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About
This famous traditional café with its 130 year history was first opened in 1876 and at the turn of the 20th century it was a popular meeting point for leading lights in the world of art, literature, politics and science such as Arthur Schnitzler, Sigmund Freud, Peter Altenberg and Leo Trotzki. Then, like today, the legendary literature café was a meeting point for all ages, regular guests, Viennese locals and visitors. Unique architecture combined with the best coffee specialties, classic Viennese cuisine and finest home-made pastries make every visit a special experience. Daily Live Piano Music from 5pm on! Reservations are strongly recommended to avoid waiting time - upon availability. Many
PRICE RANGE
C$9 - C$28
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
CUISINES
German, Austrian, Cafe, European, Soups, Central European, International
FEATURES
Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music
Reviews (13,847)
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LanguageEnglish
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Traveller rating
3,470
1,875
643
239
256
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All reviews cakes apple strudel pastry viennese coffee apfelstrudel vanilla slice soup goulash live piano music worth the wait beautiful interior coffee house long queue hot chocolate architecture freud cafes
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Reviewed yesterday

On our second morning of our trip (15th March), the group and I decided to try this well recommended cafe, known for its famous clientele throughout the years. This was the first cafe we saw with a queue out the door and we took that...as a good sign (which it was). There was 6 of us total, the queue moved fast and we were given a seat very quickly. Walking through, it was hard to take in the Grandeur and beauty of the cafe (not to mention the case of delicious looking pastries and patisseries!). We were seated towards the back, but right under some portraits (I believe of the emperor and empress?) I had the traditional vienese breakfast and a hot chocolate and others in the group had patisseries - we all agreed it was some of the best food we'd ever eaten (and we're a group who love our food!) The stand out factor of this trip was our waiter, Hr. Toni. So professional, so friendly, and accommodated us so well. We were all so impressed with his skill for service and professionalism and I think he should be recognised for his hard work. I'd really recommend going along to cafe central, even for coffee and cake, as it really is a sight you need to see whilst in Vienna. We loved it so much, we came back for our final breakfast and I had the same again, including a vanilla custard slice. I will mention here that this experience on the 17th wasn't as positive as the first trip - we had a different member of the serve us and they weren't as friendly or professional, and things got missed and we struggled to catch them to ask. I will say though, it was incredibly busy and a Sunday, so perhaps this effected the service on this final visit.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed yesterday

We decided to head in for breakfast at 8am on our way to the airport on our last morning. As it was first thing in the morning there was no queue and the cafè was half full when we arrived. We we underwhelmed with our...visit. The staff were pleasant. However the service and food were disappointing. The coffee was very similar to coffee.out of a machine rather than made by a barista. There was some confusion with our order as people who arrived after us got their food before us. To be fair to the waiter he did come over to us to tell us it would be with us shortly. When our food arrived my husband's eggs has 2 large pieces of shell visible. No jam or butter were provided with our food for our toast and crossaint. As we were in a hurry to leave for the airport we gobbled down our food and had to ask for the bill twice. My husband was asked if he wanted to leave a tip when settling the bill. We would always tip good service but were unable to do so on this occasion.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 2 days ago

Don’t even bother going here, as a party of 3 we queued for circa 45 minutes, one member of the group is in her 70’s. There was a maitre d allowing people in, however rather than first come first served basis, they would let larger...groups in, regardless how long they were in the queue. Despicable service and shows they prefer to put profit before people. We walked away along with multiple other people.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 1 week ago

not worth wasting time tbh. we were not hosted very well. and their attitude was not the best. ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 1 week ago

The atmosphere at Central Cafe was so so nice! The food was delicious, I got the traditional Austrian Breakfast and thought it was more than enough to fill me up and it was delicious. Our waiter was very kind and even chased us down to...return something to us that we had left at the table. Such a great place to visit for breakfast!More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Heart sank when I saw the queue but it moved very quickly. So all good. Had the goulash which lacked punch but was pleasant enough. To be honest you’re not really here for the savoury dishes. It’s the patisserie and the strudel, which were superb....Add to that a wonderful waiter and you have the perfect afternoon tea (well, wine with strudel).More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 1 week ago

