Top 16 Austrian Things to Buy in Vienna

Swarovski Crystal have been producing luxury items from their base in Wattens, Austria since the early 20th Century. Apart from their technical products, the company produces a range of portable gift items, from figurines to home decor, chandeliers, jewellery, sculpture and couture. Available for purchase are a vast variety of bangles, bracelets, brooches and sets, as well as jewellery for men fashioned as skull's heads. Among other things available for men are the black onyx cufflinks at €60, skull key-rings at €110, and the Nevada Crocodile Bracelet at €250. Gifts for women include Winter Tree figurine at €120 or something cuter - a cheerful crystal Duck costing only €22 and slipping easily into one's purse or travel pocket.

At the Viennese porcelain manufacture at Augarten you will find a perfect figurine to display at home or tableware for your next lovely dinner party. There are many themes that underline the diversity of the selection, but most of these themes concentrate on local life and icons from Vienna and Austria. For example, you may be interested in the 'Courbette' from the Spanish riding school series, made of 68 pieces in order to achieve the greatest degree of plasticity.

The old Viennese figures are still made to molds created in the Marie Antoinette period of 1750. The Art Dèco figures captivate beholders with their beguiling charm and perfected beauty of captured motion. The figures are available in white or else in a range of colors. They suit a dramatic budget; the oriental female figure is priced at €982, the oriental male figure at €863, or more affordable the fawn here would cost €159. Augarten is located in the centre of Vienna at Spiegelgasse 3, and open Monday to Saturday 10am – 6pm.

Out of the many fantastic places to buy chocolate in Vienna, one of the best perhaps is Bonbons Anzinger. Making all their truffles, confectioneries and chocolates by hand, Anzinger create bon-bons fit to make anybody's day! You can also stop for a hot cocoa and browse the wares - this store sells chocolates sourced from all over the world. They also make their own sweets and lollies in so many varieties that some of the names are actually untranslatable, specialties which until now only Vienna has known. There's a large selection of handmade on-site Viennese chocolates in specially wrapped variety packs. An individual Mozart Kueglen, the sweet chocolate confectionery famously made for Mozart, can be purchased here for a mere EUR 0.39. Buy a dozen! Or buy a large octagonal box for €6.49, or an even more interestingly packaged violin-shaped box for €7.20. Bonbons Anzinger is conveniently situated at Tegetthoffstr 7.

For a wider range of prepacked gift chocolates, Altmann and Kuehne may be more suitable. You will find them at Am Graben 30, conveniently located near Stephansplatz U Bahnhof. Here, in time for Valentine's day, you can pick up a heart-shaped box full of delicious locally-produced chocolates for just €33.10. And if you are lucky enough to be in Vienna around Christmas and New Year celebrations, keep an eye out for the little stands on the street and in-store displays selling sweet confectionery pigs. A little strange, but it is a Viennese tradition to gift a small toy or sweet pig to a friend. You can pick one up for only €1.50 - Yum!

Vienna has some of the most interesting and well-curated museums in the world, so it is no surprise to learn that their gift stores are full of great designs. At the Architekturzentrum, you will find an unusual, yet useful gift - portable porta-folios, designed as a sort of excursion kit for tourists with a penchant for architecture. With detailed descriptions of building data and maps, this is a perfect gift for any architecture buff, priced €9.90, at Museumsplatz 1 in the Museum Quarter.

With a variety of products for people and their homes, the Schauraum of the Museum of Applied Art, at Siebensterngasse 33, is literally a treasure trove. With vases and other tableware in various colours by austriandesign.at, a brand founded by Karin Merkl, as well as tea sets by the local Saxen and Tonfisk by Tony Alfström, you can be sure that everything you buy here is made in Vienna and to perfection. Finally, the gift store at Albertina, in the centre of Vienna - at Albertinaplatz 1, is full of trinkets, books, posters, postcards and many other convenient portable items, which will make perfect gifts for people interested in the history of art.

