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Recommended Reviews - Café Central
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Hmm a little torn on this review since I only came for breakfast one day, and didn't get to try their pastries, however felt like the experience was pretty mediocre. Well known for being a beautiful and historic cafe established 1876 frequented by the likes of famous names like Trotsky and Freud, this traditional Viennese coffeehouse and cafe is a popular tourist destination. Having walked by around 7:30pm the prior evening and seeing a line of about 15 people outside, the next morning arriving around 9am the line was about 15 minutes without reservations. Upon entering the inside is beautiful, cavernous domed ceilings, chandeliers and a very classic bistro vibe. Enough seating for probably 150 customers, quite large inside, and about two-thirds full. That's when I realized the line outside was more for show, which at some places I get because staffing might be hard and they want to ramp up the pacing between breakfast and lunch services. In a place like this it seems more like a marketing technique to create hype, which kinda annoyed me--it's not respectful of customers' time. It took a while maybe 10 minutes for a staff member to pass menus, then another 10 minutes for him to come back and check in. What I'll say is he was swift to answer our questions and knew the menu well. In general service felt lacking though, after eating it took quite a long time to get our server's attention again to get the check. For breakfast I was a little surprised by the prices for the food offered, on the high side. While the vegan spreads were very good, from the menu it wasn't clear that it was actually vegan cream cheese that was the base of the spreads. Unfortunately the rest of the food was meh, €14.50 for a small croissant (not especially good), a plain roll, a boiled egg and latte, with a pat of butter and jam. Would I come back? Maybe to try a couple of their baked pastries and dessert, but not for breakfast. For more info: https://cafecentral.wien/en/
The famous Cafe Central!!! I was so excited to go here that I almost gave up because of the long line. I went around 9:00 AM. The line moved pretty quickly, though, and I waited about 30 minutes. The interior is stunning. I was completely enamored with the architecture and the structure of the building. I was not overly hungry, but I wanted to try the goulash and the apple strudel. Get the strudel with the sauce. 10/10. Amazing. I would absolutely do it again.
An absolute must-visit in Vienna! Do as the locals do: slow down, sip your coffee, and just enjoy the moment. The line looked intimidating at first but moved quickly, and we even made friends with some fellow travelers from the U.S. while waiting. We went straight for dessert because why not? The torn pancake with stewed plums was massive. It looked a little messy, but wow, it was delicious. We also tried the Café Central Torte, their version of the Sachertorte since the original name belongs to another famous café, which I'll try to review later. Service was slow, but that seems to be the rhythm in Vienna's cafés. No rushing here like in the Bay Area. Bathrooms were clean, which I always appreciate. The ambiance was what really made it special. Grand chandeliers, a stunning interior, and a gorgeous display case full of desserts. To top it all off, a pianist with a Beethoven wig and outfit played everything from classical pieces to pop hits like Bruno Mars. We tipped him in USD since we weren't carrying any EU cash at that time. Overall, Café Central felt elegant but never pretentious, just timeless, cozy, and unforgettable.
Come here for fabulous coffee and delicious pastries. This historic 19th century cafe is a delight for the eyes and well as the pallet. When you dine here you are dining in a truly historic cafe that was frequented by some of histories greatest and also most notorious individuals. Wiki will list these for you. The food is outstanding especially the pastries. Cafe Central employs a dozen pastry chefs. Everything is imaginative and delicious. They vary the pastry offerings frequently, so you will need to come back over and over. Staff here are hyper friendly and our waiter was cheerful, knowledgeable about the food, made great suggestions and was generally chatty. There is usually a line for walk-ins, reservation holders get seated right away. The line for us was about ten minutes. Double highly recommend.
