Vienna sightseeing/dining

Vienna is so jam-packed with attractions that we are returning for 5 nights after being there a week last year. If you give a clue to your interests, maybe you'll get better suggestions on what to do in such a short visit. Taxi from the airport cost us 40 euros. Be sure to have some apple strudel at Demnel.

Have coffee at Cafe Hawelka and next door is Reinthaler's Beisl which is frequented by the locals for lunch and dinner.
Mike

Two dining recommendations: El Hans and EF 16. Both inventive, great service, good wine, and all around lovely.

Forgot to mention transportation. We took a taxi just from the train station and were shocked at the cost. After we got to know the city we realized we could have easily taken the UBahn. The S-Bahn connects the airport to the city, so if you want to save a few Euros.... Here is the full story on options.

Yes- definitely use the Ubahn/Sbahn- very easy and a lot less than a cab!

We did book a ride from airport to our hotel- thru our hotel- if I recall it was about 28euros and worth it to us after a long overnight flight. It was a private car/driver so I think that was a pretty good deal.

Thank you everybody. I also booked a taxi from the airport to the hotel, since we will be very tired after a very long flight. Can somebody tell me what is customary to tip the taxi drivers in Vienna, if at all?

A couple of 'off the beaten track' places I always enjoy:

My favorite buschenschank (far from the Grinzing crowds) is Hengl Haselbrunner in the 19th. Best to make a reservation a day or two in advance. The food here is a cut above for these places.

I also like Rebhuhn in the 9th (take the D tram), not far from the ring. It's a very local place. Good food, nice people. Vegetarian choices, schnitzel, etc. It's all good. They have some outdoor tables. It's right across from the Freud museum.

The roses will be blooming in the Volksgarten--don't miss them!

In June it is all about enjoying the outdoors in Vienna.

A few things I would be sure to do:

1. A dinner at the Schweizerhaus in the Prater.
2. A walk down the Kahlenburg to a heurigen in Nussdorf. Take the U4 to Heiligenstadt and then take the 38A bus to Kahlenburg. Follow the Stadtwanderweg trail #1 which is very well sign posted and an easy downhill walk stopping at Sirbu or Mayer am Nussberg for a nibble and wine on the way down to Nussdorf where you should have dinner at one of the heurigen there.
3. Go to the Alte Donau and rent a boat.
4. See the roses at the Volksgarten as mentioned above.
5. Have dinner and drinks at the Food and Film festival happening all summer long at the Rathaus.

Overall I would avoid anything indoors...

There is an excellent steakhouse at the Ritz Carlton Hotel called DSTRIKT. The meat is good but the highlight is the desert. They serve the most amazing cheesecake I have ever had....and that's coming from a New Yorker blessed with Juniors Cheesecake. http://tinyurl.com/z5gw4k4

If you are looking for something a bit more casual consider the Vapiano chain. They have five locations spread across the city center. They do pizza and pasta prepared in front of you most any style you can imagine.