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My Favorite Cafes in Vienna for a Coffee and Cake Break

My Favorite Cafes in Vienna for a Coffee and Cake Break

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My Favorite Viennese Cafes

the best cafes in ViennaNeed a break during a long day of sightseeing and shopping in Vienna?  I can recommend my favorite Viennese cafes to pop into for a quick snack.

Viennese cafes are perfect for a busy traveler, as you don’t need to plan your day around meal times– like an American diner, they are continuously open from early morning to late at night. But instead of a diner’s vinyl booths, stale coffee and rushed service, Viennese cafes are known for their opulent fin de siècle decor, dozens of freshly brewed coffee options, and attentive but unobtrusive service (by servers in formal, starched uniforms, no less).

Viennese Cafes– What to Order

While at most Viennese cafes you can order everything from a soft-boiled egg to a schnitzel, they are best known for their coffee and cake.

Vienna coffee with cream austria viennese

In Vienna, even the coffee is artfully served.

Viennese coffees beat any Starbucks, especially when topped with a dollop of unsweetened fresh cream.


sacher cafe cake chocolate vienna cream filledViennese cakes, in my opinion, are the best cakes in the world– far less sweet and cloying than their non-European counterparts, their multiple layers and drier consistency perfectly balanced by that side of cream.

Why there is no single “best” Viennese cafe.
Don’t waste your time trying to find the single “best” cafe in Vienna– there isn’t one. What’s best for you may depend on your budget, preference in decor and what’s convenient to where you’re going. I found certain cafes to be better for cake, some better for price and others better for a fancy (or cozy) atmosphere. My advice is to try a bunch of cafes and come up with your own “best” list.

Best Vienna Cafe for Cake: Cafe Sacher

Sacher cafe vienna hotel sacherIn Vienna, Cafe Sacher is an institution. The cafe itself is more intimate than some of the other “big names,” with multiple smaller rooms and cozy seats in a still very formal, classic Viennese setting.

Yes, Cafe Sacher may be filled with tourists, but for good reason– the cake is delicious! Come at slightly off hours and you shouldn’t have to wait for a table.

sacher cafe waitress server

I felt ridiculous taking photos of Cafe Sacher’s starched servers, so I peeked through the window to snap this shot (those are tree branches in the way).

The service at Cafe Sacher is old-world traditional– servers wear perfectly starched uniforms and maintain a refreshing level of formality so often absent in service today.

sacher cafe menu

The Cafe Sacher menu has English translations, along with helpful descriptions of the cakes and coffees.

Start with a specialty coffee, made to order. Cafe Sacher displays its cakes right in the middle of the dining area. Feel free to peruse your options before ordering.

Sacher torte Cafe Sacher Vienna best

Pay no mind to the naysayers who claim the Sacher torte is overhyped– they cannot appreciate the fine texture and subtle flavor, and would probably be happier with a sickly sweet cupcake.

But I can never order anything other than my favorite cake here– the sacher torte. Because sacher torte is my favorite cake in the world and I have tried it nearly everywhere it’s available, I consider myself extremely qualified to crown Cafe Sacher with the title of Best Sacher Torte ever. Make sure to order your sacher torte mit creme (with cream).

Best Viennese “fancy pants” cafe– Cafe Imperial

On my first visit to Vienna, I stayed in the very grand Hotel Imperial. We stopped into the equally grand Cafe Imperial late one night for a slice of their famous cake, the Imperial torte– this time skipping the coffee and indulging in an after dinner drink instead.

While the Imperial Torte was delicious, what really sets the Cafe Imperial apart is the fantastic people-watching (especially post-Opera). On the evening we visited, Viennese ladies dripping in furs invaded the dining room. I cooed over an adorable chihuahua, perched on a chair stacked with embroidered damask pillows, sitting proudly next to her owner.

I tried to revisit the Cafe Imperial on my last trip to Vienna but it was temporarily closed for renovations. Hopefully, any changes to the decor will not impact the Cafe Imperial’s regal atmosphere.

Best Cafe for Take-Away Cake and Coffee

Before you decide I’m all fancy and that I only dine in the most fabulous establishments, I’ll let you in on a little secret. While staying at the Hotel Imperial, I didn’t always have the time (or funds) for an elaborate hotel breakfast. Most mornings, I would slip out of the hotel and sneak across the street to this cafe instead–

Yes, that’s a McCafe and it is part of the McDonald’s empire. The McCafe in Vienna, I quickly learned, bears no resemblance whatsoever to American McDonalds.  You’ll find perfectly adequate (ok, yummy) coffee and cakes here, all takeout ready and priced right. Each morning, I ordered my cakes and coffees to go, then slipped the McCafe bag into another nondescript bag to carry back through the Hotel Imperial lobby– not that the discreet staff would have even raised an eyebrow.

