Old World elegance in Vienna’s Café Central

Vienna is such a beautiful, elegant city, and nothing captures that spirit better than its opulent cafés.

These cafés were once the haunt of artists, musicians, and writers, whereas now you have to fight the masses of tourists to gain entrée … but they are still worth it.

Café Central is one such café where the lines are long, but you’ll do it anyway. I did, at least. In the snow.

I’ve been here countless of times, but on my most recent trip this past February, I braved the crowds and snow to visit.

And since the café just closed last month for renovations that will not be completed until autumn 2026, I’m even happier I waited in that snow!

Down the street from the Hofburg, Café Central was built in 1876 in what is now called Palais Ferstel – the name of the architect.

The beautiful café played host to numerous intellectuals and luminaries, including Alphons Mucha, Johann Strauss, Stefan Zweig and Sigmund Freud.

When there was talk of the Russian Revolution breaking out, café habitués thought it had no chance of success, since it was led by “Herr Trotsky of Café Central”. Sadly, the early twentieth century pundits were wrong on this. It was said the Russian dissident spent all his time there, at a time when many rooming homes had no heat and cafés like Café Central did – in addition to newspapers and chessboards.

Warming up after waiting in the snow with Frittatensuppe.

Today, you can enjoy lunch or dinner and a sinful selection of Austrian desserts and coffee with plenty of whipped cream. No point in sticking to any diets when you’re here. You’ll walk it off.

So, while Café Central undergoes its refreshening/beautifying for its 150th anniversary, it will be sad to see it closed. But here’s to the next 150 years of art, literature and history at the beautiful Café Central.

When in Vienna … Sachertorte!