Vienna has earned its place as the world’s most liveable city six times in the past seven years. That says a lot. The city is full of grand buildings, green promenades and elegant little corners that make you stop and look up. It’s also one of those places that really changes with the seasons. If you're visiting in winter pack your warmest layers because the wind here will find its way through any coat (don’t say I didn’t warn you). Summer on the other hand might seem like any other place, but June through August often brings a heat that wraps around the city like a heavy blanket. If you're not a fan of humid, sweat-soaked walks I would recommend arriving between mid-April and early June. Vienna really shows off in Spring - everything is in bloom, the air is soft and you can get by with just a light jacket or sport coat.

There’s so much history here so choose the things that interest you. You could visit the museums and palaces or simply wander the old city centre (the 1st district), which also happens to be where most of the menswear shops are. But if you’re expecting a classic menswear paradise, you might want to lower your expectations. Vienna’s charm is in other things.

Above all I would suggest you focus on the food, because it’s one of the best ways to get a real sense of the city. And while we’re on that Vienna’s cafés are an experience in themselves. I wouldn’t say you go there for coffee but for the atmosphere, the pastries and the history of the place. All while you slowly enjoy a slice of cake. If you're after a good cup of coffee I would point you to specialty spots which I am including on my list as well.

Food-wise there are a few things I think everyone should try at least once: a classic Würstel from a “Würstelstand” (street stand, americans might call them a hot-dog stand), where I suggest you try a few different sausages and a Wienerschnitzel at one of the Gasthauses. Vienna is even more know for their sweets so I think everyone should taste the fluffy Kaiserschmarrn and warm Apfelstrudel (and the more underrated version filled with sweet cheese called Topfenstrudel). Every chocolate lover should try Sachertorte which is a dense chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam but it's very important to go to the right spot or else you risk getting a dry, bland cake. If you're a fan of chocolate pralines you have probably heard of he Mozartkugeln (filled with pistachio and marzipan), but I would skip those and suggest you try the Sissi Kugel instead (the ones from Lindt are the best and you can only get them in Lindt’s own shops). It has a lighter, more enjoyable flavor of nougat with a hint of fruit. And last you have to try the Manner Napolitaner if you haven’t yet. They have their own stores around the city, but these are available in basically every grocery store around the city.

I’ve put together this guide as a whole experience, where you can check the best menswear shops, (but I did not iclude bespoke tailors and shoemakers which I might add in the future), specialty coffee and brunch spots or relax in nature in between your own schedule. At the bottom you can also find a map where I pinned all my recommendations and places mentioned the list.

1st District

The 1st District is the historic heart of Vienna or as some might say “the postcard version of Vienna.” It’s where you can admire the imperial history, try cakes and pastries at old cafés and relax in many different parks.

Knize (Graben 13, 1010 Wien / Bräunerstraße 1, 1010 Wien)

Probably the best-known menswear name in Vienna. Knize was founded in 1858 and was granted the title of Imperial and Royal Court Tailor in 1888. They are bespoke tailors but are also famous for their fragrances, which they’ve been making since the 1920s. In addition to bespoke clothing, their high-quality men's collection is available at their stores on Graben and Bräunerstraße. They also offer an expanded cosmetics line, along with accessories, knitwear, shoes, and hats."

Wilhelm Jungmann & Neffe (Albertinaplatz 3, 1010 Wien)

A textile shop with finest accessories and fabrics established in 1836. They sell Ties, Bow Ties, Pocket Squares and Silk Scarves.

Dantendorfer (Weihburggasse 9, 1010 Wien)

A multibrand fashion store for men and women, focused on quality, timeless brands. You'll find labels like Coherence, Crockett & Jones, De Petrillo, Finamore, Paraboot, Portuguese Flannel, Rifugio, Valstar, William Lockie, and 100Hands.

Manufactum (Am Hof 3-4, 1010 Wien)

A German retailer focused on household and garden goods made using traditional manufacturing methods (hence the name 'Manufactum'), but they also sell cosmetics, apparel, shoes, snacks, and books. If you walk by, it’s worth a quick visit because it’s a very interesting and unusual concept. I usually get lost in all the special snacks at their food corner, but you’ll also find brands like Armor Lux, Astorflex, Inis Meain, Heschung, Maglificio GRP, Manifattura Ceccarelli, Merz B. Schwanen, Red Wing, Tellason, and Vetra.