If I had to think about the top five things I've ever eaten, this place would take the cake (figuratively and literally, hehe) in terms of dessert. Like Demel, Cafe Central is a MUST visit when you go to Vienna, where the coffee houses are a sight to behold on their own. Yes, the wait is quite long. Every time I pass by, there's a line, but it actually goes rather quickly and if you can find something to do to pass the time, it's like nothing at all. First off, the interior is STRIKING, a work of art in its own right with marble columns, stylish looking cafe tables, and paintings every where you go. Apparently Sigmund Freud has been a frequent patron here. Even if you were to get nothing at all, just the experience of sitting here is worth your eyes absorbing. But, oh!--the cakes--and the coffees! I had me an iced coffee that had a great body mixed with a delicate flavor to give me a jolt through the day. The hazelnut cake was airy and fluffy, not at all too sweet like American desserts have a tendency to be! The staff here move efficiently, and I love how there's no pressure to hurry up and pay your bill or make your order. A repeat place to be sure if I were to go back to Vienna. My twin and I went on Sept '25 for our vacation.
SERVICE 5 stars - with NEZIR was above 5 stars and two thumbs up. He single-handedly made our experience at Cafe Central out of this world. Professionally, NEZIR was quite efficient expediting our food orders and bringing to us hot. He provided great suggestions on the menu as we know Central is world renown for its coffee and pastries but we wanted to try the savory dinner entrees too. NEZIR was right on. Aside from his professionalism, Nezir's friendly welcome set the tone for the entire evening . While he worked quite fast, he managed to share Family stories, background and cafe history . Totally cool! AMBIANCE 5 stars - Over 130 years , frequented by luminaries such as Freud historical background, live piano music , and beautiful architecture. No wonder it's THE PLACE people line up for! FOOD- savory dishes 3 stars salmon - a bit dry 3 stars - chicken also a bit dry but tasty seasoning 5 stars- warm chocolate cake served with vanilla Ice Cream was EPIC! Moist and very rich chocolate, just as I dreamed it would be! Takeaway at display case- Apple Strudel- 5 stars Petit Fours 4 stars Sisi's favorite -5 stars Coffee- 5 stars
Out of this world. Just amazing. You think you come here for the coffee, but the deserts are to die for. Awesome service and they treat you like a local. Danke!!!!
Decent amount of food for the price. Super touristy. You have to get here first thing in the morning or pre book. I was there 30 minutes early and there already was a line. They get you in and out so things move quickly. I enjoyed it the inside is super cool and it is worth checking out, not the number one priority though.
I had a chance to visit the famous Cafe Central with the hubby and I am so glad we did. Definitely remember that there will be a huge line here, so if you are able to get reservations, I would definitely get that as the wait can be anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour plus! Hubby and I waited for around an hour before we were seated. The ambiance here was nice and we got to try the warm chocolate cake with ice cream. This was decadent and delicious and I loved the warm and cold combo that this dessert offered. The interiors of this cafe is gorgeous and would definitely recommend taking some pictures! Overall, really good experience here and a nice place to pop in to take a break once your feet start hurting from all the walking if you are a visitor in Vienna!
Out of the famous Viennese cafes, I prefer Cafe Central the most. Yes, it is touristy. Yes, there is a line to get in. Yes, the menu is over-priced. However, I enjoy sitting at this cafe admiring the cathedral-like arches while sipping coffee and devouring pretty desserts. For an old-school cafe, they certainly have some nice modern desserts and pastries. 1 star off: Service is almost absent. It takes a very long time to get an order in, receive an order, and get the check. As a frame of reference, I ordered a coffee and two desserts and it took 1 1/2 hours...no wonder there was a long line outside. What was even worse was that my waiter *insisted* that I give a tip. I will spare you from my rant about the forced tip culture that U.S. has created worldwide.
Café Central is one of those iconic spots in Vienna that feels like a time capsule -- step inside and you're instantly transported to a different era, with grand vaulted ceilings, elegant marble columns, and a refined buzz that makes you feel like a 19th-century intellectual (or at least like you're almost in a novel). The vibe alone is worth the visit. We ordered the apple strudel and a torte, and hands down, the apple strudel stole the show -- perfectly warm, flaky, and not overly sweet, with just the right touch of cinnamon. The torte, on the other hand, didn't quite win us over. It was underwhelming compared to the strudel. Service was surprisingly fast and very friendly, even with how busy the place was. Just a heads-up: there's almost always a line to get in, so if you don't want to wait, definitely make a reservation in advance. Overall, a must-do for the atmosphere, the history and that unforgettable apple strudel.
