Naschmarkt and the flea market

If the Christmas markets embody the traditional and romantic soul of Vienna, the colourful Naschmarkt is its more modern and cosmopolitan expression.

In what is undoubtedly Vienna’s most famous market, you will find a melting pot of cultures, scents, flavours and ethnicities, starting with the traders: in the more than 120 Naschmarkt businesses, including stalls and cafés, you will be served by old ladies in traditional costumes as well as young hipsters with manicured beards.

The clientele, too, is an eclectic mix, made up of young locals, Erasmus students, radical chic, urban hippies, family mums, seniors, couples and tourists in search of a more authentic Vienna.

Take a morning to browse the stalls, possibly coming on a Saturday because the weekly market is supplemented by a famous flea market.

To fully savour the atmosphere of the Naschmarkt, stop for lunch at one of its cafés offering typical Austrian and international specialities. You can choose from modern eateries that also offer free wifi, cafés and ethnic bars, unpretentious kiosks and renowned fish restaurants.

What to buy at the Naschmarkt

The Naschmarkt offers a unique sensory experience where the bright colours of fresh fruit and vegetables, the intense scents of oriental and Middle Eastern spices, and the animated voices of the vendors invite passers-by to sample their products. Among the stalls you will find an extraordinary variety of products: Greek and Turkish olives of all kinds, Austrian and international cheeses, artisanal cold cuts, fresh fish displayed on beds of ice, exotic spices from India, the Middle East and Asia, dried fruit, oriental sweets such as baklava and halva, and an impressive selection of organic products.

The fish section is particularly popular, with stalls offering not only fresh produce of the day but also rare seafood specialities. Some of the best seafood restaurants in Vienna can be found right here, such as Umar, Nautilus and Fischviertel, where you can enjoy seafood dishes prepared with ingredients bought directly from the stalls nearby. The atmosphere becomes especially lively during lunchtime, when Viennese and tourists alike stop for a quick meal or a coffee break at one of the many cafés.

The vendors on the Naschmarkt are an integral part of the experience: some maintain traditions with typical costumes and courteous manners, others embody the cosmopolitan spirit of modern Vienna with hipster styles and informal approaches. It is not uncommon to hear calls in different languages with invitations to try free cheese, olives or sweets. This commercial exuberance, though sometimes insistent, contributes to the market’s lively soul, making it a never boring place where every visit is a different adventure.

What to eat at the Naschmarkt

If you get hungry while browsing the stalls or if it’s time for a coffee break, you’ve come to the right place! The Naschmarkt is one of the best areas in Vienna to eat: inside the market you will find a huge variety of places where you can eat quality food at reasonable prices.

You can choose to eat typical Austrian dishes such as wiener schnitzel or try ethnic Asian and Middle Eastern specialities; if you just want a snack, browse the menus of the cafés to see if there is something you like.

Historical restaurants and venues

Among the most famous and pioneering venues is Café Do-An, which helped make the Naschmarkt attractive to a young, metropolitan crowd. This restaurant offers Vietnamese and Asian specialities in a relaxed atmosphere, with outdoor tables during the warmer months.

The Naschmarkt Deli is another historic venue that has made market history, perfect during the day for a quick coffee or brunch inspired by Asian fusion cuisine, while in the evenings it becomes a popular hangout for young Viennese, loved for its legendary DJ sets and cosmopolitan atmosphere. At weekends, the musical entertainment continues until late in the evening, making the market a landmark for the city’s nightlife as well.

Urbanek is an institution for gastronomic specialities and cheeses, as well as a legendary wine bar where you can sample the best Austrian wines accompanied by artisanal cheese selections. Eisernen Zeit serves typical Viennese cuisine in a setting that is an experience in itself, with vintage furnishings and a nostalgic atmosphere. The Drechsler, located close to the market, is famous for its breakfasts served practically all day, making it a popular spot for those looking for a relaxed brunch.

Other notable venues include Neni, which offers Middle Eastern cuisine with Israeli and Levantine influences, Toko-Ri for Asian cuisine, Dr. Falafel for authentic Middle Eastern street food, and the Market Restaurant, which never closes and serves fine Asian cuisine from breakfast to late-night snacks. Most of the restaurants and bars stay open until 11pm, making the Naschmarkt also perfect for evening dining in a unique atmosphere.

