Vienna's Favorite Brands: A Consumer Behavior Insight

Vienna, Austria's capital city, is a popular tourist destination. The city is famous for its kaffee haus (coffee house) culture, and its elegant, exclusive boutiques. From experimental chocolate to luxury fashion, here are some of the most frequently bought brands in Vienna.

Luxury brands on Kohlmarkt

Kohlmarkt, located in downtown Vienna, is home to some of the most prestigious luxury brands in the world. The street, stretching from Hofburg Palace to Graben, was once the site of numerous court-appointed jewellers and purveyors to the Imperial and Royal courts. Today, it is a haven for luxury shopping, boasting an array of exclusive boutiques that showcase the latest in fashion, jewellery, and accessories.

The elegant Swiss watch and jewellery company, Chopard, marks the beginning of the pedestrian zone on Kohlmarkt. As you stroll down the street, you will find a plethora of luxury brands housed in a noble palace, including the Milan fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, American designer Michael Kors, and the legendary American jeweller Tiffany & Co., which has a long history as a royal court purveyor.

Continuing down Kohlmarkt, you will discover a diverse range of luxury brands representing different countries. Ferragamo, the renowned Italian brand, offers elegant shoes and accessories, while Bulgari showcases exquisite Italian jewellery, watches, and accessories. Dior, a symbol of French elegance, presents its latest collections next door. The British brand Burberry adds a touch of classic style to the mix, followed by the Italian fashion houses Gucci and Fendi, known for their sophisticated designs. At the end of Kohlmarkt, Chanel, another French powerhouse, awaits with its exclusive offerings.

The Kohlmarkt seamlessly connects to Graben, a car-free shopping street that is equally prestigious. Here, you will find the Viennese flagship stores of renowned brands such as Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent. Graben also houses the Hermès boutique, where Parisian flair meets Viennese Art Nouveau.

Extending from Kohlmarkt is the renowned "Golden Quarter" or "Goldenes Quartier", known for its concentration of luxurious flagship stores. In this exclusive area, neighbouring boutiques include Bottega Veneta, Valentino, Etro, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen, and Emporio Armani. The "Golden Quarter" also boasts the presence of esteemed shoe designers Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin, as well as Akris, a Swiss fashion house known for its feminine and restrained style.

Kohlmarkt and its surrounding areas truly embody the essence of luxury shopping in Vienna, offering a blend of international luxury brands, elegant boutiques, and a rich historical backdrop.

Austrian crystal glassware

Vienna, Austria's capital, is known for its crystal glassware, with the city being home to several renowned crystal glassware brands. Here is an overview of the Austrian crystal glassware scene in Vienna:

J. & L. Lobmeyr

J. & L. Lobmeyr is a well-established Austrian crystal glassware brand, founded in 1823 by Joseph Lobmeyr. With a rich history, Lobmeyr has been a Purveyor to the Imperial Court and is currently in its sixth generation as a family-run business. The company creates a range of products, including chandeliers, stemware, and decorative pieces, all crafted with traditional techniques. Each piece is mouth-blown, cut, engraved, and polished by hand, ensuring the highest quality. Lobmeyr's store can be found on Kärntner Strasse in the Innenstadt district, making it a convenient stop for those exploring the historic centre.

Swarovski Crystal

Swarovski Crystal is another prominent crystal brand in Vienna, producing luxury items from their base in Wattens, Austria. They offer a wide range of products, including figurines, home decor, chandeliers, jewellery, sculptures, and couture. Their store is located on Kärntner Straße, making it easily accessible for visitors exploring the city.

Atelier Song

While not exclusively focused on crystal glassware, Atelier Song, located in the Leopoldstadt district, is worth mentioning. This boutique, owned by renowned designer Myung-Il Song, offers a unique shopping experience. Song curates a selection of items from avant-garde designers, including glassware, alongside her own designs. The boutique is known for its edginess and focus on "artisanal luxury."

Rudolf Scheer & Söhne

For those seeking handcrafted shoes alongside their crystal glassware, Rudolf Scheer & Söhne is the place to visit. This generational shoemaker, located in the Innenstadt district, has been crafting bespoke shoes since 1816 and counts Hollywood stars among its clientele.

