Vienna's sweetest secrets

Café culture forms an integral part of the Austrian – and in particular the Viennese – way of life. Not surprising, really, as coffeehouses have been around for more than 300 years! They vary in style from the plush imperial establishments complete with crystal chandeliers and marble tables, to small and cosy with wooden furniture and creaky floorboards – but they all have one thing in common: “Gemuetlichkeit” - offering a home away from home. Coffeehouses are meeting places for friends and lovers, poets and artists, locals and tourists alike. And you never have to go far for there is a coffeehouse at almost every corner in Vienna. Patrons can spend hours over a single cup of coffee, enjoying a quiet skim through the newspaper of the day without ever being asked to move. Connoisseurs invariably order their favourite type of coffee, be it a “Grosser Brauner” double espresso with milk or a more adventurous “Fiaker” named after the horse-drawn carriage, a strong black coffee with hot kirsch and topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. With 20-odd varieties to choose from, it might be a good idea to keep a short list. However, a visit to a Viennese coffeehouse would not be complete without a tempting cake or pastry. The famous Apple Strudel and Sacher Torte are served along some lesser known but equally mouthwatering treats such as the Gugelhupf, Topfengolatschen, Esterhazy-Schnitte, Punschkrapferl or perhaps the Malakoff Torte. As a rule of thumb: the more unpronounceable the better the taste!
The waiter called “Ober” will be more than happy to explain the café’s offering and if all else fails a trip to the cake display will eradicate any doubt. So when in Vienna, do as the Viennese and take some time to enjoy the sweet life.