This is now a must visit for tourists so reserve a table ahead of time thru your hotel. The sweet spot seems to be late afternoon, just before dinner time. When we arrived at 6:30pm on a recent Wednesday, there were still many open tables. By the time we left at 7pm, there was a line out the door. This is a very large cafe so service is a bit slow. We were there just for a drink before dinner elsewhere so did not order any food items this time. The spritz was okay. The ambiance was great. But with that many tourists around you, I'm not sure you can truly experience the Viennese cafe.
A must see in Vienna, cafe central is an old historic cafe. The interior is beautiful, which adds to the charm. Food was delicious we had the salmon, eggs, and toast. They have a whole section for chocolates and pastries, and they had great service as well. We came around 10am on a Monday and it started to get busy shortly after.
had the espresso and the Kaiserschmarrn. the espresso is fine, maybe not worth the 4.50. the Kaiserschmarrn on the other hand- it's perfect. a beautiful experience, i would totally recommend! the plum sauce that it comes with is to die for. This item on the menu is worth the try! The interior of this place is beautiful- looks just like a cathedral. I love the uniforms of the waiters, and they're all equally as helpful. they work fast and hard, and deserve a good tip. read more
2 years ago
Enjoyed dinner, drinks, and traditional Viennese desserts at the iconic Central Cafe coffeehouse, a historic establishment frequented by notable figures such as Freud, Stalin, and Trotsky. The desserts were outstanding and the live classical music definately added to the ambiance. Service was very attentive and efficient. Highly recommend to make a reservation as there was a long line. read more
3 years ago
We had the most lovely breakfast at Café Central during our time in Vienna. After waking up early to explore the empty streets of the city, we found ourselves arriving to the café just after opening so we had our choice of seat with no wait. The interior was absolutely beautiful with cases of delicious pastries greeting us upon entry. The historic paintings were so pleasant to gaze at while enjoying breakfast too. Although we know enough German to get by, our waiter spoke perfect English and it appeared all other staff were bilingual as well which made ordering a little more comfortable for us tourists. Now for the treats. I had "Heiße Schocolade mit crème"; aka the best hot chocolate with whipped cream I've ever had. I actually ordered a 2nd one! My husband had the "Salon-Einspänner" which was a double espresso with whipped cream. For food we decided to go the more sweet route with a shared croissant as well as a Zitronentörtchen (basically a small lemon meringue pie) and a Tonka Wonka (which holy moly we each could have had a dozen of those Tonka Wonkas; so darn good). Food, drink & service were exemplary and we cannot wait to go back whenever we travel to Vienna again! PS: Restrooms were pretty, clean, and free for customers. read more
9 months ago
Came here twice now. It's a famously historical cafe with beautiful architectural elements on the inside. Pros: - inside is picturesque with spacious booths and tables - history of famous writers being regular patrons - tons of options: beverages, pastry, hot food and dishes Notes: - pastry and coffee was okay, definitely better options out there (on the pricier side) - small bathroom (three stalls) often with a line-up - staff are attentive and quick but not the most friendly - we were seated at a cushy window booth right by the kitchen and it was loud and disruptive (to no one's fault) read more
Make a reservation to avoid waiting in line! There's seating inside and outside but I recommend sitting inside to see everything! Classic historic cafe with a huge menu. Tried one of the cakes and a latte, delicious! Server was very attentive and friendly! read more
1 year ago
If you're fortunate enough to get a reservation here... it will not disappoint you, the food and service is impeccable. Highly recommend eating here, it is the best! read more
Local friend insisted I experience the cafe near my hotel. Historical classic Viennese destination. Epitome of the city's cafe culture. Also incredibly touristy. Absolutely gorgeous interior and exterior. I was there early not long after they opened. A few tables for walk ins, but probably best to reserve in advance. I beat the crowd and no wait for me. Lovely coffee, lovely service and amazing streusel. They offer a good breakfast selection but really the ambiance is the thing. I'd never come later in day when it's packed with tourists. read more