Kniže & Comp

Kniže & Comp, also in the Innenstadt district, is a historic shop offering a one-stop shopping experience for men's and women's fashion and accessories. In addition to clothing, they offer fragrances and soaps, including their elegant perfumes, which are sought-after by fashion insiders.

Vienna's best chocolate

Vienna is a city synonymous with chocolate, and there are many shops to choose from when looking for the perfect sweet treat. Here is a guide to some of Vienna's best chocolate:

Xocolat

Xocolat is a chocolate lover's paradise, with over thirty different chocolate bar brands available at their Innenstadt location, including Marou Chocolate, Francois Pralus, Domori, Original Beans, and Zotter. They also offer a wide range of handcrafted confections and host workshops where you can learn the art of chocolate-making from expert chocolatiers. Xocolat has three locations in Vienna, and their workshops cost €95 per person.

Schoko Company

Located in the historic Naschmarkt, Schoko Company is a chocolate lover's dream. They offer the largest selection of Zotter chocolates in the city, as well as Styrian delicacies and a relaxing cafe. Josef Zotter, known as the Willy Wonka of Austria, is renowned for his ethical fair-trade practices and unique flavour combinations. Schoko Company is the perfect spot to indulge your sweet tooth.

Bonbons Anzinger

Bonbons Anzinger is a classic Viennese sweet shop in the heart of Neubaus, offering everything a chocoholic could desire. Founded in 1936, it is the oldest sweet shop in Vienna, with a wide range of sweet confections and chocolate bars. Their selection includes their own Wiener brand, as well as a handful of other brands. Bonbons Anzinger is a must-visit destination for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Heindl

Heindl is a well-known chocolatier with over thirty retail shops throughout Austria. Founded in 1953 in Vienna's 5th district, Heindl is the perfect place to taste conventional Austrian confections. They offer a variety of sweets, including chocolate truffles and bars, at several locations across the city. Heindl is a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

Lindt

The famous Swiss chocolate maker Lindt has five convenient locations throughout Vienna. They offer a variety of sweets, including their well-known chocolate truffles and bars. Lindt is a great choice for those looking for a familiar treat, with something for everyone's taste.

Local markets

Vienna is home to a wide variety of local markets, from food to flowers, and antiques to artisanal crafts.

Naschmarkt

Naschmarkt is the most famous market in the city, with a centuries-long tradition. It offers an enormous variety of fresh, local and international food from over 120 stalls and restaurants. It is a popular meeting point for young and old, and the flea market on Saturdays is a must-see event.

Kutschkermarkt

Kutschkermarkt is one of only two remaining street markets in the 18th district. It offers high-quality, organic, and international products, with a focus on delicacies. The farmer's market each Saturday is a weekly highlight, with regional farmers selling their produce directly from the field. The surrounding cafes and restaurants are popular meeting places.

Meidlinger Markt

Meidlinger Markt was founded between the two world wars and is located in the 12th district. It has retained its old-world flair, with traditional products such as fruit, vegetables, and meat, as well as more unusual stalls offering vegan and gluten-free options. The restaurant business around the market is very colourful, with many special restaurants offering unconventional concepts.

Brunnenmarkt

Brunnenmarkt is the second-largest street market in Vienna, located between Thaliastrasse and Ottakringer Strasse. It has an international flair, offering delicacies, exotic spices, and enticing fruit at reasonable prices. The area has become trendy in recent years, with many artists settling here, and hip and modern restaurants popping up between traditional cafes.

Rochusmarkt

Rochusmarkt is an important local supplier in the 3rd district. It features food stalls and a striking number of flower shops, as it was originally a flower market. Food was added gradually over the years.

Karmelitermarkt

Karmelitermarkt is a fun and laid-back market frequented by locals. It offers delicious food, fresh produce, and unique dining concepts. Local producers are happy to chat about their wares, and free samples are common. It is located in Karmeliterviertel along the eastern riverbank and is open on Saturdays.

Vienna's fashion scene

Vienna is Austria's fashion capital, attracting artists and style-conscious crowds from around the world. The city's fashion scene is characterised by a mix of different cultural influences, imperial charm, and modernity. The city's many independent boutiques, which sell both local and international brands, are a must-visit all year round.

