Coffee Culture and Heritage in Vienna

Coffee in Vienna is ritualistic, an art form – and it’s never ordered to go. In fact, taking coffee is a way of life recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The city’s grand coffeehouses immerse you in a timeless world backed by the ambient chatter of friends or the occasional rustle of a newspaper. Visiting a café in Vienna is a cultural moment that reflects the city’s philosophy of “Gemütlichkeit” – comfort, coziness, and unhurried pleasure. 

The birth of Vienna’s coffee heritage

Coffee arrived in the Austrian capital in the late 17th century, after the Siege of Vienna. Local lore says that sacks of coffee were left behind by retreating Ottoman troops and later discovered by a Polish spy named Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki, who started a trend for coffeehouses. While the accuracy of this story is debatable, it’s known that cafés became part of Vienna’s cultural landscape over the coming decades. 

These illustrious coffeehouses were frequented by the likes of Freud, Klimt, Trotsky, and Mahler, who would engage in lengthy discussions relating to revolution, romance, and more. That same spirit endures today – visitors are welcome to linger for hours with just one cup, reading, writing, or talking, without ever feeling rushed.

What to order in a Viennese café or coffeehouse

Viennese coffee is always served on a silver tray, accompanied by a glass of water. In terms of what to order, Vienna carries its own coffee lexicon. 

• Melange: the most typical type of Viennese coffee is similar to a cappuccino. This is a shot of espresso topped with steamed milk and foam. It’s balanced, creamy, and quintessentially Viennese.
  

• Franziskaner: this is similar to a Melange but topped with indulgent whipped cream instead.
  

• Einspänner: served in a tall glass, this strong black coffee is crowned with a generous cap of whipped cream. It was traditionally consumed by coach drivers who could sip through the cream to keep warm on cold nights.
  

• Kleiner/Großer Brauner: literally “small” or “large brown,” this is a shot of espresso served with milk or cream on the side.
  

• Verlängerter: a long espresso diluted with hot water.
  

• Mozart Kaffee: a decadent specialty coffee flavored with chocolate liqueur and whipped cream. A touch of pistachio syrup is sometimes added, inspired by Austria’s legendary composer.

Vienna’s best coffeehouses and cafés 

• Café Central (Herrengasse 14): this iconic café has been a gathering place for intellectuals since 1876. Its vaulted ceilings and marble columns exude old-world grandeur that was good enough for Trotsky and Freud to call it their regular. 
  

• Café Sacher (Philharmonikerstraße 4): famous for its original Sachertorte, this café on the first floor of the Hotel Sacher embodies Viennese luxury. Pair the rich chocolate cake with a Melange for the ultimate treat.
  

• Café Demel (Kohlmarkt 14): once the purveyor to the Imperial Court, Demel continues to pull out all the stops with its pastries and old-fashioned charm. Watch pastry chefs at work while sipping a Franziskaner.
  

• Café Sperl (Gumpendorfer Str. 11): this local favorite offers an authentic coffeehouse experience in Vienna. Antique furniture and relaxed ambiance make it a classy spot for an afternoon pick-me-up.
  

• Café Hawelka (Dorotheergasse 6): this bohemian institution was a postwar gathering place for artists and writers. Try the Buchteln (pastries filled with warm jelly) besides a Brauner or Verlängerter.

Contact Darby’s Destinations to design a custom travel itinerary for Vienna.