Beginner’s Guide to Must-Try Dessert Spots in Vienna

Last updated on April 14th, 2025 at 06:10 pm

If I had any idea how many ridiculously good desserts, chocolate cakes, and pastries there were in Vienna… I honestly might’ve reconsidered going especially with my wedding only a few months away. Before traveling to the heart of Austria, I pretty much just thought Vienna was full of fancy chandeliers, opera shows, and paying tribute to Mozart. But who knew Vienna was hiding this many top-tier treats? Or maybe you did already and that’s why you’ve landed on this post in search of the best dessert places in Vienna. I mean, from a rich chocolatety sachertorte to a warm apple strudel and everything in between — this city delivers some of the best desserts in Vienna 🎂🍰🍫🧁

So naturally, I went on a mission: one week, a bunch of traditional Viennese cake-filled stops, and a goal to hunt down the best desserts in Vienna. Keep reading for the ultimate roundup of the best dessert places in Vienna including where to find the best sachertorte in Vienna and the most mouthwatering apple strudel, Kaiserschmarrn (sweet pancakes), Punschkrapfen (punch cake), and more! Let’s get into it 👇

Read more on Vienna 🇦🇹

• A First Timer’s Guide to the Best 2 Day Vienna Itinerary
• The Hoxton Vienna Review: A Look Inside Vienna’s Coolest Hotel

This site contains affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them (which will likely go towards overpriced airport wine or buying my dog more unnecessary toys). However, none of that impacts the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Vienna at a Glance

Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Boutique Hotels for your 2 Day Vienna Itinerary:

• The Hoxton Vienna (3rd District) — This is where we stayed and I loved it. A sleek and stylish hotel with a laid-back vibe, The Hoxton combines classic Austrian design with modern touches, offering spacious rooms and a trendy rooftop bar. Click here for my full hotel review on The Hoxton!
• 25hours Hotel at MuseumsQuartier (7th district) – A funky, design-forward hotel with quirky details and playful art, perfect for travelers looking for a creative and affordable stay in the heart of the city.
• The Guesthouse Vienna (1st district) – A modern luxury hotel in Vienna’s historic center, blending classic elegance with comfort for those wanting to be close to the action while enjoying peace and quiet.
• Hotel Sacher Wien (1st district) – Iconic and luxurious, Hotel Sacher offers world-class service and elegant rooms, with the added bonus of tasting the famous Sachertorte at its café.

See all the details of my stay at The Hoxton Vienna in my full review!

A Quick Introduction to Viennese Desserts

You guys might know about my sweet tooth by now…she loves anything remotely related to chocolate, ice cream, pastries, cakes, sour sweets, gummies, and more. She lives a great life because even if she gets a cavity (which has happened many times), she’s never the one to pay for it. Which is why she was having a field day indulging in all of the best desserts in Vienna.

Okay sorry enough talking about my sweet tooth in the 3rd person 😂

Ps. If you ever find yourself in Italy — check out this blog post for my personal list of the top bakeries and dessert places in Milan.

Before we dive into my personal list of the best dessert places in Vienna, let’s set the scene with a little Viennese cake context. Because you know I love my history and you can’t fully appreciate the best desserts in Vienna without knowing the legends behind them. So here’s a quick intro to the all-star lineup of the most famous desserts in Vienna.

Let’s start with the headliner: Sachertorte. This isn’t juuuuust any old chocolate cake — it’s chocolate cake that’s been to finishing school, wears a designer label, and probably speaks five languages. Dense, dark, and layered with a thin swipe of apricot jam, it’s served with a generous dollop of whipped cream that, frankly, carries the whole experience. You’ll find it at pretty much every café in Vienna, but not all Sachertortes are created equal. There’s even a decades-long feud between Hotel Sacher and Demel over who gets to claim the best Sachertorte in Vienna. Can you believe lawyers had to get involved before settling on who ultimately makes the best chocolate cake in Vienna? Keep reading if you want more of the tea, since I cover both of these places in my Top 10 list below!

Then there’s Apfelstrudel, aka apple strudel, aka your new emotional support dessert. It’s warm, buttery, flaky, and packed with spiced apples—and occasionally, raisins (controversial but historically accurate). Usually served with vanilla sauce or a scoop of ice cream, it’s the kind of best dessert in Vienna that makes you forget whatever stress you had five minutes ago. Vienna’s been baking this baby since the 18th century, and it’s not slowing down.

