Wanted a more "traditional" coffee experience so whittled the list down to three and then selected Cafe Hawelka. We were met outside by a host who led us to a seat inside the cafe. Loved the decor, made me feel like we were transported back in time. Our waiter came, dressed in his formal clothing despite the heat outside, and took our order. For me, an espresso, for my wife, a chocolate cake and water. My coffee was delivered on a neat little tray with a glass of water to go along with it. The waiter then pretty much left us alone as we took our time eating and drinking. Pricewise, the cafe seemed similar to other coffee shops we had visited during our trip. So why not more stars? Largely because the food being offered isn't vegan friendly. Maybe that is due to tradition, fine I understand that if that's the case, but I've heard that there are other traditional cafes in Vienna that do have vegan options. Just give me one. That's all I'm asking. read more

Cafe Hawelka - Chocolate cake - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

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We went to this lovely Cafe on the recommendation of our cruise director, and because of its history (opened in 1939 and frequented by the likes of Arthur Miller and Andy Warhol). We went in on a lovely Sunday, and were pleased to get a table for the 4 of us right away. The place was cozy and felt like a living room or breakfast nook. The owner sat nearby enjoying a coffee and came by an asked us how we liked our visit. The coffee was very good and the strudel was delicious as well. Highly recommend! read more

Small, intimate and olde worlde ambience, Vienna takes coffee to a whole new level, exquisitely served in small cups as it should be with a side of water on a delicate tray. I could do this every day while writing my memoirs. Service was brisk and they were appropriately attired. read more

Cafe Hawelka - Coffee and Hot Chocolate - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

This place was a short walk from the Hofburg towards the Vienna town center. I think it was on a sort of side-street. As I recall, there were a lot of other restaurants in the area. My daughter located it and it had good reviews. We entered and were shown to a table towards the back of the restaurant. They had a relatively extensive menu. I was tending towards salads for lunch on the trip, and I think the salad they offered here was good. I know my wife got chicken schnitzel as she had some leftovers that we took with us. My daughter likely also got a meat dish and finished it. At lunchtime, this place almost filled up and was lively. I can't recall any negatives. If you are wandering around central Vienna, this would be a good choice. read more

We did the very serious research of narrowing down Vienna's locally 250+ coffee houses to our "Top 3" while visiting Vienna. You're welcome. First stop: Cafe Central. And wow... this place is impressive. High ceilings, grand architecture, and even a pianist playing while you sip your coffee like you're in a period film. If you're short on time and want the full Vienna coffeehouse experience in one shot, this is it. Absolutely worth it. Next: Cafe Sacher. The most iconic. The famous cake. The name everyone knows. In my humble opinion... slightly overrated. Good? Yes. Life-changing? Not quite. But hey, you kind of have to go at least once. Then I made the bold move. We went for "most authentic" at Cafe Hawelka. Authentic? Oh yes. They've preserved the original interior since 1911. You feel like you've time-traveled. Very small. Very cozy. Very... committed to tradition. Menu? Minimal. Food options? Limited. Service? Let's just say our waiter was not having it. I asked a few questions (because, you know, not a local). He was clearly offended by my curiosity. My wife and daughter ordered apple strudel with this amazing sauce , that part was a win. I didn't want a double espresso at night and politely asked if they could make something slightly off-menu (another café had done it earlier). The look I received... you would've thought I asked to redesign the place. Instead of a simple "no," I got a little performance. When I asked for the bill, he said, "I will be back in 5 minutes. Be ready." I felt like I was being timed for an Olympic event. My family was not thrilled with my "let's go fully traditional 1911" decision after the grand elegance of Cafe Central. Maybe that one's on me. We left quickly. Slightly hungry. Slightly humbled. If you love authentic, old-school Viennese charm and don't mind a little attitude with your espresso, you might enjoy it. But if you're traveling with family expecting variety and warm service... maybe ease them in before going full 1911. Learn from my mistake. read more

Cafe Hawelka - Apple Strudel - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

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One of the more well known historic cafes near the city center of Vienna! They have been around since 1945 and the interior feels like it. They do have outdoor seating as well. I ordered a melange and a Sachetorte - I had better renditions of these at other cafes in Vienna but they were still good here! I think the main draw of Cafe Hawelka is the history and the ambiance. It is cash only so be prepared! read more

