Gersthof: a suburban neighborhood

Gersthof is a typical Viennese suburb. In Vienna, ‘Vorstad’ refers to the area outside the city center – in other words the suburbs. These suburbs are often less polished, the shops less chic, but all the more charming, all the more Viennese, all the more authentic for it.

If you want to dive into the Gersthof neighborhood in the 18th district, the best place to start is at the Gersthofer Platzl. Why? Because this is where the trams from the city center arrive, and where you’ll also find the Stadtbahn. Vienna’s Stadtbahn (urban railway) network was built at the end of the 19th century. Today, suburban trains (S-Bahn) run on this network – which, by the way, is mostly above ground. And today, the U4 and U6 subway lines operate on some sections. The architectural design of the Stadtbahn system was in the hands of architect Otto Wagner (1841–1918), who created a true Gesamtkunstwerk here. The station buildings, platforms, railings, bridges, and viaducts he designed shape Vienna’s cityscape to this day and help visitors find their way around. No one thought further ahead than this visionary urban planner.

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City railway station by Otto Wagner — The Stadtbahn: Otto Wagner’s visionary architecture – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

The Stadtbahn: Otto Wagner’s visionary architecture – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

Gersthof Station is also an architectural highlight. It’s part of the suburban railway network and even has its very own coffeehouse. Even though the café is unfortunately closed at the moment, it’s still worth peeking through the windows at the dark wood paneling and original parquet floors inside. And when the outdoor seating area is open, the leafy courtyard is a real oasis while traffic rushes by on Gersthofer Straße outside. Gersthofer Platzl is just as lively. Even though the Platzl is a busy intersection, you’ll find a few special spots among the usual fast-food stands, from kebabs to Asian noodles: Diglas am Markt is a delicatessen that even roasts its own coffee. This charming little shop is a favorite breakfast or lunch stop for many locals. Equally popular – especially with the older Gersthof crowd – is the Café Aida. There’s a branch of this iconic Viennese pastry chain in almost every district. Designs from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, lavish pastries, and lots of pink give it a true retro flair.

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exterior view of Café Aida — Café Aida, with its pink décor, is a cult favorite. – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

café interior with pink décor — Café Aida, with its pink décor, is a cult favorite. – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

street with historic buildings in Vienna — A typical street in Gersthof lined with Gründerzeit-era buildings – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

outdoor dining area of a restaurant — The idyllic garden of Amici Pizzeria – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

Café Aida, with its pink décor, is a cult favorite. – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

A typical street in Gersthof lined with Gründerzeit-era buildings – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

The idyllic garden of Amici Pizzeria – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

We leave Gersthofer Platzl behind and continue strolling out of town along Gersthofer Straße. A great tip for coffee and delicious breads and pastries here is Lilla Soul Boulangerie. Horst Felzl, once the founder of the well-known Felzl bakeries in Vienna, keeps the tradition alive: bread and pastries, made and baked by hand on site, follow the tradition of classic French baking. And you can really taste the difference. Before we move on, let’s take a short detour into Bäckenbrünnlgasse. This little street gives you a glimpse of how Vienna’s more affluent residents live in the suburbs. Here, the houses have gardens, balconies, and everything feels much greener. A great example is the Brünnl-Hof, built in 1912 in the neoclassical style.

Back on Gersthofer Straße, Amici Pizzeria is also a top spot for a break. In summer, the outdoor seating and the pergola in the courtyard create an especially idyllic atmosphere. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful garden patios in all of Gersthof. A short walk further brings you to inviting cafés like Kurkonditorei Oberlaa, famous for its Oberlaa patisserie, and the Blumencafe. The latter truly lives up to its name: you can enjoy breakfast here all day long alongside lush floral decorations. A real highlight is the wide range of Palatschinken – Austrian pancakes – served sweet or savory.

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Pond in Türkenschanzpark — Türkenschanzpark – © MA42Kronsteiner/PID

Café Diglas in Türkenschanzpark — Meierei Diglas in Türkenschanzpark – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

coffee and dessert on a table — Meierei Diglas in Türkenschanzpark – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

Paulinenwarte in the Vienna Türkenschanzpark — Paulinenwarte in Türkenschanzpark – © WienTourismus/Gregor Hofbauer

Türkenschanzpark – © MA42Kronsteiner/PID

Meierei Diglas in Türkenschanzpark – © WienTourismus/Manuel Peric

Paulinenwarte in Türkenschanzpark – © WienTourismus/Gregor Hofbauer

From here, it’s just a few steps to Türkenschanzpark, the green heart of the neighborhood. This is where everyone gathers, young and old alike. The park is open to everyone – for leisurely walks, jogging, skating, playing table tennis, or simply relaxing on a comfortable blanket or park bench. The many ponds here also offer a lovely home to countless ducks and water birds. Right in the heart of Türkenschanzpark, Meierei Diglas invites you to stop by. Not only the breakfast, but the entire menu is well worth exploring.

Now, the rest of Gersthof is waiting to be explored. Salierigasse, Ferrogasse, and Bastiengasse are typical suburban residential streets, lined with charming Gründerzeit-era houses. The area around Gersthof Parish Church and Albert-Dub-Park is also well worth a look. On your way back towards Gersthofer Platzl, you’ll find the restaurant das weinberg, which specializes in regional cuisine – that means Viennese and Austrian classics. Local specialties and products, like Gugumuck’s Viennese snails, Styrian mountain shrimp, and char, are served in tapas-sized portions—perfect for tasting and sharing (larger portions available on request). The idyllic garden terrace of this suburban restaurant is also highly recommended.