Dear travelers,
1. The Iconic Viennese Experience
Must-Try Iconic Viennese Cafés and Desserts
If there’s one thing Vienna is known for, it’s its historic coffee houses. These aren’t just places to grab a quick cup of coffee—they’re institutions that have been around for centuries. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, these cafés were gathering places for writers, artists, and thinkers. Notable figures like Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Franz Kafka frequented coffee houses to work, socialize, or debate. A typical coffee house serves a variety of coffee drinks, with the Melange (similar to a cappuccino) being the most iconic.
Café Sacher
- What’s Special: Café Sacher is the birthplace of the famous Sachertorte, a dense chocolate cake layered with apricot jam and covered in glossy chocolate icing.
- Why I Love It: The moment you walk in, it feels like you’ve traveled back in time. Everything from the red velvet chairs to the chandeliers screams elegance. The Sachertorte is, of course, the highlight.
- What to Try: A slice of Sachertorte paired with a cup of Viennese Melange (a creamy coffee similar to a cappuccino).
- Pro Tip: There’s often a line, so go early in the day to beat the crowds.
Café Demel
- What’s Special: Founded in 1786, this café is another iconic spot famous for its cakes and pastries. It once served as the court confectioner for the Austrian royal family. Also, there is a rivalry between Café Sacher and Demel over the rights to the original Sachertorte. The story began in 1832 when Franz Sacher created the cake. His son, Eduard, perfected it while working at Demel before founding the Hotel Sacher, where the cake became a signature dish. In the 1950s, a legal battle erupted between the two establishments over who could claim the “original” recipe. The feud ended in 1963 with a settlement: Hotel Sacher was granted the title “Original Sachertorte” (featuring two layers of apricot jam) and Demel sells theirs as the “Eduard-Sacher-Torte” (with one jam layer).
- Why I Love It: The desserts at Demel aren’t just delicious—they’re works of art. You can even watch the pastry chefs at work through a glass window.
- What to Try: Sacher, of course. I like it more here than in Café Sacher.
- Pro Tip: Demel is a great alternative to Café Sacher if you’re short on time or want to try a wider variety of cakes.
