If you do it right, you can easily get in a day’s worth of eating on a very limited budget at Naschmarkt Vienna.

What is Vienna’s Naschmarkt?

Naschmarkt is the biggest open-air food market in Vienna. It features over 100 food vendors, many under canopies. My advice is to walk down one side and up the other, sampling as you go, before deciding what to buy.

It can get crowded on Saturdays. Get here early or on a weekday to avoid the crowds, but know that some of the stalls are slow to open, and the market might not be at its full bustle if you come at an odd time. Naschmarkt is closed on Sundays.

Where to nosh at Naschmarkt Vienna

Pickles at stand 246–248

If you’re a pickle lover, don’t skip the salty treasure trove that is the gherkin stand at Naschmarkt Vienna. You can’t miss the giant barrel of pickles floating in brine outside the front of the shop. One was enough to feed two of us, each taking bites as we walked while the tangy juice dribbled down our chins. A bright, acidic punch of tart pickle flavor. Truly one of the best pickles I have ever eaten.

Cheese at Käseland

You’ll spot the bright yellow sign and from far away. Walk in the door and the stinky, ripe smell will hit you with the promise of cheese.

Too many cheeses to count. The windows are piled high with blocks and wheels of white and yellow. Their policy is “try before you buy,” so you can taste as many as you’d like before picking up a few varieties for a picnic later. The staff are really friendly too and will help you sample and decide what to purchase.

Exotic produce

Looking for dragon fruit or rambutan? You can find them all at Naschmarkt. While customs won’t let you take produce home with you, fill up on all the fresh fruit while you can. Try the Öyzürek Keg. Fruit stand.

Sturm

If you’re lucky enough to visit Vienna in September or October, you’ll undoubtedly see people drinking glasses of what looks like cloudy, hazy beer. It’s not beer; it’s sturm—a fizzy, fermenting grape juice that is popular during harvest season in Austria. Think of it as almost wine.

How do you know where to go for sturm at Naschmarkt? In the restaurant section of the market, you’ll see a barrel and glasses of red and white sturm on display, advertising the drink. If you don’t remember what it’s called, that’s okay—we just pointed and asked for “that drink outside.” No shame. (Well, maybe a little.)

Navigating Vienna’s Naschmarkt

The smorgasboard of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food at Naschmarkt Vienna is a testament to the city’s history and current food scene.

Wandering through this part of Naschmarkt Vienna can feel like trying to make sense of a labyrinth. Many of the stalls serve the same foods. Trying to remember where you saw your favorite baklava, or where the spiced nuts were €1 cheaper, can be challenging.

Falafel

Dr. Falafel claims to have the best falafel in Vienna. Although I can’t verify this claim in a city full of falafel, I’ll admit that their version is pretty solid. You can buy one individual falafel, so try a single sphere of their namesake while you’re here. But if you’re looking to get more bang for your buck, you can get 20 falafel for just €2 at stand 360.

Borek

For just a couple of euros, you can get a slab of borek that’s big enough to share. Borek is an envelope of flaky pastry (like phyllo) filled with spinach, cheese, and sometimes meat. I’m partial to just spinach and cheese. It’ll fill you up, so watch out.

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Kebabs

If you’re looking for a more substantial lunch after grazing, there are plenty of tasty kebabs to be found at Naschmarkt Vienna. Aycan serves huge, jaw-stretching kebabs for only €3. You might need a fork for this one.

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Assorted antipasto

Walk through Naschmarkt Vienna and you’ll see tons of glass display cases that all look alike—olives, cheese-stuffed peppers, pepperoncini, artichokes… it’s a feast for the eyes. Turns out it’s also a feast for your mouth. Grab a few from each stand—bargain hunters, you’ll see small differences in prices, if you’re looking—and snack as you go. I highly recommend the stuffed round red peppers.

Baklava

Baklava is my kryptonite of desserts. There are just about as many options for baklava as there are for antipasto at Naschmarkt, so shop around if you’re budget conscious. The cheapest price I saw was about €1,80 and the most expensive was around €3,50, but note that some of these prices are for varying sizes (from 100g to 300g). None of the baklava I had was mind-blowing, but they were all very good. 

Guide to Naschmarkt restaurants

Graze the market to your heart’s content and eat your fill of samples first, then choose a restaurant or two to stop in for a drink or a cheese board.

NENI am Naschmarkt

One of the most often recommended Naschmarkt restaurants, NENI serves up modern and classic Israeli food. Continue the grazing theme with a mezze platter and some high-quality hummus.

Wine and charcuterie at Urbanek

Follow the footsteps of Anthony Bourdain and stop at Urbanek when you need a break from walking the Naschmarkt. It’s a family-run artisanal shop that has earned its spot among Vienna’s traditions. So many meats, cheeses, and fine Austrian wines are squeezed into this tiny deli that it’s practically overflowing. Expect to spend some euros for this authentic, gourmet experience right in the heart of Naschmarkt.

More tips for Naschmarkt Vienna

Haven’t had enough noshing yet? There’s more to the Naschmarkt, like spices, tea, and rare meats. This guide helped me plan my visit to Vienna’s Naschmarkt, and it offers even more expert tips for the curious.