Historic coffeehouse in Vienna that you'll probably find in tons of guidebooks and recommendations. They are so popular they definitely don't need to upkeep much, it feels like how it probably felt and looked when it first opened. Had a melange (basically Vienna's version of a cappucchino) and sachertorte, both were good. Cash only cafe located very close to St. Stephen's Cathedral. There is seating inside and outside, was able to walk-in! read more

Highly accredited place on guides but seems more like a tourist trap in Vienna (typical...) Coffee wasn't anything special nor were the desserts they were known for. The service was bad too. I can't say I'll ever want to go back it wasn't that welcoming of a spot. read more

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When in Vienna you must visit a coffeehouse and this is where I had researched to go. Service was friendly and they are in no rush to make you leave even after you are finished. We had coffees and the sachertorte which was yummy. It was not too sweet and went perfectly with the latte. read more

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CHECK YOUR BILL. We had 1 coke, 1 coffee, 1 grilled cheese, 1 beef stew, 2 small waters. It cost over 60 euros: waiter made a mistake? We didn't realize until it was too late. read more

Our tour guide recommended this place for coffee over the big well known places. The side street cafe was perfect for people watching. I loved the locals and tourists as well enjoying conversation, a smoke, or pastry. Tables are very close together outside. Inside is dark and has a feeling it's been there unchanged for years. The waitstaff is in no hurry to take your order or push you out... But when you are enjoying a delicious cup of coffee in Vienna why be in a hurry!!! read more

Cafe Hawelka - Well worn menu - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

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This is a historic atmospheric old Viennese cafe with tobacco stained walls, no nonsense waiters and THEY ONLY TAKE CASH. The menu is limited and you need to be prompt in knowing what you want. We got black coffee, a latte and a piece of warm apple strudel all of which were fine. As long as you have your wits about you and enjoy it for what it is, it should be enjoyable. read more

Went for a cappuccino and strudel and was not disappointed. The cafe has a great feeling inside with funny and nice servers. It has the authentic cafe charm compared to the new cafes in town. read more

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If you want a very old fashioned typical Vienna coffeehouse experience this is an excellent choice. It's dark, the waiters are a bit gruff (almost rude at times), but this is the stereotypical Austrian server way. If you know this going in to the visit you'll probably enjoy it more. This used to be a very smoky place before the law changed a few years ago. They have the old fashioned wooden holders for newspapers. They have memorabilia about the founder. He used to sit at the door on a wobbly wooden stool but he has passed away. The coffee itself is good, not great. They only accept cash. read more

They don't have a menu. LMAO. So, read through the yelp recommendations if you want to know what to order in this traditional Austrian coffee house. Here was what we ordered but I am sure they offer way more selection than these. # mélange (mocca with foam) # kleiner brauner (austrian style espresso w/ milk) # sachertorte (austrian chocolate cake) # apple strudel I still crave their coffee as of today. It's the best. I don't remember how the food was. People just sit there reading old fashion newspapers, sipping coffee, and chatting for a long long time. I envy the lifestyle in Europe, especially in Vienna. read more

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The ambiance of this place is worth the trip alone, it looks and feels like nothing in this place has changes since the 1930s. The cafe melange was delicious and the plum bread dessert was so good and a great late night treat after dinner. The area is bustling too so plenty to do around here. Enjoy. read more

Cafe Hawelka - Ace melange - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

True Austrian style café. My friend took me to this local joint. Waiters he suggested are suppose to be rude; service is suppose to be slow. It's very interesting as the culture of the service industry is very different than other parts of the western world. We enjoyed a night of conversations, with coffee and tea. It was a very authentic experience. I adore the décor. The ambience is reminiscent of old Europe. It felt as tho I was stepping back in time. read more

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I pretty sure you can't get anymore traditional than Cafe Hawelka. Dark, smoky-like (leftover from decades ago), cramped, we snuck a corner table in the back. Seating on somewhat unevenly and worn sofa, we ordered from an older gentleman in tuxedo like garb.** I'm sure that dude has stories. We drank our espressos with real Viennese sugar cubes and chatted with each other as well as our friendly neighbors. No to go orders here. This is a place where you come to spend hours exploring the likes of some subject 'til you can no longer. I can see why this place, opened since the late 1930's has been the social home to many an artist, philosopher, writer and Viennese thinker. I like European coffee houses, especially of the Viennese variety. ** This is wonderful and formal service. They will only bring a check upon asked. read more

