The best 11 NEW food and drinks spots you should try to kick-start your spring

Where: Yppenplatz 4, 1160

Opening times
TUE–FRI: 3pm–11pm, SAT: 9am–11pm
SUN–MON: Closed

Category: dinner, tapas

This gem has sprouted up in the 16^th district recently, bringing some more innovative energy to the already lively food scene at Yppenplatz. At ‘What the Duck’, they’re doing the whole tapas experience with an Asian twist. And it all looks very pop-py and colourful. The idea is to choose several small-sized dishes and share them – it’s that sweet and simple. Their visual design is so pop kitsch, you’ll feel like you’re inside an Almodóvar movie.

After spending some time in China, owner Friederike Seiler put together a menu filled with refreshing and unconventional tapas-like dishes inspired by his travels. Their dumplings selection is above and beyond – there’s even a sampler option in their menu! Then they’ve got a section in the menu dedicated to duck dishes – duck on rice, crispy organic duck – you get the idea. It’s the kind of place to take chances on the menu and (hopefully) get positively surprised by the explosion of flavours.

Oh, and they’re hosting a bunch of funky clubbing nights which are worth checking out (pay attention to their Facebook page for details)

Website: whattheduck.at

Photos via whattheduck.at

Category: bar, dinner, lunch, breakfast, live music

We don’t know why somebody hasn’t thought of it before, however, the most important thing is that somebody now has – a bar and restaurant has been opened in the name and honour of the late and great Falco. Obviously, the beloved Austrian pop singer is the ominous God of this bar and restaurant. Pictures of him, along with memorobila, is  plastered all over the walls, not to mention he’s the inspiration for its concept – man isst -man trinkt – man weint – man singt. You can do all of these things at Falco’s bar and restaurant. They have a standard Vienna breakfast menu, and, as you would expect, the Austrian favourites, which we’re sure they’ll claim were Falcos favourites (who knows! Maybe they’ve done their research). Whatever Falco’s favourite food was we’ll never know (unless we invest a little effort to find out, we guess) but we do know that this place is paying a true tribute to Falco. Wherever it honours him in the right way, we’ll leave that for you to discern.

Category: lunch, dinner, coffee, drinks

The favourite French cafe and patisserie Le Bol has opened up another location, and it’s just as good looking and inviting as their first edition. For those that already know their original, we need not say anymore as we know you’ll want to try out their sequel. For those that don’t, here’s a quick overview: They serve their coffee in cups that are more like bowls, serve up tasty typical French dishes and buttery pastries that any French bakery would be proud of. The new cafe carries over the rustic look of their first address, but adds a tasteful modern flair. The salads are enough of a drawcard and their filled croissants hit the spot. Not to mention the open-face sandwich known as Tartines.

Category: lunch, dinner, coffee

When you step into Digelstedt 3, you find yourself in a blue-and-white wonderland – one has to go through a corridor filled with decorated tiles from floor to ceiling before finding a seat. And the visual wows don’t stop with the decor – situated right in the corner of the 15th district’s Maria von Siege Platz, and with a church right across the street, the view through the windows also earns a wow.

Behind this cosy restaurant are three friends armed with the mission to pay homage to Austrian cuisine with their modern twist. So you’ll get anything on your plate from the classic Schnitzel, to goat cheese-filled beetroot dumplings! (take a moment now to lick your lips)

Category: lunch, vegan

Located in the heart of the first district, Venuss is a lighthouse for the vegans out there. This bistro is all about fresh and organic ingredients, and creating delicate, flavourful vegan food. They serve both lunch and snacks, and they’re mighty creative with all of their dishes. And like it often is with vegan food, the secret to their boom-sha-ka-la-ka flavours is their season and spice game. And you’ll often find edible flowers on your food. This vegan paradise also has a strong dessert game: they’ve got animal-free versions of many of the sweeeeet classics, such as tiramisu, rice pudding and brownies!

