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Café Landtmann

Café Landtmann's Neo-Renaissance facade on Universitätsring 4, with its original 1873 architectural details and outdoor seating area facing the Burgtheater.
Exterior view of Café Landtmann (Café Landtmann Wien) with its iconic Ringstrasse facade and outdoor seating area.
Interior detail of Café Landtmann.
Café Landtmann's famous glass display case filled with homemade Viennese pastries and tortes.
Café Landtmann Vienna - Historic Viennese coffee house established in 1873, located at Universitätsring 4.
Interior detail of Café Landtmann.
Café Landtmann's grand interior featuring original 1873 design elements.
Summer terrace at Café Landtmann Vienna with views of Rathaus and University.

Café Landtmann in Vienna

Map 4.4/5 (17587 reviews)

Café Landtmann is one of Vienna’s most iconic coffeehouses, known for its deep roots in the city’s intellectual and cultural life. Located along the Ringstrasse near the Burgtheater and Rathaus, it has been a meeting place for artists, politicians, and writers since it opened in 1873. The café retains its original charm with elegant wooden interiors, marble-topped tables, and traditional service, making it a living piece of Vienna’s coffeehouse tradition. Over the decades, notable figures such as Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler, and Marlene Dietrich have all taken a seat here. Today, both locals and travelers come to enjoy its atmosphere, pastries, and Viennese cuisine – all while soaking in a slice of Old World grandeur.

Opening Hours +43 1 24100120 Website Wheelchair Access
Address:
Universitätsring 4
1010 Wien

Muvamo Opinion

Café Landtmann is one of the oldest still-operating coffeehouses in Vienna, opened in 1873, and it has quietly maintained its role as a meeting place for the city’s intellectual and political life. Freud was a regular. So was Gustav Mahler. Today, it’s still used for press conferences, university meetings, and quiet conversations that matter – not just by tourists but by people who live and work here.

Café Landtmann has operated continuously, including through the post-World War II years, and it consistently upholds and preserves Vienna’s coffeehouse culture.. Much of the interior has been restored, but always with care. The wood paneling, brass details, and original Thonet chairs aren’t replicas – they’re part of the place’s long history.

What’s notable is how Landtmann has adapted without losing its identity. The historical setting is intact, but behind the scenes, it runs with a modern approach – from using regional ingredients to quietly updating parts of the menu with seasonal options. It still feels traditional, but it’s not stuck in the past.

It’s a place that shows how the classic Viennese café still fits into daily life today. Not just for show, not frozen in time – it continues to serve a real function in the city. If you’re curious about how tradition and everyday routine mix in Vienna, Landtmann is a good example of that in action.

Helpful Hints

  • Souvenirs: You can purchase their signature Landtmann Torte, coffee, or branded goods directly on-site or from their online shop.
  • Breakfast Lovers: Their Viennese-style breakfast options are quite extensive and served until 11:30.

Gastronomic Discoveries

  • Don’t miss the signature Landtmann Torte alongside expertly prepared Austrian classics, elegant coffee specialties, warm pastries like Apfelstrudel, and a refined seasonal menu that balances tradition with lighter modern touches.

Our Little Extras

  • If you’re visiting the Burgtheater or Rathaus, Café Landtmann makes a perfect cultural pause – stop by for a refined breakfast before sightseeing or return afterward for a quiet coffee and dessert or dinner to end your day in style.

Café Landtmann: A Living Legacy on the Ringstraße

Café Landtmann was founded in 1873 by Franz Landtmann, who set out to create what he envisioned as the most elegant café in Vienna. At the time, the Ringstrasse area was still under development, with construction of major public buildings like the University of Vienna and City Hall ongoing. Despite this, the café quickly became a popular meeting spot thanks to its ambitious design and prominent location.

What distinguished Landtmann early on was not just its style, but the influential clientele it attracted. Over the decades, it became a favored haunt for politicians, artists, writers, and intellectuals. Sigmund Freud, who worked nearby at the University of Vienna, was a frequent guest. Composer Gustav Mahler was also among its well-known patrons, and in more recent years, the café has hosted international figures such as Hillary Clinton and Paul McCartney.

Café Landtmann - 1
Café Landtmann’s Neo-Renaissance facade on Universitätsring 4, with its original 1873 architectural details and outdoor seating area facing the Burgtheater.

In 1976, the Querfeld family took over the management of Café Landtmann and began a thoughtful restoration. They modernized its infrastructure and kitchen while preserving key historical features – including the richly detailed 1929 interior that remains today. Their careful stewardship has helped the café stay relevant in contemporary Vienna while retaining its timeless charm.

Today, Café Landtmann is recognized as a leading example of Vienna’s traditional Kaffeehauskultur – where coffee is enjoyed slowly, conversation is valued, and the ambiance is as important as the drink itself. Its historic interior is under heritage protection, a testament to both its architectural significance and its enduring role in the city’s cultural fabric.

Café Landtmann is an experience rooted in tradition – a ritual, a part of Vienna’s living history that continues much as it has for over 150 years.

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