Cafe Hawelka - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

Café Hawelka was definitely the most "old-timey" coffeehouse we visited. The inside is dark, and down-at-the-heels in a classic way. Tables and chairs (and everything else) are well worn from years and years of coffee sippers. We stopped because we wanted some lunch and weren't aware that Hawelka only did coffee and cake. The waiter clued us in and we were like "cake for lunch...okay, that's cool". So I ordered apfelstrudel, which was not too sweet and very delicious, aloing with hot chocolate. Hawelka's hot chocolate was really good but I liked Schwarzenberg's version better. My husband went with a mélange and plum donuts served with warm custard which he really loved. Because they've got a limited menu, you'll have your treats very quickly. Getting the bill might take some additional time and effort though - but cafes aren't really for those in a hurry. A few mentions on here of smoke - when we visited, the café seemed to be completely non-smoking. I don't know if that's a recent thing or if we managed to find the one time that no one was smoking, but I didn't smell any cigarettes at all. read more

Cafe Hawelka - First schkolade in Wien! - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

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Lovely cafe tucked away in an alley off the busy pedestrian section of Vienna's old quarters. We simply wanted a traditional Viennese meal and our tour guide walked us by this spot earlier in the day. We luckily stumbled back upon it by accident and snagged the last table in a busy Friday night in April. The service was a little cold but seems like this was my experience everywhere in Vienna. The food was very good. Traditional Austrian sausage with sauerkraut and a potato side dish for me. Mom had the chicken cordon blue which was also fine. With a glass of Austrian Riesling and an apple strudel for dessert the total came out to about 36 euros. Overall a very decent dining experience although the ambiance beat the food. read more

Cafe Hawelka - Sausage plate. Sauerkraut and baked potato side. Very above average. - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

All good except the wait staff - a bit brash. Wishing themselves a good day first, rather than the client. Awkward humour...great coffee and pastries as you might expect in Vienna. read more

Really frustrating experience at what should be a nice bar. We sat outside and ordered a coffee and an Aperol Spritz, and two pieces of cake. We had been in earlier in the week and glanced at menu prices on the board, which seemed pretty standard (3-4 euro for a piece of cake, for example), since there is no other menu. Service was slow but not actively rude until the very end. Food was OK but nothing special, and my spritz was both weak and small. We sat for a while and enjoyed the sunshine and finally asked for the bill. One of the "charming" things about this place is that they have no menus and no receipts/bills. I'm sure this works well for regulars, but totally screwed us over. The waiter said "oh, that's 17.80, service not included." I only had a 50, he gave me back 30 and said "thanks" and walked away. Far more than any tip would be in Vienna, for crappy service, and making up a total on the spot. Basically, charging about 10 euro for an Aperol Spritz, when the most I've seen anywhere else, including tourist trap locations, was 5, and usually it's more like 3.50-4.50. I really wouldn't recommend this place, they clearly take advantage of people who will only visit once or twice while visiting. I left feeling really frustrated and scammed. read more

Cafe Hawelka - Apple cake and hot chocolate - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

Came here for coffee and we were not disappointed! The service was excellent and it was a mad house in there. The place is cramped but this just adds to the charm! I would highly recommend the melange and hot chocolate and be sure you are comfortable with close neighbors!! read more

"Traditional" cafe recommended to me by an Austrian friend. I sat outside to enjoy the late summer, but that meant I didn't get to stare a long time at the menu board inside, which seemed to have some things the paper menu didn't. Would recommend ducking in to check out the display case. The interior is dim and I can see it being a nice place to sit in the winter to read. The apple strudel was great though I don't see the hype about the melange. All in all a nice place to sit out and people watch, though. The waiters are a bit pushy about turnover so if you want to sit longer, make sure not to finish all your food at once... read more

Found the cafe Hawelka due to find a place to sit after a long walk and shop around old town Vien. Nice desert (strudel ) and coffee made the way. Place is small so we start talking with the people next table to us. read more

