Honored with the Muvamo Award as a timeless institution of Viennese coffeehouse culture – where history, intellect, and tradition create an atmosphere unlike any other.
Café Central: Vienna’s Timeless Coffeehouse
Café Central first opened its doors in 1876, during the golden age of Vienna’s coffeehouse culture. Located in Palais Ferstel, the café quickly became a hub for the city’s intellectual and artistic elite. Writers like Stefan Zweig and Peter Altenberg, psychoanalyst like Sigmund Freud, and even political figures like Leon Trotsky were known to frequent the café, earning it a reputation as Vienna’s “intellectual living room”.
The café’s location in Palais Ferstel adds to its historic charm. The building, completed in 1860, is a masterpiece of Venetian-inspired architecture, with its soaring arches, marble columns, and intricate details. It was originally designed to house a bank and stock exchange, but its elegant halls soon became home to one of Vienna’s most celebrated coffeehouses.
Throughout its history, Café Central has remained a symbol of Vienna’s rich cultural heritage. Even during challenging times, like the closure during World War II, the café has managed to preserve its legacy. Today, it attracts visitors from all over the world, drawn by its unique combination of history, architecture, and culinary excellence.
From its iconic pastries, like Apfelstrudel, to its carefully brewed coffee, Café Central continues to celebrate the traditions of Viennese coffeehouse culture. Its live piano music, historic ambiance, and ties to influential figures offer a genuine taste of Vienna’s storied past.
