Enjoying an excellent meal accompanied by a glass of wine, or perhaps afternoon coffee and a slice of cake – the ideal way to take in the idyllic setting in one of Vienna’s parks. The Palmenhaus in the Burggarten is a good place to start. This former greenhouse at the back of the Hofburg is one of the best examples of Austrian Art Nouveau steel and glass construction. Inside, guests sit surrounded by exotic plants as they enjoy delicious food or a cocktail at the bar. In summer the patio offers great views of the Burggarten – seats here are very popular.

Park life

The Steirereck restaurant is located in Stadtpark. Not only regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world, it is also highly rated aesthetically. Architects PPAG opened up the restaurant to face out over the park. The green surroundings are reflected in the metal elements of the facade, and in summer the windows are retracted so that guests have the feeling they are sitting in the midst of the green. New interpretations of old recipes and all but forgotten local ingredients are what make the cuisine at Steirereck so special. The summer terrace at the Kursalon is named Johann im Park and offers an alternative view over the Stadtpark, with the Johann Strauss monument prominent in the foreground. Here, refreshing summer drinks and delicious snacks are served between palm trees and olive bushes.

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Culinary delights are also on the menu for visitors to the Augarten, Vienna’s oldest Baroque park. The palace houses Vienna's Augarten Porcelain Manufactory as well as the Café-Restaurant Sperling, which affords a view of the flower-packed park and the extensive avenues. And with a little luck, even the Vienna Boys' Choir can be heard rehearsing from the terrace.

Urban oasis

Volksgarten Pavillon, located in the park from which it takes its name, is open from spring to fall. Designed in the 1950s by architect Oswald Haerdtl, the pavilion and its patios are an oasis of green that even features its own little stream – right in the center of the city. During the day the café is a peaceful retreat, while in the evening it becomes a lively night spot with a barbecue, and DJs on the decks.

Landtmann’s Jausen Station is located in a hidden spot in Schönbrunn Palace Gardens. A dazzling white pavilion now stands where the children of the imperial family used to play. Outside, chairs in a variety of shades add color. Far from the noise of traffic, surrounded by gorgeous rose beds and herbs, guests also enjoy a view of Schönbrunn Palace. The name describes exactly what the place is for: “Jause” is the Austrian German term for a light meal. Coffee, homemade pastries, traditional Kaiserschmarren (shredded pancakes with raisins, dusted with icing sugar and served with stewed plums), open sandwiches, and snack boards with cheese and smoked bacon are all on the menu.

A trip to the Lainz Game Reserve, a former imperial hunting ground, is an experience for all the family. Wild boars and deer roam freely in this 2,500 hectare nature preserve. Emperor Franz Joseph commissioned one of Ringstrasse architects Carl von Hasenauer to build the Hermesvilla here for Empress Elisabeth – in the hope that his wife, who loved to travel, might stay in Vienna more. Today, the Wien Museum maintains an exhibition on the building’s history in the Hermes Villa, as well as number of Sisi’s rooms with their original interiors – one was designed by Gustav Klimt. The villa also contains Restaurant Hermes, which serves Viennese cuisine with an emphasis on game specialties. The wonderful terrace offers views of the woods.

Text: Susanne Kapeller