Since visiting Austria as a child, Apple Strudel has long been one of my favourite pastries. and so while in Vienna I made it my mission to eat plenty of it, along with the famous Sachertorte and other cakes as well!
Viennese Coffeehouses and Cafes are known for their informal pleasantness and over the years they have acted as meeting places for many important writers, artists and philosophers. Although informal, they are often still elegant, with marble table tops and international newspapers at hand for the visitor to peruse while they enjoy the coffee and pastry of their choice.
Aida Café Konditorei
I had read about Aida Café as being a chain of Cafes that were a bit more informal and also affordable and we ate at the one on Stephensplatz a couple of times during our visit. On both occasions we happened to have the same waitress, who remembered us and was really lovely. Unfortunately I somehow neglected to take photos of our food on both our visits, maybe because I was too busy devouring it!
View from Aida Café looking along Graben Street.
This was where I got to try my first Sachertorte, a delicious Chocolate cake with a thin layer of Apricot jam and covered in Chocolate icing. It was invented in 1832 by Austrian Franz Sacher for Prince Wenzel von Metternich, and in later years there was a fierce legal fight between the Sacher Hotel and Demel Café over who owned the rights to the original recipe, but I won’t bore you with all that! I will tell you that the version I ate at Aida Cafe was delicious.
They do also serve a small selection of savoury snacks if you don’t want pastries or cakes, but really the cornerstone of any coffeehouse or café is its freshly baked cakes.
Café Mozart
There has been a Coffeehouse at this location at Albertinaplatz since 1794 and Café Mozart is where Graham Green worked on his screenplay for the film “The Third Man” in 1947 and is popular with musicians from the nearby Opera House. I loved the feel of this Café, inside lots of wood paneling with chandeliers but it still manages to not feel overly formal, and outside a large seating area with canopies, heaters and the chance to watch the world go by.
Outside of Mozart Café.
I ate here twice of my visit to Vienna, the first time I was on my own and had a light late lunch of Pumpkin Quiche with a small side salad, and a Cappuccino. It wasn’t too busy as I was eating late, and I sat inside and couldn’t help but notice that the lady sitting on the table next to me was enjoying the Apple Strudel. We talked briefly and she told me that it was lovely, but unfortunately I was too full to try to squeeze it in after enjoying my Quiche.
Cappuccino in Cafe Mozart.
My second visit was on a warmer day and my husband and I had just finished touring the Opera House, so a stop here seemed the perfect chance for refreshment.
We opted to sit outside as it was a nice day, but it was around lunchtime so it was quite a lot busier than on my last visit. Cake for lunch was our plan, so my husband went for a chocolate cake, and I had to try their version of the Sachertorte, along with a café latte this time.
Both were very good, and I didn’t feel too guilty as this was my lunch after all.
Cake and Sachertorte at Cafe Mozart.
Demel Cafe
The Demel Café is located at Kohlmarkt 14, within sight of the Hoffburg Palace. It has been at this location since 1888, and is a confectioners as well as a Café.
Cake Counter at the Demel Cafe.
Demel Café within sight of the Hoffburg.
After entering through the front door the first thing you see is the amazing Cake counter, just full of mouthwatering and amazing looking cakes.
To the right there is a shop where you can buy their confections such as Candied Violets as well as Tea Biscuits and cakes, and the window at the shop has long been known for being the frame where the art of the Confectionary Baker is put on display, so make sure to check it out.
Heading towards the back of the rococo-period designed Salon I was directed that I would need to go up to the 1st floor to get a table. This took me past the Show Bakery, with a large glass wall through which you can watch the master bakers at work on their beautiful and varied creations.
Show Bakery at Demel Cafe
I couldn’t resist stopping here for a few minutes to watch these skillful bakers at work, it was quite a bustling area and they were working on a number of different cakes and confections.
Once up on the 1st floor, I was seated after just a few minutes. I decided I was well overdue to eat some Apple Strudel, so once again for lunch I ordered dessert and cappuccino. And wow, was it good. Luscious layers of apples in light pastry served with whipped cream on the side.
I was in heaven!
Apple Strudel at Demel Café.
Café Central
Café Central is located on the corner of Herrengasse and Strauchgasse, and was established in 1876.
Cafe Central.
It is in a beautiful building designed and built by Henrich von Ferstel, and completed in 1860. I loved how it looked inside, almost like a church with ornate domed ceilings, stone pillars and wood paneling. Another café that has many famous regulars over the years including Trotsky and Frued, and several writers and poets.
I ate here twice, the first visit being so delicious that I just had to take my husband back to enjoy it with me!
On my first visit, I was seated after just a few minutes wait, and spent the time waiting for the waiter just admiring the beautiful surroundings.
Café Central.
Apple Strudel at Cafe Central.
I just had to try another Apple Strudel, and I have to say, this was my favourite Apple Strudel that I found in Vienna! I think it was the fact that it not only came with whipped cream, but also a delightful warm vanilla cream to pour over. This reminded me of a runny custard that we enjoy with desserts in England, and just pushed the whole Strudel over the top for me.
When I took my husband back to Café Central to have lunch is didn’t disappoint. He had the Sacher Wurstel Viennese sausage, and I had a toasted sandwich, and of course after seeing such a large selection of cakes to choose from at the counter, we just had to try something different. I think it’s just as well that I don’t live in Vienna, with all these amazing Coffeehouses and Cafes, I would have a serious weight issue as I can never say no to Cake!
At Café Central.
Visited; 26th Sept – 4th Oct, 2015.