Coffee houses

Vienna is heaven for coffee addicts. The city boasts thousands of coffeehouses were you can get your daily fix.While international companies that you might know very well from home have set up stores here, do go and explore the real Viennese coffeehouses. The interiors are usually chintzy, the counters laden with cakes of all sizes, and waiters dressed in a smoking addressing everybody with „gnä’ Frau“ and „gnä Herr“ (madame and mister) even though you don’t look the part at all.

Coffee isn’t just a beverage in this city, it’s a way of life. Just a look at the coffee menu will show that. There are innumerable variations of coffee, depending on color, the amount of milk in it, and how much whipped cream there’s on top- there are no limits to creativity here. While figuring out the correct name for what you’re trying to have is a task for itself, most waiters won’t mind helping you out there.

Don’t forget to have an closeup look at the cake counter- Sachtertorte is a specialty invented at Hotel Sacher in Vienna, but available at most coffeehouses as a version of their own.
Usually you meet people in the coffeehouses to converse, hang out, or read a newspaper (they are usually stacked on some table and complimentary). In the 19th century many writers were working in the coffeehouses permanently. Most of them became famous and are still called coffeehouse littérateurs.

Generally, there are two types of coffeehouses, the plush, old ones that evoke an old-world feeling and the modern ones that reinterpret the idea.

While finding the perfect coffeehouse is a difficult task that requires a long time of careful evaluating and several caffeine rushes, some good ones are listed below.

Café Hawelka
This café has the most original and artsy atmosphere of all. It looks like no changes have been made at all since the café has been opened. While the atmosphere is great here and it thus is a favorite among tourists and locals alike, this has an effect on the prices. It’s not cheap in comparison to others, but might be worth the visit.

Wollzeile 10, 1010 Wien
Hours: 7am -12pm daily
U1/U3 Stephansplatz

Café Alt Wien
In case Café Hawelka’s prices put you off, come here to enjoy a similar atmosphere for a more economic price. This café is also perfect for spending an evening of lounging, talking, and having a beer or two.

Bäckerstraße 9, 1010 Wien
Hours: 10 am- 2am daily
U1/U3 Stephansplatz

Café Diglas
Most of the Viennese café are more like this one- plush, elegant, with a big counter where you can choose between cakes with chocolate, more chocolate, or just chocolate. It has some of the best pastry and Mehlspeisen (special Austrian desserts) in town. While it’s not very expensive to come here, some coffee and a piece of cake might set you back with ca. 8 Euros, it`s worth it for the original coffee house atmosphere.
Wollzeile 10, 1010 Wien
7am – 12pm daily
U1 Stephansplatz
U3 Stubentor/ Stephansplatz

Café Stein
A modern version of the coffee house, close to university, that is reminiscent of the 1950s. The atmosphere is great here with lots of students, creative people, and those who just come for the fantastic breakfast.

Währingerstraße 6-8, 1090 Wien
Mon- Sat 7am- 1 am
Sun and public holidays 9am – 1am
U2 Schottentor

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