The
vienna coffee house
The
vienna coffee house
What is a
vienna coffee house
If you ask a Roman about the origin of coffee, he will confidently say “Naples or Italy”. If you ask a Viennese the same question, they will answer “Vienna, Austria”.
The Turkish people would have brought coffee beans to Austria as early as the 17th century, where they were first consumed as a drink.
However, coffee drinking and culture are very different in the two countries. In Naples, people tend to elaborate on coffee culture, while in Vienna, it is coffee house culture.
In other words, in Italy it’s all about the coffee. It is served at the perfect temperature so that it can be drunk immediately while standing at the counter. It’s about the how, i.e. how you drink coffee, and not the where. (You can find out more about drinking coffee in Rome here).
In Austria, it’s all about the where, the ambience, the cosy and stylish. Find out which Viennese coffee houses are worth a visit and why in this article.
WHAT YOU ABSOLUTELY
SHOULD KNOW!
- The waiters in Viennese coffee houses don't just seem rude, they are rude. They call it “Viennese charm” and part of Viennese culture. This should not be taken personally or as an attack.
- In Austria, the word “Kaffee” is emphasised on the last syllable (the E), not the A as in German (it is quite common for waiters to pretend not to understand a German pronunciation).
- A “Verlängerter” is an espresso that is extended with hot water. The hot water is usually served in a separate pot with the espresso. It tastes very similar to a filter coffee and can be equated with an “Americano”.
- If you order a "Melange” (strong stretching of the 2nd syllable), then in Vienna you get a slightly elongated espresso with milk and a milk foam crown. At first glance, it looks like a cappuccino, but the difference lies in the details of the preparation. In a cappuccino (unlike a melange), the milk foam is carefully poured into an espresso at a ratio of 2:1 with the cup tilted. In short: Melange and cappuccino are not the same thing, even if many people use them as synonyms.
- If you order a “small black” in Vienna, you get an espresso. The words “small brown” refer to an espresso with milk.
- In Viennese coffee houses you can not only drink good coffee, but also eat excellent Viennese food (from Wiener Schnitzel to goulash to Kaiserschmarrn...) for lunch.
OUR 6
FAVOURITE COFFEE HOUSES
Café Landtmann
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Café Central
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Pastry shop Aïda
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Café Korb
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Café Sperl
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Café Prückel
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Café Landtmann is certainly one of the best-known, most popular, but also most expensive coffee houses in Vienna. But you don’t have to treat yourself to an espresso for EUR 3.80 and a Melange for EUR 5.90 every day…
In addition to many tourists, the Viennese also like to meet here, especially for business meetings, as not only is the atmosphere very quiet, but the location is also very central.
The coffee house is located between the parliament and the university, opposite Vienna City Hall. The Landtmann has been around since 1873 and Vienna would be unthinkable without it.
Address:
Universitätsring 4
1010 Vienna
Tip 1
Café Landtmann
You can feel the real old Viennese flair at Café Central, near the Spanish Riding School. The waiters strut through the halls and barely give customers a glance. On the other hand, the “kleine Schwarze” and the apple strudel taste excellent, and it is a real pleasure to admire the splendid interior.
The Central was opened back in 1867 and was a favourite meeting place for artists and scholars. Today, you have to book a table in advance if you want to enjoy an espresso (EUR 3.60) or a Melange (EUR 5.30).
Address:
Corner of Herrengasse and Strauchgasse
1010 Vienna
Tip 2
Café Central
Aïda is not actually a classic Viennese coffee house, but rather a pâtisserie. You can probably tell that from the prices. An espresso costs (only) EUR 2.70 and a Melange EUR 4.10. Nevertheless, it is part of the Viennese cityscape and a coffee break with a tartlet is a must-do.
The shops look as if time has stood still there. The staff’s clothing is colour-coordinated with the furnishings: everything in “Zuckerlrosa” (Zuckerl is Austrian for sweet, by the way).
There were already 11 Aïda branches in Vienna in 1939, 29 in 2018 and Adïa is celebrating its 108th birthday in 2021. However, you couldn’t drink your first coffee there until 1946, before that, it was only available to regulars in the back room.
Address:
Next to St Stephen’s Cathedral, for example:
Singerstraße 1
1010 Vienna
Tip 3
CAFÉ PASTRY SHOP AÏDA
Café Korb was and is different. It was one of the first coffee houses where women were allowed to sit, and is one of the few coffee houses that is both antique and modern at the same time. Even if it may not look like it from the outside, Café Korb is almost 120 years old.
It is popular with young and old. And not just because it serves good desserts and good coffee, but also because art events are often organised here. Incidentally, you pay EUR 3.30 for an espresso and EUR 4.10 for a Melange.
Address:
Brandstätte 7/9
1010 Vienna
tip 4
Café Korb
The Viennese have been meeting at Café Sperl since 1880 to do undisturbed what they could do in their own living room, but where they would have no company. If you sit here a little longer, you will notice that the clientele hardly changes and that people don’t just drink coffee here. It is common for guests to meet here to play chess. Even billiards is allowed.
This was already very popular in Viennese coffee houses a hundred years ago. You can get an espresso here for EUR 2.90 and a Melange for EUR 4.10. But if you want to try something other than the classic desserts, I recommend a cheese sandwich and a Seidel beer.
Address:
Gumpendorfer Str. 11
1060 Vienna
Tip 5
Café Sperl
Café Prückel on the Ringstrasse has been scoring points since 1903 with its strategic location (super central and right next to the Stadtpark) and its ambience (bright and cosy). The traditional Viennese coffee house is just as suitable for a quick business breakfast as it is for lingering over lunch or afternoon cake.
Address:
Stubenring 24
1010 Vienna
Tip 6
Café Prückel
What we know today from global coffee shops such as Starbucks has actually always been common practice in Viennese coffee houses: you feel like you’re in your own living room, reading, working or playing, even though you’ve long finished your coffee. The first Viennese coffee house was opened in 1685. Since 2011, the “Viennese coffee house culture” has been part of UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage.
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2021 – 2024
With the support of Susanne Vukan, who diligently travelled to all the cafés 😉
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