A Practical Guide to Cafes in Vienna - Part I
Every respectable tourist that comes to Vienna has to go to a café - ideally a traditional one. However, there are several hundred cafes in Vienna only, of which dozens meet even rigorous standards of traditionalism (whatever that might mean). For tourists, making a choice might be a bit difficult.
To explain this video: There is a famous song on a streaker in Vienna's legendary "Cafe Hawelka". This young gent apparently lost a bet and gave it a shot - provoking old Mr Hawelka, the legend himself, to take action. Salute to the Nackerter im Hawelka!
If you live in Vienna for a while, you might have a chance to experience a significant percentage of the city′s cafes. Otherwise, you will have to rely on recommendations. Essentially all guide books for Austria include a list with recommendable cafes at least for Vienna. I think that an extensive review doesn′t make much sense, because you won′t have a chance to go to more cafes than maybe a few.
However, I think that it does make sense to name traditional cafes that are near popular sightseeing attractions - this way, the following guide might help you the schedule your trip and match it with a stop-over for a "Melange". I am quite proud of this "sightseeing-meets-coffee" approach and hope you appreciate this list. Note that it is anything but complete. I just tried to make it in way that is convenient for sightseers with an urge for caffeine - plus the cultural experience of a Viennese Café.
List of Cafes in Vienna & Nearby Sightseeing Attractions
Café Hawelka: One of Vienna′s most Bohemian cafes is actually run by actual Bohemians and a legend in Austria. Famous for Buchteln, a yeast-dessert. Smokey, filthy and always crowded with tourists and the odd local.
Address: Dorotheergasse 6
Attractions nearby: Graben,
Jewish Museum, Peterskirche,
Stephansdom.
Café Landtmann: A very exclusive café, popular with staff and audience of the Burgtheater. A popular place for making business over a cup of coffee, too.
Address: Karl-Lueger-Ring 4 (next to Burgtheater).
Attractions nearby: Burgtheater, Rathaus City Hall,
Main University, Votivkirche,
Minoritenkirche.
Café Central: Located in an opulent neo-Renaissance building, the interiors of Café Central offer a great deal of Imperial splendour. Was popular with Vienna′s Fin de Siecle intelligentsia.
Address: Herrengasse 14 (near Minoritenkirche).
Attractions nearby: Minoritenkirche,
Schottenstift Abbey,
BA-CA Kunstforum, Am Hof Square,
Hofburg.
Café Griensteidl: Very classy, traditional café directly next to the Hofburg. Was one of the favourite places of Peter Altenberg, an Austrian impressionist writer. Today a bit touristy, tends to over-do the "traditional" thing a bit.
Address: Michaelerplatz Square 2 (between Looshaus and Hofburg).
Attractions nearby: Hofburg Palace,
Michaelerkirche Church,
Minoritenkirche,
Kohlmarkt, Graben,
Peterskirche.
Café Alt Wien: Slightly hidden treasure for those who want the real deal. Scruffy, Bohemian place, smoky and dark, somewhat similar to the Hawelka - but with almost no tourists.
Address: Bäckerstraße 9 (bit tricky to find).
Attractions nearby: Jesuitenkirche Church, Alte Aula, Heiligenkreuzerhof,
Stephansdom Cathedral.
Cafe Sacher: Many tourists think that the Sacher is the mother of all Cafes in Austria - due to the famous Sacher Tart. In fact, the Sacher is indeed quite traditional, but very expensive, very touristy and a hotel café after all.
Address: Philharmonikastraße 4 (behind Staatsoper National Opera)
Attractions nearby: Staatsoper,
Kärntner Straße,
Neuer Markt Square,
Stephansdom Cathedral, Albertina,
Hofburg, Academy of Fine Arts.
Continue with "List of Viennese Cafes - Part II"
back to "dining & cuisine" or "Vienna Travel Guide"
