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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.
4 years ago
Beautiful inside architecture. There was a live pianist and it was beautiful. Lots of cake options and it was delicious. Coffee was not my favorite - it had a shot of alcohol and it was very bitter. There was a queue as well when we got there and waited for about 30 mins. It looks like they take reservations so I suggest that! read more
2 years ago
I would go here only if you are visiting Vienna as a tourist and want to experience the history and try some apple strudel. The cafe has a nice relaxing atmosphere and was the perfect escape from the rain. All of the pastries looked delightful, and I would suggest sticking to these since the actual food is just average. It was cool to chill in a place where Trotsky and Freud have chilled in. read more
Everything about this place was amazing. Thankfully when we went the line was incredibly short, and we were seated pretty quickly. The interior of this cafe is gorgeous, and it is known for having a rich history. We ordered croissants, cakes, and coffee, and everything was delicious. The highlight for me was the chocolate cake, which was extremely rich, and paired wonderfully with the smooth ice cream. Can't recommend this place enough! read more
2 years ago
Went here having heard amazing things. Coffee was overpriced and tasted horrible. The service was slow. For being such an old and prestigious establishment known for the experience they other, it never felt like a good experience. The only saving grace was the sandwich which was perfectly made and had a side sauce that made for a great taste. read more
1 year ago
7 years ago
Do not be deterred by the line. It's both worth the wait and the line appears to be longer than the wait time. It's a huge restaurant. They serve both drinks and food. You don't have to eat a big meal to snag a table. Famous and infamous people all have been here. Yes even Hitler. The food is traditional Viennese. I think you got to have all the cakes. Everything on the menu looked good and behind the glass casing, you would and should just try one of each. I think people in America tend to think we have to eat a big meal in these fancy establishments. But this being Vienna, coffee culture dominates restaurants industry. Do not be afraid to sample a few non main courses here. The place is gorgeous and instagram-worthy. Drink some Viennese coffee and have a few slices of cake. Best time to come is mid afternoon - this being a German speaking country, Kaffee und kuchen (coffee and cake) culture is live and well. I will absolutely return to this spot for more of delicious dessert (after I retire to Berlin and on my annual retreat to Vienna, which is not just an idea but a slow hatched retirement plan). read more
7 years ago
I was in search for the best apple strudel and I want to say this one was up there. Their apple is solid! SO light and the delicate thin crust surrounding the delicious apples that are soft yet slightly crispy. Ugh, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. We also ordered the traditional breakfast which was a perfectly soft boiled egg (that my husband MMmM'ed about the whole time he ate it), a buttery, flaky croissant, a bread roll with some jam and a drink (we had a coffee). The place is breathtaking. Classy and the staff are friendly which is awesome. We didn't have to wait when we had breakfast but I've heard that the lines can get pretty long. This place is totally worth the hype. ** Did you know that Hitler and Sigmund Freud were regulars here? ** read more
This place is totally worth the wait! We went at around 11:30 on a Sunday. The line looked longer than it was. We only waited for around 15-20 minutes. The inside is absolutely gorgeous. The menu is extensive and they have a ton of classic Viennese options. The service was some of the best I've had while traveling in Europe. Our server was excellent! What I ordered: I had the vegan Viennese square noodles (I don't remember the actual name). I loved it! It reminded me of something my grandmother used to make. The portion was big and came w a side salad. For dessert I had two cakes! Both were great. I feel like you can't go wrong w any of the desserts here! It really just depends on what your thing is. This was one of my favorite parts of my Vienna trip! Everything about café central is excellent! read more
3 years ago
Love the ambience n the food. We were there when there was a pianist performing and it was a huge bonus!! The pastry looks amazing but we couldn't eat ALL of them! read more
3 years ago
We waited in a very slow moving line, then left. Decided to try it late in the evening when there weren't crowds. The coffee wasn't anything to write home about and the pastry was fine, but not spectacular. read more
7 years ago
Amazing! Worth the wait in line. This is the oldest coffee house in Vienna, with gorgeous vaulted ceilings, pianist playing music live, exquisitely beautiful pastries that are as delicious as they are to admire, incredibly friendly service, and very reasonable prices. For what a mediocre pastry costs in most airports, here you get something utterly divine and unique.This is what I imagine pastries to taste like in heaven. There's a reason there's always a queue round the block, even when it rains or snows. Eating here you have a whole new appreciation for everything Austrian. read more
While on vacation in Austria I selected this restaurant so I could have some schnitzel while in Vienna. Little did I know it was a famous historic cafe! When we arrived there was a line of people waiting to get in, so I asked someone if they knew how long of wait it usually was and they said only about 10-15 minutes. So glad we waited! There was a display of a variety of desserts to tantalize you as you entered. We were seated in a corner table and ordered dinner. We enjoyed a lovely meal while listening to a piano player. My schnitzel was a generous serving and really good! Then we had the hard task of deciding just which dessert to get! The food was good and it was really nice to have dined in an iconic place. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
I was told to get lost in the city. I did... and found this beautiful, baroque-style restaurant. I understand why Cafe Central lines are so long. Their food is worth the wait! Staring at this long line ahead of me, I thought, "Either these people are hungry or we are all adventurous foodies." I ordered their Caesar Salad & Viennese Speciality Soup. Have you ever tasted a hearty soup that reminds you of Pho Ga? Cafe Central's Alt Wiener Suppentopf reminds me of a Viennese Pho Ga. I couldn't put my spoon down! I originally asked for a dessert to follow the soup and salad but, opted out of the dessert due to personal time restrictions. They proceeded to bring out the dessert anyway (prior to serving the soup and salad.) The language barrier was not the best but, I thoroughly enjoyed the dining experience. The interior design and architecture reminded me of an art museum. By the way, the lines was even longer upon my departure. read more
