Viennese coziness at the Heuriger or in a coffeehouse, inspiring art & culture, relaxed pre-Christmas shopping, and the first festive joys at Vienna's Christmas markets.
The Perfect Location for City Hotel Henriette: Leopoldstadt, Vienna
What “Kiez” is to the Berliners, “Grätzel” is to the Viennese – that is, the neighbourhood which you mainly move around in (on foot), where you live, shop, and maybe even work. Simply the area where you feel a sense of belonging. And Henriette's Grätzel? Definitely Vienna's second district, the Leopoldstadt!
Especially the Praterstrasse and the surrounding districts: the Czerninviertel, the Afrikaner and Rotensternviertel all the way to the Karmeliterviertel. The green Prater is just as much a part of it as the Danube Canal – two places to relax that couldn’t be more different!
Henriette’s neighbourhood
Leopoldstadt: once known as "matzo island", this history-steeped district is a rediscovered hotspot somewhere between the big city and a neighbourhood.
Beautiful boulevard & bicycle highway
The Praterstrasse: formerly known as the Jägerzeile, this tree-lined street between the old town and Prater is the first bike highway in Vienna.
Colourful mix & genuinely Vienna
Our neighbourhood in the 2nd district: a place for living and working, where culture, freedom, and fun meet – authentic & loveable.
With us at the City Hotel Henriette, the good life of Vienna is practically on your doorstep!
And around us? That’s right, Leopoldstadt – and with it the famous Praterstrasse. This has developed into a really trendy district of Vienna in recent years. New shops, hip restaurants and bars are opening all the time. Universities and schools bring young people from all over the world to the area. And the Viennese have also rediscovered the neighbourhood around our Vienna City Hotel Henriette: as a place where it's good to live. What a place for a hotel in Vienna Leopoldstadt!
In culinary terms, here in Vienna it’s all about passion. And about being international. There’s something tasty and enjoyable for every palate and budget to be found on almost every corner here.
You’re spoilt for choice! May we introduce you to six of Henriette’s favourite neighbours in the second district, all within no more than a 5-minute walk from Hotel Henriette in Vienna’s Leopoldstadt?
Trendy hotspots & undiscovered corners
Fresh fish from Fresh waters
fischerie
Freshly-caught fish from local waters – from one of Austria's many lakes, natural ponds or aquaponics systems. Short transport routes guarantee the catches are fresh and retain their unique flavour, which the fischerie's team packs into delicious fish dishes with plenty of variety. Selected wines from Austria and France round out your dining experience.
By the way: guests of the Hotel Henriette receive a little something on the house at thefischerie – our reception team will be happy to give you more details! ;-)
Fischerie, Praterstrasse 49
henriette loves coffee and the Balthasar
Balthasar Kaffee Bar
When we want to give our portafilters a break, we head over to Balthasar for a quick, or sometimes even a leisurely, coffee. And maybe also for an almond croissant or a pain au chocolat.
This is the place to enjoy espresso brewed using various filter methods, iced coffees, chai latte, teas, organic soft drinks and, yes, even a good glass of wine. The philosophy is something we can totally get on board with: fair and directly traded coffee with the rest coming from local companies, and everything is of the best quality.
Balthasar Kaffee Bar, Praterstrasse 38
Authentically Vienna …
Praterwirt
Butcher and restaurant in one. What was once a standard is becoming more and more rare today. Situated opposite the Hotel Henriette, Praterwirt proves that this traditional concept can be totally cool and modern. The meat from the in-house butcher's shop comes exclusively from Austria and is transformed into Viennese tavern classics in the open kitchen. Top off your meal with an unpasteurised Budweiser beer.
If you think that traditional Viennese tavern fare is only for carnivores, you'll be pleased to learn you're wrong! In addition to vegetarian standards, the lunch menu of the day also features a veggie option. Seconds included!
Praterwirt, Praterstrasse 45
Itadakimasu! The flavours of japan – a touch of Italy – in vienna
Mochi, o.m.k Deli & Cucina Itameshi
Japanese food in Vienna? Why not? Situated at the start of the Praterstrasse, Mochi has been one of Vienna's best and most innovative Japanese restaurants for years. We recommend making reservations early – or try hitting the restaurant for lunch, when you can get a table without a reservation.