Of course, Kaiserschmarrn deserves its own spotlight. Austria’s ultimate comfort dessert aka a fluffy, caramelized shredded pancake that’s slightly crispy on the edges and pillowy soft inside. Traditionally served dusted with powdered sugar and a side of plum compote, it’s said to have been a favorite of Emperor Franz Joseph I (hence the “Kaiser” in the name).

Now let’s talk Kardinalschnitte. Light-as-air layers of meringue and sponge cake, sandwiched with whipped cream or coffee cream, it’s the kind of dessert that looks dainty but disappears fast. Named after Catholic cardinals (the yellow and white stripes are no accident), it’s got a fancy vibe with a faithful following.

Mozart Torte? A whole symphony of flavors. Chocolate, pistachio, and marzipan all layered together like they were meant to be. Named after the man himself, it’s rich, nutty, and way more memorable than those little chocolate Mozart balls everyone brings home as souvenirs. Definitely a famous dessert in Vienna, and rightfully so.

Then there’s the lesser-known but very glam Sisi Torte, inspired by Empress Elisabeth (aka Sisi, Vienna’s answer to Princess Diana). It typically features layers of light chocolate sponge cake filled with apricot jam and a silky chocolate cream, often finished with a smooth chocolate glaze or ganache.

And last but not least, there’s the Punschkrapfen (punch cake) which are little pink cubes of cake soaked in rum and filled with nougat or jam, all wrapped up in a sugary glaze. They look like something Barbie might bake, but they pack a serious punch.

Basically, if you’re on the hunt for the best desserts in Vienna, prepare yourself. This city doesn’t f*ck around when it comes to desserts and pastries in Vienna. From royal tortes to apple strudels and the best chocolate cake in Vienna, you’re in for a sugar rollercoaster.

Top 8 Best Cafés in Vienna for Dessert

Okay finally, enough of the boring history lesson. I always do my best to combine hidden gems with popular places in my blog posts because what’s the point in traveling if you just follow every cookie-cutter itinerary out there? So you’ll definitely see some fan favorites but also some cafes that are predominantly for the locals who love Viennese cake as much as you do!

So let’s get into the Top 8 best dessert places in Vienna (in no particular order) and what to get at each one 👇

#1 Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker

📍 Kärntner Str. 51, 1010 Wien, Austria

Holy moly! I was instantly blown away when I visited Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker which is why I’m putting it at the top of my list. I totally thought it would just be some regular cafe but the interior seriously blew me away. AND their cakes were really good. Like, I’m pretty sure this place had the best chocolate cake in Vienna (to me at least). I felt like Princess Diana sitting under the grand chandeliers while sipping on a cappuccino and eating my Gerstner Torte aka their take on a rich chocolate-hazelnut cake.

#2 Café Korb

📍 Brandstätte 7/9, 1010 Wien, Austria

Quirky, retro, and full of personality. Cafe Korb was easily one of my favorite places for dessert in Vienna. Just because it was so laid-back and everybody seemed to just mind their own business. Cafe Korb is definitely a fan favorite with artists and locals who like their coffee with a side of philosophical chat. I ordered the apfelstrudel (apple strudel) and it was divine. They even warm it up for you which make it 100x better 💯

Ps. If you like whipped cream, then you’ll love Vienna. They seem to put it on everything from their coffees to the desserts.

#3 Café Central

📍 Herrengasse 14, 1010 Wien, Austria

Café Central is definitely one of the most touristy places on this list. Get ready for a short wait if you didn’t make a reservation. We only waited ~10 minutes which wasn’t too bad. This is definitely the place to go if you want a wide variety of options though. They have all the top Vienna fan favorites, including what might just be the best chocolate cake in Vienna, plus a great selection of other desserts and pastries like Kaiserschmarrn, Milchrahmstrudel (cheese curd strudel), Wiener Eiskaffee or Eisschokolade mit Schlagobers (Viennese-style iced coffee with whipped cream), and plenty of other sweet treats.

#4 Café Sacher

📍 Philharmoniker Str. 4, 1010 Wien, Austria

Cafe Sacher is home to the world-famous Original Sacher-Torte and known for the best Sachertorte in Vienna but I’ll let you be the judge of that! This elegant spot is steeped in Viennese tradition. Expect classic red interiors, polished service, and a must-try slice of rich chocolate cake layered with apricot jam.

