Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!
Before you go to Vienna, you should be forewarned, there will be A LOT of coffee and cake breaks as this tradition is and has been a large part of Viennese culture dating as far back as 1683. This tradition is so ingrained into the culture that UNESCO has declared it as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage” since 2011 and is therefore one of the best things to eat & drink in Vienna. And seeing as it was my birthday, what better way to eat my cake!
Legend has it that while Vienna was being liberated from the second Turkish siege in 1683 by the Polish-Habsburg army, a sack was found with strange beans, which were thought to be camel feed that should be burned. The sacks were given to an officer named Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki who supposedly started the first coffee house. However, facts stated that the first coffee house was actually opened the year before. But, the legend continues that after a bit of experimentation, Kulczycki added some sugar and milk to the coffee and thus began the Viennese coffee tradition.
When visiting a coffeehouse, you will be transported to another time and place, more specifically, towards the end of the 19th century. There are a few things to know about drinking coffee in Vienna before you get delve in to Vienna’s coffeehouses. Viennese cafes are known for their opulent fin de siècle decor, severs decked out in formal, pressed uniforms and freshly brewed coffees.
Towards the late 19th and early 20th century, leading writers of the time were drawn to these cafes filled with such ambience that inspired frequent meet ups and even a little bit of writing.
Sitting down for a cuppa coffee and a slice of delectable cake is the opposite of the hustle and bustle atmosphere most restaurants give off. No, when coming to one of these cafes, it’s a place for both locals and tourists to unwind, sit for a nice chat or even stop and read a book and simply live in the moment. Enjoying a coffee and cake is one of the tops things to do in Vienna and is best indulged with friends!
There’s where to eat in Vienna and then there’s where to eat coffee & cake in Vienna, with the latter being of more importance, CLEARLY! So I’ve got you covered on many of the best places for coffee & cake in Wien so that you can eat your way through the city! Leave behind any guilty feelings you might have and bring your fat pants! No counting calories either! Calories don’t count on vacation, right?… RIGHT?
So which one(s) should you visit? – And yes, I made that plural because going to just one is not enough!
In case you’re salivating already, PIN IT FOR LATER!!
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How to AVOID Looking Like a Tourist in Europe
Tips for Visiting Vienna:
If you’re looking to visit Vienna, then I highly consider investing in the Vienna Pass which gives you free entry to over 60 main attractions in Vienna including museums and monuments, ultimately saving you both time and money! Zoom right through long queues with the FastTrack entry bonus as well as take full advantage of the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour in Vienna!
Café Central
As the most popular coffeehouse in Vienna, it is quite possibly the most delicious as well, you’ll be lining up with other tourists just to get a table, so don’t be surprised if you see the line out the door, but I PROMISE you now, it is worth EVERY minute of the wait!
Café Central has the best architecture, the best ambience, the best service, the best cake assortments and the best food! Should there only be time for one cafe, this would be the one!
The cafe first opened in 1876 and was quickly one of the main meeting points for many intellectuals. Famous writer and poet Peter Altenberg even had his mail delivered to his this cafe and even became a permanent visitor, greeting you as you walk in, as well as other notable visors often included Leon Trotsky and Sigmund Freud. Quite personally, I wouldn’t mind having my mail delivered here!
In fact, while here, we took our time enjoying a full continental breakfast with a coffee, before devouring a slice of heaven each. Unfortunately, during the holiday season, Cafe Central does not reserve tables, so that meant standing in line for 20 minutes prior to opening to make sure we got in. During the holidays, the line was practically wrapped around the block, so get there early!
The prices are a bit more expensive here than other cafes, but you’re paying for so much more than just coffee and cake. You’re paying for the entire experience and you’ll be hard pressed to find another cafe equal to its splendor and eating here is the ultimate foodie experience in Vienna!
Drooling yet? Heart pounding? I sure hope so!
