Tigra Discovers Vienna
Viennese Schanigärten – Enjoying Late Summer in the Heart of the Old Town
A free table beneath a sunshade, a Viennese Melange or a glass of wine in front of you, and the life of the city unfolding all around: on a warm late-summer day in Vienna, it quickly becomes clear why the Schanigarten is as much a part of the city as its traditional coffee houses and Wiener Schnitzel.
At the end of August, the days are often still wonderfully warm, while the evenings gradually become more pleasant. For us, this is one of the loveliest times of the year to explore Vienna's historic Old Town on foot – and to simply stop along the way whenever you find a particularly inviting spot.
What exactly is a Schanigarten?
What international visitors might simply call an outdoor café or restaurant terrace has its very own name in Vienna. A traditional Schanigarten is an outdoor seating area located on public space directly in front of a café, restaurant or inn – on the pavement, a square or in a pedestrian zone.
As soon as the first tables and chairs appear outside in spring, many Viennese consider the warmer season to have officially begun.
There are also several stories about where the name Schanigarten comes from. One dates back to around 1750, when restaurateur Gianni Taroni is said to have received permission to place tables and chairs outside his establishment on the Graben. His first name – Johann or Jean – may eventually have evolved into the Viennese nickname “Schani”.
Another popular story refers to the traditional call to a young waiter: “Schani, carry the garden outside!” Which version is the true one? That is something you can happily discuss over a coffee in a Viennese Schanigarten.
From Das Tigra Straight into Viennese Life
From the Boutique Hotel Das Tigra, there is no need for elaborate planning. Around Tiefer Graben, Hoher Markt and the small streets of Vienna's historic centre, you are already in a part of the city that is best explored on foot.
Take your time walking towards St. Stephen's Cathedral, turn into a side street every now and then, and simply see where the city takes you. This is often how you discover small squares, historic façades and charming places you might otherwise have walked straight past.
One particularly lovely detour leads to Franziskanerplatz. Although it is right in the heart of Vienna and only a few minutes from Stephansplatz, the square has retained a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere. With the Franciscan Church, the Moses Fountain and its historic buildings, Vienna suddenly seems to move at a slower pace here. In summer, the outdoor tables of Kleines Café are simply part of the character of the square.
Sitting and Staying a While Is Part of the Experience
A Schanigarten in Vienna is about much more than simply having something to eat or drink. People read the newspaper, talk, watch the world go by – or sometimes do absolutely nothing at all.
The famous Viennese tradition of “seeing and being seen” is certainly part of it. Someone walking past may spot an empty table and spontaneously decide to stay. Those already seated watch the city unfold around them.
It is precisely this mixture that makes the Schanigarten such a charming part of everyday Viennese culture.
Our Tigra Tip
Start your late-summer evening directly at the Boutique Hotel Das Tigra and walk via Hoher Markt towards St. Stephen's Cathedral. From there, leave the main shopping streets behind for a while and wander through the smaller lanes of the Old Town towards Franziskanerplatz.
For a particularly Viennese stop along the way, make a detour to Kaffee Alt Wien at Bäckerstraße 9. This traditional establishment in the heart of the Old Town is a wonderful place to experience a side of Vienna away from the major sights.
For somewhere a little more hidden, continue towards the Heiligenkreuzerhof. Here you will find Buxbaum Restaurant at Grashofgasse 3, tucked away in one of the historic courtyards of Vienna's city centre.
And sometimes our best recommendation is also the simplest: find a Schanigarten that catches your eye, order something you enjoy and stay a little longer than you originally planned. That is exactly how many Viennese enjoy their city.
The Boutique Hotel Das Tigra is located in the heart of Vienna's historic Old Town, making it an ideal starting point for discoveries like these. Hoher Markt, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Graben, Franziskanerplatz, and countless small streets and squares are all within easy walking distance. And after a long late-summer evening in Vienna, it is only a short stroll back to the hotel.