A superb Czech cafe in the heart of the Tourist District. Let me go farther. A LIFEBOAT in the culinary morass of the Tourist District. Nearly every restaurant for about a kilometer and a half on every side is a tourist trap. Savagely overpriced freezer food for foreigners who don't know better. This is an honest place with a personality that serves great food. *** How small is the menu? The menu is so small - that there IS no menu. You ask the waiter what he's got and he tells you. There were two choices for dinner and three choices for dessert. *** But what choices! An absolutely magnificent boiled beef salad. Their take on boiled beef salad? Ban the lettuce. This is marinated boiled beef and lots of tiny filaments of green pepper and tiny filaments of onion. The mix is 2/3 meat, 1/3 tiny vegetable strips, 0/3 salad greens. Enough flavor to go to the moon. And a nice kaiser roll to sop up the dressing with afterwards. *** For dessert, a cream cheese strudel. A magnificent grown up pastry. It has powdered sugar on top but it is only slightly sweet. The cream cheese is cultured like a yogurt and intentionally sour. It is as rich as any cream cheese you have ever had. It is sweet, it is sour, it is heavy, it is light. I'm happy, I'm happy, I'm happy, I'm happy. *** Special kudos have to go out to the ambience. The garden had one third of the smokers in Vienna hanging out so we went inside. Inside is all wood panelling, wooden benches and art posters - totally run down. One third of everything needs maintenance. But somehow the place has a magnificent ratty charm - like an old comfortable bedroom slipper that belonged to your grandfather. There are pictures of Herr and Frau Hawelka who came from Czechoslovakia to found the cafe. The picture must date from the 1940's or 1950's and the Hawelkas were three hundred years old - even back then. This is an old fine cafe that captures an earlier classier era in the history of Vienna. If you don't fuss about your limited menu choices, you will have a meal and a dessert to remember. read more

Awesome place not too far from St Stephens square but of a little side street. Very old and venerable, they've made their bones a long time ago! Amazing melange (like a cappuccino) and you must try their plum cake. We split a piece of this rich confection and nearly licked the plate it was so good. I don't like plums and yet this was one of my favorite desserts on our week plus in Europe. read more

Cafe Hawelka offers some very tasty coffee, some of the best I've had in Vienna (and I pride myself on being an English-writing and Yelping coffee connoisseur. A very specific distinction, I know.) Cafe Hawelka is both your typical Viennese YOTCH (Yea Olde Traditional Coffee House) and not your typical Viennese YOTCH, what a paradox! The ambiance is that of a tiny, smokey living room, with too much furniture and furniture that's too large for the room. (It reminded me of the description of the mistress's apartment in The Great Gatsby..) There's no menu you can peruse at your table, just a chalkboard when you first enter the cafe. I think you're expected to just order your coffee, and perhaps a pastry as well; if memory serves me correctly, there's a pastry display, which makes it easier for non-German-speakers, although I'm pretty sure most of the waitstaff speak a bit of English. If I were rating this place on my YOTCH scale, it would get a 5. However, since it's an atypical Viennese YOTCH (as far as I've encountered: the ambiance is different, the coffee is not only drinkable, but amazing..), it will be rated on the regular coffee house scale. That being said, on the regular coffee house scale (I know, I'm a very complicated Yelper), this place gets 4 stars for the sole reason that it's so damn expensive. Like seriously ridiculously expensive, y'all. It has great coffee, yes, but even Orlando di Castello (also in the First District, different but really cool/"hip" ambiance), has equally amazing coffee and you can get it considerably cheaper from the walk-up Italian bar (€2? €3?), or for around the same price (but a larger portion) at your table (€3,90ish). read more

Cafe Hawelka - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

Amazing experience. Walk into Cafe Hawelka and you are instantly transported back 70 years. Dark interior, wooden floors, aged furniture, it's all great. I absolutely loved the cappuccino I had here (sweet and potent perfection). The cake/breads that I tried were also perfect. read more

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Had to wait for about twenty minutes at the table.. our order arrived five minutes later even before they had the time to actually clear the table of left overs from the previous customer.. unfortunately the waiter just had two hands and wasn't able to cope up with the surprisingly large footfall this place receives .. I would not rrc read more

Dark, quiet and oh so Viennese, Cafe Hawelka should be on your list when you visit Vienna. There's no menu, you just have to remember to ask the waiter if you want something to eat. As it was our waitress left after we ordered coffee and we had to work to get her attention some time later to order some of those famous cakes to accompany them! Alas she didn't mention their Buchteln, but I overheard a waiter mentioning them to someone else so maybe none were available when we ordered. As it was I had Sachertorte and Mr had a strange, but delicious, warm cheesecake with apple and sponge at the bottom. Both were very good, as were the coffees. Hawelka comes highly recommended in most guides to Vienna, and deservedly so. read more

