It is well-documented that Vienna is one of the most liveable cities in the world, demonstrated by it’s consistent position at No. 1 or No. 2 on on the Global Liveability Index since 2015 (excluding a brief relegation in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID restrictions).
Much of this comes from statistics such as rental rates, job opportunities and so forth. But there is an important element in liveability that is harder to quantify: opportunities and programs for kids and families.
During the next few months, I hope to use my position as a new father to lift the lid on the huge amount of events, locales and happenings arranged by the city of Vienna for families.
In the second part of our “Families in Vienna” series (you can find our first installment here), I would like to focus on cafes and restaurants that are not only amenable to smaller, cuter clientele but that brand themselves as places that welcome families and young children. As the weather turns colder and going to the park every day becomes less practical, you can find below some suggestions that I and my young family are also exploring to pass the rainy days inside.
KinderCafés
A place that I did not know existed until having my own baby is fast becoming extremely popular with myself, my partner, and our child. KinderCafés (literally child cafés) are becoming more and more known around the city, with more opening every year. These can range from small little bakeries with side rooms for kids to play to larger cafés offering big play rooms and a large supply of toys. They are a great way to meet other people with young kids, and usually sweeten the deal with fancy coffee beans and pastries.
Something that was a surprise to me when I started visiting these cafés is that they also charge for each child that you bring. On average, it seems that most cafés charge 5-7 euros per child, with that child having use of the toys and space for between 1-2 hours. This is because most places are trying to limit how many children can squeeze in so that it is not too loud, crazy or wild. After all, these are places where parents would also like to relax while their children play.
While they will not force you to leave after 59 minutes to make way for the next family, the charge is a way to make sure that the same people do not stay all day keeping others away. This also takes into account that the toys and space must be cleaned and organized frequently so that every family can take equal enjoyment of the location. Hence, because of this, and because they often host playgroups or activities, it is a good idea to call and see if you need to reserve a day before you plan to go!
Some of the cafés that we have so far visited or had recommended through friends are :
MaMaLiPa – Weyringergasse 39, 1040
A bright and hip café that has a great selection of toys and play area, complete with fancy coffee and freshly baked pastries.
KinderCafé Lauserpause – Nordpolstrasse 4, 1020
A wonderful café with good coffee and pastries, and a large area for kids to play, including small ball pits, a soft play area and even a magical castle to explore!
Kinderspiel Familiencafé – Krieglergasse 6, 1030
Although the play area may be slightly smaller in size, the café compensates by having many toys and activities that help kids really feel like they are sharing the café, including mini-kitchens, tables/chairs, and toys for developing fine motor skills.
Fiederchen KinderCafé – Friedlgasse 9, 1190
This small and cute cafe has a great selection of food and toys for the little ones. The cozy atmosphere feels very comfortable and is a great place to meet other parents for a chat while the kids play.
Baomi – Vietnam Bistro & KinderCafé – Athanstrasse 37, 1090
Baomi stands out because of the delicious Vietnamese menu on offer rather than basic coffees and pastries. The deliciously fresh food is also on offer as selections for kids, and they have an excellent choice of toys and play areas in a space big enough for kids to explore.
Family friendly restaurants
Of course, many people want to take their young children with them for something more filling than a coffee and a pastry. As Vienna is a capital city with a reputation for good restaurants and fancy atmospheres, it often doesn’t feel comfortable to take kids with you when you go out to eat.
Fortunately, Vienna has a good selection of restaurants that are not marketed as cartoonishly family-friendly but nevertheless are a perfect fit for families and kids of all ages. As Vienna is such a green city, many of these places boast large gardens or open spaces. They have also shown patience and kindness with families (both to my own and to friends of mine) and have a good quantity of highchairs, play areas, and kid-friendly food options.
Gasthaus Tirolergarten – Schönbrunn Zoo, 1130
The Gasthaus Tirolergarten is a great option if you are already enjoying a day at the zoo, with plenty of open space to run around, picnic areas, and kid-friendly food.
Oktagon am Himmel – Himmelstrasse 125, 1190
One of my favourite places in the city, the Oktagon restaurant sits up on the Wienerwald hills overlooking the city. With a great menu including kid-friendly options, the best part of Oktagon is the wide-open meadows surrounding it, the forest trails leading away from it and one of the most interesting and engaging wooden playgrounds I have seen in the city right beside it.
Dschungelcafé at Dschungeltheater (opposite Zoom Kindermuseum) – Museumsplatz 1, 1070
The best part of the Dschungelcafé is it’s location, in the middle of the Museumsquartier and on the opposite side of the courtyard from the kids museum. With space to run around, plenty of highchairs, and family-friendly food, Dschungelcafé is a great stop when you are downtown attending either the kids theatre or museum.
Luftberg Kolarik im Prater – Prater 128, 1020
While not designed specifically for kids or families, the location in the centre of the Prater amusement park and parkland is a huge selling point of Kolarik. The food receives great reviews from locals and tourists alike, and the most convenient thing about bringing a family here is that it is huge, with plenty of place for kids to stretch and move around while enjoying some typical Austrian food.
Local tips :
• Café Meierei Diglas, Türkenschanzpark – Hasenauerstrasse 56, 1180
Close to my heart (and my house) lies the Meierei Diglas, which sits neatly in the centre of one of my favourite parks in the city. While the café itself does not have a lot of space to accommodate young children, the food is great and the beautiful outside terrace is surrounded by the trees, ponds, playgrounds and lawns that make Türkenschanzpark so special, giving the little ones plenty of space to explore.
• Wirstshaus Steirerstöckl, Pötzleinsdorferpark – Pötzleinsdorferstrasse 127, 1180
Hidden behind the larger, more wild park in the 18th district lies a very authentic and friendly restaurant that feels like you have really escaped into the countryside. The traditional wooden interior is very tight and cozy during cold or wet weather, but the food and service is great and they also have a beautiful garden with a play area that leads directly into the woods of the Pötzleinsdorferpark without a main street or road anywhere near.
Additional Resources
If you are living in Vienna and are looking for more resources or ideas on this subject, I recommend browsing the following websites:
Babymammas – a great resource for all baby/child-themed activities, groups or locales
Kiddyspace – an extensive and nationwide network informing families about clubs, activities and child playgroups
Wienextra – a comprehensive list of all the cafés and restaurants in Vienna that are a good choice for families and kids, with clear information and contacts on each place.
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Read more about Vienna here in Dispatches’ archives.
Thom Harding was born and raised in the UK and USA, sharing his time between Bath and Boston. Upon completing his studies in Art History and Painting in Florence, Thom travelled around Mexico and India before moving to New Mexico to start his career as a Primary school teacher.
After completing his MA in Education, he now lives and works in Vienna, Austria and enjoys spending his free time hiking, reading, travelling and exploring around Europe.
See more of Thom’s work here in the Dispatches archive.
You can read more about Vienna here in the Dispatches archives.
