Tag: Vienna

Café Sacher: A Historic Experience with Mixed Feelings

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.

 

Café Sacher


Philharmoniker Str. 4, 1010 Wien, Austria
Floor G. Hotel Sacher Wien

The Legendary Schnitzel at Figlmüller

Figlmüller is a legendary restaurant in Vienna, famous for its iconic schnitzel. For over 115 years, the restaurant has maintained the same traditional recipe.

The restaurant is quite spacious, with an inviting atmosphere that blends history and warmth. It features exposed brick ceilings and dark wooden accents on the benches, tables, and chairs, giving it a rustic yet elegant charm. However, it’s an extremely popular spot, especially on weekends. I highly recommend making a reservation in advance to avoid long wait times.

I visited on a Sunday, and the place was packed as expected. The service was quite slow, and I waited around 20 minutes for my food to arrive. While the wait felt a bit long, I had anticipated this due to how busy they were.

Now, onto the star of the meal—the schnitzel. It was impressively thin and tender, with a beautifully crisp crust around the edges. The texture was perfect, but I found it a little on the salty side. Other than that, it was absolutely delicious. The portion was huge—definitely not for the faint of heart. I gave it my best effort and managed to finish about three-quarters of it, but I felt a little guilty for not clearing my plate entirely.

The potato salad was an excellent accompaniment. Its smooth, creamy dressing perfectly balanced sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. The potatoes had a waxy, smooth texture, and the subtle hints of chive and onion added a wonderful depth of flavor. The tanginess of the dressing helped cut through the richness of the schnitzel, making each bite even more enjoyable.

Overall, despite the slow service, Figlmüller lived up to its reputation. If you’re a fan of schnitzel, this place is an absolute must-visit. Just be sure to arrive with an appetite and a bit of patience!

 

Figlmüller – Restaurant Bäckerstraße


Bäckerstraße 6, 1010 Wien, Austria

A Classic Viennese Breakfast at Café Landtmann

Café Landtmann is a traditional Viennese coffeehouse steeped in history, having served patrons for over 150 years. Established in 1873 by Franz Landtmann, it has become an iconic institution in Vienna, attracting locals, tourists, and even notable figures such as Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler, and Marlene Dietrich. Located next to the grand Burgtheater, it is a renowned institution that embodies the elegance and charm of Vienna’s traditional coffee culture. The café boasts a spacious and beautifully decorated interior, with each room featuring distinct decor and upholstery, adding to its sophisticated ambiance.

The service was impeccable. The waiters were impeccably dressed in classic attire, exuding professionalism and old-world charm. Their polite and attentive demeanor enhanced the overall dining experience.

For breakfast, I opted for the Viennese breakfast set, which included a fresh bread roll, a slice of “Madame Crousto” organic bread from the renowned Offerl bakery, a small jar of homemade jam, Austrian butter, and a soft-boiled egg. Cold cuts and cheese were also available at an additional cost. To complement my meal, I chose the Franciscan, a classic Viennese coffee specialty consisting of a long espresso with frothed milk topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

The bread was exceptionally fresh—soft on the inside with a delightfully crisp crust, and it paired beautifully with the rich butter and fruity homemade jam. The egg was perfectly cooked, with a creamy yolk that reflected its high quality. As for the coffee, the Franciscan had a smooth and well-balanced flavor, reminiscent of a cappuccino but milder, with a subtle sweetness from the whipped cream that made it even more enjoyable.

Overall, my breakfast at Café Landtmann was a refined and memorable experience. The elegant setting, excellent service, and high-quality food made it a quintessential Viennese dining moment that truly captures the essence of the city’s celebrated coffeehouse culture.

 

Café Landtmann

Universitätsring 4, 1010 Wien, Austria

Sipping Coffee in a Cone: A Window to Fun at Fenster Café

Fenster Café, renowned for its Instagram-worthy coffee served in an ice cream cone, is a charming little gem tucked away on Griechengasse. This takeout spot operates from a small window in a historic building, boasting a colorful and graffiti-adorned façade that immediately catches the eye.

The barista was friendly and entertaining, making the experience even more delightful. Before pouring the coffee into the cone, he playfully asked me to have my camera ready—clearly aware that capturing the moment is part of the allure for tourists visiting the café.

As for the coffee itself, it was mild yet enjoyable, perfectly complementing the unique presentation.

Fenster Cafe

Griechengasse 10, 1010 Wien, Austria