Best Cafes in Vienna: The Ultimate Guide to the City’s Top Coffee Shops
Looking for the best cafes in Vienna? Well, you’re in luck, fellow caffeine lover.
Vienna is known for its coffee culture and has a rich history of cafes that dates back to the 17th century. Today, the city is home to numerous cafes that offer a unique experience to coffee lovers. From traditional Viennese cafes to modern coffee shops, there is something for everyone in this city.
Coffee lovers can’t visit Vienna’s famous cafes without immersing themselves in its coffee house culture. These cafes are not only the home of delicious brews but also guardians of Viennese history and culture.
Fun Fact: UNESCO even recognizes Vienna’s coffee houses on their esteemed “National Agency for the Intangible Cultural Heritage” list.
As you can tell, there are so many famous cafes in Vienna so coffee lovers will be spoilt for choice.
Best Cafes in Vienna
Vienna is known for its rich coffee culture and cafes that have been around for centuries. Here are some of the best cafes in Vienna that offer a unique experience to their customers.
In recent years, Vienna has also seen a rise in specialty coffee shops that offer a different take on the traditional Viennese coffee culture. These cafes focus on the quality of the coffee and offer unique brewing methods and specialty roasts.
Whether you prefer a traditional Viennese cafe or a modern coffee shop, Vienna’s cafes have something to offer every coffee lover.
Famous Cafes in Vienna
Vienna is home to many famous cafes that have been around for over a hundred years. These cafes are not only known for their coffee but also for their history and architecture.
Café Central
Let’s get this out of the way- there will most likely be a line when you go there as it is one of the most famous cafes in Vienna. But the wait is worth it. This cafe was opened in 1876 and has been a popular spot for intellectuals and artists. It’s grand and elegant, with high ceilings and marble columns. The desserts and food are delicious, and the portions are huge.
Hours: 7:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Café Sacher
Cake lovers- this cafe is for you. Famous for its Sacher Torte, a chocolate cake with apricot filling, we highly suggest a trek here for that alone. It opened in 1876 and has been a popular spot for tourists and locals.
Hours: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Café Hawelka
This cafe has been around since 1939 and is known for its bohemian atmosphere. While way less formal than the other options in the famous cafes in Vienna list, it is still popular for artists and writers.
Hours: 8:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Cafe Korb
There is a bit of awe surrounding Cafe Korb. When the cafe opened its doors in 1904 at it’s grand opening none other than the emperor himself, Franz Joseph I showed up. Rumor has it, he even danced!
Fun fact: Sigmund Freud also used to also host weekly meetings of the “Vienna Psychoanalytic Society” in the cafe too.
The menu includes not one, not two but three house-speciality schnitzels and a famous, flaky apple strudel. On the lower level of Cafe Korb you can hear the sounds of bowling pins from the bowling alley with a geometric art lounge and toilets identified only by abstract anatomical symbols. Unique and eclectic are just two words that come to mind when describing Cafe Korb.
Hours: 8:00 am to 12:00 am
Hotel Daniel Vienna
We admit it is more restaurant than coffee house, but it’s a truly beautiful restaurant with pastel colors, and there’s even a swing in the middle. We needed to share and recommend breakfast or lunch at this Instagram hotspot!
Palmenhaus
Between you and I, an afternoon spent at the Palmenhaus sounds like a dream. This iconic cafe allows you to dine with plants. Palmenhau is a converted greenhouse from the empire and its neoclassical shell is filled with ALL the plants.
We’re talking palm trees, ferns, flowers and more. With glass walls as high as 50 feet, it has all the flair without all the dramatics. There is something truly special about sitting there, drinking your coffee whilst being surrounded by nature. Especially on a sunny day in a bustling city.
Hours: 9/10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Cafe Diglas
If you don’t like pink, then you might want to skip this traditional coffee house with its not-so-traditional decor.
With a romantic flair combined with traditional Viennese design, Cafe Diglas makes a statement with its facade of all things pink. Not only do they offer up a delicious cup of coffee, but if you find yourself there over lunchtime, make sure to try their schnitzel, too.
Note that there are multiple locations of this cafe, and each has its own vibe. The original one is conveniently located in the center of Vienna and not too far from Stephansplatz U-Bahn station.
Hours: 8:00 to 10:30 pm
Cute Cafes in Vienna
Vienna is home to many cute cafes that offer a cozy and comfortable ambiance.
