
Demel © Vienna Tourist Board / Peter Rigaud
THE PLACE TO TASTE
VIENNA ALL SWEET
A city vacation can be quite exhausting. So treat yourself to a break every now and then and sweeten your day with a little treat in one of the many traditional Viennese coffee houses.
Austrian cuisine, and Viennese cuisine in particular, offers wonderful desserts and sweet dishes that you should definitely try.
It doesn’t always have to be ice cream or a piece of chocolate. We have put together the most traditional desserts for you. There are also tips on where you can enjoy them.
Kaiserschmarren
A fluffy, light treat that, according to our favorite legend, was prepared by the emperor himself. We like to believe it and eat the Kaiserschmarren with or without raisins, but above all with apple sauce and an extra portion of powdered sugar.
The Kaiserschmarrn can be enjoyed wonderfully in Heindls Schmarren & Palatschinkenkuchl. You can also try one of the delicious sweet or savory pancake variations there.


Sacher cake at Café Sacher © Vienna Tourist Board / Paul Bauer
Sachertorte
The most famous Viennese sweet was created by Franz Sacher in 1832 and has been an integral part of Austrian cuisine ever since. A delicate chocolate cake with apricot jam and a fine chocolate icing. A portion of whipped cream is a must.
If you want something really traditional, the best place to go is the
Café Sacher at Philharmonikerstraße 4, directly behind the State Opera. If you can’t get a seat, you can also go to the competition, the K u. K Hofzuckerbäckerei Demel on Kohlmarkt.
Apple strudel
This is where even the most steadfast will be swayed. A wafer-thin strudel dough envelops a delicious filling of apples, raisins, nuts, roasted breadcrumbs and cinnamon. Together they make a deliciously light and delicate dessert.
Our favorite place for a real Austrian apple strudel is the Café Central on the corner of Herrengasse/Strauchgasse or also accessible from Freyung.

Apple strudel at Café Central © WienTourismus / Paul Bauer

Apricot dumplings
The dumpling is one of the Austrians’ favorite dishes and appears in countless variations: as a side dish, main course or dessert, with or without meat, savory or sweet.
We were particularly taken with the apricot dumpling with a piece of fresh apricot in the middle and golden brown crumbs on the outside. The highest art of pastry cooking!
Quite Austrian, but with a twist and a modern twist, the apricot dumpling at Gasthaus Zur Herknerin
in the 4th district. A lovingly designed restaurant where food is prepared with heart and soul. If you discover your love of dumplings here, you can also take part in a dumpling seminar with the landlady herself.