Ikea: a World First at Westbahnhof

70 fully-fledged trees growing out of giant planters weighing tons, a fantastic view of Vienna and all that with no obligation to make a purchase either. One of the capital’s more unusual new rooftop rendezvous opened in August 2021, right next to Vienna’s Westbahnhof railway station. Swedish furniture giant Ikea has created “hus”, an innovative city center location featuring a greened facade, as well as a hotel called JO&JOE. But the rooftop terrace is where it is all happening. Open to the general public, there is no pressure for visitors to buy any of the culinary delights on offer to enjoy the views. But that would mean missing out a little: because guests can look forward to drinks, cocktails and street food from JOE&JOE on the roof terrace.

mariatrink: Distinctly Laid Back

Zeitgeist, contemporary design and lots of music: Vienna’s most musical rooftop bar has been open for business on the roof of the new Jaz in the City hotel in the sixth district (Mariahilf) since mid-August 2021. Following Amsterdam and Stuttgart, Jaz in the City Vienna is the third hotel in the German chain’s portfolio, and destined to make music fans’ hearts skip a beat. The lobby recreates a record shop vibe. And building on these laid-back musical foundations, the rooftop mariatrink bar has panoramic views of Vienna in store. The menu features innovative cocktails, alongside dishes made from regional ingredients. That all-important feelgood factor comes courtesy of luxuriant velvet seating.

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Chez Bernard Restaurant et Bar: Sustainable and Stunning

Anyone yearning for spectacular architecture should head for the roof of Hotel Motto on Mariahilfer Strasse – a boutique accommodation, where a combination of 1920s Parisian charm, contemporary Viennese lifestyle and Scandi chic awaits. And the same winning formula applies at Chez Bernard Restaurant et Bar on the rooftop: flooded with natural light, surrounded with lush greenery and spread across two floors, it holds court beneath a striking glass dome. The menu offers a tantalizing assortment of Austrian dishes with French and North African influences. Freshly prepared food and organic ingredients set the culinary tone. And Hotel Motto also has a slightly out-of-the-ordinary flavor when it comes to its drinks menu: the beans used in its Alt Wien coffee are roasted exclusively for the hotel. Meanwhile, Bernd Schlacher, who has picked up numerous certifications in recognition of his sustainability credentials, uses leftover bread from the in-house bakery, Motto Brot, to brew his signature beer Brewdi.

Kindred Spirits Rooftop Bar: Drinks with Views of the Prater

Or maybe great views right next to Vienna’s beloved Prater park appeal more? At the boutique Hotel Zoku Vienna, which opened in June 2021, the innovative focus is on balancing leisure and working-from-home requirements. Its special home-office hybrid solution is designed to appeal to people who are often on the road for work. And the formula extends all the way to the top, where guests can enjoy the Living Kitchen Rooftop Restaurant and Kindred Spirits Rooftop Bar high above street level. Ideal for a laid-back lunch or an after-work drink, while taking in the 360-degree views of Vienna from the rooftop terrace. In the evenings, the attractions at the Prater amusement park below twinkle like a sea of brightly colored lights, adding to the atmosphere. The cocktails, beers and wines at the Kindred Spirits Rooftop Bar confirm the team’s strong commitment to Austrian artisanship.

NENI am Prater: Great Vistas and Fantastic Food

The new NENI am Prater offers top views of the Prater amusement park as well as the city center. Businesswoman and multitalented restaurateur Haya Molcho and her sons are the creative force behind the rooftop restaurant with spacious terrace on the top floor of hotel-hostel hybrid Superbude. The Molcho family has a proven track record in Vienna as the operators of NENI am Naschmarkt and Tel Aviv Beach on the Danube Canal, both of which fly the flag for cosmopolitan Middle Eastern cuisine. And things will continue in a similar vein at NENI am Prater where seating is arranged around the centerpiece of the eatery, an open kitchen. Chef de cuisine Andy Barotanyi and Haya Molcho put their heads together to come up with an epicurean masterplan centered on open-flame cooking. And the on-site bakery supplies freshly baked sourdough bread and focaccia every day.