A First-Timer's Guide to 5 Most Beautiful Cafes in Vienna
Last updated February 15, 2024
Apple strudel, one of the must-eat pastries in Vienna.
Dating back to the 17th century, Vienna's coffee houses has been thrived as vibrant social spaces for intellectuals, artists, and everyone in between. It's more than just a place to grab a coffee; it's a cultural experience. Even UNESCO recognizes it as a "cultural space and social practice”, making this a must-do activity when in Vienna. Coffee houses in Vienna often have a classic elegance and grandeur with high ceilings, creating an atmosphere you won't easily find elsewhere.
Did you know Vienna also has its own unique coffee styles? Try a Wiener Melange (similar to a cappuccino), an Einspänner (coffee with whipped cream), or a Fiaker (strong black coffee with sugar) when you visit. The ambience of Viennese cafes is also unique. Exploring a city at your own pace is essential. So, my perfect day looks like this: you immerse yourself in the art, relax at a cafe in between, and then continue sightseeing, no rush.
As a coffee lover visiting one of the best countries for coffee houses, how do I have my perfect day knowing that I wanted to squeeze in as many cafes as I could? Being a tourist, time was limited. But here’s my solution, I short-listed where I wanted to go the most and plan my daily attractions around it. So, this way I can enjoy sight-seeings and enjoy cafe experience in the most delightful and hassle free way. If you want to know how I plan, follow me on my journey in discovering Vienna’s most beautiful cafes in this blog!
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Café Central
Café Demel
Gerstner K.u.K Hofzuckerbäcker
Café Sacher Wien
Cafe inside Kunsthistorisches Museum
1. Café Central
Cafe Central is often the first name you hear in all the list of best cafe to visit in Vienna. And there is a good reason to it. This iconic coffee house has been open since 1876 and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vienna. Cafe Central is housed in a beautiful Neo-Renaissance building that was once a palace. The interior of the cafe is just as impressive, with its high ceilings, marble floors, and crystal chandeliers.
Cafe Central has an extensive menu from savory to dessert. I would suggest to go there for early lunch to avoid the crowd. The food is great here. And since it’s coffee house, you can get some cake and coffee for dessert. If you are a party of one or two, no need to make a reservation, but you might have to queue up. But don’t worry, a line moves pretty fast. If you are a party of six, I recommend booking a table in advance via its website.
After lunch, you can walk off the calories by going to nearby iconic attractions such as Hofburg. My favorites attractions nearby are Austrian National Library and Imperial Treasury. Or you can do a little bit of shopping at Kärntner Straße. After a little tour, I am sure you would be in the mood for an afternoon pick me up. Only 5 minutes walk from Cafe Central, Café Demel is just a perfect spot for your mid-day caffeine boost.
2. Café Demel
What makes Café Demel special in my opinion is its history. Café Demel is a traditional Viennese coffee house and confectionery that has been in operation since 1786. When come here, you will also see how to they make the pastries freshly.
Most people come here to try Sachertorte (keep reading to find fun fact about this cake!), Kaiserschmarrn (a fluffy shredded pancake served with plum compote and powdered sugar) and apfelstrudel (apple strudel).
But if I can choose to have just one thing, it would be Krapfen. Krapfen is Viennese styled filled donut that is typically made with a yeast dough. It is fried and then filled with a variety of fillings. The ones Café Demel serve have two flavors; marmalade and vanilla cream. Krapfen are often dusted with powdered sugar and served warm. So, make sure to get a nice cup of Einspänner to go with it :)
3. Gerstner K.u.K Hofzuckerbäcker
Gerstner K.u.K Hofzuckerbäcker is known for its elegant atmosphere and its wide selection of cakes and pastries. The moment you walk into this cafe, you will instantly feel joy. Gerstner is located in the heart of Vienna, not far from the Vienna State Opera.
Founded in 1847, the elegant decor and royal atmosphere will transport you back into time and make you feel like you walk into a palace. The restaurant serves traditional Austrian cuisine, as well as international dishes, but make sure to try Viennese classics like Sachertorte and apple strudel. I love the apple strudel here. It’s not too sweet and light.
We were lucky to be seated in the area called Festsaal which I believe to be the main hall, next to the food display. Overall, the experience was magnificent and I highly recommend you to visit here too.
“Happiness is small, like a hummingbird, always moving.” Peter Altenberg
4. Café Sacher Wien
Café Sacher Wien is a world-famous cafe located in the Hotel Sacher. It is known for its elegant atmosphere and its delicious Sachertorte, a chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam and a thin chocolate glaze.
Café Sacher Wien was founded in 1876 by Eduard Sacher, the son of the creator of the Sachertorte. The cafe quickly became a popular spot for Viennese society, and it has been visited by many famous people over the years, including Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler, and Marlene Dietrich.
Today, Café Sacher Wien is still one of the most popular cafes in Vienna among tourists and locals alike who want to enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of Sachertorte. The cafe has a beautiful interior with high ceilings and large windows that offer stunning views of the city. The menu features a variety of Austrian and international dishes, as well as a wide selection of coffees and teas.
Website | Instagram | How to get here
To guarantee you have a table, please make online reservation in advance here
5. Cafe inside Kunsthistorisches Museum
The Kunsthistorisches Museum Cafe has a stunning beautiful interior with high ceilings and large windows that offer stunning views of Maria-Theresien-Platz. This is probably one of the most beautiful spots where you can take endless instagram photos.
The menu features a variety of Austrian and international dishes, as well as a wide selection of coffees and teas. Spare some time when you visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum so you have enough time to enjoy a cup of coffee and soak in the beauty before you leave.
Fun Fact on Sachertorte
I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit of fun fact about this iconic Viennese cake! Trying it at least once would be a fun experience. I've been to both Café Demel and Café Sacher Wien, and personally, I preferred the flavor at Café Demel – I found it more moist. However, in terms of overall experience, Café Sacher Wien offered a nicer ambiance and better service. Give them both a try and let me know which one you prefer!
Planning to include these beautiful cafes into your travel plan would definitely enrich your travel experiences in Vienna. Whether you have sweet tooth or not, this is definitely a fun activity to do.
I must admit these recommended cafes might seem a bit touristy, but they are famous for a reason! So, it is definitely worth a visit. If you want to explore more than what I share, please visit VIENNA/NOW for more great recommendations. This website is great and they have for all things Vienna.
Don’t forget to read my other blogs about Vienna’s attractions and great food spots too. Thanks for reading and see you again soon!
