Forgive me, but I’d like to generalize for a moment. In general, students are typically a) not the 1% and b) caffeine junkies. There is no better place for these two to meet in harmony than European cafes. For a mere €3 one can get a cappuccino or mélange (coffee with hot foamed milk), which fixes your caffeine withdrawal and keeps your wallet flush—well, student flush. It’s rare to find establishments that not only allow loitering but encourage it. Sitting and sipping a coffee, you’re invited to idle your day away daydreaming, reading, or simply taking in your surroundings. In Vienna, kaffeehaus, or coffee houses, are an important tradition. There are several different types of cafes here, some famous, others not, but I’ve made an easy guide to get you through.
TraditionalPerhaps one of the most famous traditional cafes is Café Central. Located in the 1st District near the Freyung Sqaure, it was opened in 1876 and has been frequented by the likes of Sigmund Freud, Leon Trotsky, and Vladimir Lenin. The waiters are dressed in fancy suits and the plush red and gold seating intensified by the vaulted ceilings gives a feeling of old-world elegance. A visit here is a little time travel into the past. Another popular traditional café is Café Sperl, located in the city's 6th district.
BohemianCafé Hawelka is a popular café tucked away in the 1st district as well. Opened in 1939 and historically a meeting place for writers and artists after World War II, it has a unique worn-in charm, much like one’s favorite sweater. It has plenty of tables with wooden chairs and booths by the windows covered in frayed red velvet. The daily newspapers on hand combined with the vintage posters and pictures on the wall make for plenty to read and look at. Another favorite “boho” café of mine is Kaffee Alt Wien, conveniently located not far from Café Hawelka and started by the same owners.
Phil is both a bookstore and café also located in the 6th district. It has a modern coffee bar and plenty of books to read or purchase. The mix match of chairs, comfy sofa chairs, and leather couches make it inviting to sit and stay a while. The indie music playing overhead made me feel right at home. Free internet and plenty of interesting people coming in an out has made Phil one of my favorite discoveries.
So whether you are looking for a bit of history or a place that feels like home, there is a café in Vienna for you. But if you ask me, I’d say you might as well visit them all, because with so many choices, why should you have to choose?