Cafe Hawelka - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

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I was told to try some desert here because it's one of the oldest bakeries in Vienna. Glad that I stopped by on my last day because it was delicious. Tastes like Hawaiian bread with some Apricot jam. read more

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This is THE place to really understand the Viennese true vibe. This place has been there for more than a century and is still being managed by the grandchildren of the founder. We met Michael, the most friendly and welcoming owner we ever met, who shared some stories and anecdotes about this lovely place. The coffee is perfect and the cakes are wonderful. We tired the cheese and apple strudel and the Éstherhazy cakes and each were the best we had in Vienna. This is a must when in Vienna. read more

Cafe Hawelka - The outside place, nice relaxed when weather permitting - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

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A real Vienna institution. Smoke, dark lit coffee house which is always full and buzzing. Nice place to sit and chat with friends, stick your nose in a book or just watch the action inside. Lovely coffee. We ordered irish coffees to warm up a bit and it seemed like there was more irish than coffee! Great taste! Be warned though its not cheap so make your stop worthwhile by taking your time to enjoy! read more

Cafe Hawelka - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

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It's located in a little alley right off of the main tourist strip. I love how the place exudes quaint coffee shop and I also enjoyed the history of this place. I would have never found this place if it weren't for a blog I was reading and I am glad I did. It was definitely warm and crowded the day we got there. The place is not particularly big so you have to grab an open table when you can and keep in mind it's quite cozy. The coffees and cake we ordered were good. The only thing that slightly irritated us was that our waiter was a little impatient. Also, he interrupted us to pay our bill telling us that his shift was ending but I think he was still there by the time we left! Regardless, I still think it's a charming reprieve from a very touristy part of Vienna and I think its worth a visit after sight seeing. read more

I think I found my favorite cafe in Europe. I love people watching, and Cafe Hawelka is an excellent place to do so. I think I had 5 melanges there in 2 days and couldn't get enough. It's not terribly expensive either. I had their sausages as well as apricot, cheese, and apple strudels - all were good! I also hear their buchtelns are famous and made after an old secret recipe. I didn't really go inside - except to look at the menu, but I really like the decor! You can really feel that this place has a lot of history and has been around for a while. read more

Cafe Hawelka - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

Café Hawelka has almost turned into a parody of itself. This famous café is more and more scarcely visited by the Viennese themselves - especially the artists who originally made it so famous. Tourists do find it - no doubt its central location helps. The waiters are 'Viennese grumpy' which is funny except when it's not. I recently took a few tourists here to try the Buchteln which Hawelka promotes but lo and behold these days one can only order Buchteln after 20:00 (8pm). Oh well - they still saw a famous old Vienna coffeehouse while eating some good apfelstrudel and Sachertorte, drinking some okay coffee and wine, and being served by a grumpy Viennese waiter. read more

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I found Hawelka by mistake. I entered and I immediately knew I had to stay a while. The atmosphere is very old-fashioned and fancy, trasporting you into mid 1920s. I guess time-traveling does work there. I just loved the interior design, which is very well thought out. The coffee or actually the cappuccino I had was very nice, although what I liked most about Hawelka was not the coffee nor the Strudel, but the personnel and the general atmosphere. read more

Cafe Hawelka - Amazing and very well thought out interior design. - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

Crowded, old fashioned and still very cozy place. Good coffee. Interesting interior. read more

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I've only had the sacher torte at Oberlaa, Sacher Cafe, and here. So far, Cafe Hawelka wins easily. Really moist cake and icing, although a bit light on the apricot jam. Came in on a Sunday afternoon, and this place was PACKED. It's definitely full of tourists, but it's the kind of place where you go in, order, eat/drink, and leave immediately. My husband and I arrived the same time another couple came in, and I think we both averaged just 10-15 minutes from when we sat down to when we got up to leave. The waiters didn't rush us at all; it's just too packed to enjoy hanging out. The waiters were busy so I'm not sure if they normally seat you, but we just plucked the first free table that became available. As others have mentioned, there are no menus but we already knew what we wanted to it was fine. We didn't have to wait long for service, and our orders came really quickly. 13.50 Euros for a sacher torte, an espresso, and a Melange. read more

Cafe Hawelka - Melange, espresso, and sacher torte - Cafes Near Me - Vienna, 9

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