Glass has always fascinated the beholder with its transparency and sheen, and the ability to reflect light in a way that only diamond and mountain crystal can. Techniques for glass making have existed for centuries. A family business founded in 1823, J. L. Lobmeyr has existed in Vienna for six generations and made its mark through the love of material, emotional response to the product and personal energy. Notable moments in the history of the brand include creating the chandeliers for the Vienna State Opera and co-founding the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna.

Many fantastic designers have worked for Lobmeyr, including painters, architects and designers. Nowadays, one can easily find all sorts of one-of-a-kind and limited edition lighting, crystal, and jewellery items at Lobmeyr, including drinking sets, vases, paperweights and tumblers. A set of 6 striped glass tumblers starts at €58. J. L. Lobmeyr has several shops throughout Vienna including their flagship at Kärntnerstrasse 26.

Traditional dirndl dresses are a must for anyone truly passionate about their Austrian identity. What used to be a typical uniform of Austrians servants in the 19th century is now a statement piece which perfectly combines tradition with modern fashion. Tostmann Trachten is the right place to come for your regional Austrian fashion acquisition. Since 1949 and until today, all the dirndls sold here have been made exclusively in Austria in the company's workshop.

Tailored to suit every preference and occasion, the store carries classic dirndls, beautiful festive wear for adults and children, and even wedding costumes. Wear your dirndl artfully accessorized with hats from Bittner, silk scarves from the Viennese silk weaver Flemmich, hand-crafted prints on silk and cotton from Sepp Wach in Aussee, hand-made bags from Florence Mucret and traditional shoes from Southern Tyrol (Sudtiroler Trachtenschuhe) and Austria (Dirndl & Bua and Giesswein). Tostmann Trachten is conveniently located in Schottengasse 3a.

Camile Boyer shop at Lindengasse 25/2 offers a range of locally-made products from Austrian fashion and accessory designers in a uniquely designed retail space. A good gift idea would be sunglasses from Andy Wolf Eyewear. All eyewear is handmade in Styria, Austria. Worn by stars, such as Eric Clapton and Hugh Grant, the glasses are designed and manufactured in Austria and sold all over the world, including the design hubs, such as Milan and Paris.

Andy Wolf will soon expand its collection to include more male eyewear. The spectacle frames are made of acetate plates and prevent tension with the glass; they are hard-wearing and long-lasting. With sunglasses in a vast range of colours and frame styles, and the names like 'Pepper', 'Mike Hammer', Oregano' and 'Miss Marple', you are bound to find here a perfect gift for him or her. Prices range from €220 to €350. A major stockist of Andy Wolf eyewear, Camile Boyer is open Monday through Saturday.

There are a number of breweries in Vienna, such as Siebenstern and Ottakringer, where beer fans can try and buy brews made to traditional local recipes. The Ottakringer brewery is found on their very own Ottakringer Strasse at #91, which is southwest of the city centre and reachable by local transport - bus and metro. They claim to produce 'the original Viennese beer', a light beer with a particular scent that, reputedly, can ease a weary soul. Composed from the best hops and malt, using the best regional spring water, it is indeed a classic beer of quality.

The pricing system at Ottakringer is rather complicated, though. For example, you can buy a 16-pack of half-liter bottles of helles or 'light' beer for €15, or get what is called a 'dose', 0.33 liter, for €0.59. A tray of 6 of these would cost €3.54, and 24 - €14.16. A larger dose or half-liter costs €0.67, and a tray of 24 - €16.08.

With a range of portable giftwares on offer, such as bags, wallets, clothing, jewellery and even antlers, Tu Felix is rightfully regarded as the right place to come for your regional Austrian acquisition. How about some tiny, miniature antlers carved in silver and left to dangle on a thin cord or silver chain that you can hang around your neck?

Prices start at €46. Most men would go for a black or brown belt with the logo embossed on a silver buckle. All belts are €69. Intricately designed antler skulls could be just perfect for your mantelpiece or bookshelf at prices beginning from €149, they may suit someone truly passionate about their Austrian identity. And to take it all home, you can buy one of several bags or wallets embroidered with the Tu Felix logo and antlers. The Tu Felix store is found at Schottenfeldgasse 35.

