Jaunted

Vienna has a major sweet-tooth, and many of its pastry shops are institutions as much as museums are. Dessert must-tries include Sacher torte; warm apple strudel; and as many things from Demel as you can afford. There is way more than the classics on offer in Vienna. Vienna has lots of hot chefs these dishing out edgy and experimental food, if pricey, food. Here are a few—of many—favorites:

· For breakfast: Café Sperl, one of Vienna’s most traditional coffeehouses, is often overlooked for the more central ones. But it has many fans who come daily for the big selection of newspapers and the breakfast menu. For pastries almost too gorgeous to eat: Along with the more intimidating Café Sacher, Demel is one of the city’s best-known pastry shops. Inside this cathedral of confectionary, you can actually watch the masters at work.

· For lunch: Saint Charles Alimentary is a tiny place which is fanatic about serving seasonal and local food. Many of the ingredients on its brief menu are hand-picked by the owners. The “pharmacy” across the street specializes in herbal remedies and products.

· For dinner: One of Vienna’s most highly rated restaurants is Steirereck, a place as elegant as it is expensive. Downstairs, the Steirereck Meierei is a more casual eatery with a dairy theme. The place sells (and serves) more than 100 types of cheese, walls are decorated with milk bottles and saucers, and the drink list is printed on a milk bottle. Here you’ll find Viennese and Austrian specialties—especially those featuring cheese—prepared with a slightly modern take.

· For classic Viennese: Ofenloch is a traditional tavern serving hearty Viennese and Austrian dishes by servers wearing folk dress.

· For eating on-the run: The city’s largest open-air market, the Naschmarkt, is wonderful for browsing. But it also holds many wine bars and small, casual eateries which are destinations in themselves.

· For edible souvenirs: Meinl am Graben has got to be one of the most gorgeous grocery stores in existence. The three-level place holds top-quality items from around the world (with their origin handily signified by little flags). There is also a restaurant, a wine bar, and a counter by the entrance which stocks prepared food to-go, or to eat standing.

Stay tuned, later this week I’ll be dishing out details on where to drink coffee and where to drink wine.

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