3 Best Shopping in District 9/Alsergrund, Vienna

More than 2,000 cookbooks from every corner of the world are piled on every conceivable space in Bernadette Wörndl's shop. Exotic aromas linger in the air; Wörndl is skilled at creating superb dishes, which she serves herself at the counter. Spices are also for sale, and cooking classes are held regularly (call to arrange an English class).

The biggest holiday market is the one on Rathausplatz, in front of the Gothic fantasy that is Vienna's city hall. An ice rink is set up around it and remains for ice-skaters to enjoy into the New Year.

Specializing in European furniture, lamps, and objets d'art from the 1940s to today, this superb gallery has a particularly eye-catching collection of sandy-colored African berber rugs and sleek Pierre Jeanneret mid-20th-century modern tables and chairs. Exhibitions held regularly.