If you need something to encase your new purchases in, try bags and travel accessories produced in Vienna. Designs featured at R.Horn, located at Mahlerstr 5, take inspiration from the styles inaugurated by the Viennese avant-garde Wiener Werkstaedte. With the motto "Quality reveals itself in detail", these accessories feature simple geometric detailing, good workmanship and the best-quality materials. The latter include strong leathers with appealing texture, such as calf skins or nubuck, resistant to most weather conditions, generally lined with a fine dark green moiré or red chevreau leather.

Sticking to the principle that form follows function, the objects are of minimal weight and high simplicity - bright colours and classical cut. Prices for a simple wallet or portfolio start at €30.00. If you are keen to shop around and see what else Vienna has to offer, try Ozelot at Lindengasse 43, selling bags and travel accessories, as well as shoulder bags, leather bags, business bags, notebook carry bases, backpacks, and purses. The Cambridge satchels in fluoro colours ave a modern look made with traditional materials and techniques, starting from €98. Or you may prefer the style of Ina Kent. Based at Lindengasse 46, she makes bags which tell stories for sophisticated young women.

Originally responsible for the care of all the jewellery in the court of Hapsburg, as the emperors's personal jeweler, Alexander Emanuel Koechert founded his jewellery firm in Vienna in 1831. It still continues to be a family business, run by Wolfgang and Christoph Koechert, trading in precious materials, craftsmanship and unique designs, all contributing to the reputation of the brand.

Here, you can find lots of fascinating stuff, including the Stars of Empress Elizabeth, diamond pendants, brooches, or just hairpins. Jewellery purchases range from €230-€12,880. It is also possible to buy simple diamond and emerald earrings or rings, as well as other fine jewellery items made, for example, of pink coral. Prices range between €2,250 and €16,500.

To recreate the Viennese tradition of intellectual discussion over a long afternoon tea or coffee, you must visit two Viennese institutions, namely Demmers Teahaus and Julius Meinl. Demmers is conveniently spread over several locations throughout Vienna, including Linke Wienziele 4 1060 and Moelker Bastei 5. There, you can find an extraordinary selection of tea and coffee souvenirs. They sell varieties of black, chamomile and peppermint tea in lightweight tin packages to delight in all manner of designs and styles, including the wonderful Viennese icons Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss", the famed Empress of Austria "Sisi", the unconventional Austrian Empress Elisabeth who died young at the hands of an Italian anarchist, etc. Or a tea package modeled after Joseph Haydn, called the Joseph Haydn Mischung Tea, priced at €8.50.

Other gift items at Demmers include a wide range of tea accessories and teas, beautiful teapots and cups, as well as accessories - tea filter basaleres and candies. Think about the Demmers tea for one teapot and cup, designed and neatly fitting together, for €14.90. A small, but fine range of coffee and tasty sweets you can get here as well, so as to ensure your afternoon tea back home is an absolute success. Whoever is looking for something really exquisite, refined and rare tea-wise, will surely find it here at Demmers, given the choice of over 250 different teas on offer.

However, if coffee is more like your cup, head to Julius Meinl. For 150 years Julius Meinl has been Central Europe's leading coffee company. A packet of Vienna-roasted beans from Costa Rica or Brazil will cost between €10.00 and €14.00. Also available at Meinl are espresso cups, tea cups and milk jugs in an affordable price range of €7.50-€26.00. Or if you know someone who likes to read with their morning brew, then, perhaps, a Julius Meinl newspaper order is the best choice, €30.00.

Vienna has had a crucial influence on the history of music, as one of the most reputable locations for composition and recording in the classical tradition. Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, it was the most important city in Europe for nurturing and producing music under the patronage of the then reigning Hapsburg monarchs. There are several forms of music originated in Austria, including the alpine yodel and a folk music style, known as schrammelmusik, played with an accordion and a double-necked guitar, derived from the varying styles of Eastern European migrants. Also popular is schlagermusik, which is a form of sentimental ballad singing with pop instrumentation.