Best Vienna Cafe to Relive that Before Sunrise Moment:  Cafe Sperl

Most of my travel-loving readers will be familiar with the iconic film, Before Sunrise. (If you haven’t seen it, it’s a must-rent, both for the sweet story line and the classic scenes of Vienna). I fell for Ethan Hawke quicker than Julie Delpy did, and love how the city of Vienna was a really a third character in the film. One of Before Sunrise‘s most memorable moments takes place at cozy table at Cafe Sperl, as the two young lovers lose themselves in conversation over coffee. This warm cafe is the perfect spot to duck into on a frigid night, with your lover on your arm– and even sit at the same table as Hawke and Delpy.

cafe sperl apple strudel vienna cake

The Sacher torte here tasted like boxed cake, but this apple strudel delivered– it is as luscious as it looks.

 Cafe Sperl isn’t really known for its food, so stick with the coffee and the divine apple strudel.

Best Cheap Cafe:  Aida

aida cafe best cheap cake vienna austriaAida is a mini-chain with several locations scattered around central Vienna.

cafe aida vienna cakes counter austriaAida has a bit of a hectic environment and lacks the charm of some of the other cafes, but its low prices and quick service put it on my recommended list.

Cheap viennese cakes aida cafe viennaAt only 4 euros or so for a slice of Aida cake, you can sample a couple for the price of less than one slice at a fancier cafe.

Aida cafes are perfect for a quick pit stop when you’re short on time– instead of taking time to sit at a table with waiter service, you can instead buy your cake at the counter and stand at a tall tables (where you can quickly scarf down your cake) like we did.

Best Cafe Newcomer to watch: Hotel Bristol Lounge

On my last visit to Vienna, I stayed at the elegant Hotel Bristol. The Bristol’s cafe had been under a long renovation and unfortunately was shuttered during my stay. But on my last night, the hotel hosted a preview of the new restaurant, called the Bristol lounge, scheduled to open the next day. After a painstaking renovation process, the cafe restored its original art deco features (including a gorgeous ceiling that had been covered up for years), then added modern comforts like plush chairs, perfect to collapse in (with plenty of room to stash shopping bags) for a mid-day break.

Best All-Around Cafe– Cafe Schwarzenberg

I’ve visited Cafe Schwarzenberg on four separate occasions, and never had anything less than a stellar meal and experience.I loved that Cafe Schwarzenberg’s tables always seemed to be crowded with locals.

I’ve had breakfast, light dinners (fantastic schnitzel), cocktails and cake at Cafe Schwarzenberg, and recommend all of them.

On my last visit to Cafe Schwarzenberg, I had a tough time selecting a cake for breakfast (yes, breakfast)– they all looked so scrumptious.

mohn cake poppy cake vienna cafe

When I later asked what was in this scrumptious cake, the waiter replied “opium.” Although this yummy cake probably had the same effect as opium on me, I believe the English word he was searching for is “poppy.”

I’d never heard of mohn-torte, so I took a chance on it, and was delighted with the unexpected, but delicious flavor and delicate texture.

What are your favorite Viennese Cafes? Share in the comments below!

 

 

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Yvonne

Saturday 27th of January 2018

I love Vienna and everything in it! Your cafe roundup makes me want to go back. Soon! Next time you’re there, try Cafe Central. The service is friendly but formal, the selection is huge (although I always get Apfelstrudel), and the architecture is stunning. Guten appetit!

Kristin Francis

Monday 29th of January 2018

Thanks Yvonne! I know re-reading my own posts makes me wanna go back haha! There are a few cafes I need to get to and Cafe Central is definitely one of them, thanks for the recommendation (love Apfelstrudel!)

Sunday 9th of July 2017

Loved Demel!

Kristin Francis

Tuesday 24th of October 2017

Thanks for sharing!! :)

Tuesday 11th of April 2017

Both of my favourites are missing I think: Best assortment of traditional cakes: Café Diglas Best innovative/fancy pâtisserie: Café Central

Kristin Francis

Tuesday 11th of April 2017

Thanks I'll check them out next trip!

Joe Mack

Wednesday 8th of March 2017

Thanks, will check them out next week!!!

Zak Tucker

Thursday 2nd of February 2017

I agree that Demel is better than Sacher for cakes. Huge variety, delicious and not so busy. If I recall though, the coffee wasn't as good as I expected. Café Landtmann has a good variety of coffees.

Kristin Francis

Thursday 16th of February 2017

Thanks for your tips!!