Vegas Food Finds Goes to Vienna: Café Residenz

It's official: we are now reviewing coffee shops -- as we cannot resist them. In Vienna, there's a great one at every corner, including many venerable ones, and some that true hidden treasures.

Café Residenz falls in the first category, not only because of its stellar location at Schoenbrunn Palace, but also because of its hard-to-beat Landtmann cakes and other sweet delicacies. It was our second visit to Café Residenz, and it was just as good as the first time: (friendly!) tuxedoed waiters, free newspapers to read and browse (mounted on the traditional Viennese wooden holders), cakes as you won't find anywhere else on the planet, and comfortable tables and cushioned benches that invite you to linger. Ah, that, and no one rushes you and brings you the bill, unless you ask for it.

This is the place to have your cake and eat it, too, so we did. My twin chose the decadent Maronitorte (sweet chestnut cake), which was divine -- and very rich. I ordered the very Austrian Buchteln (sweet brioche in decadent vanilla sauce), and they were worth every calorie. Again, just like at Café Hofburg, this is a pricey place: every slice of cake is around 4 Euro, but you really do get your money's worth. You can start your diet tomorrow.

Café Residenz at Schoennbrun Palace (website in German only)
Kavalierstrakt 52,
1130 Vienna
Phone: 01/24 100 - 0

--By Judy Jennner

Vegas Food Finds Goes to Vienna: Café Hofburg

So much for not reviewing coffee houses: I just can't stay away. In my quest to visit as many traditional Viennese cafés as possible during my stay, we went to the venerable Café Hofburg, located in the middle of the very impressive Hofburg (Imperial Palace). It sits on a gorgeous, very large inside patio, which makes for fantastic outdoor seating in the summer. On this rainy and chilly day, we took refuge inside.

Just a warning: sure, it's pricey. The coffee will run you 4.20 Euro (yes, on a silver tray, and this is per cup, not unlimited refills) and the same for the delectable slices of hard-to-beat Viennese cake art. For the same price, you could probably have brunch at Simon's in Vegas -- but this is so much better. The café has strange opening hours, as it's connected to the well-known Sisi museum, and closes at 6 p.m. in the winter, so come early.

The place is chic and very Viennese (comfortable tables, large windows, chandeliers, waiters in tuxedoes, painfully restored antique furniture) and service is unexpectedly friendly. If you are looking for a for-sure bet that is worth the many calories, this is your place, as the café gets its pastries from the capital's finest culinary outposts: Landtmann. You will never be able to eat a cake from Albertson's (or Costco, or even Freed's) again.

Café Hofburg (German only)
Open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
1010 Vienna, First District
Inside the Imperial Palace (inside patio)
Phone: 01/24100-0

--By Judy Jenner