Vienna: Naschmarkt cafe and flea market

I first visited Vienna in late August and made a point to be there on a Saturday for the Flohmarkt and I enjoyed it, it's not overwhelmingly big. I spent a couple of hours and overall it was a very hectic, crowded, yet also satisfying flea market experience with a dedicated section of vintage dealers where I found several small souvenirs for my collection. They're open to bargaining and do keep an eye on your purse.

I ate at an Italian restaurant--I was in the mood for pasta that day--and another place where I had a scrumptious pastrami sandwich-I'm sorry I didn't write down the names then, but I do now!

My favorite European flea market is Budapest's Ecseri Piac--have you been there?

I hate to disappoint you, but the Naschmarkt is changing. Many stalls are now selling tourist trinkets, which is very disappointing. I don't think any Viennese actually shop there for food. That said, it is worthwhile to visit. There are better markets elsewhere in the city where you will have a more authentic experience. Karmelitermarkt and Brunnenmarkt/Yppenplatz are great markets with excellent restaurants, for example. Here's a few articles -

http://www.viennawurstelstand.com/guide/a-guide-to-the-lively-yppenplatz-10-picks-of-our-favourite-places/
http://www.viennawurstelstand.com/guide/discover-viennas-unique-neighbourhood-market-squares/
http://www.viennawurstelstand.com/guide/8-of-viennas-best-farmers-markets/

Here is an article on the Naschmarkt to get you started - http://www.viennawurstelstand.com/article/15-tips-and-tricks-on-what-to-see-and-eat-at-the-vienna-naschmarkt/

Most restaurants in the Naschmarkt are non-Austrian. My favorite place for breakfast is Neni, an Israeli place. Do-An, an Asian place, is also good for lunch. Anthony Bourdain had lunch at Urbanek, which is Austrian, has no seats but makes a mean schnitzel. Here is a link for that episode - http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/anthony-bourdain/episodes/vienna

As for the flea market, you want to head as quickly as possible to the rows closest to Linke Wienzeile. The rows closest to the Rechte Wienzeile are full of indigent people selling garbage. I would warn, however, that even the best stalls are exceptionally overpriced as this market caters only to tourists. A true collector would shop elsewhere. The sellers aren't that friendly either, in my experience.

A few weeks ago we wandered into the Naschmarkt -- hungry -- without a particular place in mind. We noticed what appeared to be locals at Zur Eisernen Zeit -- near the "Ring" end of the market. Grabbed an outside table. Beer, food and service were all very good. Traditional Austrian items on the menu. http://zureisernenzeit.at/willkommen

That said, I'd look first at anything Emily recommends. We studied her posts on many Vienna topics before our trip, and found them always to be helpful and well-informed.

(40 years ago I stumbled into Cafe Hawelka near St. Stephens and loved it. Returned on the recent trip. Not sure the floors had been swept since the first visit, but it still had that authentic and atmospheric feel that impressed me as a young man. We only had coffee and cake, but sat for a long while on a rainy day and happily soaked up the vibe.)

Emily--are there any good places for vintage items that you know of? Not necessarily fine antiques as found at the Dorotheum, but things from the last 100 years or so.

Christa - clothes, jewelry, or deco items?

Thanks to all for your suggestions, I will waltz thru them to see what I kick up :)
Emily, you are a wealth of info/Vienna - thanks especially for the 'FlohMarkt' info, even tho disappointing. There must be smaller neighborhood Floh markts elsewhere. I will research that and all of your excellent links.

For those of you ineterested in other European flea markets, here are a few I have really enjoyed:
The best street 'flea' markets I have experienced in Europe are:
*Dresden - a 20 minute walk down the river, early Saturday mornings. Yes, household junk, but most of it useful especially if you are looking to set up a household, and also lots of wonderful old stuff/bric-a-brac, including a fair amount of WWII memorabilia from both 'sides' - and - good condition mid-century household electronics made in Germany = excellent, and fun to explore.

*Krakow !!- Superb Saturday flea market - everything from soup to nuts (literally - excellent market food vendors, too!) - and - on Sunday, clothing/accessory market with gently used and mostly excellent quality items, plus a bonus: some fabric artists selling small things that made wonderful gifts - handmade - from seller to recipient, at fair prices.

*Budapest - I almost fell over when I saw this market - everyone just plots their stuff on blankets, all along the park's walkways, rtoo much to see !! - art nouveau jewelry/bric-a-brac, beautiful old boxes made from any material imaginable, metal objects etc-- got a pair of gently used Soviet era binoculars, and a few more things. Highly recommend, allow at least 4 hours (or as much time as you can stand). We were so worn out when we finished, we walked to the thermal baths in the park and soaked for 2 hours. ...Lovely day :) -- I would go back to Budapest just for this market alone - but it is also a great city to visit - very friendly people, did ot have enough time there. I would do more thermal bathing next time, it's wonderful.

*Paris - not the huge (altho perhaps interesting) monstrosity on the North side that is extremely crowded/expensive and sells mostly large antique/designer household furnishings, but the smaller and totally wonderful Puces de Vanves, easily reachable by Metro (Porte du Vanves) on the South side. ..blocks and blocks of vendors, mostly selling small goods, anything you can think of, and many things you would never have thought of! - I scored some wonderful old beads, a small WWII US military issue hygiene kit for men (shaver, mirror, with all accessories-very compact) for my son - he collects, ---and other bits that I could fit into my suitcase, including a few vintage jewelry working tools (for manipulating metals) - have never seen anything like that at a market before.
That's a market 'wrap' - :)
Hope i can find a quirky neighborhood market in Vienna - thanks again, to all ---

Emily--mainly deco items, sometimes jewelry. I seem to have started a collection of small pottery match and toothpick holders from the 1920s-30s.

Celtic--I was absolutely beside myself with glee when I found the Ecseri piac this April--my previous trip it proved elusive due to incomplete directions--I collect the colorful 1930s era Hungarian pottery figures and came home with 6 of them, already planning for a return next May. I also really liked the Porte des Vanves market in Paris--just big enough to feel I had plenty to choose from but not exhausting.