Café Sacher

Café Sacher is renowned for its original Sachertorte, a chocolate cake layered with apricot jam at its center and served with whipped cream. This legendary dessert has a rich history dating back to 1832, when Franz Sacher created it for Prince Metternich. The café is located at Hotel Sacher, right next to the Vienna State Opera House, making it a prime spot for locals and tourists seeking a taste of Austria’s most famous cake.

The café’s interior exudes royal elegance, with chandeliers, red carpets, luxurious upholstery, and Renaissance paintings that transport you to another era. Soft jazz music plays in the background, adding to the ambiance.

The service was delightful—my waitress was young, friendly, and engaging, making the experience even more enjoyable. The menu offers a great variety of breakfast dishes and an extensive selection of drinks.

For breakfast, I had scrambled eggs with toast and ham, paired with Sacher coffee and, of course, the famous Sachertorte. The eggs were amazing—cooked to perfection—while the toast was nicely balanced between crisp and chewy.

However, the Sachertorte itself was disappointing. My first experience with a Sachertorte was at a German bakery outside Austria, where it left a lasting impression—it was moist, rich, and covered in a soft chocolate frosting. Naturally, I was eager to try the original. Unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations. The chocolate frosting was overly sweet and hard, while the cake was dry and lacked depth in flavor. It was underwhelming, and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped.

The experience at Café Sacher was still memorable, thanks to its beautiful setting, excellent service, and other well-prepared dishes. Gift-wrapped cakes can also be purchased at the Sacher shop just around the corner, making for a lovely souvenir.

Would I return? Perhaps for the ambiance and a different dish, but sadly, not for the Sachertorte.