A Look at the Timeless Sophistication of Vienna's Old-World Coffeehouses
There is so much more to Viennese coffee culture than espresso and cake. First emerging around the 19th century, these coveted cafés developed to be distinct fixtures in the city that are unique to Vienna and impossible to replicate.
1. Cafe Sperl
Coffee Shop, Restaurant, Austrian
The special atmosphere of Sperl is created by a blend of the soothing smell of coffee, the unmistakable Viennese décor of parquet flooring and sofas of faded fabric, and the smartly-clad waiters wearing wry expressions. Although the other houses possess a similar sense of sophistication, the Sperl is particularly special as it is the only one that has never been rebuilt or modernized. Austrian culture is conservative in many ways but this is one element of their dedication to tradition that can be forgiven.
2. Cafe Hawekla
Cafe, European, Austrian
3. Cafe Central
Cafe, Austrian, German
Cafe Central counts some impressive names among its former clientele—Sigmund Freud, Adolf Loos, and Leon Trotsky are among some of the most famous visitors. Favoring grandeur over coziness, Cafe Central’s interior boasts swooping marble arches and polished parquet flooring, making it one of the most distinguished coffee houses.
4. Cafe Kafka
Coffee Shop, European, Austrian
5. Café Schwarzenberg
Known as “Vienna’s foremost cafe on the Ringstrasse,” Café Schwarzenberg has stayed true to tradition throughout the years, preserving the old style Viennese with precision. As well as treating its guests to fine coffee and cake, there is a colorful cultural calendar of music events, readings, and private viewings.
6. Café Imperial
Exquisite Viennese coffee and cakes have been served here since the 1800s, its past regulars including Gustav Mahler and the critic Karl Kraus. Today this elegant, listed coffeehouse has a reputation for serving one of the city’s best and most authentic Wiener Schnitzels.
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7. Café Dommayer
Cafe, Austrian
8. Café Mozart
Cafe, Austrian
This elegant institution, named after Austria’s most beloved resident, is the setting in which Graham Greene wrote his novel, The Third Man and was a hugely popular stomping ground for a whole host of musicians and intellectuals throughout the 19th century—unsurprising, given its close proximity to the Vienna State Opera House. Predominantly frequented by tourists today, Cafe Mozart is a timeless establishment with a strong legacy and classic Viennese charm.
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