Introduction
When you think of Austria, one thing that probably comes to mind is its famous café culture.
And when it comes to Vienna, the city is home to countless historic cafés that have been part of its culture for generations.
However, when you’re actually traveling or on a business trip and spending time around Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof), it can be surprisingly difficult to find a café where you can sit down and relax for a while.
There are plenty of cafés inside the station and various chain stores, but if you’re thinking, “I’m in Vienna, so I’d like to enjoy a café with a little more atmosphere,” there aren’t actually that many places where you can easily stop by between trains.
That’s why I decided to visit Aufzug Cafe, a rather unique café I found near Vienna Central Station.
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Getting There
Aufzug Cafe is about a 10-minute walk northeast of Vienna Central Station (Hauptbahnhof).
From the station, it is located roughly on the way toward Belvedere Palace. From Belvedere Palace, the café is around an intersection to the southwest.
It is easily walkable from the central station, making it a convenient place to stop during a break between trains or while sightseeing.
It can also be a good place to visit before or after exploring Belvedere Palace.
The Main Attraction: A Seat Inside an Elevator
The biggest feature of this café is actually hidden in its name: “Aufzug.”
In German, Aufzug means “elevator.”
As soon as you enter the café, you understand why it was given that name.
Inside the café is a wooden elevator cabin that appears to have actually been used in Vienna in the past. The cabin itself has been transformed into a seating area for customers.
It looks interesting in photos, but sitting inside it is an even more unusual experience.
The entire interior has a calm, wood-based design, with the old elevator serving as the centerpiece of the café’s concept.
It’s definitely not the kind of atmosphere you would expect from a chain café.
The way the café is designed also makes it feel as though the owner has a real affection for this old elevator.
Best for Small Groups
That said, the elevator seating area is not particularly large.
It is basically designed for two people.
Three or four people could probably use it, but it would be quite cramped.
The table is not particularly large either, so rather than spending a long time there with a large group, it is better suited to:
- Couples
- Married couples
- Friends
- Solo travelers
In particular, it has a nice atmosphere for enjoying coffee and cake during a day of sightseeing in Vienna.
Cake Menu
When I visited, the cake prices were approximately as follows.
- Sachertorte: €4.80
- Extra whipped cream: €0.50
- Linzer Torte: €4.50
- Carrot cake: €4.20
- Cheesecake: €4.80
- Mohntorte (poppy seed cake): €4.80
Considering the location and Vienna’s tourist prices, I thought the prices were relatively reasonable.
In addition to cakes, the café also offered bread and light meals.
Trying the Sachertorte
I decided to order the classic Sachertorte.
It looks like a fairly traditional Sachertorte, but after trying it, I felt that it was somewhat different from the versions served at Vienna’s famous cafés.
First of all, it is quite thick.
The cake is also relatively soft, with the sponge cake itself playing a bigger role in the overall texture.
Compared with Sachertorte from Vienna’s historic cafés or the famous Hotel Sacher, this version has a softer texture and a stronger sponge-cake character.
If we’re comparing purely based on taste, I would still give the advantage to Hotel Sacher or some of Vienna’s traditional cafés.
However, that’s naturally a trade-off when you consider the price.
Aufzug Cafe has relatively reasonable prices, and considering that, I thought the quality was more than satisfying.
If you’re looking for an expensive, luxury-style Sachertorte experience, there are certainly better-known options. But if you simply want to enjoy a slice of cake without spending too much, this is a good choice.
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Conclusion
Aufzug Cafe is a very unique café within walking distance of Vienna Central Station.
The biggest attraction is undoubtedly the unusual seating area made from an actual old wooden elevator.
Vienna is famous for its historic cafés, but cafés with this kind of playful and creative concept are surprisingly rare.
The cakes are also relatively affordable, making this café a convenient option if you have some time to kill between trains at Vienna Central Station or want to take a break before or after visiting Belvedere Palace.
If you’re thinking, “I’d like to experience Vienna’s café culture, but I’d rather avoid the long lines at the most famous cafés,” Aufzug Cafe could be just the place for you.
For me, it was a charming little hidden gem near Vienna Central Station.
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