Vienna Shopping Tips by morgenhund

Flo Mode: For old-fashioned fashion

Flo Mode is located a stone's throw away from the Naschmarkt in the Freihausviertel in the 4th district. What sets it apart from other shops is that the old-fashioned fashion is way older than the typical retro fashion shops - where polyester abounds, and there are some severely cool yet surprisingly cheap bargains to be had.

Fashions are available from the 1880s to the 1980s and apparently it is a well-known haunt for designers looking for inspiration with retro chic design - Stella McCartney apparently makes regular visits for inspiration.

What to buy: Flo specialises in nostalgic fashion - so is ideal if you like the victorian look, the post-war austerity look or just want to have a non-mainstream look.

What to pay: Prices start from very low, but be prepared to pay substantial outfits for a really classy outfit.

Address: Schleifmühlgasse 15a, 1040 Wien

Directions: Just off the Naschmarkt in the Freihausviertel of the 4th district.

Other Contact: Mon-Fri 10.00-18.30, Sat 10.00-1

Phone: +4315860773

Theme: Women's Clothes

E.D. Witte: For all your fancy dress needs

E.D. Witte just by the Naschmarkt fresh produce market enjoys a practical monopoly as a fancy dress supplier - and could well be a popular destination for people wanting fancy dress costumes at Euro 2008, which will be partially held in Vienna. Their range is vast - all types of costumes are available for all age groups - for men and women. They also have a lot of extra stock for special events (e.g. Halloween) and have a large range of sizes of costumes available.

What to buy: I would recommend a cardinal's outfit - it seems very useful for getting a seat in the underground! :)

What to pay: Adult costumes start from about EUR 15 and most are around EUR 30-40.

Address: Linke Wienzeile 16, 1060 Wien

Directions: U4 Karlsplatz or Kettenbrückengasse parallel to the Naschmarkt

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.witte.at

Seeh: For surfer and snowboarding fashion in Vienna

One would not readily associate Vienna with surfing - being set as it is miles from any form of coastline. However Seeh specialises in a particular branch of fashion - surfing and snowboarding fashion - stocking a lot of the leading brands in this subgenre of couture, for men and women. The two shops are only about 30 metres away from one another and have a massive amount of clothing available - so if you are planning beach holidays abroad from Vienna, you'd be wise to check out the fashions here before you go on holiday.

What to buy: Whether male or female there will be something for you here - most leading brands are stocked and there is everything from shoes to sarongs, flip flops to shorts.

What to pay: Items start at a few Euro upto about EUR 100.

Address: Lugeck 3 or Sonnenfelsgasse 3, 1010 Wien

Directions: Just off Rotenturmstrasse (the street that leads from the Stephansdom to Schwedenplatz)

Other Contact: Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00, Sa 10:30-17:0

Phone: +43 1 512 5219

Theme: Women's Clothes

Website: http://www.seehvienna.com

Kaufhaus Schiepek: For jewellery and kitsch

Kaufhaus Schiepek sounds a lot grander than it is. Tucked away on Teinfaltstraße, behind the Burgtheater, the shop is primarily a jewellery shop, specialising in beaded jewellery and with all sorts of supplies for jewellery makers. However, in addition to selling jewellery, they also sell kitsch items ranging from photo frames through hairclips - often with a pop art inspiration. Alternatively for the more discerning shopper, they have a range of Moleskine city notebooks, which are of course ideal for recording your peregrinations in - e.g. the Vienna edition which retails at EUR 16.50.

What to buy: Beads for making your own jewellery to help you while away the hours on train journeys through Central Europe.

What to pay: A lot of the products are very cheap, or if you lack creativity and/or time they have a large range of finished jewellery available at very modest prices.

Address: Teinfaltstrasse 3, 1010 Wien

Directions: Between the Freyung and the Burgtheater opposite Molly Darcey's Irish Pub

Other Contact: Mo-Fr 10:30-18:30 Sa 10-17

Theme: Jewelry

Zotter Chocolate: Austrian hand-made chocolate! Lecker!

If you are looking for something a bit different to the globally available Milka and Mozart balls to satiate your chocolate cravings or to give as a gift, then Zotter chocolate is a great gift to give. It is widely available - from large supermarkets, Wein & Co., Demmers and many souvenir shops. Prior to Christmas there is also a 24 bar advent calendar version - a real sin, but oh, what a pleasure. The bars have nice designs on them and come in a wide range of unusual flavours - Apple and Berberitzer and Strawberries and Black Pepper are two great examples.

What to pay: A bar will cost EUR 2.90 a throw - but is a delectable experience. For the advent calendar (24 bars) expect to pay about EUR 65.

Address: all over the ciry

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.zotter.at

Billa: Chocolates, Chocolates and Mozart Balls

Billa is a cheap and cheerful supermarket chain. It comes into its own though for purchasing Mozart balls and assorted chocolates - the prices are much lower than in the tourist shops or at the airport - most Billas offer the whole range of Mozart Ball products, and Milka chocolate at reasonable rates. Similarly coffee is also reasonably priced - whether Meinl, Illy or other brands. Some Billa stores are decidedly run down looking, but others have been given a good refit and include delis, rotisserie and fresh juice pressing services.