Highly Recommended: Central Surprise and a cup of Earl Grey Tea or the Maria Theresia
Address: Herrengasse 14, 1010 Wien, Austria in the Palais Ferstel, on the corner of Stauchgasse
Website: Café Central
Café Sacher
In Vienna, Café Sacher, found in the Hotel Sacher, is an institution in Austria and therefore one of the most important coffeehouses in Vienna and offers another chance to escape to the 19th century with its red damask walls and staff who wear authentic style, starched pressed uniforms. The cafe has cozier rooms that are smaller and still offer that formal presentation.
Franz Sacher became famous for his Sachertorte, a chocolate cake filled with apricot filling is so good, you won’t want to miss this yummy cake! Created or a reception given by Austrian State Chancellor, this cake has been eaten by everyone from Emperor Franz Joseph, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip to John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Should you not be able to make it to Café Sacher in Vienna, have no fear, there is another in Salzburg!
Highly Recommended: Sachertorte
Address: Philharmoniker Str. 4, 1010 Wien, Austria
Website: Café Sacher
Café Schwarzenberg
Café Schwarzenberg is the oldest existing Ringstraße coffee house, opened during the construction of the prestigious boulevard in 1861 and unlike other coffeehouses in Vienna, the cafe did not not cater to a clientele of artists and intellectuals and therefore was more a place for influential entrepreneurs and financiers.
The interior of the cafe has remained mostly unchanged since opening, and has a more relaxed, casual atmosphere than the previous two. The servers are still equipped with freshly pressed black uniforms and the cakes are on display as soon as you walk in the door.
Here, there is more of a feeling that this cafe is more visited by locals rather than tourists, who come to sit and enjoy their coffee and cake with no intention of rushing the experience, especially on evenings where the cafe provides coffee house music! So if you’re looking for a more authentic coffeehouse to visit in Vienna, this is it!
Uncontrollably salivating yet?
Highly Recommended: Sacher-Putschwürfel and the Kaffee Mozart
Address: Kärntner Ring 17, 1010 Wien, Austria (at Schwarzenbergplatz)
Website: Café Schwarzenberg
Café Landtmann
Located on the ground floor of the Palais Lieben-Auspilz, the cafe has been nicknamed “Vienna’s most elegant Café” since its opening in 1873. It’s a popular meeting place for actors, politicians, officials, and journalists as it’s just opposite city hall and next to the Burgtheater and quickly became popular with prominent figures such as Sigmund Freud.
Upon visiting the cafe, you’ll quickly notice that the cafe is quite popular and has even expanded their cafe with a modern, glassed extension, but walking further into the cafe, you’ll see that the interior is decorated in a simple, classy way and yet again, the servers are dressed in their finest uniforms.
If I could recommend but one thing, it would be to have breakfast at any of these beautiful cafes. Get there early and you’ll be able to enjoy breakfast like a local before the hordes of tourists come! Indulge your senses in a delicious Eggs Benedict before diving into dessert. And no, it’s never too early for dessert!
Isn’t it just heavenly!? Dont’cha just want one, or two, or more!?
Highly Recommended: Edelweistörtchen
Address: Universitätsring 4, 1010 Wien, Austria, near the Burgtheater & Rathaus
Website: Café Landtmann
Demel
Demel is more of a pastry shop and chocolateire than a Viennese style coffee shop, known for their sweet scones, cream cakes and strudel. For that reason, it shouldn’t technically be on the list, but it’s just too delicious not to miss! Plus, they have held the title of “Purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court” since 1874, which says a lot!
Directly in front of the Hofburg Palace, waitress are dressed in white aprons, known as Demelinerinnen address you in the third person, a tradition dating back 200 years. The downstairs level is a showcase of their most delectable treats. Head upstairs if you’re looking to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and cake.
Each room is decorated in the rococo-period salon and dominated by big, beautiful chandeliers, which we all know I love! Notable customers have included the Empress Elizabeth “Sisi” and actress Katarina Schratt.
Highly Recommended: Sorry, I can no longer remember the name!
