Café Central
- Good on a rainy day
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Why go
- The coffeehouse where Stefan Zweig, Robert Musil and Hugo von Hofmannsthal were regulars.
- The Palais Ferstel, built 1856–1860 in Neorenaissance style by Heinrich von Ferstel, with the coffeehouse on its ground floor.
- 250 newspapers in 22 languages, which guests could read in the coffeehouse.
Opening hours
Today08:00 – 22:00Show all
Good to know
Drinks to try
- Pricier and touristy, the cafe is better suited to coffee than to a full meal.
- Wine, beer and a full bar will be served when the cafe reopens.
Dishes to try
- The menu covers German, Austrian, Central European and international cooking, with soups.
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night meals will be served when the cafe reopens.
Atmosphere
- A traditional Viennese coffeehouse, restored in an authentic way.
- Today it is a tourist spot and a popular cafe.
- Table service will be offered when the cafe reopens.
Working with a laptop
- Wi-Fi Free Wi-Fi, available when the cafe reopens; reopening is planned for late 2026.
Good for
- Families Highchairs, when it reopens.
- Groups Reservations can be made when it reopens.
Shorts
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Going to the most famous cafe in Vienna | Café Centralabby is here to yap
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Café Central in Vienna is a must-visit!Natalia Levsina
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Trying the desserts from Cafe Central in Vienna!Mei’s travel
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Experience the Magic of Vienna's Café Central!Travel Universo
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Vienna Café Central: One of Europe’s Most Beautiful CafesThe Perpetual Travelers Eats
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Discover the coffee houses of Vienna 🇦🇹☕️ (Café Central)Sophie Nadeau
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Vienna Café Central in 15 Seconds ☕✨ |Travel with me
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Cafe Central - The most Famous coffeehouse in ViennaRaqi Gonzales Travel Vlog
History
Sigmund Freud, Josip Broz Tito and Joseph Stalin were among its patrons. Peter Altenberg reportedly used the cafe as his home address and had his post sent there. Count Berchtold mockingly named Bronstein, seated at the back of the cafe, as a possible revolutionary leader. Many internationally prominent chess masters came, and chess players used the first floor for matches. Tapp Tarock, a tarock card game, was especially popular between the wars. Members of the Vienna Circle of logical positivists held many meetings here before and after World War I.
- 1876Coffee-house keeper Wenzel Prückel opened the coffeehouse in the Bank-Bazar.
- late 19th centuryAfter the Griensteidl café was demolished, it became a main meeting place for Viennese intellectual life.
- 1907Leon Trotsky, living in Vienna as an emigrant, played chess here regularly.
- 1938Until 1938 it was jokingly called Die Schachhochschule, the chess college.
- 1943The coffeehouse closed after part of its colonnade hall was destroyed.
Show all
- 1975The coffeehouse reopened in another part of the Palais Ferstel, after renovation.
- 1986The rooms were renovated again, extensively.
- 2026Closed for a general renovation, with reopening planned for late 2026.
Sources: Café Central - Wikipedia · Vienna/Innere Stadt - Wikivoyage (drink) · Café Central · Café Central - Wikipedia · Café Central - Wikipedia · checked 17 Oct 2026
- Website
- cafecentral.wien/
- Phone
- +431533376361
Questions and answers
Is Cafe Central in Vienna open now?
No. Cafe Central is closed for a general renovation, with reopening planned for late 2026. Meanwhile the operator hosts guests at Börsensäle Wien and Palais Daun-Kinsky; the Decentral pop-up on the Freyung is a separate venue.
When is Cafe Central in Vienna open?
Its hours are Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00. The cafe is closed for renovation, with reopening planned for late 2026.
Where is Cafe Central in Vienna?
It is at Herrengasse 14 in the Innere Stadt, Vienna's first district, on the corner of Strauchgasse. It occupies the ground floor of the Palais Ferstel.
Can I book a table at Cafe Central in Vienna?
Reservations can be made once the cafe reopens. Enquiries go to [email protected], and the phone number is +431533376361.
Does Cafe Central in Vienna have highchairs for children?
Yes, highchairs will be available when the cafe reopens.
Does Cafe Central in Vienna have live music?
Yes, an occasional pianist will perform there when it reopens. Visitors find the pianist delightful.
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