Shopping and Eating Out
When shopping, you should have cash with you - some shops, especially smaller ones, do not accept credit or debit cards.
Shopping
- Pharmacy (Apotheke): the only stores to sell any type of medication.
- Heuriger or Buschenschank: a wine tavern where wine, grape juice and rustic dishes are offered. You can tell if the wine tavern is open if a small bush of green branches is hanging above the door.
- Tobacconist (Trafik): sells cigarettes and other newsstand items.
Shops in Austria have limited operating hours. Grocery stores are open until 8pm on weekdays, 6pm on Saturdays and are usually closed on Sundays, with a few exceptions.
Austria has one of the highest densities of grocery stores of any city or country in Europe. In most Austrian cities you will never be more than a block away from one. Farmers markets are also a great way to buy healthy produce and get closer to your local community. Farmers markets are located both in major cities and small towns.
Austrians care about the environment and recycling, and buying second-hand items is an important part of the Viennese fashion scene and way of life. Flohmärkte (flea markets) are also popular. You’ll find everything from art deco items to Habsburg-era trinkets.
While Austrian law requires most stores to lock their doors on Sundays and public holidays, there are a few exceptions allowed. Pharmacies take turns at being staffed in case of emergencies (also at night). Some grocery and convenience stores, bakeries, souvenir shops, florists, museum shops, and the occasional bookstore also are open on Sundays and public holidays.
Eating Out
When at restaurants or bars, it is common to round-up when tipping, or tip around 10% in most cases (Trinkgeld). While bartenders and servers are paid a living wage, it is a cultural custom to leave a tip. Rather than leaving the tip on the table, it is customary to give your tip directly to the server when you pay. Looking for lunch on the go? Most grocery stores have a deli counter where you can get a Wurstsemmel ( a bread roll filled with your choice of cold meat). If you feel so inclined, you can spend hours in a café and not be asked to leave.
