cafes in Vienna
Oct 7th, 2004, 05:46 PM
#2
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Demel's is the best known, but it's not my favorite...too crowded, too many people coming in just to look, service too rushed, etc. The cafe at the Sacher Hotel also oozes atmosphere, but I don't like Sacher torte, so it doesn't do anything for me. These are my favorites:
For best pastries, the Oberlaa Cafe, a block off the Karntnerstrasse. The best cappuccino I had was at the West End Cafe, across the street from the Westbahnhof. For best early evening atmosphere, Cafe Sperl (but I didn't particularly like their coffee and they serve very few pastries, this is a place for a beer or wine). For best light lunch (homemade chicken soup and salad), Cafe Sirk off the Bristol Hotel.
For best coffee with modern decor and unbeatable rooftop views of Vienna (great when it's snowing), Sky Bar on top of the Steffl department store on the Karntnerstrasse. Most colorful, the cafe at the Hundterwasser museum (colorful in terms of decor, not clientele).
Vienna has so many different but equally wonderful cafes, you're bound to fine one that is perfect for you!
For best pastries, the Oberlaa Cafe, a block off the Karntnerstrasse. The best cappuccino I had was at the West End Cafe, across the street from the Westbahnhof. For best early evening atmosphere, Cafe Sperl (but I didn't particularly like their coffee and they serve very few pastries, this is a place for a beer or wine). For best light lunch (homemade chicken soup and salad), Cafe Sirk off the Bristol Hotel.
For best coffee with modern decor and unbeatable rooftop views of Vienna (great when it's snowing), Sky Bar on top of the Steffl department store on the Karntnerstrasse. Most colorful, the cafe at the Hundterwasser museum (colorful in terms of decor, not clientele).
Vienna has so many different but equally wonderful cafes, you're bound to fine one that is perfect for you!
Oct 8th, 2004, 03:06 AM
#3
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Hi mike,
The Cafe Central, Herrengasse 14, 1 st district, is highly regarded.
I agree with BTilke,
>Vienna has so many different but equally wonderful cafes, you're bound to fine one that is perfect for you! <
The Cafe Central, Herrengasse 14, 1 st district, is highly regarded.
I agree with BTilke,
>Vienna has so many different but equally wonderful cafes, you're bound to fine one that is perfect for you! <
Oct 8th, 2004, 05:33 AM
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I second the recommendation for Central. I loved it, very warm atmosphere, papers to read, beautiful architecture. All the cafes we went to in vienna were great - they can raise a simple cup of coffee to an art form!
Oct 8th, 2004, 10:02 AM
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The Cafe Diglas was my "local" during my stay in Vienna. It's near the cathedral - the building was painted pink, so it should not be hard to find. I had my very first Viennese coffee drink at the Diglas - an einspanner (black coffee with an enormous blob of whipped cream, in a tall glass) - so I guess I am sentimental about it. In addition to good food, pastries and coffee, they do have live music in the afternoons and evenings. Another plus - the Diglas is on the street where the horse carriages traipse back to the stables in the evenings, so you can sit by the window and watch the horses go by.
I also liked the eccentric and funky Hawelka, which was a late-night hangout for me. I do hope Madame Hawelka is still alive and well. She won my heart by serving me herself, stroking my cheek and asking me where I was from. On certain nights Madame bakes her famous rolls right around midnight - so good with a cup of coffee.
I'm sure you will find "your" cafe in this civilized city of good living.
I also liked the eccentric and funky Hawelka, which was a late-night hangout for me. I do hope Madame Hawelka is still alive and well. She won my heart by serving me herself, stroking my cheek and asking me where I was from. On certain nights Madame bakes her famous rolls right around midnight - so good with a cup of coffee.
I'm sure you will find "your" cafe in this civilized city of good living.
Oct 8th, 2004, 01:01 PM
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Café Diglas is on Wollzeile 10. Many people from the shops around go there for a quick lunch.
On the same street (Wollzeile 9) is Café Heiner with a cosy, tiny non-smoking room (turn right after you enter). Café Heiner is less busy than Café Diglas.
If you want to see local politicians, actors and journalists, visit Café Landtmann opposite the Burgtheater on the Ringstrasse.
Some of the most distinguished waiters (Herr Ober in German) are to be found at Café Mozart (Albertinaplatz, behind the State opera). Especially Herr Robert and Herr Herbert teach you how Viennese café culture is meant to be. Join them in the morning before the crowds come in...
(I wonder if my Vienna-based co-poster Molker will be with me on this topic? He is far more eloquent than me and he is a real expert on these things
)
On the same street (Wollzeile 9) is Café Heiner with a cosy, tiny non-smoking room (turn right after you enter). Café Heiner is less busy than Café Diglas.
If you want to see local politicians, actors and journalists, visit Café Landtmann opposite the Burgtheater on the Ringstrasse.
Some of the most distinguished waiters (Herr Ober in German) are to be found at Café Mozart (Albertinaplatz, behind the State opera). Especially Herr Robert and Herr Herbert teach you how Viennese café culture is meant to be. Join them in the morning before the crowds come in...
(I wonder if my Vienna-based co-poster Molker will be with me on this topic? He is far more eloquent than me and he is a real expert on these things
)
Oct 8th, 2004, 01:05 PM
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Central and Diglas are both good. Diglas is on Wollzeile. Cafe Weimar over by the Volksoper is also good, sometimes you will find the performers from the Volksoper there. Hawelka is full of atmosphere and, even with lots of smoke, still is a great cafe.
Oct 8th, 2004, 01:12 PM
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Hi
We liked Demel very much and it wasn't crowded, but it being early March may have had something to do with that.
We meant to try Central but didn't get there. Cafe Gerstner was also good.
