One of Vienna's most beautiful and authentic coffeehouses, open since 1880, with worn billiard tables, boxy Thonet chairs and a golden light that's been in a dozen films. In Mariahilf, just off the tourist trail. Come for a slow Melange and the house Sperl-Schnitte cake.
Key facts
| Hours | Monday-Saturday: 07:00-22:00 Sunday: 10:00-20:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | U2 Museumsquartier (6 min); U3/U6 Westbahnhof direction; bus 57A to Kirchengasse |
| Time needed | 1-2 hours |
| Best time to go | Weekday late morning or afternoon; it's calm and the light is best then |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.2/10- Value8.0
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.3
- excellence8.0
- Crowd level6.5
- Authenticity9.0
- Accessibility7.5
Frequently asked questions
- Is it touristy?
- Less than the Innere Stadt giants. Its Mariahilf location keeps casual tourist traffic down, so you get more locals and a calmer room. It's the kind of place Viennese actually recommend to friends.
- Do they take credit cards?
- Yes, cards are accepted, though as always a little cash for the tip is courteous. It's less of a cash-only holdout than Hawelka, which makes it easy for visitors.
- What should I order?
- The Sperl-Schnitte, the house cake, plus a Melange. They also do proper Viennese breakfast and light lunches. If you want the full ritual, get your coffee on a silver tray with the obligatory glass of water.
- Is it good value?
- For a historic Vienna café, yes. Coffee and cake land in normal city-café range rather than tourist-premium territory, and you're getting a genuinely special room for the price. Strong value among the famous coffeehouses.
- What are the opening hours?
- Roughly 07:00-22:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:00-20:00 on Sunday, so it's an easy morning-to-night option. Hours can shift seasonally, so glance at cafesperl.at if you're timing it tight. [DRAFT - verify Sunday hours]
- What makes Café Sperl special?
- It's a near-untouched 1880 interior, all original wood, marble tables and a working billiard table, and it feels genuinely lived-in rather than staged. It won Austria's Coffeehouse of the Year and is a beloved local classic, not just a tourist name.
- Can I play billiards?
- Yes, the vintage billiard tables are usable, a rare treat in a historic café. Ask the staff about playing. Even if you don't play, they're a big part of the room's old-world character.
- Has it been in movies?
- Yes, it's a well-known film location precisely because the interior looks so authentically period. That untouched quality is exactly why locals and directors alike love it.
Nearby in Ask Vienna
- Café DrechslerCafé0.03 km · 0 min walk
- NaschmarktMarket0.07 km · 1 min walk
- Freihausviertel (4th District)Neighborhood0.23 km · 3 min walk
- Leopold MuseumMuseum0.51 km · 6 min walk
- Kunsthistorisches MuseumMuseum0.59 km · 7 min walk
Where to stay near Café Sperl
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