Address: Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Wien, Austria, in front of the Hofburg Palace where all the horses carriages wait
Website: Demel
Gerstner K.u.K Hofzuckerbäcker
For over 170 years, Gerstner has been one of Vienna’s greatest pastry and chocolate makers. Opened by Anton & Barbara Gerstner, they provided the imperial court and Vienna’s socialites with only the best confectionery deserts. Downstairs, you’ll find the small display case of delicious cakes and dessert, such as a variety of truffles, including a gold flaked Vanilla Truffle, while a corner is also dedicated to the gift shop. Upstairs, you’ll find luxurious couches and decor to sit back and enjoy your choice of cake and coffee/tea.
Space is limited, so there was a short wait. It seemed that the wait here was much less extreme than other more popular cafes, but is equally as charming and well worth the 5 – 10 minute wait. The cakes downstairs looked mighty delicious, but I opted for a simple chocolate cupcake with a rich raspberry cream sprinkled with sprinkles which paired very well with my cup of Earl Grey tea.
Highly Recommended: Chocolate Cupcake with Raspberry Cream
Address: Kärntner Strasse 51, 1010 Vienna (vis-à-vis of the State Opera)
Website: Gerstner K.u.K Hofzuckerbäcker
Other notable cafes in Vienna to visit:
- Kaffee Alt Wien, Bäckerstraße 9
- Café Bräunerhof, Stallburggasse 2
- Café Griensteidl, Michaelerplatz 2 – the favorite café of Leon Trotsky and many writers of that era
- Café Hawelka, Dorotheergasse 6
- Café Sperl, Gumpendorferstraße 11
- Café Museum, Operngasse 7
- Aida, a chain of traditional Viennese coffee and pastry shops with locations all over the city
Where would I be without my trusty DK Travel Guides? Lost probably! With quick details, easy to follow suggested sightseeing routes, I can find my way through any city!
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!
Day Trips from Vienna and more:
12 Day Itinerary: Prague, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest
Guide to Vienna’s Christmas Markets
7 Day Road Trip Through Austria
Liked this post? PIN IT FOR LATER!!
Great roundup. I must have put on a stone in cake when we visited Vienna! #citytripping
Nice and “yummy” post 🙂
Oh my! Did you do anything else in Vienna other than eat delicious cake? 😉 Yes, yes, yes, I’m salivating and definitely need to go here.
#citytripping
Actually, we’ve been twice now to Vienna, but this last Saturday was my birthday, and it was a rainy gloomy day, so we bounced from one cafe to the next with sightseeing in between haha
I’m saving this for my next trip to Vienna! Those cakes all look yummy! #citytripping
There were so delectable! I don’t feel so guilty as we walked allllll over the city 🙂
I’m drooling over these pictures! During out visit to Vienna we ate Sacher torte and popped into several Aida branches but our big splurge was at a place called Café Diglas recommended to us by local viennese friends. #citytripping
I’ve heard good things about that one and would love to check it out next time!
Love any opportunity for coffee & cake and these look stunning. I feel a full tour of coffee shops coming up if I get to Vienna!
I had just finished lunch before I read this and I am RAVENOUS again now. Even as a poor scruffy student with limited time in Vienna (on my one and so far only visit), we found time for coffee and cake – I do love the feeling you should be discussing philosophy or politics or something equally elevated while there. And I rather want to be such a local that I could have my post delivered there too – a good excuse to stop in every day for cake 🙂 Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
You know which is also great apart from these? Oberlaa 🙂
Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂
Well, now I’m craving cake! They all look delicious! How could you choose one coffee house to visit? You’d just have to go to each!
We totally did haha! 1 day, 3 coffee shops and great conversation!
Another great guide from your Lolo, Vienna is on my list to visit soon so this will come in very handy. I’ve heard so much about Cafe Sacher but fab to know all the other gems in the city. #citytripping
Oh then you’ll definitely enjoy these cafes!
This looks like a place requiring a tong of exercise before and after, as I would need to eat something at each and every place! #citytripping
Makes it ok to easy so many delicious cakes when you spend 8 hours sightseeing 🙂
Oh my goodness, this is my type of cultural heritage. I would love to eat my way around Vienna. I will have to add it to my list of must go places 🙂
Booking my ticket to get that chocolate cake with apricot filling! That sounds amazing. Great post!
