Sacher Cafe, Vienna

If you're on a mission to track down the best chocolate cake in Vienna鈥攊f not on Earth鈥攖hen point your sweet tooth straight toward Caf茅 Sacher. Now, this isn鈥檛 just any cake shop鈥攊t鈥檚 the birthplace of the legendary Original Sacher-Torte, first whipped up in 1832 by young Franz Sacher for a Habsburg royal party. Apparently, the emperor needed dessert, the head chef was sick, and history was made with a spatula.

Decades later, in 1876, Franz鈥檚 son Ed Sacher opened the now-iconic Sacher Hotel and its equally iconic caf茅. Ed didn鈥檛 stick around long, passing away just 16 years later, but his wife Anna took the reins like a true empress of pastry. Under her watch, the hotel and cake brand rose to international fame鈥攖hink of her as the Beyonc茅 of Viennese hospitality...

Since 1934, the whole operation has been in the hands of the G眉rtler family, and the place's guestbook reads like a who鈥檚 who of global royalty and icons: Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth II, John F. Kennedy鈥� all graced the caf茅 with their presence, presumably seduced by that rich chocolate glaze and discreet charm.

Now, here鈥檚 the best part: even if you're pinching euros, a fairly modest sum will land you a genuinely good coffee and a slice of chocolate royalty on a plate. No need to break the bank to live deliciously.

Insider tip: Beyond the main caf茅, the Sacher Hotel houses three rather swanky salons鈥攅ach in its own chic color scheme鈥攑lus the two-story Eck, which gives you a side of Opera House views with your whipped cream. And if the main caf茅鈥檚 packed (which it often is), just slip next door to Sacher Stube, run by the same family and serving the same glorious torte.

Oh, and about the coffee鈥攊f you鈥檙e not sure what to order, play it classic. Go for a "Einsp盲nner"鈥擵ienna鈥檚 beloved black coffee topped with foamed milk and a dollop of whipped cream. It鈥檚 the perfect companion for that slice of legend.

Trust us鈥攖his is one cake worth crossing a continent for...

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Sacher Cafe
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

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Walking Tours in Vienna, Austria

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