Vienna excels at refinement, whether that means classical music, gilded architecture, or coffeehouse culture. The Austrian capital elevates the simple act of drinking coffee into an artform deeply woven into everyday life. This in-depth guide will fully immerse you in Vienna’s world-renowned Kaffeehauskultur so you can sip, savor, and caffeinate like a local.
Understanding the Evolution of the Viennese Coffeehouse
Since their heyday in the Baroque and Viennese Modern eras, coffeehouses have served as second living rooms for Vienna’s populace. But they weren't always so welcoming - coffee itself was once seen as an exotic foreign indulgence condemned by the church.
The first Viennese coffeehouse opened in 1685 following the historic defeat of the Turkish Ottoman empire. With so many new spoils of war like coffee beans arriving in the city, new cafes started cropping up.
Coffeehouses eventually became democratic spaces for distraction-free reading, working, and lively conversing, especially when they housed the first public restrooms! Elegant interior design with dark wood, white marble, newspapers, and elaborate pastries developed. By the early 1900s, Vienna boasted over 600 coffeehouses.
Though their numbers have dwindled, traditional Viennese cafes very much live on today.
Experiencing Quintessential Cafe Culture
No place better epitomizes Viennese coffeehouse culture than the palatial Cafe Central, a place which novelist Thomas Bernhard described as "the intellectual and cultural center of Vienna.”
Opened in 1876, this iconic spot dazzles with soaring domed ceilings, majestic columns, and statue-lined alcoves where the likes of Lenin and Freud once sat. Sip a melange (milky cappuccino) while gazing up at the magnificent interior. For the full experience, indulge in a slice of Sacher torte or Apfelstrudel. Don't forget to "take the third” and share your marble table with strangers!
For another authentic taste, Cafe Sperl evokes turn-of-the-century grandeur with sturdy oak benches, floral tiling, and billiard tables. Try their cappuccino with a perfect crosshatch of chocolate powder on top and find Sigmund Freud’s favorite booth. For a 1950s retro vibe, slip into time warp digs like Cafe Ritter or Cafe Europa.
Learning Essential Coffee Terms and Ordering With Finesse
Now that you know where to go, here’s how to order traditional Viennese drinks like a pro:
Kleiner schwarzer: A small black coffee or espresso. Add Haferl (with cream) or Melange (with steamed milk) for a cappuccino.
Kleiner brauner: Espresso with a tiny bit of cream, similar to a macchiato.
Verlängter: Espresso “lengthened” and diluted with hot water, like an americano.
Einspänner: Strong coffee served with fresh schlag (whipped cream).
Kapuziner: Espresso with a dollop of sweetened schlag.
Mazagran: Iced coffee with lemon or rum flavoring, often with sugar and cream.
The Perfect Accompaniments - Vienna's Iconic Pastries
Of course, pair your coffee with decadent Austrian pastries! Here are some highlights:
Sacher Torte: A rich chocolate cake with apricot jam and shiny chocolate icing, created especially for royalty at Hotel Sacher.
Linzer Torte: This nutty, jam-filled tart hails from Linz but is popular everywhere. Don’t miss trying it!
Apfelstrudel:Paper-thin filo dough wrapped around apple filling, often with raisins and cinnamon.
Kaiserschmarrn: Caramelized shredded pancakes topped with plum compote and powdered sugar.
Where to Find Vienna's Best Cafes
While cozy coffee houses abound across this capital, here are neighborhoods where iconic spots cluster:
Inner City: Cafe Central, Cafe Prückel, Cafe Sacher
State Opera District: Cafe Sperl, Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Mozart
Spittelberg District: Kleines Cafe, 7* Stern Bräu
Naschmarkt Area: Cafe Drechsler, Cafe Neko, Cafe Ansari
Mastering the Coffeehouse Lifestyle
To fully participate in Vienna’s coffeehouse culture, don’t just pop in and out. Plan to linger for hours over coffee, cakes, and great conversation. Keep an eye out for quintessential trimmings like newspaper hooks under tables, coat racks, and servers in dapper attire.
Scan the menu for daily lunch specials around noon. Or come later for live piano music as an accompaniment to sipping. Find your new Stammtisch (“regular’s table”) and savor the one-of-a-kind Viennese kaffeehauskultur atmosphere.
Immerse yourself in Vienna’s enduring coffeehouse legacy. As Austrian writer Friedrich Torberg declared, “Why drink coffee anywhere else but Vienna?”
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