Oooo… I need to spend an extra day in Vienna if I visit just to go through these cafes! #CityTripping
All of these cafes look incredible and the desserts look amazing as well. Each sample of coffee cake seems to have its own look and style to it. Thanks for the great guide, I’m salivating already! #citytripping
Oh. My. God. You have no idea how much I love this! Coffee and cakes are two of my favourite things in the world! I love finding out that different countries are known for their coffee, it genuinely makes me want to visit all the more! #WanderfulWednesday
Definitely want to visit Austria and have some cake now 😀 For one reason or another, coffee culture is so different here in Norway. The only pastry you get is cinnamon buns and similiar stuff but they don’t have a great variety of cakes in cafes. I absolutely miss that!!
I wish Germany also had more old fashioned cafes. We have two here in Regensburg but they’re practically dying.
Wow you took one for the team with this research – this is the kind of mission I like! Vienna just went to the top of my must visit thanks so much for sharing this caketastic city with #citytripping and for the pins!
I sure did! Haha had to test them out for y’all! 🙂
Okay officially drooling ….. I remember Vienna and all the delicious cakes and sweets! I went to Café Sacher for that cake also! It was delicious!! I just started my healthy diet after two months of non stop travel, so I have to admit this post was a bit hard to read haha … Pinned it for later though 😀
Haha don’t worry I feel your pain! We have also been on a diet for the last month but broke it for my bday weekend! But already back on the wagon!
Coffee and Cake – two of my favourite things. Looking at your post, I think the cafe’s above alone worth a trip to Vienna! #wanderfulwednesday
Ooooh so delicious! I love cafe cultures (and cakes for that matter!), so this post was right up my street 😉
I’ve always wanted to visit Vienna and now more than ever now I’ve enjoyed your guided tour of cake! It’s clearly worth a visit for the cake alone! So much delicious!
Central is totally my favorite place… Amaretto hot chocolate? Yes, please!! I’ve also tried Demel and Sacher… but Central Cafe was definitely my favorite… but the strudel at Demel? SO GOOD.
Cafe and coffee – so up my alley! I’d love to experience this culture in Vienna. I want to try that Edelweistörtchen!
I love the look of the Schwarzenberg and I like the idea of it being a little more local. Those cakes look AMAZING. Definitely salivating. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
All of these cakes look amazing, if there’s any good reason to visit a city it’s for good food! The atmosphere looks amazing as well. #farawayfiles
Fantastic idea for a post! I do love cakes although prefer French cakes to German or Austrian. I’ve been to Café Central but I do fancy trying out some of these others, particularly the less touristy ones. Thanks for fuelling my cake lust on #farawayfiles
There’s nowhere better for coffee and cake than Vienna. I’m actually pretty sure that I lived exclusively on cake while I was in Vienna. #Farawayfiles
Beautiful, beautiful post; gorgeously illustrated! I feel like printing it off and going to Vienna just to tour these cafes. #FarawayFiles
Your photos are mouthwatering! I had heard the names of some of these places, and your photos are helpful to visualize them. I didn’t realize how big Cafe Central is. The chocolate cakes would be my favorite!
Oh my gosh! all the coffee and cakes are making me hungry! Awesome post, I’ll definitely have to make it to Vienna on my next European trip to try some of the delicious looking cakes!
I have not yet visited Vienna but when I do I am pretty sure I will spend 75% of the time in cafes, and will definitely be noting down those you have recommended here!!
Coffee and cake in cafes – it’s all over the world. Now I know where it started. Vienna seems to do it in style that none surpass.
Love your Vienna cake hop Lolo. I was in Vienna as a student and had no money but I still managed to stretch to sharing a Sachertorte. Who am I to argue with a 300 year old tradition. Fantastic guide – pinning, sharing, drooling! Thanks #FarawayFiles
haha, wwell if it’s 300 years old, then a few bucks won’t matter! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Yummmm…Cafe hopping! 🙂 Had Viennese coffee and apple strudel at
Café Landtmann during my short visit.
