The Viennese coffee house is UNESCO World Heritage and a living room at the same time. Sit at a marble table for an hour, coffee, glass of water and a newspaper in front of you, and you understand why.
The six addresses we recommend
Cafe Central (Herrengasse 14, 1st district). Imposing columns, Trotsky used to sit here, packed at lunch. Go before 11.
Cafe Sperl (Gumpendorfer Straße 11, 6th district). Billiard table in the back, fewer tourists. Students and regulars.
Cafe Hawelka (Dorotheergasse 6, 1st district). More pub than salon. Late evenings are best. The Buchteln after midnight are legendary.
Cafe Prückel (Stubenring 24, 1st district). Right at the MAK. 50s interior, perfect for Sunday breakfast.
Cafe Bräunerhof (Stallburggasse 2, 1st district). Thomas Bernhard used to write here. Live piano on Sundays.
Cafe Goldegg (Argentinierstraße 49, 4th district). Little known, art nouveau wooden booths, quiet. A favourite secret.
What to order
- Melange: Vienna’s cappuccino, with foamed milk. The default.
- Großer Brauner: double espresso with a touch of milk. For a clear head.
- Einspänner: black mocha topped with whipped cream in a glass. A bit opulent, but you should once.
- Fiaker: small mocha with rum. After lunch.
A word on time
Plan an hour. Less doesn’t make sense. The coffee house isn’t coffee to go but a place where you sit. Wifi is everywhere, but the atmosphere rewards closing your laptop.