The Viennese coffee house culture “Kaffeehauskultur” is a big thing in the Austrian capital. My emphasis on the coffee house, or “Kaffeehaus”, rather than the coffee is intentional as the experience in a coffee house is what the culture is all about and less the hot beverage itself.

cafemuseumtrio

The coffee house is where friends meet, business deals are closed, couples go to for a date, journalists work on their articles and writers on their books. Hours pass while several cups of coffee keep the mind going. A selection of daily newspapers ensure patrons stay up to date with world matters. Contrary to Italians who caffeinated themselves in matters of seconds at a coffee bar, Viennese tend to enjoy company of strangers in a living room-like environment, possibly for hours.

The Cafè Museum in the city center is such a place. Traditional interior with red upholstery on benches, black wooden chairs reminding of Thonet and marble coffee tables. High ceiling and big windows allow for a bright and very cosy ambiance. Right when entering the place a big display full of mouthwatering cakes and cookies of all sorts and sizes set the tone for the visit. The menu reveals even more delicacies – coffee needs company too! I do enjoy having breakfast at Viennese coffee houses. A classic Viennese breakfast, “Wiener Fruehstueck”, consisting of a cup of coffee, freshly baked rolls, butter and apricot jam, I could have every day. A decent and recommended addition is a soft boiled egg. For extended breakfast some juicy ham and cheese shall be added and a pice of pastry not to be missed. The center picture above shows a “Butterkipferl” which is a kind of a brioche-croissant – super delicious!