Cafe entertainment in Austria
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A
Demel
An elegant and regal cafe within sight of the Hofburg, Demel was once the talk of the town but now mainly caters to tourists. The quality of the cakes hasn’t dropped however, and it wins marks for the sheer creativity of its sweets – its window displays an ever-changing array of edible art pieces (ballerinas and manicured bonsai for example). Demel’s speciality is the Ana Demel Torte, a calorie-bomb of chocolate and nougat which rivals Café Sacher’s Torte.
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Kleines Café
Designed by architect Hermann Czech in the 1970s, Kleines Café exudes a bohemian atmosphere reminiscent of Vienna’s heady Jugendstil days. It’s tiny inside, but the wonderful summer outdoor seating on Franziskanerplatz is arguably the best in the Innere Stadt.
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Café Hawelka
At first glance it’s hard to see what all the fuss is about: dirty pictures, ripped posters, brown-stained walls, smoky air and cramped tables don’t look too appealing. But a second glance explains it: the convivial vibe between friends and complete strangers. A traditional haunt for artists and writers, it attracts the gamut of Viennese society. You’ll be constantly shunted up to accommodate new arrivals at the table. Be warned: the organising elderly Frau seizes any momentarily vacant chair (curtail your toilet visits!) to reassign elsewhere.
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Café Drechsler
One of the liveliest coffee houses in town, Drechsler reopened with a smash after extensive renovations (Sir Terence Conran worked his magic with polished marble bar and table tops, Bauhaus light fixtures and whitewashed timber panels – stylish yet still distinctly Viennese). As well as the usual coffee-house suspects, its Gulasch (goulash) is legendary, as are the tunes the DJ spins, which seemingly change every few hours and always keep the vibe upbeat and hip.
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Aida
An icon of the Konditorei scene, Aida is a time warp for coffee lovers. Its pink-and-brown colour scheme – right down to the waiters’ socks – matches the 1950s retro decor perfectly and most of the clientele are well into retirement. Order a Melange and a slice of cake (there are almost 30 to choose from) and head upstairs to spy on the activity on Kärntner Strasse. Twenty-nine such Aida gems are scattered throughout Vienna.
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Café Prückel
Prückel’s unique mould is a little different from other Viennese cafes: instead of a sumptuous interior, it features an intact 1950s design. Intimate booths, aloof waiters, strong coffee and diet-destroying cakes are all attractions, but the smoke can at times be bothersome; thankfully there’s a nonsmoking room at the rear. Live piano music is offered 7pm to 10pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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Café Sacher
Sacher is the cafe every second tourist wants to visit. Why? Because of the celebrated Sacher Torte (€4), a rich chocolate cake with apricot jam once favoured by Emperor Franz Josef. Truth be told, as cafes go Sacher doesn’t rate highly for authenticity, but it pleases the masses with its opulent furnishings, battalion of waiters, and air of nobility.
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Edegger-Tax
This modern cafe is perfectly complemented by its 1569 bakery (open 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, to noon Saturday) next door. As well as yummy goodies baked on the premises, it has a stunning wood-carved facade.
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Café Berg
Café Berg is Vienna’s leading gay bar, although it’s welcoming to all walks of life. Its staff are some of the nicest in town, the layout sleek and smart and the vibe chilled. Its bookshop, Löwenherz, stocks a grand collection of gay magazines and books.
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Petrocelli’s
Lively hang-out with a big terrace on the square. Good spot for an ice cream, beer or sundown Aperol spritzer.
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Frauencafé
A strictly women-, lesbian- and transgendered-only cafe/bar, Frauencafé has long been a favourite of Vienna’s lesbian scene. It has a homely, relaxed feel and is located away from the hub of gay and lesbian bars around the Rosa Lila Villa.
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Café Willendorf
This is one of Vienna’s seminal gay and lesbian bars. Housed in the pink Rosa Lila Villa, it’s a very popular place to meet for a chat, a drink or a meal. The lovely inner courtyard garden opens for the summer months.
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Neumann im Josefsbad
An all-rounder serving light dishes such as chicken wings, but better known as a cafe and the hub of nightlife in town, with a DJ spinning on Friday and Saturday.
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Café Tomaselli
Going strong since 1705, this marble and wood-panelled cafe is a former Mozart haunt. It’s famous for having Salzburg’s flakiest strudels, best Einspänner (coffee with whipped cream) and grumpiest waiters.
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Promenade
Popular with all walks of life, the delightful Promenade is a Graz institution – styled along the lines of a Vienna coffee house on a tree-lined avenue in the Stadtpark.
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Café Central
Central takes pride of place on the Hauptplatz. It’s a 1960s-style cafe that’s a bit on the dark side but dripping with character.
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Operncafé
Operncafé is a traditional cafe with good coffee, homemade pastries and pleasant, suited waiters who have found a calling in life.
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Café am Kai
On the banks of the Salzach River, this is a pleasantly low-key cafe to kick back over coffee and cake, ice cream or a cold beer.
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Demel
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Insel Café
This cafe offers a unique experience – you can sip on your drink as the Mur River splashes below your feet.
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Café Sperl
With its gorgeous Jugendstil fittings, grand dimensions, cosy booths and unhurried air, Sperl is one of the finest coffee houses in Vienna. And that’s to say nothing of a menu that features Sperl Tort, a mouth-watering mix of almonds and chocolate cream. Grab a slice and a newspaper, order a strong coffee, and join the rest of the patrons people-watching and daydreaming.
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