Vienna has a long tradition of bars and restaurants with unusual interior designs. The Loos Bar is a classic example. A century ago Viennese architect and modernist pioneer Adolf Loos created a timeless atmosphere with his compact American Bar. The legendary Café Drechsler on Naschmarkt was refurbished with a touch of flair by British star designer Sir Terence Conran. The revamped Café Drechsler already has all the makings of a true classic.

Given its location at the Architekturzentrum Wien in the MuseumsQuartier, quality architecture is must for Café Restaurant Milo . French architects Anne Lacaton and Jean Philippe Vassal have based their philosophy around the intelligent treatment of a minimalist approach to using materials, and this is plain to see at Milo. The mosaic ceiling work from Turkish artist Asiye Kolbai-Kafalier provides a suitable contrast to the minimalist architecture elsewhere.

The Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art (MAK) is another institution that puts the spotlight on good design, making it clear from the outset that refurbishment of the restaurant would have to meet the highest quality standards. Catering comes courtesy of star chef Helmut Österreicher at the Österreicher im MAK restaurant and bar, designed by Viennese architect duo Eichinger oder Knechtl. Taking a classic Viennese hostelry as their point of departure, Eichinger oder Knechtl have created a new take on the traditional Viennese eatery through the use of unusual materials and innovative solutions.

Eichinger oder Knechtl have also produced a convincing solution for Unger und Klein , a cross between a wine store and bar. A long, curved wine shelf dominates the bar, clearly showing that the wine is the central attraction, and helps with orientation and storage. Here, aesthetics and culinary enjoyment go hand in hand.

Loos American Bar

1., Kärntner Durchgang 10, tel. +43–1–512 32 83
www.loosbar.at

Café Drechsler

6., Linke Wienzeile 22,
tel. +43–1–581 20 44
www.cafedrechsler.at

Milo

7., Architekturzentrum Wien (im MuseumsQuartier), Museumsplatz 1,
tel. +43–1–523 65 66

Österreicher im MAK

1., Stubenring 5,
tel. +43–1–1–714 01 21
www.oesterreicherimmak.at

Unger und Klein

1., Gölsdorfgasse 2,
tel. +43–1–532 13 23
www.ungerundklein.at