The Vienna Spittelberg, with its small, romantic lanes and the charming Biedermeier buildings is right next to the MuseumsQuartier. Between Breite Gasse and Sigmundsgasse is a lively entertainment area with outlets ranging from the typical Viennese inn to the smart bar, from the tasteful restaurant to the popular student pub. Most of them entice guests in the summertime with Schanigärten (as the Viennese call their outdoor dining areas).

The young crowd like to go to the Amerling-Beisl. The idyllic Biedermeier garden in the inner courtyard here is especially worth seeing. The Tian Bistro on Spittelberg serves great vegetarian cuisine in a cozy ambiance with lots of warm wood.

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Several restaurants in the area serve Viennese cuisine: Witwe Bolte is the oldest restaurant in Spittelberg and also offers a comprehensive menu for vegetarians. Viennese treats are also the specialty served at the restaurant called Zu ebener Erde und erster Stock. The specialties of Viennese cuisine can also be sampled at the inn "Am Spittelberg" and in the restaurant Bohème.

Star chef Max Stiegl has opened Stanko + Tito, a restaurant in which he reflects on his Slovenian roots. Toward the front there is classic Balkan grilled food with cevapcici, toward the rear traditional dishes from the Balkans that Max Stiegl refines in his own way.

Das Café offers coffee and apple strudel as well as colorfully mixed furnishings with a living room flair. Next door at the Burgermacher they make organic hamburgers that are famous throughout the city and creative vegetarian dishes. Even the catsup is homemade here.

Tip: The annual Christmas Market in Spittelberg (from mid-November until Christmas) is particularly atmospheric.

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Former red light district

The Spittelberg area is beautiful to behold nowadays. But it wasn't always that way. Due to its proximity to the city center, craftsmen and day laborers once settled here. They were soon followed by wine taverns and red light establishments. During the reign of Emperor Joseph II, the son of Maria Theresa, the Spittelberg was home to numerous bordellos, which the emperor apparently liked to visit incognito, but officially fought against. Immoral activities on the Spittelberg reached their zenith in the 19th century. Street musicians, jugglers, showmen, and prostitutes filled the streets.

There is no sign of them today – quite the opposite. The Spittelberg is an expensive residential district, beautifully turned out and refurbished. In addition to the bars and restaurants that occupy the Biedermeier buildings, the area is also home to trendy galleries and studios selling handicrafts.