Austria
Vienna's Cafés - 5 Cafés to Explore Coffee, Culture and Timeless Charm
Discover Vienna's café culture – the key to the city’s soul – where every cup of coffee, topped with cream and a touch of history, feels like magic.
When you step inside a café in Vienna for the first time, you don’t know what you’ll get. Sure, you may know you’re going to order a melange or a double espresso, but everything else that comes with it is likely to bowl you over. The glinting chandeliers, velvet banquettes, marble-topped tables and the pastries that look like they belong in a museum. And, most of all, the smell. The smell that feels like an embrace you’re only released from when you leave – hours later. Once you’ve soaked up centuries of whispers, laughter and debates. Once you’ve realised you’ll come back one day. Ready to discover your new favourite corner? Let five of the best cafés in Vienna work their charm on you.
Cafés in Vienna
1. Café Landtmann
A coffee house is never far away when you're in the centre of Vienna. But let's suppose you're outside Rathaus, the imposing town hall. Café Landtmann is just across the street – and has been since 1873 – so why not start your café crawl there? You’ll get more than great coffee, freshly baked tarts or a crispy Wiener Schnitzel: you’ll get a real taste of the city. Grab one of the authentic Thonet chairs, enjoy your drink or meal, and sit back for some people-watching: everyone’s here, from tourists to students, and from politicians to artists. Café Landtmann is elegant without being stuffy, a place where old Viennese charm meets the buzz of modern life.
- Café Landtmann, Universitätsring 4, 1010 Vienna
- Open 7:30am-11:30pm daily
Pro tip: On the last Thursday of every month at 6pm there’s a free-admission, after-work fun event with food, drinks and DJ music.
2. Café Central
Did your visit to the Museum of Illusions leave your head in a whirl? Then it's time for a brew at Café Central, only about 50 metres away. A part of the stunning Palais Ferstel, this café is where Trotsky, Freud and other luminaries would go for a coffee and some lively discussions. So, in addition to the arched ceilings, grand chandeliers and a dash of literary glamour, you'll also get a bit of history. Not to mention the chance to indulge yourself: the menu is a love letter to Viennese cuisine. Think velvety goulash, fluffy Kaiserschmarrn and hand-crafted apple strudel. And the coffee? From frothy "Schlag", i.e. cream toppings, to the aromatic Großer Mokka, you'll be tasting pure magic.
- Café Central, at the corner of Herrengasse and Strauchgasse, 1010 Vienna
- Open 8am-10pm (Monday-Saturday), 10am-10pm (Sunday and holidays)
3. Café Demel
How would you like to experience Vienna in 1786? You can, by stepping into Café Demel – a time machine that takes you right back to the city's golden age. This legendary spot serves up food that was literally fit for emperors, and you'll feel like you're one, too. So make sure you come hungry – and expect a delicious dilemma as you pore over the menu. Will it be Demel's famous Sachertorte? Or maybe something savoury, say, a sausage with goulash sauce? Whichever you end up going for, you'll have chosen wisely. And the same goes for the drinks. Creamy Melange or a Fiaker coffee spiked with a drop of schnapps, there’s simply no wrong choice. Leave satisfied as you stroll back to your city-centre Mercure hotel, just 10 minutes away.
- Café Demel, Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Vienna
- Open 10am-7pm every day
Pro tip: Check out the window display for a visual treat just as delightful as what there is inside.
4. Café Frauenhuber
Since it's smack in the middle between the Opera House and St. Stephen's Cathedral, you'd think that Café Frauenhuber is a busy, touristy spot you'd best avoid. It's not. Quite the opposite, actually. It has a relaxed, welcoming old-world vibe, making it the perfect place for enjoying some Viennese classics. Whatever you fancy – soup with liver dumplings, Tafelspitz (boiled top round of beef), warm homemade chocolate cake – you're bound to enjoy your meal. Not to mention the coffee. Again, you can't go wrong but the question is, will you be able to decide which of the 18 types to order? Well, why don't you stay in Vienna for nine days and swing by Café Frauenhuber twice a day for a cup? Problem solved!
- Café Frauenhuber, Himmelpfortgasse 6, 1010 Vienna
- Open 8am-10pm (Monday-Saturday), 10am-10pm (Sunday and holidays)
Pro tip: Planning a family celebration? Book this café to make it truly special.
5. Café Goldegg
It may not be as well known or grand as the cafés in Vienna's first district, but if you're craving a classic Viennese café experience, this Jugendstil gem has you covered. Once a popular meeting point for railway workers, Café Goldegg is now a cosy nest for tourists and residents alike. Black marble tables, green plush seating and brass chandeliers lend it a nostalgic vibe. And then there's the small matter of the menu. Actually, it's not that small: it's page after page after page of Viennese wonders. From a simple Wiener breakfast to coffeehouse classics to desserts; no matter your order, you'll be satisfied. Euphoric even, if you try the affogato (icepresso with vanilla ice) – trust us, we have.
- Café Goldegg, Argentinierstraße 49, 1040 Vienna
- Open 8am-8pm (Monday-Friday), 9am-8pm (Saturday, Sunday and holidays)
Pro tip: Grab a cue and challenge your friends or family to a game of billiards.
Vienna's café culture is an experience you won't want to miss, particularly after you've had a stroll through one of the city's beautiful gardens. You'll thoroughly enjoy it even if you're not a coffee aficionado. These cafés not only capture the essence of the city, both its past and its present, they'll also make you feel like you belong here – even if it's your first time in town. So go ahead, treat yourself. Your taste buds and your spirit will thank you.
Book a Mercure hotel in Vienna
Mercure hotels nearby
Other recommendations
:3by2?fmt=webp&op_usm=1.75,0.3,2,0&resMode=sharp2&iccEmbed=true&icc=sRGB&dpr=on,1.5&wid=335&hei=223&qlt=80)
