The Naschmarkt has existed since the 16th century and is Vienna's most popular street market, stretching for about one and a half kilometres. At that time it was mainly milk bottles that were sold there. From 1793 onwards, all fruit and vegetables arriving in Vienna by cart had to be sold on the Naschmarkt. By contrast, produce arriving by Danube was sold elsewhere in the city. Today, you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables from all over the world, exotic spices, cheese, bread, Kaisersemmeln, cakes, meat and seafood. There are also a multitude of small restaurants offering, for example, sushi, kebab, fish, seafood and traditional Viennese food such as Kaiserschmarrn or Palatschinken. There are also stalls selling clothes and accessories. Every Saturday since 1977 the market has extended beyond the Wienzeile into an adjacent area, where a Flohmarkt (a kind of flea market) takes place.

The unique atmosphere of the Naschmarkt is famous beyond Vienna's borders, and a large number of tourists visit it every year.