Yelp Review 2023 #39: Located in the heart of Vienna - near St. Stephen's Cathedral, Rathausplatz, and Hofburg/ Sisi Musem. It's a popular cafe since 1876 where Trotsky, Freud, and some poets would frequent back in the day. I'm so glad I made a reservation months in advance because the line here is ridiculous! I asked the people towards the front how long they've been waiting out of curiosity and they told me AN HOUR! The line wraps around the building! But if you have a reservation, you can go straight inside the restaurant and let the host/hostess know what time your reservation is and you'll get seated rather quickly. I was still looking at the dessert case and I was already being taken to my table. I went around Christmas time and they had a pianist playing some tunes. You can even make a request - kindly leave a tip especially if you make a request. My table happened to be right next to the piano and everyone would crowd towards my table to get a video and snap some pictures which was kind of annoying especially when my food came and there are hands and phones over my head and people standing over me or too close to me. Their menu is simple and not overwhelming at all. On the menu, they have goulash, sausage, soups, salads, Kaiserschmarrn, cakes. Backhendl: Breaded and fried chicken cutlet served with potatoes and cucumbers. Austrian food tend to be on the bland side and this was no exception. 3.5/5 Wiener Apfelstrudel: Viennese apple strudel with option to add vanilla ice cream. What Austrian entrees lack in flavor, they make up for in coffee and desserts. This Apfelstrudel was warm and the vanilla ice cream is in its separate dish so it doesn't melt right away. A little tart with the apples, with a hint of sweetness and cinnamon 4/5 If you need something, don't hesitate to wave at your server, otherwise, you'll be sitting there awkwardly for a long time. The prices seem reasonable considering where this cafe is located. Check out the dessert case - they have quite a selection. read more
Coffee houses in Vienna are a must visit! This is one of the popular ones and I went in with lower expectations because of how touristy it can get but was pleasantly surprised by the amazing food and service we received. Be sure to make a reservation and get there early or expect a line We decided to try their sachetorte which is an Austrian chocolate cake with an apricot cream layer, Kaiserschwarnn (served with a warm plum compote) and their version of the Viennese coffee. The sachertorte here was a bit dry compared to others we tried in Vienna however their Kaiserschwarnn was divine. The texture is closer to a sponge cake than a pancake and is ripped into pieces. Very light and fluffy and lightly sweetened. It's baked fresh and takes longer as also cautioned on the menu. The Viennese coffee came in the prettiest cup and the cream was cloud like and unsweetened and swirled in with the espresso, made a great drink. One of those things that you simply have to taste to believe. Service was friendly although slow but we didn't mind that since we weren't in a rush and got to enjoy the lovely ambience and beautiful baroque architecture just a little longer. read more
Can't go to Vienna without stopping by the famous cafe central... wonderful ambiance with beautiful architecture. Went with the salmon & eggs with a side of soft boiled eggs and a croissant. Very simple but delicious none the less. Hot chocolate was decent, but no where in Europe actually serves hot chocolate actually hot... -__- -Outstanding staff read more
Café Central inn Vienna is an absolute MUST DO and well worth the wait no. matter how long the line is! For the number of times I've already been to this amazing city (one of the best, I vote, for all of Europe) this was the first time going to Café Central! As soon as you walk in you will be taken back in time as the architecture and sheer ambiance will whisk you to a time long gone by. Then you will be absolutely captivated by the luscious display of custom-made desserts where there is surely one (or in my case many, many) that will be not only a visual but flavorful delight! When we arrived for a late lunch, the Café was very busy, and waited about 1/2 hour to get a table. Our lunch was superb, and all made with the freshest of ingredients and all portioned just right. Check out the pictures I posted which speak a thousand words! "Vielen Dank, Café Central, fur ein unvergessliches Erlebnis!" read more
4 years ago
Wonderful gem for a fabulous breakfast! Service is top notch too!! Honestly, you must try this place during your visit. The pastries look exquisite, but I was too full from my breakfast of the Cafe Central Fruhatuck to be able to partake in trying a pastry. I'd give this place 6 stars if I could! read more
