Vienna's Top Coffee Houses - International Traveller Magazine

The best places to to indulge in a Viennese caffeine hit, by Jennifer Pinkerton

The classics:
These old-school cafes prove why everyone loves a classic

Café Sperl

Located near the Museum Quarter, a little off the city’s beaten track, Sperl is known as a ‘window coffee shop’ of the Ringstrasse, Vienna’s late 19th-century string of architectural opulence.
True to this class of shop, Sperl’s seats rest beneath towering windows and ornate brass chandeliers, a perfect place to polish off the Sperl torte – a ‘secret recipe’ based on vanilla, cinnamon and almonds.
Open Mon–Sat from 7am–11pm; Sun from 11am–8pm. Gumpendorfer Strasse 11; cafesperl.at

Café Hawelka

The Hawelka (located near Stephansplatz, one the city’s busiest shopping squares) is the Kombi Van of coffee houses: like a wood-panelled ski lodge it is classic, worn around the edges, yet filled with charm.
Thonet chairs, hat racks, red velvet upholstery and vintage posters are scattered through its artsy interior. Sweet tooths will approve of its much-lauded buchteln, a yeast bun with plum jam.
Open Mon–Sat 8am–1am; Sun and holidays 10am–1am. Dorotheergasse 6; hawelka.at

Café Sacher

Café Sacher is all about its namesake torte. Queues form early in the morning to sample the famous rich chocolate cake, sponged with apricot jam and topped by a stamp made from icing.
Flanked by the Opera Theatre and the Albertina Museum, it’s hard to fault the Sacher for location, though its opulent furnishings and military-style service create an atmosphere that’s a little stiffer than its rivals.
Open daily from 8am–midnight. Philharmonikerstrasse; sacher.com

Café Central

Once home to Vienna’s stock market, Café Central trades in ‘wow factor’ with a large marble columned hall, high arched ceilings and intricate carved wooden artwork. This rather touristy haunt has a business-like, bourgeois atmosphere – one that’s amplified by live piano music. The staff has a reputation for being brisk, so bring thick skin and patience for queues. Open Mon–Sat from 7:30am–10pm; Sun from 10am–10pm; with daily live music from 5–10pm. Herrengasse 14; palaisevents.at

Café Prückel

Lovers of mid-century modern design will drop their cat’s eye glasses over Prückel’s scuffed 1950s rattan chairs, lino floors, work-of-art cigarette machine and its golden-plated stucco ceiling.
Opposite the Museum of Applied Arts, Prückel offers a light-filled retreat where pocket watch-toting waiters nip between well-groomed guests. At night, a house piano plays.
Open daily from 8:30am–10pm. Stubenring 24; www.prueckel.at

The new-school coffee houses:
Ride the new wave with these modern purveyors

Kaffeefabrik

The ‘coffee factory’ is a small, minimalist roaster with white and wood furniture and a clean, cool feel.
Favoritenstrasse 4–6; Kaffeefabrik.at

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People on Caffeine

Barista Robert employs old-fashioned drip filters to serve coffee in the wing of a high-ceiling church.
Schlösselgasse 21; facebook.com/poccafe

Espressomobil

Three-wheeled Italian mopeds flip open café windows to serve takeaways in busy city squares.
espressomobil.at

Akrap Espressobar

Using beans from Milan’s Akrap roastery, ‘triple shots’ are commonly ordered in this coffee addict’s den.
Königsklostergasse 7; akrapcoffee.com

See the full coffee lovers’ guide to Vienna here…

Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK.

Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius — A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris — People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.

Vienna’s Top Coffee Houses