In Austria, the choice of instruments is often built around brass, combined with an om-pah beat, which at times may sound embarrassingly traditional to the ears of the young! Still, there are quite a few cool pop performers flourishing in the country these days. One of them is Vera Böhnisch, who's big locally, but not so well-known yet in the English-speaking world, although she does sing in English. The best places to appreciate today's Austrian music scene are Audiocentre and Extraplatte at Währinger Strasse 4. Most CDs there cost between €15 and €20. Also, at Kollergerngasse 4, you will find Recordbag, showcasing local alternative artists and fashion. And, finally, at Kärntner Strasse 40, there is Arcadia shop for classical music, featuring all recordings of the Vienna Symphony and Vienna Opera. If you would like some original publications of the sheet music of Viennese composers, such as Mozart, head to Musikmueller. There you will find a selection of operas, foundation studies and etudes for a variety of classical instruments for €15.55-€22.88.

At Mariahilfer Strasse 36 - building designed by architects Henke and Schreieck - you will find the fabulous WINE & CO, a flagship store and concept bar, setting a new standard in food communication. In this wonderful urban wine centre the feel good atmosphere, guaranteed around the clock, manifests the WEIN & CO wining-dining-shopping concept. The bar is open daily from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. and offers, along with the exquisite list of white wines, coffee and sweet delicacies.

Drinking at the bar will earn you 10% discount on all purchases made in the shop, which is open daily until midnight. Naturally, inside the shop there's a wine tasting corner. There, among the local highlights, you will find white Riesling by star-winegrower F.X. Pichler - a powerful, opulent and lively wine, retailed at €69.95; Grüner Veltliner Smaragd M, 2010 - for fans of classical wine from the Wachau region of Austria, revealing complex aromas, ideal as a gift, at €59,99; and also from Waschau, at €64,99, the Smaragd Singerriedel Riesling from 2010.

Established in 1885 as a family business, Ludwig Reiter have always based the production of their Goodyear welted shoes in the classical Viennese style. With a retail presence in Vienna at Mölkersteig 1, they produce the majority of their flexibly-sewn shoes, books and cases in their Vienna factory, while having the minority of products, designed in Vienna, manufactured in Italy, Hungary and Slovakia. Parts of the shoes are even made by hand.

Most of the materials used come from locations outside of Europe, with a different kind of leather used for handbags and belts. If treated and cared for well, the shoes can last for many years and give the wearer a certain classic bygone feel, befitting noir movie characters - classy, knowledgeable, and hard to impress. Prices start at €90 for a men's belt, and climb to around €798 for leather boots and €329 for rubber boots. A conveniently sized wallet can be had for as little as €179. As well as offering classical welted shoes and boots, Ludwig Reiter supply a variety of high-quality sports and casual shoes, a selection of ladies' handbags, hand-finished cases, sport bags and leather accessories.

Take home a piece of sensuous world of Viennese artist Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) - one of the key representatives of Jugendstil painting style, emerged in the late 19th century, - in the form of his most famous work "Der Kuss" ("The Kiss"), 1908. Klimt once said, "Those who want to know something about myself as an artist – the only thing that matters – had best examine and study my paintings and gather from them what I am and what I attempt to do." In Vienna you can find a number of gift products bearing motifs of Gustav Klimt's art.

For those with extravagant inclinations, at Oesterrichische Werkstaetten, Kärntner Straße 6, there is a variety of products themed around Klimt's "Kiss". For example, you can buy there 'The Kiss' miniature sculpture for €795. Otherwise, at the Grand Hotel Wien, you can buy a Grand Guglhupf sweet cake, made on-site and packaged in a box featuring Klimt's "The Kiss", created in association with the Österreichische Galerie at Belvedere Palace. Alternatively, for €336 per person, you can get yourself a special holiday pack including two nights at the Grand Hotel Wien, a bottle of Champagne and a Grand Guglhupf 'Klimt' cake, plus a walking tour and tickets to the Klimt exhibition at the Belvedere. Not bad a package deal!