Guided food tour

Looking for an alternative way to visit the Naschmarkt? Take part in a food tour with a local guide, who will take you to every corner of the market and let you sample all the typical flavours of the Naschmarkt.

The Saturday Flea Market

Every Saturday from 6.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Naschmarkt hosts the famous Flohmarkt (flea market), a Viennese institution that attracts around 400 vendors and thousands of visitors. This flea market is one of the oldest and most traditional in Vienna, where professional junk dealers and amateur vendors display their wares along stalls that stretch throughout the market, creating an even livelier and more chaotic atmosphere than usual.

The flea market’s offerings are extremely varied: they range from valuable antiques and collectors’ items to curious knick-knacks, old books, vinyl records, vintage jewellery, art objects, vintage clothing, vintage furniture, ceramics, silverware and every kind of object imaginable from Viennese attics and cellars. A treasure hunt among the stalls can yield interesting surprises, but it is important to pay attention to prices and haggle when possible.

On Saturdays, the Naschmarkt is at its liveliest, with a cosmopolitan crowd mingling between food stalls and antiques. Many guidebooks recommend visiting the market on a Saturday to get the full experience, although it should be considered that the crowds are much larger and it can be difficult to even walk around peacefully. Those who prefer a more relaxed and less touristy experience might opt for weekdays, when the atmosphere is more authentic and the prices of the food stalls may be more affordable.

Opening hours

The Naschmarkt observes different opening hours depending on the type of business. Food stalls are open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The farmers’ and traders’ markets follow slightly different hours: Monday to Thursday from 6 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The restaurants and bars at the Naschmarkt are open Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., allowing you to dine in the market until late in the evening. On Sundays and public holidays many establishments observe reduced hours from 9:00 to 21:00, although not all restaurants open on these days. The traditional food market is closed on Sundays, while some flower shops may open on special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and All Saints’ Day.

To fully visit the Naschmarkt, strolling among the stalls, sampling products and stopping for a meal, at least 2-3 hours is recommended. Those visiting the Saturday flea market should allow an additional 1-2 hours to properly explore the antique stalls.

How to get to the Naschmarkt

The Naschmarkt is located in Vienna’s 6th district and stretches between the Karlsplatz underground station and the Kettenbrückengasse station on the U4 line (green). Both stops provide direct access to the market: Karlsplatz (lines U1, U2 and U4) is located at the northern end of the market, near the famous Secession building, while Kettenbrückengasse (line U4) leads to the southern end.

Numerous bus and tram lines stop in the vicinity of the market, making access very convenient from any part of the city. The central location of the Naschmarkt makes it perfect to combine with a visit to other attractions such as the Church of St. Charles Borromeo (Karlskirche) at Karlsplatz, the Belvedere which can be reached in a 15-minute walk, or the MuseumsQuartier with its modern art museums.

The history of the Naschmarkt

The history of the Naschmarkt dates back to the 16th century, when mainly milk bottles were sold. From 1793, the market began selling fruit and vegetables that arrived in the city on wagons, while products transported by boat were distributed to other areas. The name of the market itself has debated origins: some claim it derives from ‘Asch’, the milk container made of ash wood, others link it to the term ‘Aschenmarkt’ (ash market), referring to the original use of the area as an ash dump. The first documented mention of the name Naschmarkt dates back to 1820.

Between 1916 and today, the market has expanded significantly from its original area of 13,500 m² to its current 36,000 m², covering the stretch of the river Wien. Architect Friedrich Jäckel designed 57 wooden sales rooms with iron reinforcements in the Biedermeier style, which are today classified as historical monuments. What initially could accommodate 50,000 people and 600 merchants has evolved into an iconic place that perfectly reflects the cultural diversity of Vienna.

Today, the Naschmarkt is famous not only for its variety of food products from all corners of the world, but also for its international restaurants, trendy clubs that attract young Viennese and the famous Saturday flea market, a city institution that attracts antique enthusiasts and bargain hunters from all over Austria and beyond.