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Austria is famous for its pristine natural landscapes, sparkling lakes, and vast meadows of flowers. Vienna, the capital of Austria, is considered a capital of architectural art with world-famous buildings such as the Schonbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the Austrian Parliament building. It can also be considered the capital of music in Europe, with the names of geniuses like Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Johann Strauss.
Austria has the honor of being the only country in the world where coffee drinking has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
Vienna, in particular, is the ideal destination for coffee lovers. Coffee here isn't the common, everyday drink; it's considered a preserved and celebrated cultural tradition. Austria has the honor of being the only country in the world where coffee drinking has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
Viennese cafés gained global fame in 1873, when thousands of people from all over the world flocked there for the World Expo. For the people of Vienna, coffee is more than just an everyday beverage. It's seen as a habit, a pleasure, and a distinctive cultural aspect of their daily lives.
Coffee is considered a habit, a pleasure, and a distinctive cultural aspect of daily life.
Coffee has become an integral part of life for the people of Vienna.
In Vienna, find a café, order a warm cup of coffee, and you can do whatever you like. Locals don't call these cafés by their usual names, but rather "public guesthouses." Guests can sit for hours chatting with friends, reading newspapers, and enjoying pastries without being bothered or treated rudely by staff, unlike in many other places.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Viennese cafés were frequent gathering places for musicians, writers, scientists, politicians, and others. Many authors composed their works in these very public cafés. The culture of socializing in cafés thus passed down through the centuries.
The culture of socializing at coffee houses has thus been passed down through the centuries.
The "Wiener Kaffeehauser" (coffee house) is so popular in Vienna that people say "Vienna without a Kaffehauser is like a theater without music." It's unclear when exactly, but coffee has become an integral part of Viennese life. For them, coffee houses are a second home, a place where they can socialize, meet, and chat.
The architecture of the Kaffeehauser is uniquely captivating, exuding elegance and romance. The classic, cozy rooms feature magnificent, century-old crystal chandeliers. Towering marble columns stand like pillars supporting the sky. High, curved vaulted ceilings adorned with large classical frescoes create a sense of spaciousness. Large windows overlook the surrounding street, allowing ample sunlight. Cool granite tables, with their patterns complementing the dark-upholstered chairs, provide a sense of tranquility.
The architecture of the Kaffeehauser has a distinctive and captivating beauty, with an elegant and romantic style.
This impressive space has been preserved by the Austrian people for the past three centuries. Some famous cafés in Vienna include the Hawelka café on Dorotheergasse Street, the Griensteindl café on Michaelerplatz Street, and the Frauenhuber café – where the genius composer Mozart created so many immortal melodies…
One of the most popular drinks among Viennese people is Einspänner. This special type of coffee originated from a cart pulled by a horse. Today, it is usually served in tall glass cups, with black coffee at the bottom, topped with a layer of cream, a sprinkle of finely ground white sugar, and sometimes a small biscuit. Coffee is always served with a glass of water. Serving water with each cup of coffee is not only a tradition but also a way for the owner to demonstrate the quality of the water.
One of the most popular drinks among the people of Vienna is Einspänner.
In addition, the accompanying pastries are also a highlight. When enjoying coffee in Vienna, you can't miss the world-famous Sachertorte and Apeltrudel pastries, along with various types of chocolate reflecting different regional styles.
Pastries served with coffee are also a highlight.
Travellive suggests some popular types of coffee you can enjoy in Vienna:
Schwarzer: Single espresso or double espresso
Brauner: Single espresso or double espresso with cream
Verlängerter (Cafe Americano): A drink made by adding hot water to espresso for a distinctive flavor.
Melange: Espresso mixed with warm milk, topped with milk foam.
Kaffe Verkehrt (Latte Macchiato): Espresso and milk, but with more milk.
Franziskaner: 1/3 coffee, 1/3 milk, 1/3 fresh cream
Einspänner: Double espresso and water, add a little fresh cream.
