2002 Cafe Central in Vienna Austria

Besides the music of Mozart, when you visit Vienna, Austria you owe it to yourself to experience a traditional beer house and coffeehouse. These cafes are social gathering places quite unlike the average Starbucks. One of the best in Vienna is Café Central, located inside the Palais Ferstel.

When we were there in 2002, the building was going through yet another renovation but that didn’t stop us from having a great time inside! I wasn’t about to miss having a traditional coffee, and maybe political discussion at this famous spot. What makes Café Central famous? At its prime before World War I, literary figures socialized, worked and even received their mail here.

Besides Sigmund Freud, Lenin, and Leon Trotsky were regulars at the café. Famously in 1917 when Austria’s foreign secretary was told of the Russian Revolution, he dismissed it as a crazy rant from “Herr Bronstein” denizen of Café Central. However “Herr Bronstein” disappeared from Vienna and turned into Leon Trotsky, the Bolshevik revolutionary.

Given its history and how much we love watching political shows at our house, Café Central was a must on our itinerary. Even with the renovation and scaffolding, we found it easily from the U-Bahn (U3 Herreng is the tram stop) and settled in for a long argument conversation over a mélange, which is a drink made with half coffee and half milk.

This is a typical Viennese cafe in that you will be able to take your time, though the waiters will be quick to serve you.  Bring a newspaper, postcards or your guide and enjoy yourself.  They usually serve your coffee on a small silver tray with a water.

Some coffeehouses are pretty cold but this one has a nice mix of plush booths, classic marble topped tables and Michael Thonet wooden chairs. Whether you are enjoying the majestic beauty of Stephensdom or the outdoors in the Volksgarten, Café Central is situated in between both which makes it a perfect respite.

Herrengasse 14
Inside the Palais Ferstel
1010 Vienna (Wien)
Austria
Tel: +01 533-3763-26

Closed Sundays

Photo by Sharon Castellanos