It's an alright tourist trap . I ordered a hot chocolate with amaretto and with a 1 euro tip my total came out to be $9.40 USD which is a bit steep. The hot chocolate with the whip cream ( thick not fluffy or sweet ) was pretty good . Overall I guess I would recommend . Definitely not a must but if you want to say you visited the same cafe frequented by Freud and Trotsky then this place might be up your alley . One thing I noticed which was quite bizarre was that their alcohol offerings like a mimosa was often priced the same or lower than some of their coffee options so if your trying to save money / want more value for your money then I recommend ordering a mimosa instead of one of the espresso or coffee based beverages . read more
So this is a standard tourist staple in Vienna. Every list will tell you to check it out. You'll get here and there's a line to get in but it does move pretty quick. Once inside you can feel the history inside there with the decor. We didn't try the entrees...just the desserts. Def get the national dessert kaiserschmarrn. We loved it and ultimately after trying it at multiple places....this spot had the best one. My husband tried the chocolate cake also and wasn't super happy with it. read more
7 months ago
We waited in line for 1:30 in 30F degree weather outside. The food is the most mid ever and overpriced. Ambiance is good and historical. Service is bad because they're lowkey understaffed and servers are not attentive and impatient. It's still worth checking out for the architecture. read more
Café Central is perhaps the one of most identifiable Viennese tourist spot that is on almost all of the foodie destination lists. It is arguably the gold standard for apple strudel and gilded age cafes. We walked by the spot on several occasions and the line in front never seemed to get any shorter. The wait we had to endure was about an hour. The venue is grand and service is typical Austrian, efficient but not overly friendly. The food was a bit disappointing. We've had better Wiener schnitzel and goulash else where. The apple strudel was particularly disappointing since that was the main reason why we visited this place. The filling had somewhat unpleasant and powdery texture and the apple was flavorless. The other pastries were average but overpriced. Apparently no locals would patronize this place since it's now viewed as a pure tourist trap, a deserving reputation. That said, it's worth a single visit just because it is as much a must visit as Disneyland is. read more
We made a reservation online ahead of time for breakfast. It was early enough that maybe we didn't need one, but it definitely got crowded fairly quickly. Cafe Central has such a beautiful interior and the food was good as well! Definitely felt it was worth a stop! - Wiener Melange- 1st one I ever had and it was pretty decent. - Cappuccino- standard - Ruhrei mit Schinken, Blattspinat und Kernol- Scrambled eggs (3 eggs) w/ ham, spinach, and pumpkin seed oil. Was a pretty unique twist on scrambled eggs imo with the pumpkin seed oil. Larger serving than I expected. - Ruhrei mit gerauchertem Lachs- Scrambled eggs (3 eggs) w/ smoked salmon and rocket on a slice of brown bread. This was really good! - Sisi's Favorite- Rum pastry w/ apricot jam, rum, and chocolate glaze with hazelnuts. This was OK. Prob not their best pastry but I really only selected it bc it was small and I was pretty full from breakfast. read more
4 years ago
We hit all the places one needs to when you visit Vienna for the first time, like @cafecentralwien We waited in the rain which made the food just that much better. The beauty of the outside and inside the building is amazing. It was like eating in a small magical church with all the arches. We had the breakfast sandwiches (grilled cheese with curry Mayo!!) and the Sacher Wurstel (sausages with 2 mustards and fresh horseradish). Both were perfect on a rainy morning. Then we had to try the apple strudel. The dough was soft and the apples still had texture. Also our waiter was funny and patient with us as we made up our minds. read more
Waited 30 min on a Sunday night and finally got to enjoy this historical cafe. There was live piano playing that evening which added to the classy ambiance. I got the truffel torte (chocolate cake with truffle cream) and trio de petits fours. Chocolate cake was too dry. It's a nice grand cafe to sit and people watch but nothing to rave about. read more
1 year ago
Magical. Cafe Central was everything we expected it to be and much much more. Our service was excellent. We had a lovely waiter named Roland who made our visit extra special. Out of the desserts we tried the Cafe Central Torte, the Chocolate Tort, and the Cafe Central Schmitte. All were wonderful but the crème in the Schmitte was top notch. read more
3 years ago