The Big Luxury Brands

The big luxury brands can be found in the city centre, between Kohlmarkt, Tuchlauben and Kärntner Straße. The Kohlmarkt was once home to a large number of Imperial and Royal court purveyors, and today, the street is lined with the stores of big luxury brands. The Swiss watch and jewellery company Chopard has set up shop at the start of the pedestrian zone. Milan fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, American designer Michael Kors, and the legendary American jeweller Tiffany & Co. are also located here. Just a few steps towards the city centre, you'll find Ferragamo, Bulgari, Dior, Burberry, Gucci, Fendi, and Chanel. The Cartier boutique forms the link between the Kohlmarkt and Graben, another exclusive, car-free shopping street, where Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent have set up their Viennese flagship stores. The Hermès boutique is also located on Graben.

The Golden Quarter

On Tuchlauben, the extension of Kohlmarkt, known as the "Golden Quarter", you'll find Bottega Veneta, Valentino, Etro, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen, and Emporio Armani, as well as the cult label Agent Provocateur from London, and Dsquared2, a destination for fashion-conscious men. On the neighbouring Bognergasse, you'll find the Prada and Brunello Cucinelli flagship stores, while Balenciaga is located around the corner in Seitzergasse.

Artisanal Shopping

If you're looking to bypass the chain stores and shop for authentically Viennese handcrafted wares, designer Myung-Il Song recommends heading to the Leopoldstadt District (2nd district). Song's boutique, Atelier Song, has held a serious grip on Vienna's design scene for 25 years. She sells her own designs as well as items from avant-garde designers "on the borderline between art and fashion". Song also recommends Rudolf Scheer & Söhne, a generational shoemaker that has been making handcrafted bespoke shoes since 1816, and the historic shop Kniže & Comp for one-stop men's and women's fashion and accessory shopping. The shop is designed by renowned Austrian architect Adolf Loos.

Homewares

For artisanal homewares, J & J Lobmeyr on Innenstadt's Kärntner Strasse is a must-visit. Founded in Vienna in 1823, Lobmeyr produces chandeliers, stemware, and decorative pieces – all mouth-blown and cut, engraved, and polished by hand. For artisanal linens, Zur Schwäbischen Jungfrau on the Graben shopping street is the place to go.

Contemporary Art

For contemporary art, Neubau, Landstrasse, and Mariahilf (7th, 3rd, and 6th districts) are the places to be. Home to Vienna Secession and Art Nouveau architecture, Vienna is practically synonymous with high art. Song recommends the Hubert Winter gallery in Neubau, Vin Vin in Landstrasse, and Commune Gallery in Mariahilf for those wishing to purchase art.

Street Markets

Vienna is also known for its bustling street markets, particularly the Naschmarkt in Wieden, Vienna's 4th district, which retains its traditional charm. Here, you'll find all manners of artisanal craft and food vendors. Vienna is also famous for its Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas markets), which transform the city's squares into fairy-lighted wonderlands. Song's favourite is the Spittelberg Christmas Market in the Neubau 7th district, a small-scale market located on the cobblestoned lanes behind Museumsquartier.

Sweet Treats

No visit to Vienna is complete without sampling its decadent artisanal baked goods and chocolates. Joseph Brot is a popular bakery and patisserie with several locations throughout Vienna, using 100% organic ingredients from Austrian farms. For chocolates, head to Altmann & Kühne on Graben, a historic chocolatier that produces everything by hand.

Fashion Boutiques

There are several established designers on the Viennese fashion scene who have achieved international fame and success. Lena Hoschek, who studied under Vivienne Westwood, has created her own style for self-confident women, with a feminine silhouette in the style of the 1950s at the centre of her designs. Petar Petrov, a Bulgarian designer based in Vienna, is also a notable part of the homegrown fashion scene, specialising in minimalism and special materials. Michel Mayer, who founded her own label in 1995, is known for her feminine fashion with flowing silhouettes, sophisticated drapery, and asymmetric cuts. She specialises in eveningwear.

Traditional Austrian Clothing

If you're looking for traditional Austrian clothing, Tostmann Trachten in Schottengasse is the place to go. They sell regional Austrian fashion, including classic dirndls, beautiful festive wear for adults and children, and even wedding costumes. Camile Boyer in Lindengasse offers a range of locally-made products from Austrian fashion and accessory designers, including sunglasses from Andy Wolf Eyewear, handmade in Styria, Austria.

Frequently asked questions