This is one Europe's most popular cafe's and it comes with a long wait out the door. The good news is that the wait is worth it. The service was impeccable from start to finish, and the food was excellent. I had the weiner schnitzel with a sparkling water. The schnitzel was crisp but light with a ton of flavor. One thing you must remember to do is leave room for dessert. There are a ton of choices so you can't go wrong with any of them. read more
2 years ago
Besides the interior and the baked goods, this place was disappointing. The service was okay, not terrible not great. It took like 25 minutes to get a small bowl of soup and a side salad. The coffee wasn't good, it tasted like water in my opinion which is weird because everywhere else that I went in Vienna was so delicious. :/ read more
3 years ago
A must visit for the ambiance and cafe vibe. Although the Sacher cake at Sacher Cafe was much better. read more
Although this is a tourist trap, we had to go. It's a cool experience but seriously their food is mediocre at best. I would strongly recommend saving your money and ordering coffee, dessert or Kaiserschmarrn. We had both food and Kaiserschmarrn, the Kaiserschmarrn was amazing. It's baked fresh and came out hot and ready. It tastes a bit like angel food cake. But I really enjoyed it. As far as food goes, I got the goulash and it was potentially the saltiest food I've ever had. The meat was tender at least. The dumplings were quite bland and mushy. My fiancé got the schnitzel and his was the opposite. Very bland. Which was a shame because it seemed to be cooked well. We did not have a reservation. We waited in line around 11 am for about 15 minutes or so. The line moves pretty fast. The service however was VERY slow. And you're squeezed in by other people at your tables. Our bill was about 80 euros after tip. read more
Quite the popular cafe here in Vienna. Right by 2 of the Christmas markets (though I think smaller ones). Be prepared for a line but they do move pretty quickly. The cakes on display look like works of art, so beautiful I can't believe I'm biting into them. When in Vienna, do give the cafe melange a try. Essentially it's an extra foamy cappuccino. Wouldn't say it's my favorite, but fun to try. We got the Viennese soup, a clear broth soup with beef and chicken. Quite good on a cold day. The highlight is the apple strudel, layers of thin sliced apples nestled between the crispy pastry. I ate every last bit down to the crumbs! read more
They said it's a must while in Vienna. It was a national holiday so the line was pretty long when we got there. But the line was fast. I think we only waited 20 minutes. The ambiance was wonderful. The inside looks old and classy. The staff was friendly. Right away I took pictures of the cakes and pastries. The waiter was friendly and nice. He answered all of our questions about the menu. I ordered the breaded chicken Cafe Central style. And for dessert I ordered their warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. My wife ordered their torn pancakes with plum sauce. First the bad. The bread chicken I ordered was so so. I had to put some salt to have a little taste. Now for the good stuff their desserts. The warm chocolate cake was delicious. And the vanilla ice cream was also delicious. Finished the whole dish very quickly. As for the torn pancakes with plum sauce. It was also delicious and the portion was huge. I helped my wife finished it. We took our time finishing our deserts. They don't rush you like in America. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
This traditional Viennese coffeehouse has a gorgeous interior, beautiful cakes and thoughtful, knowledgeable and friendly staff. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Famous cafe with great selection of food, desserts and drinks. The service is very fast and inside has a very "old school" feel to it. It's better to come later in the evening because during the day the line is out the door. Define toy a place to stop by! read more
Was told it was a must because a bunch of historical figures had dined in here. Had their Friday lunch special (monkfish with gnocchi and consommé), salmon, goulash, pork belly, and schnitzel. They were in such hurry to pump out each dish that none of seasonings had a chance to incorporate into food. I bit into multiple clumps of giant salt crystals followed by bites of absolute no flavors. Tourist trap ya. Family wanted to eat here, what can you do?! read more
3 years ago
Delicious food, exceptional service. We truly loved everything about this experience! The raspberry brownie was divine! read more
4 years ago
Bit of a tourist trap, but the service is fast and efficient. We waited almost 30 minutes in line at 6:30 PM, but the staff should be rewarded for their system of taking orders, serving dishes, and settling the check (credit card machines are strapped to their waists) There is a live piano player who is very interactive, but unfortunately the small place gets very loud. Deserts were so-so. read more
3 years ago
Total tourist trap. This once iconic cafe is not just a cousin to the worlds largest ball of yarn. Probably not a single local goes in there. And although the inside is lovely. The wait time, poor service, and terrible food does not make up for it. The dry cakes are disappointing and the food is sloppy. Servers ignore you and treat you like cattle. Go inside take a picture of the pretty decor then go eat elsewhere. read more
4 years ago
6 years ago
8 years ago
We came here on the recommendation of our free walking tour. I saw that it's considered touristy from Yelp and Google reviews. There was a short line, about 10 minutes wait. The dining room is amazing. It was classy, and spacious. Now on to the food: - apple strudel - nothing to write home about. It was too dry for my liking, but I honestly don't know whether that's typical of a strudel. - Viennese coffee - tasted like diluted cafe latte. I had much better Viennese coffee at other random hole-in-the-wall cafes. Tldr; not worth the line. Service was ok, considering it's such a tourist spot. read more
2 years ago
You cannot beat the ambience of this cafe! Gorgeous. The service was fantastic. This was one of our favorite dining experiences of Vienna. read more
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