Cafe central is an excellent restaurant to enjoy platter size schnitzel and sweet treats. Located close to the imperial palace and albertina, you won't be disappointed. We visited for the winter markets a few years back and found this cafe on one of our walks through the historic district. My favourite is the goulash soup, which is accompanied with a Kaiser bun. A good variety of sandwiches, we ordered the cafe central sandwich, which was delicious. The Sacher torte is on offer, plus hot chocolate cake, crepes with plums and Apple strudel. We shared the strudel with sauce, ice cream and whipped cream! We made a reservation so we didn't have to wait in line. Attentive staff and servers, a fair price and generous portions. Yes, maybe not too fancy like some cafes, but very nice decor and 150 years of history make this cafe a very nice experience. read more
Are you looking fit the perfect spot to relax and get a bite in Vienna? This is your place!! Great collection of Viennese food favorites perfectly executed with some passion. Yes, the line was long but it moved fast as folks we in and out quickly. We had to get the Viennese special snitzel and sachatorte. Of course, they are the staples of Vienna, and were executed perfectly at this restaurant. You will not be disappointed and should make this famous restaurant the top of your list. We love the history of the place and the location was perfect after seeing some sites. Truly a do not miss on your vacation to Vienna. read more
5 years ago
Beautiful cafe with stunning decor. They have a nice selection of desserts, including some vegan desserts. I had an apple strudel with vanilla sauce & it was solid €7.30 read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
So incredible! I'm so glad I got a reservation here on my trip. I came bright and early and got breakfast as well as some delicate patisserie. The eggs were good, but did not blow me out of the water. I did need substance though, so they served their purpose. Now the desserts made my mouth drop. So incredible, delicate and refined. I had ordered a chocolate one and a passion fruit one. The chocolate was definitely my favorite but both are items I will probably dream about. The interior is absolutely GORGEOUS and worth coming here just to dine in such a classic Vienna space. Service was impeccable and so friendly. He made me laugh a lot so early in the morning and helped me pick out my items. 5/5 read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
A friend had told me to visit this historic, bustling cafe and I am happy we did. Don't be discouraged about the line to get in- the service is very "turn and burn". We waited about 15-20 minutes to get in and sit down with a server who didn't seem to really care about our experience. Our lattes came in a glass cup that had no handle and was too hot to touch. For my breakfast, I ordered eggs over bacon and it was simple but delicious. My friend said that his dish was the worst meal that he had on our two week Central Europe trip. The interior of the cafe is the reason that I would recommend checking it out. It was cool to see but I suggest keeping your expectations low for the food, drink and especially the service. I wouldn't go back only because the service was god awful and filled with ego but create your own opinion. read more
this place is more like a 3.5 out of 5 stars. This place was highly rated on google, and i'm sure its a really big tourist trap. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but i don't think i'll come back. We ended up getting a sandwich (cafe central) and salmon with eggs along with some coffee drinks. Both entree items were good, but nothing really "special" about it. Maybe i should've kept it simple and got a pastry w/ coffee instead. I know this place gets packed during peak hours. We went a few minutes right after it opened and there were people already sitting inside. Its nice to check out while in Vienna, but i don't think i'll come back when i visit again. I'm just glad i didn't need to wait to be seated. PS: i sat near a piano, and i believe they play it during the evenings read more
2 years ago
I came around 9pm and was seated without any wait. I got a decaf oat milk cappuccino and enjoyed it next to the piano. The ambiance was great--nice music, very classy. It definitely wasn't the best coffee I've had (it seemed watery like an americano) but I think most patrons come for the ambiance over the food quality. read more
A place to visit, sit and have dessert. Don't rush yourself after you've been seated and just enjoy the time with others or by yourself as you contemplate how long this cafe has been around and how long you had to wait in line to get a seat. read more
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