10 Real Viennese Coffee Houses in Vienna [with Map]

The Viennese coffeehouse culture is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Here is a list of traditional Viennese coffee houses, with typical Vienna coffee and food.

Our recommendation is a Wiener Melange, a Einspänner or a Franziskaner to drink.

This includes a Sachertorte, apple strudel or Kaiserschmarrn. 

1. Cafe Sacher

The famous Sachertorte was invented in 1832 when Prince Metternich commissioned his court kitchen to create a special dessert, but the head chef fell ill and the baker's apprentice Franz Sacher had to deal with this task at short notice. He invented the Sachertorte, which was later perfected by his son Eduard Sacher. 

After baking, a dough made of butter, sugar, eggs, chocolate, flour and vanilla is divided in the middle, spread with apricot jam and covered with chocolate icing. The traditional Café Sacher produces around 300,000 Sacher cakes every year, which requires 70 tons of apricot jam per year

The famous Viennese coffee house with its classy and elegant atmosphere is located directly opposite the Vienna State Opera.

Address: Philharmoniker Str. 4, A - 1010 Vienna

2. Café Imperial

In the imposing Hotel Imperial is the Café Imperial of the same name, which fits perfectly into the setting with its traditional furnishings, Thonet chairs and chandeliers. The café has existed since 1873 and is a listed building.

It is known for the Imperial Torte, which was invented by the kitchen boy Xaver Loibner in honor of Emperor Franz Joseph I and the recipe for which has always been kept secret. However, almonds, marzipan and chocolate buttercream are definitely included.

Address: Kärntner Ring 16, A – 1015 Vienna

3. Café Central

The traditional Viennese café, Café Central, has been located in Palais Ferstel since 1896 and was a meeting place for poets, thinkers and revolutionaries of old Vienna for decades. Sigmund Freud, Stefan Zweig, Leon Trotsky were often guests in what was then the Literature Café. The pillars and the richly decorated vaulted ceiling inside give the coffee house a unique atmosphere. In summer you can sit in the small garden in front of the café. Café Central is one of the most popular coffee houses in the city.

Address: Herrengasse 14, A-1010 Vienna

4. Demel K. u. K Hofzuckerbäcker

Demel is one of the most famous cafés in Vienna, and the company still holds the title of "KuK Hofzuckerbäckers", an imperial and royal court confectioner. Demel was founded in 1786 by confectioner Ludwig Dehne, whose son sold the business to his journeyman Christoph Demel in 1857.

The interior is traditionally designed in a neo-rococo style, with mahogany and large mirrors defining the ambience. Even Empress Elisabeth - Sissi - was a guest here. The Demel is known for its apple strudel, which is made by hand. The dough is so thin that you can read the newspaper through it.

Address: Kohlmarkt 14, A – 1010 Vienna

5. Cafe Landtmann

On October 1, 1873, Franz Landtmann opened Kaffee and from the start it was to be the finest in the city. It has remained so to this day, the listed Landtmann is Vienna's most elegant coffee house. The cozy and stylish atmosphere is underlined by Thonet armchairs from the imperial era and mirrors from the golden 20s.

Due to its close proximity to Burgtheater, City Hall and the Federal Chancellery, the café is frequented by actors, politicians, civil servants and journalists, and press conferences are often held here. 

Coffee specialties, pastries, cakes and dishes from the Viennese kitchen are on the menu.

Address: Universitätsring 4 – 1010 Vienna

6. Hawelka Cafe

Café Hawelka was opened in 1939 by Leopold Hawelka. The decor is traditional, said to have not been renovated since it opened. The café is a well-known meeting point for the Viennese art scene, and the atmosphere was characterized by artists and individualists, especially in the 1960s and 1970s.

The Hawelka specialty is the buns, which are prepared according to an original Bohemian recipe. Buchteln are sweet, filled yeast dumplings.

Address: Dorotheergasse 6, A – 1010 Vienna

7. Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker

The Café Gerstner K. u. K. is located right next to the Vienna State Opera in Palais Todesco. The traditional ambience is emphasized by historical ceiling paintings, gold-decorated wood paneling and fireplaces.

A large curved spiral staircase leads from the shop on the ground floor to the first floor, where you can enjoy the view of the Vienna State Opera in a living room atmosphere. Viennese cuisine is served on the second floor. In summer you can sit in the palm-covered inner courtyard garden. The café is known for its handmade pastries.

Address: Kärntner Strasse 51, A – Vienna

8. Cafe Sperl

Founded in 1880, Café Sperl near Naschmarkt is considered an insider tip for locals, for a long time it was known as an artist and military café. Today, many writers and artists are represented here who have their regulars' table in Sperl. The café was completely renovated in the 1970s, preserving the traditional atmosphere.

A large selection of daily newspapers is available, and if you feel like it, you can try your luck at one of the three billiard tables. The piano is played on Sundays, and in the summer you can sit in the garden in front of the café. The café is known for its original Viennese cuisine and for its daily homemade pastries.

Address: Gumpendorfer Strasse 11, A – 1060 Vienna

9. Café Schwarzenberg

Ever since it opened in the 19th century, Café Schwarzenberg has not attracted artists and writers, but personalities from business. The interior of Vienna's oldest Ringstrasse café is very traditional. Fine wood, full-length wall mirrors, small tiles on the vaulted high ceiling and imposing Art Deco chandeliers, together with the semi-circular leather armchairs and the stone floor, convey an elegant atmosphere.

The café is particularly popular with tourists. Vernissages, concerts or readings are often held. The menu features fresh pastries every day as well as various Viennese specialties.

Address: Kärntner Ring 17, A – 1010 Vienna

10. Café Frauenhuber

The building in which the traditional Frauenhuber coffee house is located dates back to 1746. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven personally played table music for the guests here in November 1788.

The café has been run under the Frauenhuber name since 1891. It is one of the oldest of its kind in Vienna and is considered to be the oldest café that is still continuously operated as a Viennese coffee house. In summer, chairs are set up in front of the café.

Address: Himmelpfortgasse 6, A – 1010 Vienna

(link to map)