Friendly disclaimer! We want to be as accurate as possible, but given these challenging times, we urge you to recheck that the venues are open when you decide to visit.
Sachertorte, the world’s most famous chocolate cake, is quite simply a double layer of chocolate sponge cake slathered with apricot jam in between, with chocolate ganache icing, and served with whipped cream. Its claim to fame lies in its understated richness, the centuries-old history it represents, and the carefully guarded recipe that Vienna, its country of origin, still swears by.
Like many great creations, the invention of Sachertorte was also due to a quirk of fate. In the 18th century, a young apprentice by the name of Franz Sacher working in the palace kitchen of Prince Metternich was tasked with the unexpected duty of preparing an impressive cake for dinner guests, after the main cook fell ill. He managed to perform under all that pressure, to create Sachertorte, a cake that was to receive international fame.
Assuming that we’ve stirred your sweet tooth enough, here are some must-visit places in Vienna that serve both original and acclaimed versions of the desert. So, find out for yourself what the fuss is all about!
Hotel Sacher
This hotel was set up in 1876 by Eduard Sacher, son of Franz Sacher who is credited with perfecting the recipe of his father’s famous creation and bringing it international acclaim. The establishment came to earn a name for itself as a luxury hotel during Europe’s Belle Epoque era, thanks to the efforts of Eduard’s wife Anna, who took charge of the space after her husband’s death in 1892.
It is the only place in Vienna licensed to call their version of the cake the ‘Original Sacher-torte’. Their centuries-old closely-guarded recipe is, needless to say, one of the best. Be prepared for long queues at their café at most times.
Address: 4 Philharmoniker Straße, Innere Stadt Wien, Wien, 1010
Phone: +431514560
Website: https://www.sacher.com/de/wien/
Café Demel
No mention of this café can begin without a reference to the infamous cake war they’ve had with Hotel Sacher. There were conflicting claims between the two parties on who is to be credited as the creator of Sachertorte. Café Damel argued that Eduard Sacher perfected the cake in its present form while apprenticing with them.
Though Hotel Sacher won the 9-year (1954 -1963) long legal battle between them, both places have an equal foothold over the international Sachertorte market. Demel decorates their own version of the cake with a triangular piece of chocolate that reads ‘Eduard Sacher Torte’. The café has also lived a long history and was once a favourite haunt of the Habsburg royal family of Vienna.
Address: Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Wien
Phone: +43 (1) 535 17 17 – 0
Timings: Every day 10 am to 7 pm
Website: https://www.demel.com/en/
Aida Café Konditorei
This is a historic espresso bar and patisserie chain in Vienna, with franchises all over the world. It was the flagbearer of Vienna’s 20th-century Café-Konditorei (café-confectionary) culture and set an alternative to its much older coffee-house tradition. It even set up the city’s first espresso machine. Over the years though, it has seen limited changes to its 1970s themed, pink glass-and-plastic decor, and coffee that’s still offered in basic flavours.
Their wide selection of deserts includes the Black Forest cake, strudel, Aida cake (with multi-tiered chocolate mousse), Mozart cake (with marzipan and cream), and of course the Sachertorte (which they market as ‘better than original’!). The prices are quite affordable in comparison to other opulent and old-world Viennese coffee houses.
Café Sperl
This café dating back to 1880 is one of the most iconic representations of Viennese coffee-house culture. Its vast, art nouveau-themed interiors offer an unhurried, old-world charm where one can have coffee, read a newspaper, play pool, or even have dinner.
This can be topped off with their delectable version of Sachertorte – the apricot jam will literally overflow from the decadent layers of chocolate. A live pianist also performs at the venue on Sundays. Besides Sachertorte, the cafe’s very own Sperl torte (with milk chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, and almond flour) is a must-have.
Address: Gumpendorfer Str. 11, 1060 Wien
Phone: +4315864158
Timings: Mon – Sat 7 am to 10 pm; Sun 10 am to 10 pm
Website: https://www.cafesperl.at/
Konditorei Oberlaa
This is another café-confectionery chain in Vienna that has earned quite a name for its pastries, cakes, tarts, ice cream, and confectionery – despite its comparatively recent (less than 50 years) history. The café itself offers a vibe that is elegant yet contemporary, with the outlet in Neuer Market square set over three stories in a former townhouse.
Address: Several locations
Phone: 01/877 54 65-0
Timings: Check website
Website: www.oberlaa-wien.at
If you have had your fill of the delectable Sachertorte and want to explore the city’s many other offerings as well, check out our detailed itinerary that unravels Vienna in 4 days.
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