Finding your favorite Foods
Vienna has many options, from the Julius Meinl Gourmet Store to the money saving chain Hofer.
Most of the larger grocery stores in Vienna, like Billa, Hofer, Merkur and Spar offer most of the products you are used to. Maybe even more, when you see their selection of wines, cheeses, dairy products, vegetables and chocolates. Also, there are still the smaller shops, butchers, bakeries and you have the option of the of open air and farmers markets.
Even though shopping here may be a bit more time consuming, it can be extremely enjoyable. Living in Vienna, I have learned that a spice rack is more then just a decoration for my kitchen and that cooking and shopping is really an enjoyable art.
So take your Nature-friendly cloth shopping bag or basket…oh, you don’t have one… well then take the first step and buy one, venture out and try the many different food shopping resources Vienna has to offer.
International Foods
Bobby’s: British and American selections you may not find anwhere else in Vienna.
Casa Mexico: Fresh Tortilla’s and many products for those of us who love to cook Mexican Foods
Prosi: Asian, African and Latin American Food Store. Exotic food products from all around the world.
Meinl am Graben: Offers the finest Gourmet foods from around the world.
Markets
There are 25 other markets around Vienna among them are:
The Naschmarkt (U4 Kettenbrückengasse) is the largest open-air market in Vienna. It originates from 1916 and has hardly changed. You can find just about everything at the here flowers, homemade pickles, wild boar, unusual spices, seafood, meat, every vegetable and fruit, cheeses (even cheddar), oriental specialties, fresh sauerkraut, cooking utensils, clothing, candles, toys.
On weekends, farmers from the surrounding countryside come and sell their farm-fresh produce here. Home-made Blunzen (black pudding), smoked delicacies and wines can be sampled at little stalls. Furthermore, fresh trout and carp from Burgenland, home-made Fleischstrudel (meat strudel). Also many biological products, oils and spices. It is an experience not to be missed.
Organic Market Freyung (U2 Schottentor), 1st District: Open 9am-5pm first & third Fri & Sat in month. This market sells exclusively organic products directly from the growers.
Karmelitermarkt, 2st District: Vienna’s oldest market. Vegetables, fruit and Asian specialities. The Turkish butchers sell what is said to be Vienna’s best lamb.
Market on Mexikoplatz(U1 Vorgartenstraße): Here in 2nd District the ‘wild East’ is prevalent. Colourful stalls owned by East-European traders.
Rochus Markt(U3 Rochusgasse), 3rd Distict Landstasse/Hauptstrasse: Small and quaint
Viktor Adler Markt (U 1 Reumannplatz), 10th District
Brunnenmarkt(U6 Josefstädter Strasse), 16th District: Vienna’s second-largest market, in the workmen’s district of Ottakring. The atmosphere has an Oriental flavour to it. This market is particularly popular with students and artists.
Meisl-Markt(U 3 Johnstraße), 15th District: Indoor Market in the basement and farmers’ market on saturdays outside.
Visit these or look for one in your district.
Helpful Hints
- Be prepared to bag your own groceries and don’t wait for them to take them to your car.
- When buying produce, check to see if you must weigh it or if is pre-priced.
- Most places charge for shopping bag
Store Hours
Legally permitted opening hours for stores: Monday to Friday 5:00 a.m to 21:00 p.m, Saturday to 18:00 p.m.
The actual opening hours for stores may vary, usually from 09.00 a.m – 18.00 p.m (Grocery stores from 08.00 a.m), Saturdays to 13.00 or 17.00 p.m
Exceptional regulations with longer opening hours exist in tourist areas; shops at railway stations and at airports are open during the travel timeschedules (in part until 23:00 p.m).
