Café Central: A Historic Coffeehouse in Vienna

Inside the magnificent Palais Ferstel in Vienna's first district, Café Central has stood since 1876 as one of the city's most famous and most visited coffeehouses. Tall arched windows, vaulted ceilings and massive marble columns give the room the feel of a cathedral of coffeehouse culture.

A Meeting Place at the Turn of the Century

Around 1900, Café Central was considered the living room of the Viennese intelligentsia, frequented by Leon Trotsky, Sigmund Freud, Peter Altenberg and numerous other writers, artists and thinkers. A life size seated figure of the poet Peter Altenberg at the entrance still commemorates this era today.

Coffeehouse Culture, Still Alive

The menu pairs classic Viennese coffee specialities with homemade pastries and hearty Austrian dishes. Café Central sits centrally between Herrengasse and Freyung and is easily reached via the U3 subway line.