I have a file on Vienna that includes a list of cafes; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]
We liked Demel very much and it wasn't crowded, but it being early March may have had something to do with that.
We meant to try Central but didn't get there. Cafe Gerstner was also good.
I have a file on Vienna that includes a list of cafes; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]
Oct 8th, 2004, 02:19 PM
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A visit to Vienna's fabulous coffee houses would not be complete if you miss out on Cafe Hawelka close to Stephansdom.
The waiters are notoriuously unfriendly, but the place has an aura that is quite simply irresistible - and has been for generations of local and internationally acclaimed intelligentsia who frequent it.
The waiters are notoriuously unfriendly, but the place has an aura that is quite simply irresistible - and has been for generations of local and internationally acclaimed intelligentsia who frequent it.
Oct 8th, 2004, 03:34 PM
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I know I'm in Vienna when I'm sitting in the Cafe Landtmann on Dr. Karl Lueger Ring across from the Universitat. I also enjoyed the Cafe Hawelka just off the Graben near Stephansplatz.
The Cafe Diglas I will have to visit next time. That place sounds very interesting.
Theres nothing more pleasant to me than sitting in a Viennese Cafe for a couple of hours enjoying coffee and cake while its freezing cold and windy outside.
The Cafe Diglas I will have to visit next time. That place sounds very interesting.
Theres nothing more pleasant to me than sitting in a Viennese Cafe for a couple of hours enjoying coffee and cake while its freezing cold and windy outside.
Oct 8th, 2004, 04:14 PM
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Well, I didn't mean to imply it would be freezing cold and windy THIS month.
Last time I was in Vienna in mid to late October, temps were in the 40s and 50s, it was (as always) windy.
I remember wearing a sweater and light jacket, no scarf or gloves, and a hat some of the time.
Last time I was in Vienna in mid to late October, temps were in the 40s and 50s, it was (as always) windy.
I remember wearing a sweater and light jacket, no scarf or gloves, and a hat some of the time.
Oct 9th, 2004, 12:59 AM
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Message: Viennese
I am really not an expert on cafes, and not eloquent but give you my opinion as a non coffee drinker( it contains no alcohol)
I have several cafes I enjoy in Vienna and this is often dependent on where I am or how hungry!
Cafe Central is near to me and was my preferred place.
Good food, nice jazz Friday night - but has become too crowded during busy tourist times.
Also , the Central no longer permits dogs ( I refer to the 4- legged variety) to visit and this means that numerous guests now go elsewhere.
Cafe Weimar ,as mentioned by Operaman, is quiet, good food, nice music after 19:00 and is perfect for stop after an evening at the Volksoper. Try the schafskäsesuppe ( sheep cheese soup) much better than it sounds.
The several locations of Oberlaa have the best pastry in my opinion.
Certainly, the atmosphere of Landtmann is perfect, especially in summer.
I have been to Cafe Mozart several times and enjoyed it.
I do not know Cafe Heiner- must try it one day.
I avoid Sacher and Demels- over-rated, over priced and over full.
Finally, I like seeing that no one mentions Starbucks here!
Enjoy our wet weekend!
I am really not an expert on cafes, and not eloquent but give you my opinion as a non coffee drinker( it contains no alcohol)
I have several cafes I enjoy in Vienna and this is often dependent on where I am or how hungry!
Cafe Central is near to me and was my preferred place.
Good food, nice jazz Friday night - but has become too crowded during busy tourist times.
Also , the Central no longer permits dogs ( I refer to the 4- legged variety) to visit and this means that numerous guests now go elsewhere.
Cafe Weimar ,as mentioned by Operaman, is quiet, good food, nice music after 19:00 and is perfect for stop after an evening at the Volksoper. Try the schafskäsesuppe ( sheep cheese soup) much better than it sounds.
The several locations of Oberlaa have the best pastry in my opinion.
Certainly, the atmosphere of Landtmann is perfect, especially in summer.
I have been to Cafe Mozart several times and enjoyed it.
I do not know Cafe Heiner- must try it one day.
I avoid Sacher and Demels- over-rated, over priced and over full.
Finally, I like seeing that no one mentions Starbucks here!
Enjoy our wet weekend!
Oct 10th, 2004, 07:48 AM
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I totally agree re: Starbucks. Our only disappointing moments when wandering through lovely Vienna were in discovering two storefronts: one a Starbucks, the other (even worse) a Hooters! And the Hooters' sign had the audacity to proclaim itself a 'great American restaurant'. How absurd and embarassing to us Americans!
We found so many nice restaurants and cafes there by just wandering and looking at menus and the places themselves. Our philosophy is to find our own special places, because so many times we've been let down by a place that everyone else raved about. Kind of liking seeing that movie that everyone is talking about, and you think it's just ok.
We found so many nice restaurants and cafes there by just wandering and looking at menus and the places themselves. Our philosophy is to find our own special places, because so many times we've been let down by a place that everyone else raved about. Kind of liking seeing that movie that everyone is talking about, and you think it's just ok.
Oct 12th, 2004, 04:03 AM
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On the cold: frankly I found vienna in the cold fantastic. we had very cold temps and even some snow for our trip and it added to the allure of the coffee house! we would duck into the cafes when we were cold and tired from sightseeing and refresh with soothing warm cups of coffee and cocoa and treats. Vienna is a great cold weather destination! Wish I were going soon!!
Feb 4th, 2005, 03:21 AM
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This thread is already fairly old - was looking at it in view of my upcoming stay in Vienna. Anyway, I just HAD to chime in re the Starbucks comment! Isn't it terrible the way these Starbucks are appearing all over Europe?! Recently we were in Berlin and noticed a Starbucks on the Alexanderplatz! Won't somebody help me found a 'NO Starbucks in Europe" society?