Its on the tourist circuit, so felt less than authentic. Impression some locals frequenting the place, but its more of a tourist attraction, with perhaps tourist attraction prices. unimpressed by the dry cakes. Having had both the Cafe Central speciality torte and their Sachertorte. Even...less impressed by the house speciality coffee, which seemed to lack the coffee element. A tea cup, with a puddle of coffee and a tower of frothed milk. I cant believe I paid so much extra for air. Not even enough to wash the cake down with, especially as coffee had to be ordered and was delivered before we were invited to choose cake from the display case. Queue (of some 20 or so in front) did move along fairly swiftly. - helped by the quick to serve, but polite and helpful and foreign language proficient staff. Didn't feel rushed, just hoped perhaps for more - coffee and cake together perhaps. Unless this isn't the Vienna way?More

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed 1 week ago

This cafe is a very beautiful location. Unfortunately food is poor, service slow - especially for the price. Coffee is not even good. The line of people outside only because its mentioned in every city guide. Too bad - good be a really great place.

Date of visit: March 2024
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 1 week ago

Food was too yummy! Coffee was spot on! Staff behavior is extremely humble. Loved the environment so much. Cozy place with a quiet and peaceful ambiance

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

We are a same sex couple on a short break in Vienna. We presented to Cafe Centrale at 21:30 and were denied entry by a particularly rude male waiter. No apology, no explanation. Disgraceful. Their closing time is clearly marked as 22:00 on the front...door. I hate to say this, but I can only deduce that there was an element of homophobia at play here on that rude waiters part. Extremely disappointing experience.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

Even if the line... When you inside this atmosphere hugs you and stuff is taking care of everything even when it's crowdy. It is a little bit a tourist thing but it's understandable, it's amazing inside and from 16 to 18 the pianist is playing,...once they sung us a happy birthday song just because they found out at the door 😍😍 amazing innit 😍😍😄 The prices are normal, just a bit higher then the Viennese middle range. I hope to go againMore

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago

If someone would invite Martians to planet earth and they would met me and ask to show them real Europe in 1 day I would bring them to Vienna. After that we most probably would visit Cafe Central.

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Me and my friend went today,we were so excited since this cafe is so viral in the internet. We ordered lunch and it took approximately 35 minutes, our waiter wasn’t around,he just took the order and vanished, food was 2/5 not worth the price, we...wanted to eat the dessert somewhere else and requested a bill, we wanted to split the bill and he refused, when it was time to pay he told me to put a tip,like he requested and we didn’t wanted to give him a tip because he wasn’t around us at all we had to search for him if we want something,when we were leaving he ironically said “thank you for the tip”,it was very rude,he definitely doesn’t know anything about customer service,he ruined my mood for the whole day, he was tall old man with the beard :)More

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed 4 weeks ago

We visited this café since it is very renowned in Vienna. The interior is very impressive and stands out. We arrived at 9.30 in the morning, there was a que but was moving fast. If you plan to go I would recommend to book in...advance or get there very early, otherwise it is extremely busy. Another tip is, if you want to try the traditional pastry with the vanilla cream , they are served after 10.00. The staff was friendly, we did not know what I mentioned before about the traditional things that are served after ten so we just had a chocolate cake , a coffee and a hot chocolate. None of all blew my mind, it is an expensive café but worth visiting once.More

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed February 10, 2024 via mobile

Cafés are the very essence of Viennese culture. They say that cafés are places where time and space is consumed, but only coffee is found on the bill. And it's so true! Café Central is stunning inside. You feel like you're on a movie set,...it's that impressive. As soon as you walk in, you are drawn to the delicious cakes and deserts. We had the signature Wiener Melange (like a cappuccino) and apple strudel for breakfast. They were delicious and the perfect start to our day. While you're there, take a moment to absorb your surroundings. We were seated by two large paintings of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Sissi so you'll be in good company! The staff were very attentive and friendly and coffee and cake was delivered very quickly. While you're in Vienna, take a moment to find a good café, soak in the atmosphere, read an international newspaper, and of course, enjoy a coffee and cake. PS - don't forget to make a reservation before you visit.More

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
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Karl G
January 5, 2020|
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Response from Richard S | Reviewed this property |
I dont think it is.
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November 12, 2019|
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Response from Marie B | Reviewed this property |
At about 9pm we did notwait at all -in late October.
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Shahnisha-mehta
August 16, 2019|
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Response from kellys310 | Reviewed this property |
Yes plenty
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CAFE CENTRAL, Vienna - Herrengasse 14, Inner City - Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Cafe Central

Yes, Cafe Central is taking precautions against COVID-19. A full list is available within the "safety precautions" section of this page.

Cafe Central is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5