Category: lunch, dinner, cosy

This cosy Italian joint simply radiates joy – courtesy of its owners, a young couple from Italy. Their idea was to bring the sea to Vienna, which means the menu is filled with seafood specialities! The place has that summertime vacation vibe about it, that rush-less ambience that makes you feel at ease damn quick. Their chef, Andrea Cipriano, was actually a fisherman back home, and now works alongside his wife Carmela to bring fresh ingredients from the sea to their kitchen – and your table….if you decide to visit, that is.

Category: dinner, lunch, fancy

The sophisticated restaurant, Das Schick, is getting a makeover! Not only the whole interior is being redone, but they’ve also got a brand-new chef running their menu: Gerasimos Kavalieris, the Greek mastermind known for his work at places like The Tower. Since March, Das Schick’s signature Austrian-Spanish fusion food has got a new twist, including a special “surprise” menu. How does that work? You just choose how many dishes you’d like to down (between 5 or 7 dishes) and wait to be amazed. Bonus: the place has a killer panoramic view overlooking the first district!

Category: lunch, dinner, coffee, drinks

Next time you’re craving a glass of wine, a well-made coffee or a meal that will surprise you, check out Chillax. We could go with the really punny line: chillaxing here is definetely recommendable – firstly, because of the neat interior and secondly because of the seasonal & creative menu.

Chillax is set in a echoey, high-ceiling room boasting a greyish blue colour pallet with wooden furniture scattered throughout. After you’ve got the room urging you to stay for hours, it’s time to explore their menu. And we literally mean the use of the verb, ‘explore.’ They try to be different here with their menu.

They’ve got warm meals served throughout the day, many of them with Oriental & Mediterranean influences – think Moussaka, tajin and lots of grilled meats and fish –  not to mention their desserts (baklava, anyone?). Plus as it’s situated at the crossroads of the U6 and U3, this place is super easy to access – so no excuses.

Category: lunch, dinner, drinks

The second district just got itself a brand new – and contemporary – café! Just a few blocks from the Wiener Prater, Café Zweisam mixes classic ambience with street art and finely-made cocktails. One of the brains behind it is Jan Pavel, the famous bartender of the Viennese nightlife scene. Their breakfasts are interesting, not to mention their original lunch options. Tip: take advantage of their vast tea selection!

Where: Wiedner Hauptstraße 111, 1050

Opening times
TUE–THU: 5pm–12am
FRI–SAT: 5pm–2am
SUN–MON: Closed

Category: craft beer, bar, burgers

There’s a new brewery in town and it goes by the name Laurenz auf der Wieden. By the creators of the steakhouse diner, Flatschers and Stadtkind, Laurenz has the yellow lighting, leather benches and and sweeping big space that a micro-brewery should (we’re not sure why it should, but it seems to perfectly fit the mould of its concept). The huge copper brewing tanks that can be seen from the street immediately spark excitement of the brews you’ll guzzle here. And out of the 5 or so we tried (strictly for professional reasons, of course) we can tell you, you won’t be disappointed. They know their craft and are proud of it.

As far as the food goes, you’ve got dishes like a cheddar beer soup amongst the starters, that flat bread wonder Flammkuchen, and, of course, burgers, ribs and steak. All handmade, with the same care that goes into the beer. No mass production pub grub here.

Website: www.laurenz4.at

Photo courtesy of Laurenz auf der Wieden

Category: lunch, dinner

A new speakeasy bar has hit the streets of Vienna and it goes by the name of The Chapel. No God or incense here. Cocktails are their game and they’re wildly creative with them. But don’t tell anybody about it – it’s a secret…ya know…speakeasy and all. Dimly-lit and packed with a whole lot of sass, this is definitely a place you should be checking out if you like to keep up what’s new and trending. It’s location out in the 15th district makes it stand apart even more. It’s a small place, as a speakeasy cocktail bar should be so things can pretty intimate pretty quick.