Rudolfsheim is a classic Viennese Grätzel (the term Vienna uses for its neighborhoods). It doesn’t have any major landmarks or museums, but it does have plenty of dining options and Austria’s largest event complex: the Wiener Stadthalle. 

“A UFO has landed in Vienna”

... they said at the opening ceremony on June 21, 1958. It was a reference to the wing-like design of the main building, which was created by Austrian architect and designer Roland Rainer. The building’s silhouette is also repeated in the company logo and on the seating in front of the entrances. Just as striking is the red steel structure of the public Stadthallenbad. What’s more, the “Stadthallen armchair” designed by Rainer is one of the most significant pieces of furniture in Austrian design history and is now highly prized. The range of events spans concerts of every genre as well as exhibitions, sporting events, trade fairs, and shows. This is also where the 70th edition of the world’s largest music festival will take place when the Eurovision Song Contest returns to Vienna in 2026. 

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Urban-Loritz-Platz: Rudolfsheim’s “landing pad”

Urban-Loritz-Platz is a great starting point for exploring the Grätzel. Served by the U6 subway line (Burggasse-Stadthalle station), several bus and tram lines, and one of Vienna’s main thoroughfares, the Wiener Gürtel, it’s very easy to reach. This is also where the Main Library of the City of Vienna towers above the square. Designed by Viennese architect Ernst Mayr, around 100 steps lead up to the entrance. These steps are also a popular place to hang out and socialize. Up on the roof is Oben, a restaurant and bar that focuses on seasonal and organic food and offers a magnificent view. A few steps further on, there is also an open-air cinema on the roof during the summer months. 

Street food reigns supreme at the edge of the sail-shaped roof structure on Urban-Loritz-Platz. The Speisekammer sausage stand and Dönermeister kebab shop impress with the quality of their meat and plant-based options. The path to the Wiener Stadthalle leads through Märzpark. And just beyond it, a true culinary Grätzel awaits.

Kriemhild-Platz: a hidden neighborhood hub

The unassuming Kriemhildplatz, just a few minutes’ walk from the Wiener Stadthalle, has become an established Grätzel meeting spot. Café Kriemhild and the pizzeria Pizza Madre are right next to each other. Architecturally, it has retained the look of a classic Viennese café or tavern. The culinary offerings and, above all, the atmosphere have been rejuvenated, appealing to a new, creative target group. 

Across the street is franzundjulius, which is just as charming but with a modern interior and offers coffee, breakfast, pastries, and small snacks. The well-stocked Buchkontor bookstore offers new reading material. And fans of vintage fashion can find new (or rather, old) treasures at Euro Baby just 100 meters farther on, along the tree-lined Markgraf-Rüdiger-Straße.

From Gasthaus to gourmet

Märzstraße leads out of the city straight to the next Grätzel square: Kardinal-Rauscher-Platz, with the impressive Rudolfsheim Catholic Church in red brick. The Exil bar looks rather unassuming at first, but it’s the perfect place for a quiet evening with friends. At Café Caché, a former suburban coffeehouse with retro flair, Lisa Machian cooks with a French touch. The iconic Gasthaus Augustin, with its living room atmosphere, is also home to a cat or two. Gasthaus Heidinger surprises with a Viennese classic, goulash, served breaded and fried rather than in its traditional sauce. About a ten-minute walk from the church, Rudolfsheim also has the Herzig restaurant, a fantastic fine-dining destination that has been awarded a MICHELIN Guide star. Schutzhaus Zukunft auf der Schmelz offers a leafy beer garden away from the big-city bustle.

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Westbahnhof transit hub

The 208-meter-long Rustensteg pedestrian bridge offers an exciting view of the dense network of tracks at Vienna Westbahnhof Station. In the immediate vicinity, in a former printing plant belonging to the Austrian Federal Railways, the Glasfabrik offers antique shopping and a coffee corner on three spacious floors. Café Weingartner on the corner of Löhrgasse and Goldschlagstraße is a classic Viennese coffeehouse where you can play billiards. 

The Boutiquehotel Stadthalle by cocoon on Hackengasse is a true pioneer in sustainability. It became the first hotel in the world to commit to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and also charms guests with its green courtyard, beehives on the roof and many vintage and upcycled accessories and furnishings. Fans of shabby chic will quickly fall in love with Café Mausi just around the corner on Märzstraße.

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