#5 Café Diglas

📍 Wollzeile 10, 1010 Wien, Austria

Cafe Diglas is a cozy and less touristy gem with old-school vibes and velvet banquettes. Known for its apple strudel and generous cake display, it’s a great spot to unwind with a melange and people-watch. I ordered the apple strudel here and while it was good, I don’t think it was nearly as good as Cafe Korb. But maybe it’s because I got it warmed up at Cafe Korb which I think made all the difference.

#6 Café Demel

📍 Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Wien, Austria

There’s a couple locations of Cafe Demel in Vienna but I recommend the one located directly across from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Elegant, historic, and pastry heaven. Watch the bakers in action through glass windows, then devour a slice of sachertorte in a gilded salon. My mom ordered the passionfruit cake here and it was delicious. It kind of reminded me of Chinese sponge cakes if you’ve ever had one. They’re really fluffy and not too sweet.

#7 Café Imperial Wien

📍 Kärntner Ring 16, 1010 Wien, Austria

Located inside the glamorous Hotel Imperial, Café Imperial Wien just oozes Viennese elegance. Just picture grand chandeliers, marble, and their signature Imperial Torte, a luxurious treat with layers of marzipan and chocolate. It’s also home to what could easily be the best chocolate cake in Vienna. Come here when you want to feel fancy, or just need a break from your budget-friendly bakery crawl.

#8 Mozart Cafe

📍 Albertinapl. 2, 1010 Wien, Austria

And last but not least, there’s the Mozart Cafe. Located right near the opera house, this bright and buzzy café is a convenient stop for a pre- or post-performance treat. It’s touristy (which is why I put it last on this list) but worth it for the vibe and a good slice of Mozart cake.

Top Food & Dessert Tours in Vienna

Okay, so maybe not everyone has the time to run across the entire city of Vienna like I did. Totally fair. But if you still want to taste the best of the city’s sweets without doing all the legwork, this Coffee, Cake & Chocolate Tour is the perfect shortcut 🎂

I know a bunch of travel bloggers who’ve taken it, and they all raved about it. It’s especially ideal if you’re short on time but still want the full Vienna café experience.

The tour is small, maxing out at 8 people, so it feels personal and relaxed. No awkward big group energy here. Plus, it comes with some seriously delicious perks:

☕ Three classic Viennese coffee specialties (or tea or hot chocolate if that’s more your style)
🍰 Two traditional sweet treats
🍫 A chocolate tasting you’ll dream about later
👣 A local guide who knows all the good spots and the stories behind them

It’s fun, it’s tasty, and it takes all the guesswork out of where to go.

Definitely recommend booking this dessert tour if you want a sweet slice of Vienna without the stress.

And while I can’t personally vouch for these, heres a list of some other Vienna dessert and food focused tours that id probably recommend based on the high ratings and reviews:

• Gerstner KuK Hofzuckerbäcker Baking Show & Tasting
• Dessert Tour with Pastries, Cakes & Hidden Cafes
• Traditional Kaiserschmarrn Cooking Class & Tasting

Must-Try Desserts in Vienna: Final Thoughts

So, there you have it — Vienna’s dessert, pastry, and cake scene in all its sweet, sugary glory. From the iconic Sachertorte, which you absolutely can’t miss if you’re in the city, to hunting down the best apple strudel in Vienna, there’s no shortage of treats that’ll make your sweet tooth happy.

Whether you’re indulging in a rich slice of cake at Café Sacher or trying a flaky, warm strudel from a hidden gem, Vienna’s desserts are a must-try for any dessert lover. But it’s not just about the pastries, it’s about the experience of slowing down and savoring the city’s rich café culture. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll leave with a sugar high and a newfound appreciation for Vienna’s dessert scene (maybe even a few extra pounds, but hey, that’s a souvenir).

So, don’t rush through this list because the best Sachertorte in Vienna and the best apple strudel in Vienna aren’t going anywhere anytime soon!

Take your time, eat up, and let Vienna’s dessert scene work its magic 🧙‍♀️

Did you get to try any of these desserts in Vienna? Let me know in the comments below!

Visiting other parts of Austria?

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