Ludwig Reiter (Führichgasse 6, 1010 Wien)

A Viennese shoe manufacturer established in 1885. The only remaining shoemaking factory in Vienna producing Goodyear-welted shoes. This is their store in the city center, but they also have a factory in the 22nd district, where you’ll find their factory shop.

Schuhmanufaktur Alt Wien (Rauhensteingasse 3, 1010 Wien)

A store with its own selection of high-quality Goodyear-welted shoes, around since 1981.

Schuhmann-Wien (Herrengasse 14, 1010 Wien)

A multibrand shoe store where you can find brands like Crockett & Jones, Paraboot, R.M. Williams, and more.

Studio 14 (Neuer Markt 14, 1010 Wien)

An optician with the best selection of Jacques Marie Mage glasses in the city. A beautiful, small space with a great selection of frames.

7 & 8th district

Compared to the 1st district these two are more creative and show the real, everyday life. In the 7th (Neubau) you’ll find more boutique shops and galleries while the 8th (Josefstadt) offers more bookshops. Together they’re like Vienna’s art and culture centre and they share many amazing specialty coffee spots.

Whitefeather Mfg. CO (Lerchenfelderstrasse 63/3b, 1070 Wien)

If you're a fan of denim, workwear, or military style, this is probably the only shop in the city worth visiting. It’s run by Fardin, who is almost like a workwear historian. You can’t miss his passion for clothing made the old way. In his shop you'll find the best denim and repro brands like Buzz Rickson’s, Fullcount, Warehouse, TCB, and Sugar Cane, as well as a brand like Kamakura Shirts. Under his own brand, you can find jackets that are either reproductions of vintage pieces from the 1880s to the 1950s or designs heavily inspired by clothing from that era. All his jackets are made in Vienna.

The Red Wing Shoe Store Vienna (Lerchenfelder Straße 65, 1070 Wien)

Just a few steps from The Whitefeather Mfg CO, you’ll find the Red Wing shop, if you want to check out boots from this classic brand.

ARNOLDs Vienna (Josefstädter Str. 52, 1080 Wien)

A menswear store that leans towards a more modern style, but you can still find brands like Baracuta, Edwin, Filson, Manifattura Ceccarelli, Merz B. Schwanen, Red Wing, Solovair, Stetson, and Tenue.

Nouw (Neubaugasse 80, 1070 Wien)

Another store with quality products that leans more towards a modern style, but they carry great brands like Astorflex, Harley of Scotland, Mackie, Moonstar, Novesta, Shoes Like Pottery, and Solovair.

Brillen.manufaktur (Neubaugasse 18, 1070 Wien)

Another optician with a solid selection of Jacques Marie Mage glasses.

Wiener Würstelstand / ©WienTourismus/Paul Bauer

And here is my list of some non-menswear recommendations:

Architecture & Greenery:
- Hofburg
- Sisi museum
- Belvedere > walking distance from city centre
- Schonbrunn + drink at Glorietta
- Schmetterlinghaus / Palmenhaus
- Albertina
- Burggarten
- Kunsthistorische museum
- Rathaus

Sweets & Pastry
- Heindls Schmarren - best kaiserschmarrn
- Kafe Hawelka - apple & topfen strudel
- Kafe Korb - sacher torte
- Paremi - best ice cream
- Top 02 Patisserie - gelato
- Ferrari - gelato
- Bärenland (German gummies)

Best Coffee spots:
- Fenster cafe (only takeaway)
- Jonas Reindl
- Caffe Couture
- Caffe A Casa
- No Panic Coffee

Brunch
- Ramasuri (my personal favourite)
- Drechsler Weinzeile
- Palmenhaus Brasserie
- Paremi
- Adlerhof Wien

Austrian food
- Figlmuller
- Meissl & Schaden
- Lugeck

Würstelstand
- Bitzinger
- Zum scharfen René
- Würstelstand zum Hohen Markt
- Alles Wurscht
- Wiener Würstelstand

Vienna bars
- Krypt bar
- Loos bar

If you're a local or have ever been to Vienna, let me know if you think something else belongs on the list.