This made me want to go back!!
Aditi
We have been to some places in Austria but not to Vienna yet. The coffee and the cake are definite drawcard
Cafe Sacher was on my list of places to visit in Vienna but after your lovely guide, have added your cafe recommendations, for my future visit to Vienna.
You know what they say in Vienna…Let them eat cake! And sip coffee. You’ve highlighted some great Cafes here. Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration, see you next week!
What a great guide on some of the cafes in Vienna. One of the many reasons I want to visit!
I loved taking pictures at Demel because everything was so pretty. I wasn’t a fan of the cake I ordered, but the strudel was divine! #FarawayFiles
A cake tour of Vienna would be the PERFECT way to spend a birthday if you ask me. During my one day stop there many years ago, I remember having a Sachertorte at the Hotel Sacher. Your photos of Cafe Central look impressive for both the food and the decor. On his last trip to Vienna, my husband brought a cake from Demel all the way back to Texas for me. His luggage was lost in Heathrow for a few days, but it arrived with the torte only very slightly banged up. #WkendTravelInspiration
Haha whatta great husband to bring you cake!
I love that not only are the coffee and cakes delicious and beautiful, but the buildings are stunning and the atmosphere is so great! It’s not just a stop for coffee…it’s an experience. Love that!
I love desserts so can’t wait to try some of these when I finally make it to Vienna (hopefully soon). I’m not a big coffee person, but sounds like I should give it a try while I am there too. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Im also not a big coffee person so I mostly drank tea but every now and then I will order a coffee to go with a really good cake!
I have a very strong sweet tooth and I was drooling constantly while reading your post. Café Sacher is one of my favorite places in Vienna. I still have a tin box with their monogram on it from my last visit there. #TheWeeklyPostcard
I need to go back to Vienna! It is not simple to get the most of the cafe culture in one trip. I think this is one of the aspects I enjoy about the city. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Forget pub crawls, I want to visit Vienna and do a cafe crawl! They all look so beautiful – and that’s even before seeing the cakes! lol #Mondayescapes
I’ve seen this post before and it’s still just as delicious looking. I need to show my husband!
Maybe you can convince him to take you! 🙂
Oh wow it all looks so good, you cant beat coffee and cake xx
Uncontrollably salivating yet? Yes!! I shouldn’t have read this just before dinner. Now I want cake!! That coffee at Café Schwarzenberg looks incredible. Thanks for sharing this on #MondayEscapes
I appreciate that you did all of this delicious research for us! I have wonderful memories of an alfresco coffee and cake break in Vienna with my mom several years ago. I am saving this for a trip I am hoping to take next year.
It was hard work, and I definitely took one for the team! But it was delicious! ?
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful post! Apart from the divine-looking cakes, the history around these places is really interesting, too. I’m sharing this post far and wide! #MondayEscapes
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Wow! This certainly makes me want to visit straight away. What a delicious post!
Great list Lorelei, and I actually hadn’t heard the stories about the city’s first coffeehouse. I went to Cafe Central based on your recommendation and have to agree the architecture is beautiful and cake great too. Generally the best coffee spots in Vienna require a short queue.
You’ve certainly been to the big name ones, although I would say Museum Cafe wouldn’t be a pick of mine as I found the service a bit lacking. I’d add the Oberlaa on Neuer Markt which is always lively but with great service and packed with locals, and one I think you’d like and surprised isn’t listed is Cafe Diglas on Wollzeile, very well regarded local one.
Awesome recommendations David! I haven’t heard of those ones although today I also saw delicious cakes from Cake Mozart! Might have to go back soon! Haha
I loved Vienna, it is an amazing and beautiful place. We went to Cafe Central and had apple strudel. Love your blog by the way, off to follow on social media. #Citytripping
What I wouldn’t give for a slice of pretty much all of those Viennese cakes! I love Vienna, it’s so sophisticated, and the food and wine…. My favourite cake there was in the little cafe in the grounds of Schloss Schonbrunn… 🙂 #mondayescapes