Would you rather be spontaneous, or are you short on time? At the small take-away options o.m.k and o.m.k Deli across the street, you can pick up not only sushi, maki, homemade tapas and salads to-go, but also coffee or a glass of sake or wine.
Or perhaps you're in the mood for Italian? Head to the historic atmosphere of the Dogenhof on the other end of the Praterstrasse: in Cucina Itameshi , the Mochi team serves up seasonal, Italian-inspired fare with a Japanese twist. Outdoor seating and an open fireplace included!
Mochi, Praterstrasse 15
o.m.k & o.m.k Deli, Praterstrasse 16
Cucina Itameshi, Praterstrasse 70
What would summer in vienna be without a scoop or two?
Gelati Alberti
It is exactly 66 metres from the Henriette City Hotel to an ice cream paradise – but who's counting? Since 1906, the Albertis have been making authentic Italian gelato in Vienna; since 1959 in the 2nd district. Today, the gelateria is run by Luca Alberti, the family's fourth generation. We look forward to the ice cream season every single year. Two scoops or three? Decisions, decisions...
Our favourite flavours: definitely walnut-date and lemon! And the highlight for little ice cream lovers: the pink-and-blue, candy floss-flavoured Unicorn Ice Cream. (It tastes best in the blue chocolate cone!)
Gelati Alberti, Praterstrasse 40
Georgian, Mediterranean, International
Café Ansari
More than just a café here on Praterstrasse, Ansari offers Georgian and Mediterranean cuisine all day long with the perfect glass of wine to match. A highlight for tea drinkers: freshly brewed samovar tea from the traditional Viennese Theehandlung Schönbichler tea merchant.
What makes the café special is not only its cuisine, but also its design. We prefer sitting outside in the garden under the large plane trees at the quiet end of Praterstrasse to enjoy some people watching and Vienna vibes.
Café Ansari, Praterstrasse 15
the Praterstrasse and Leopoldstadt have so much more in store
More hot spots in our neighbourhood
Nestroy-Eck for happy foodies
In the shady outdoor dining area at the beginning of the Praterstrasse: Ramasuri Goldener Papagei
Music history & modern theatre
Go from birthplace of the Danube Waltz to an art deco theatre in just minutes: Strauss Apartment Nestroyhof Hamakom
Baby mamas & doggy daddies
Skincare for mums and mums-to-be, special care for "fur babies": ma·ma matters The Hounds & Company
Want to learn more about the Praterstraße & Vienna's leopoldstadt?
Did you know ...
... that you are close to the origin of the Danube Waltz?
The composer Johann Strauss II wrote his famous Danube Waltz at Praterstrasse 54 - just a few houses away from our boutique hotel Henriette. At his side was his first wife, the opera singer Henriette Strauss-Treffz.
… that the Leopoldstadt district's coat of arms features a tongue?
In addition to St Leopold and a silver stag with golden antlers, the coat of arms of Vienna's 2nd district also displays a red tongue with a halo. It is the symbol of St John Nepomuk and represents Vienna's historic district of Zwischenbrücken.
... that you can see the cathedral from all parts of Praterstrasse?
By the way, Room 701 in the Henriette City Hotel offers the best view of St Stephen’s Cathedral!
… that the 2nd district is home to some interesting museums?
In the Circus & Clown Museum and the Vienna Crime Museum you can learn about the funny & bizarre or the dark & shocking. Lovers of the finer things in life and bulls alike will enjoy observing the fragile works of art in the Augarten Porcelain Museum. And the brand-new Prater Museum provides an overview of the colourful history of Vienna's Prater. And it's all just around the corner from the Hotel Henriette in Vienna's Leopoldstadt!
... what Vienna and Venice have in common?
From 1895 to 1900, it was possible to ride on original Venetian gondolas through “Venice in Vienna” in Prater.
... where cultural diversity can be found?
The 2nd district of Vienna, Leopoldstadt, is once again a centre of Jewish life in Vienna, as it was in the 19th and 20th centuries.
... where the graffiti scene loves to be creative?
The Danube Canal is one of the most colourful places in Vienna thanks to the numerous legal graffiti areas.
Because it's just so lovely in our hotel in Vienna's leopoldstadt
Ready for a city trip to Vienna?
Ready to dive into the real Vienna and explore Vienna off the beaten track?