Introduction
When it comes to Austrian desserts, Sachertorte is probably the most famous of them all. When it comes to its origins, two names are particularly well known:
Hotel Sacher and Café Demel.
I previously wrote an article comparing different Sachertorte in Vienna, but this time I visited Café Demel, one of the two famous establishments associated with the history of this iconic Austrian cake.
（当ブログの記事をまとめたポータルページはここです）
（オンラインショップを始めてみました。是非こちらからご覧になってください。）
Amazon.co.jp
あなたと一緒に作る海外旅行【トラベル・スタンダード・ジャパン】
Location | Conveniently Located Near the Hofburg Palace
Café Demel is located in the heart of Vienna, just a short walk from the Hofburg Palace. Since it is right in the center of Vienna’s main sightseeing area, it is very easy to reach.
The nearest subway station is Herrengasse Station on the U3 line, which is only a few minutes’ walk from the café. It is also possible to walk there from the area around St. Stephen’s Cathedral, making Café Demel a convenient place to stop during a day of sightseeing.
Menu | An Impressive Selection of Cakes
One of the biggest attractions of Café Demel is the wide variety of cakes displayed in the showcase. Prices are generally around €7–9, which felt fairly standard for a historic Viennese café.
Some of the main menu items include:
- APFELSTRUDEL (€9.5)
- TRUFFELTORTE (€7.9)
- CLEOPATRA TORTE (€7.9)
- ANNATORTE (€7.9)
- DORYTORTE (€7.9)
- SACHERTORTE (€8.5)
- ESTERHAZY TORTE (€7.9)
- DOBOSTORTE (€7.9)
- GEROLLTE MANDELTORTE (€7.9)
- RUSSISCHE PUNSCHTORTE (€7.9)
- VANILLECREMESCHNITTE (€7.9)
- FRAGILITE (€7.9)
- HIMBEER-JOGHURTTORTE (€7.9)
- PASSIONFRUCHTTORTE (€7.9)
- GEBACKENE TOPFENTORTE (€7.9)
- KRAPFEN (€3.2)
All of the cakes look beautiful, and even just browsing the display case is an enjoyable experience. There is a great selection of traditional Viennese pastries as well as slightly more modern cakes, so I had quite a hard time deciding what to order.
Interior | Classic and Elegant Viennese Atmosphere
The interior has a grand and classic atmosphere. It feels exactly like what you would expect from a historic Viennese café, with elegant decorations and a sense of history throughout the space.
While the walls and decorations give the café a sophisticated feel, the tables are relatively small and the overall space is quite compact. Rather than feeling like a luxurious lounge, it feels more like a traditional European café. I think this balance is part of what makes the atmosphere feel authentically Viennese.
My Experience | Enjoying the Cakes and Viennese Café Culture
I visited on a weekday around lunchtime. Since Café Demel is such a famous establishment, I expected it to be crowded, but perhaps because of the timing, I was able to enter without having to wait in a long line. During weekends and the peak tourist season, however, it seems that queues are quite common, so visiting at a less busy time may be a good idea.
After entering, you choose your cake while looking at the display case. There are so many beautiful cakes that it can be surprisingly difficult to decide. As is typical at Viennese cafés, the portions are quite substantial, so choosing the right cake can make a big difference to your overall experience.
This time, I ordered the following three cakes:
- CLEOPATRA TORTE
- SACHERTORTE
- TRUFFELTORTE
First, the CLEOPATRA TORTE is an almond-based cake with a distinct nutty flavor. The flavor is quite strong and distinctive, so personally, I felt that it might be a little divisive. It is not a light cake, but rather a rich and substantial one.
The SACHERTORTE, on the other hand, felt like a classic choice for a reason. It has a rich chocolate flavor, while the sweetness remains nicely balanced. If you are visiting Vienna and want to try Sachertorte, I think it is worth experiencing it at a historic café like Demel at least once.
The TRUFFELTORTE was also extremely satisfying. It is a richer chocolate cake, with a deep and indulgent chocolate flavor that really stands out. I would especially recommend it to chocolate lovers.
Also, if you don’t order a drink, they provide you with water. I really appreciated that.
Overall, what stood out to me was how rich and substantial all the cakes were. Rather than being light desserts, they are satisfying sweets that are perfect for enjoying slowly with a cup of coffee. It is exactly the kind of relaxed experience that makes Viennese café culture so appealing.
Conclusion | A Classic Viennese Café Experience
Café Demel is one of the best-known places to experience Vienna’s traditional café culture. It is famous not only for its connection to Sachertorte, but also for its wide selection of cakes and elegant, historic atmosphere.
Its central location also makes it an easy stop while sightseeing in Vienna. If you want to compare different Sachertorte or simply experience a classic Viennese café, Café Demel is definitely worth considering.
コメント