What to buy: Mozart Balls
Mozart Thalern
Milka chocolate
Coffee

What to pay: Normal supermarket prices - a considerable saving over tourist souvenir shop prices.

Address: all over the town

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.billa.at

Swarowski: A typical Austrian gift

If you are fed up of buying Mozart Balls for people, or any of the other typical Viennese gifts, then Swarwoski might have a slightly more upmarket gift selection for you - with ornaments and jewellery from their Tirolean base in Wattens. Items can be pretty cheap to pretty expensive in terms of price and some of their stuff verges on the kitsch., although as with anything taste is a subjective thing. The main Swarwoski store has a stunning crystal window, as well as show-casing their latest lines.

What to buy: If you want to buy a crystal glass ornament or jewellery then Swarowski is the place for you. Some stores also have other products - their website is the best place to be informed of what each store has.

What to pay: Anything from 10 Euro to several hundred Euro depending on what you want!

Address: Kärntnerstrasse 8, 1010 Wien

Directions: On Kärntnerstrase - other outlets in the Generali Center (Mariahilferstrasse), Donauzentrum (22nd district) and all around the city.

Phone: +43 1 5129032-33

Theme: Gifts

Website: http://www.swarowski.com

Meinl am Graben: Vienna's equivalent of Fortnum & Mason

Bored of Billa? Spar's staid? Merkur's middle of the road? Well then for the luxury antidote to supermarket shopping in Vienna, there is Meinl am Graben. To a certain extent there is very little to choose between Meinl am Graben and Sapr and Billa - after all they are all owned by the same company! However, there is substantially more to Meinl am Graben than everyday foods - their range of fresh meat, fish and also cheeses is hard to surpass in Vienna elsewhere - other than by going to the Naschmarkt. It also has its own wine bar, which has a great selection of wines to try and fine nibbles. There is also a sushi stand and a coffee bar - well there would have to be in Vienna, wouldn't there. Prices for staple goods might be a touch higher than at other supermarkets, but the range and assortment of products is also far greater. It is also about the only place to still issue Meinl shopping bags - nearly all the other Meinl's are now Spar's.

What to buy: I come here for wines - the selection is comparable to that of Wein & Co. but there is more fun to be had by wine shopping at Meinl am Graben. Otherwise fine Zotter chocolate is one of the things I tend to have a soft spot for!

What to pay: It depends on your tastes, but if you are a foodie and have withdrawal symptoms you could end up damaging your credit card.

Address: Kohlmarkt / Graben 19, 1010 Wien

Directions: At the end of the Graben leading on to the Kohlmarkt and with Naglergasse running alongside it.

2a and 3a bus routes and U1 (Stephansplatz) and U3 (either Stephansplatz or Herrengasse)

Phone: 532 3334

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.meinl.com

Naschmarkt Flohmarkt: Vienna's biggest flea market

The end of the Naschmarkt towards Kettenbrückengase is home to the weekly flea market, which is open from dawn until 5pm every Saturday, although a lot of the good stuff has gone by the early afternoon. As with any flea market there is a case of caveat emptor - you can not ensure that purchases are in full working order of that they really are the genuine article, but if you are looking for a collector's piece, or something traditional or slightly unusual, you can often find some interesting pieces here. A lot of the stalls sell furs, porcelain and glassware, lamps and furniture and also collectibles. You really get to experience the multicultural side of Vienna - there are traders of all nationalities speaking all sorts of languages. Of course given that it is a bustling market, you should take care about your personal possessions as pickpockets do tend to be lurking.

What to buy: 1950s Lilien Porzellan
3rd Reich paraphernalia
imperial memorabilia
antique watches

What to pay: anything from a few Euros upwards

Address: Naschmarkt, Kettenbrückengasse, 1050 Wien

Directions: At the Kettenbrückengase end of the Naschmarkt

Theme: Other

Theyer & Hardtmuth: From Mont Blanc to exquisite business cards

Theyer & Hardtmuth on Kärntnerstrasse is one of Vienna's best known stationers and its bespoke printing service is used by the rich and famous - for invitations, business cards, and the like. There is usually a selection of their business card designs and invitations on display in the window. The ground floor is their Mont Blanc showroom, whilst the cellar is a far more down-to-earth stationers - pens and paper from far least exclusive brands, filofax refills etc. abound. And they have a relatively good selection of English birthday cards. Their reputation goes before them to such an extent that they do not require a website!

What to buy: For exquisite stationery in Austria there is no other choice!

What to pay: From €1 for a card to several thousand Euro for a Mont Blanc fountain pen!

Address: Kärntnerstrasse 9

Directions: Kärntnerstrasse

Phone: +43 1 5123678

Theme: Stationery