Text by Ralph Chan
Images by Marikit Markt
Are you planning a visit to Vienna soon? To make your day even more beautiful, here are more tips and recommendations from a local for your perfect trip to Vienna. But before that, there’s an interesting event to be looking forward to as well. In addition to the many traditional Christmas markets, the first Filipino pop-up market "Paskong Vienna" will be held this Saturday, December 7th, in the newly opened Lorelei Pan store. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. visitors will have the opportunity to experience the love for the Philippines through the products of Marikit Markt, Hiyas, Ligaya Apparel, Muni, and get a taste of Philippine culture and cuisine from Lorelei Pan and Angelato.
I guess the first thing after arriving in Vienna is looking for something to eat. Are you looking for a Filipino cafe for your breakfast or brunch? Then stop by at Lorelei's Pan (Camille Lorelei is the owner of this bakery and patisserie) at Sebastian-Kelch-Gasse 4-6. Here you can try their own creations like Coco Kultura - Pandan ensaymada with roasted coconut, Maple Bacon Ensaymada or King Ensay, a fluffy brioche filled with a treasure trove of delectable options—rich custards, luscious chocolate, or zesty fruit jams. If you want something even sweeter, you can also try their cakes like an Ube Cake slice with Yema base. Or if you want something out of the ordinary, try their Ube Kaiserschmarrn - a lightly sweetened pancake with Ube flavor.
After a long walk-through Vienna, I recommend a visit to the ra'mien restaurant on Gumpendorfer Straße 9 for lunch. One of the owners is the Filipino Melvin Manuel, who will surely welcome you. In the restaurant you can eat everything from Gyoza - grilled dumplings, noodle soups, Donburi rice bowls to Thai street food. The food will not only be delicious but will also warm you up.
If you are full after lunch, you may want to buy some pasalubongs. You can do this at the MTC Exotic Supermarket at Stättermayergassse 19, where you can also try sweet delicacies
from Mitch Sweets on Saturdays. Or you can go to Bahay Kubo Exotic Supermarket at Simmeringer Hauptstraße 52 and buy a variety of Filipino and Asian products such as Pancit Canton, Mangoes or even a Walis Tingting, and if you want to send money to the Philippines, go to Pinoy City, a store at Hippgasse 9.
Before dinner, treat yourself to a Philippine Platter - three desserts on one plate (Sapin- sapin, Kutsinta and Bibingka) with a Dirty Pandan Latte, Ube Latte or Taho at Puro Patisserie at Magdalenenstraße 8. Rachelle Choi is the founder of Puro Patisserie. Another option for an afternoon coffee is the Filipino-Viennese coffee shop Chapter Seven, owned by Victoria, at Lindengasse 5. Try the Ube Matcha Latte and the various cookies there.
And finally, after a long day in Vienna, enjoy your dinner in one of Vienna's two Filipino restaurants - the Lolo&Lola or the restaurant at the Hotel am Brillantengrund. In Lolo&Lola, run by Earl Valencia, you can taste Filipino fusion cuisine from a vegan Kare Kare, a sizzling Tofu or a mushroom Tocino. At the Hotel Brillantengrund, Nanay Mangalino and her team cook delicious Filipino dishes. Try them and order, for example, a Bistek, Bicol Express or a Bibingka. And if you are staying in Vienna for a longer period, contact Marvin Mangalino, the owner of the Hotel Brillantengrund.
I hope that with this short Filipino Food Guide you not only have a fun day in Vienna, but
also go home with a full stomach and a smile.
Enjoy Vienna and enjoy the food.
Your local,
Ralph