, a speakeasy bar of course not to be missed. We can only We reveal that the entrance is through the restaurant Let's be Frank and is hidden behind a painting. Once you find the door, you'll find yourself in a small, mysterious cocktail bar with blue velvet chairs and an intimate atmosphere. The cocktails are original and delicious, and the vibe is classy with a touch of naughtiness. We like.

Haidmannsgasse 8, 1150 Vienna |

Full board

You can choose to stand in line for an hour for an Austrian Sachtertorte, but a visit to one of the Full boardlocations. Here, authentic Austrian grandmothers and grandfathers bake the most delicious cakes according to their old family recipes. The idea is to help seniors escape their isolation and bring generations together. The result: apple strudel just like in the old days, a hip, vintage living room atmosphere that instantly lifts your spirits, and pleasant conversations with the staff. Vollpension has two locations in Vienna and even its own "BakAdemy," where the grandmothers share their baking secrets.

SissySound

If you want a truly nice souvenir from Vienna, consider a vinyl record from a (local) band. Or simply a nice cotton bag. from the store itself. Hardly anyone knows this small shop, but it's a paradise for vinyl fans. Sissy Sound is located in the trendy Kettenbrückengasse neighborhood. Here you can browse through buckets of funk, soul, punk, metal, electronic, and obscure gems. The atmosphere is relaxed, the people behind the counter are incredibly friendly and know everything about music. Feel free to ask the owner for a tip or stick around for a while to listen to a record.

Margaretenstraße 47 1040 Vienna | ©Sissy Records

Stand Up Vienna

Vienna is known for its rather serious opera and classical music, but anyone who thinks there is nothing to laugh about is mistaken. Thanks to Stand Up Vienna Major English-language comedians regularly visit the city, from Celeste Barber and Russell Howard to Chelsea Handler, Matteo Lane, and Jimmy Carr. The shows at the Gartenbaukino are especially recommended: this iconic 1960s cinema on Parkring is a favorite spot for many locals.

Hoanzl Agentur GmbH, Arbeitergasse 7, 1050 Vienna, Austria | Photo credits: ©Gartenbaukino / Chris Mavric.

Vienna off the beaten track: these are the best hidden gems