Writing a list of top coffee houses for Vienna feels a bit like deciding on the best French wines. With rather a lot of good ones around, it’s often a matter of taste and personal preference.
But I canvassed opinion among friends and relatives to come up with this list of cafés, which will grow as more suggestions come in.
- See also: What to experience in Vienna | Coffee house traditions
Sadly, it falls to me to work my way through all the below one-by-one, bravely consuming coffee and mountains of cake to bring you a local review of each establishment.
This is not an exhaustive list by any means. But, in no particular order:
Café Central
Easily spotted because of the queues that always seem to snake out from the entrance. Possibly the most famous of the Vienna coffee houses and much loved by tourists (hence the queues).
Trotsky and Freud both supped at their drinks in this 1860-built palatial building. (In fact, in 1913, they both lived in Vienna at the same time as Tito, Hitler and Stalin, which must have led to some awkward conversations in the queue at the supermarket.)
I went into Café Central a skeptic and came out a believer. The interior architecture is truly wonderful.
Herrengasse / Strauchgasse, 1010 Vienna | Review
Café Hawelka
A more homely alternative and famously the subject of one of Vienna’s best-loved songs, “Jö Schau” by the late Austrian songwriter Georg Danzer. The chorus includes the line, “What’s a naked man doing in Hawelka?”
Pop legend, Falco, celebrated his 30th birthday here, and other prominent guests have included Andy Warhol, Klaus Maria Brandauer, and Peter Ustinov. As I wrote in my review, the place is “as comforting as a pair of well-worn slippers”.
Dorotheergasse 6, 1010 Vienna | Review
Café Sacher
Another famous one easily spotted from the queue that commonly forms outside. The elegant decor carries echoes of palatial interiors and the view out the front windows looks fittingly 19th century (it’s opposite the Staatsoper, opened in 1869).
This café is the natural home of the original Sachertorte cake and it kind of feels wrong to go inside without having a slice (or three). Or at least that was my excuse.
Philharmoniker Str. 4, 1010 Vienna | Review
Café Sperl
Opened in 1880 and traditional home to archdukes, generals, artists and actors (the café is close to the Theater an der Wien opera house). Also known for its billiard tables and beautifully patterned upholstery.
There’s a feeling of Edwardian refinement about the place. Definitely one of my favourites – not least because it also features in the Vienna Blood period detective series.
Gumpendorfer Straße 11, 1060 Vienna | Review
Café Museum
Newly refurbished in 2010 but originally designed by Adolf Loos in 1899. He was a regular guest along with other giants of art and architecture, such as Otto Wagner, Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.
As with many such establishments in Vienna, Café Museum upholds the traditional association between coffee house culture and literature with regular public readings by authors.
Operngasse 7, 1010 Vienna | Review
Café Prückel
First opened in 1903. There’s even a theatre in the basement, reflecting the long association between coffee houses and the arts. Inside is a mix of Art Nouveau and 1950s “Mrs Maisel” design, and the café is a favoured haunt of students from the nearby University of Applied Arts.
Stubenring 24, 1010 Vienna | Review
Café Schwarzenberg
Quite a lot has changed since Café Schwarzenberg opened its doors in 1861. Though I think one of the original waiters might still be there (and I mean that positively – a fine old gentlemen with the aura of a million served coffees).
The darker decor imbues the location with a certain attractiveness for dull and wet days, and the views of old town architecture are worth a window seat.
Kärntner Ring 17, 1010 Vienna | Review
Café Mozart
This one has quite a location – sandwiched between the Albertina Museum, State Opera House and Hotel Sacher. So you might describe it as rather central. Which is why queues are not uncommon.
Inside exudes a cosy, traditional ambience, despite the comings and goings of tourists dropping by to take a deserved breather from all the art and architecture.
Albertinaplatz 2, 1010 Vienna | Review
Café Ritter
Another literary coffee house that traces its roots back to the 19th century. Known particularly for its inter-war interior design and neo-rococo ceilings. Its most famous guest was probably Austrian author, Peter Rosegger, who came very close to winning the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Mariahilfer Straße 73, 1060 Vienna | Review
Café Jelinek
A coffee house like a worn sofa; comfortable, relaxing and leaders of the counter-revolution against the pristine approach of more museal cafés.
Seemingly oblivious to trends and the passing of time, Café Jelinek is a little off the beaten track, so less likely to be full of tourists (just full of Viennese). Oh, and expect piles of homemade cakes.
Otto-Bauer-Gasse 5, 1060 Vienna | Review
Café Landtmann
Where high society goes to see and be seen. Opened in 1873 and located next to the Burgtheater and opposite city hall. So
Now the elegant flagship coffee house of a group of cafés, the Landtmann is notable for the large sheltered outdoor section and a jolly big and nice Christmas tree outside during the holiday season.
Universitätsring 4, 1010 Vienna | Review
Café Korb
A classic, but not in the “turn of the century” sense, thanks to the 1960s decor. A bustling little coffee house and a popular haunt for locals and those of an artistic disposition. Also famous for its toilets (seriously). Within walking distance of the Stephansdom cathedral.
Brandstätte 9, 1010 Vienna | Review
Café Westend
This one dates back to 1895 but was (fortunately) completely refurbished in 2018. Another café with glorious ceilings, upholstered wall seating and broad windows for plenty of natural light. So not one of the dusky haunts of yore.
Mariahilfer Straße 128, 1070 Vienna | Review
Café Residenz
A relative newcomer, but furnished in the classic coffee house style with an imperial touch (helped by its location in the Schönbrunn Palace outbuildings). Ideal for taking a break from 19th-century Habsburg opulence, but don’t expect to see too many locals here.
Kavalierstrakt 52, Schloß Schönbrunn, 1130 Vienna | Review
And for something a little different…
- If you’re all about the cakes with cappuccino an afterthought, consider a Konditorei instead of a coffee house
- If you like the art and philosophy of Hundertwasser, then grab a coffee at the Café Kunst Haus Wien, located next to the Hundertwasser Museum
- If you find yourself in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, pop into Landtmann’s Jausen Station
- If it’s impressive ambience you want, then the cafés in the Naturhistorisches and Kunsthistorisches museums both come with magnificent interior architecture
- And…how about afternoon tea instead of coffee? The Haas&Haas tea rooms bring English and international tea culture to the centre of Vienna