- Café Leopold: This cafe is located in a quiet neighborhood and offers a cozy ambiance. It also has a garden where customers can sit and enjoy their coffee. We love hanging out here during the summer. Open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- Café Vollpension: This cafe is run by senior citizens and offers a cozy and comfortable ambiance. It also has a bakery where they sell homemade cakes and pastries. Open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- Café Little Britain: This cafe offers a cozy and comfortable atmosphere with a British twist. It also has a library where customers can read books. Open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
And this list is just the beginning. There are more cute cafes in Vienna in different pockets of the city. Whether you’re looking for a grand and elegant ambiance or a cozy and comfortable one, Vienna’s cafes have something for everyone.
Vienna’s Cafe Culture
Vienna’s cafe culture is famous all around the world. The city has a long history of coffeehouses and cafes that have been an important part of its social life for centuries. Today, Vienna’s cafes are still an important gathering place for locals and tourists alike.
History of Vienna’s Cafes
Vienna’s cafe culture has a rich history that dates back to the 17th century. The first coffeehouse in Vienna opened in 1683, after the city was liberated from the Ottoman Empire. Coffeehouses quickly became popular gathering places for intellectuals, artists, and politicians. They were places where people could meet to discuss politics, literature, and philosophy.
In the 19th century, Vienna’s cafes became even more important. They were places where people could go to read newspapers, play chess, and socialize. Many famous writers and artists, such as Gustav Klimt and Sigmund Freud, spent time in Vienna’s cafes.
Vienna’s Specialty Coffee Scene: Indulge in the Finest Brews
Vienna’s renowned coffee culture has undergone an exciting transformation in recent years, embracing the rise of specialty coffee shops. These establishments cater to the discerning palates of coffee aficionados, offering a delightful array of high-quality, artisanal brews.
With an emphasis on sustainability, direct sourcing, and unique blends, these specialty coffee shops have captured the hearts of Vienna’s younger crowd. Embark on a flavorful journey through Vienna’s specialty coffee scene and savor the distinctive charm of these four standout cafes:
- Kaffeefabrik: At Kaffeefabrik, they roast their own beans on-site to create a remarkable cup of coffee that showcases carefully sourced, top-grade beans. You won’t forget your experience at this exceptional coffee shop.t.
- Jonas Reindl Coffee: Jonas Reindl Coffee prioritizes sustainability with direct trade relationships with coffee farmers, ensuring fair compensation and sustainable farming practices. The ethical sourcing and expert craftsmanship define the harmonious blend of each sip.
- Balthasar Coffee: Get ready for some seriously delicious coffee at Balthasar Coffee – they’re an award-winning shop that’s all about pushing the boundaries of coffee-making. With their attention to detail and love for daring flavor combos, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.
Vienna’s cafe culture is a testament to its rich history and the enduring love for the perfect cup of coffee.
Whether you are captivated by traditional coffeehouses or lured by the allure of specialty coffee shops, Vienna’s diverse cafe scene has something to entice every coffee enthusiast.
Embark on a journey of taste and discover the city’s finest specialty coffees, where passion, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of perfection converge.
The Legend of Vienna’s Coffee Culture: Unveiling the Best Cafes in Vienna
Coffee holds a cherished place in the hearts of people worldwide, and Vienna’s relationship with this aromatic elixir is truly unique. The captivating story of Vienna’s coffee houses, steeped in legend and passed down through generations, continues to enthrall both locals and visitors alike.
According to the tale, when Turkish invaders retreated from the Polish-Habsburg army, they unwittingly abandoned sacks of what was initially believed to be camel feed.
However, Polish King Jan III Sobieski, unaware of the beans’ true value, entrusted them to an officer named Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki. Kulczycki’s innovative spirit led him to blend the beans with milk and sugar, thus creating a palatable brew that birthed Vienna’s revered coffee tradition.
This adaptation of strong, bitter Turkish coffee to European tastes ignited the emergence of Vienna’s captivating coffee house culture.
It’s More Than a Cup of Coffee: Unveiling Vienna’s Best Coffee Shops
Vienna’s coffee houses exude their own unique charm and character, attracting patrons based on their academic, political, and cultural interests and social standing.
Vienna has it all if you are looking for a quiet place to read a book, a lively spot to catch up with friends, or a cozy cafe to enjoy a slice of cake. Enjoy Vienna’s captivating coffee culture by venturing into the city’s best coffee shops.
Vienna is a famous city for its coffee culture, and it is not hard to see why. The city is home to some of the best cafes in the world, and visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a place to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee.
One thing that all of these famous cafes in Vienna have in common is the quality of their coffee. Vienna takes its coffee seriously.
Overall, Vienna is a must-visit destination if you are a coffee lover. You will never be disappointed with so many amazing cafes to choose from.
So why not grab a cup of coffee and explore this beautiful city for yourself?
