Café Demel Vienna Review: The Kaiserschmarrn Lives Up to the Hype
If Vienna’s café culture were a royal court, Café Demel would be one of the crown jewels. With its mouthwatering aromas walking into this popular spot feels like stepping into a warm, sugary hug, assuming hugs could come with a side of coffee, gorgeous Murano glass chandeliers in every room, and (if the rumors are true) the best Kaiserschmarrn in Vienna.
Truth be told, I wasn’t expecting much since Café Demel is one of the three most popular cafés in Vienna with tourists and tourist traps don’t usually deliver (e.g. Café Sacher). But I can confidently say that Café Demel Wien and its delectable Kaiserschmarrn deserves a spot on your Vienna itinerary. Here’s why:
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What Time of Day to Go
First things first: timing is everything. Café Demel opens at 10 a.m., and it pays to get there early. I joined the line at 9:50 a.m., and about 18 people were already ahead of me. They opened at 10 a.m. on the dot and there was plenty of space for everyone in line. When I left around 11 a.m. and there was no line and, as you can see from the photos, no one sitting in either of the two dining rooms on the third floor yet. I was there in October which is technically “off-season” in Vienna, so during the summer or once the Christmas markets are in full swing, you may want to err on the side of getting there a bit earlier to avoid waiting in line.
Café Demel’s Signature Dish: Kaiserschmarrn
Speaking of inhaling, let’s talk about the Kaiserschmarrn, which is made right in the window as you wait in line. While Demel serves a variety of savory dishes and non-breakfast options, the real reason you come here is for what’s widely regarded as the best Kaiserschmarrn in Vienna. And having tasted it, I can confidently say the hype is justified.
Kaiserschmarrn, which translates to “Emperor’s Mess,” is said to have been a favorite of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I, but there’s no real consensus on the actual origins of the dish. Regardless of how it came to exist, Demel’s Kaiserschmarrn is worth every minute of your morning effort: light, fluffy shredded pancakes topped with a light dusting of powdered sugar served with a stewed plum compote on the side. They manage that magical balance of sweet and savory, decadent yet not too heavy.
Café Demel’s Kaiserschmarrn was a breakfast revelation, and I’m not usually a pancake fan.
Pair it with a melange, Vienna’s beloved espresso-and-milk classic which is basically a cappuccino (but don’t call it that in Vienna!). Demel makes an excellent version (I drank a lot of melange on my last trip to Vienna and feel qualified to say that).
And, much to my surprise given its popularity, Café Demel’s food was not overpriced like other popular cafes. The Kaiserschmarrn will set you back about €13. The melange, on the other hand, was €6 which was decidedly overpriced, even for an excellent melange.
The Ambiance: Warm, Elegant, and Wonderfully Unhurried
When you walk in, the first thing that hits you is the smell. Imagine the air itself whispering promises of warm pancakes, buttery pastries, and chocolatey perfection. It’s heavenly.
The main floor is the shop where you can purchase beautifully packaged candies, chocolates, and all sorts of other sweets. There’s also a large coffee bar with seating.
The first and second floor (or second and third floors in Europe) are the dining rooms. Café Demel doesn’t take reservations, but first thing in the morning, you’re free to choose your table in the upstairs dining rooms. It was nice to sit solo at a table for four, with no staff trying to shuffle me into a more “efficient” arrangement. Service was friendly and fast, though, as is common in Europe, there was no rush to drop the check and turn the table.
The seating is spread across three connected rooms on the first floor (or second floor in Europe) and two additional rooms on the second floor. They also have elevators if you need them. The rooms are elegant, with high ceilings, and typical cafe seating with small-ish round tables and cane chairs. While there is quite a bit of seating, the individual rooms keep the atmosphere cozy.
And I have to give some recognition to the chandeliers. Café Demel had, hands down, the most stunning chandeliers of any of the many, many cafés I visited on my last trip (including Café Sacher and Café Central). They’re intricate and enormous Murano glass chandeliers, with a different version in each of the dining rooms.
There’s also outdoor seating, and thanks to heaters under the awnings it stays cozy on chillier mornings. But for my money, the inside is where the magic is, with those heavenly smells and epic chandeliers.
A Few Bonus Tips
In a Rush? Get Kaiserschmarrn To Go!
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Café Demel has a takeaway window right by the front entrance with a few outdoor standing tables nearby. A great option if you’re in a rush but don’t want to miss out on the best Kaiserschmarrn in town.
Skip the Stephansplatz Location.
Café Demel has a pop-up location in Stephansplatz, which offers a nice view of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. But fair warning: the Stephansplatz location is usually packed, and the area surrounding it is always unpleasantly jammed with tourists.
Not Into Pancakes? No Problem.
Café Demel has a large selection of traditional Viennese cakes and pastries and is rumored to have superior Sachertorte to Cafe Sacher.
Don’t Skip the Store.
Before you leave, check out the ground-floor shop, where you can pick up chocolates, cakes, and other beautifully packaged edible souvenirs. It’s perfect for a last-minute gift—or just treating yourself later.
Café Demel is everything you want from a Viennese café: history, charm, elegance, and mouthwatering Kaiserschmarrn. Whether it’s your first visit to Vienna or your fifth, if you haven’t been to Café Demel, put it on your list.
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Your Turn!
Have you been to Café Demel Wien? Did the Kaiserschmarrn win you over? Or maybe you’ve tried their famous apple strudel? Let me know in the comments!