The Best Coffee Houses in Vienna

Coffee House Culture as UNESCO World Heritage

Viennese coffee house culture has been a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2011 — and rightly so. Nowhere else in the world is the coffee house so much a part of everyday life as in Vienna.

Café Central

Café Central on Herrengasse is probably Vienna's most famous coffee house. Beneath magnificent vaulted ceilings, Sigmund Freud, Leon Trotsky, and Arthur Schnitzler once sat. Today you can enjoy first-class apple strudel and a perfect Wiener Melange here. Tip: Come early, the queue can be long.

Café Sperl

Café Sperl in the 6th district is an insider tip among locals. Since 1880, hardly anything has changed here — the patina of the velvet benches, the billiard tables, and the muted atmosphere make it the perfect retreat.

Café Hawelka

Small, cramped, and full of history: Hawelka on Dorotheergasse is an institution. Famous for its Buchteln (sweet filled buns), served from 10 PM.

Modern Alternatives

If you prefer it modern, Vienna also has a thriving third-wave coffee scene. Jonas Reindl at Westbahnhof, Kaffeemodul in Josefstadt, and CaffèCouture near St. Stephen's Cathedral focus on specialty coffee and minimalist design.

Our Tip

Take your time. A Viennese coffee house is not a place to rush. Order a Melange, pick up a newspaper, and enjoy the unique atmosphere. That is Vienna in its purest form.