Café Hawelka

Café Hawelka is one of Vienna’s most iconic coffeehouses, known for its old-world charm, literary history, and famous Buchteln (sweet yeast buns). Located in the heart of the city near St. Stephen´s Cathedral, this traditional café has been a gathering place for writers, artists, and intellectuals since its opening in 1939. Its dim lighting, worn wooden furniture, and smoky atmosphere (before the smoking ban) make it feel like a time capsule of Vienna’s rich coffeehouse culture. Unlike modern cafés, Hawelka has retained its original character, offering a unique experience where time seems to stand still.

There are plenty of coffeehouses in Vienna, but few have the soul of Café Hawelka.

The focus isn’t on polished service or an extensive menu; instead, the charm lies in the atmosphere, the history, and the quiet hum of conversation that fills the room. The interior, with its dim lighting, dark wooden furniture, and walls that seem to hold decades of stories, sets the perfect backdrop for an unhurried coffee break.

Unlike the grander coffeehouses of Vienna, Hawelka has a more intimate, almost lived-in charm. It has long been a gathering place for artists, writers, and thinkers, and while the crowd may have changed, the spirit of slow conversation and lingering over coffee remains. There’s no rush here. Order a Melange, sit back, and let the café work its quiet magic.

Of course, no visit is complete without the famous Buchteln. These warm, fluffy yeast buns filled with plum jam arrive fresh from the oven in the evening, just as they did when Josefine Hawelka baked them herself. They’re simple but perfect—especially with a black coffee to balance the sweetness.

If you’re looking for a polished café, sleek interiors, or trendy coffee drinks, you won’t find them here. But if you want to experience Vienna’s coffeehouse culture in its purest form—slow, nostalgic, and full of character—this is the place to be.