Cafe culture is one of my favorite things about Europe and especially in Vienna. As one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it’s no surprise that there are stunning restaurants that serve the best breakfast in Vienna.
During my time in Austria, I learned that breakfast is a big deal in Vienna. On weekends, restaurants would be full of friends and families enjoying a leisurely, long breakfast. And throughout my travels, I discovered the best places to start your day in Vienna.
Whether you’re interested in indulging in a classic Austrian meal, an endless brunch, something sweet, or a quick bite to go, Vienna will please every single one of your taste buds!
Pssst, heading to Vienna? Don’t miss these travel guides to help you plan your trip!
A traditional Viennese breakfast typically consists of bread rolls, jam, a boiled egg, ham, and cheese. These items are often accompanied by a melange (espresso with steamed milk, topped with foam).
Now, this is a very different breakfast than what I am used to! But one of the great things about Vienna is that it provides breakfast options from around the world.
The breakfast options in Austria have come a long way since the days of just eating a small meal before starting your day. You can now find updated versions of traditional Austrian breakfasts, as well as a wide range of international cuisine.
If you’re visiting Vienna, don’t forget to book Vienna’s top sights through GetYourGuide (my fav when traveling abroad):
It’s best to plan and reserve your spot at one of these famous breakfast spots in Vienna. Even if it is a weekday, it is best to make a reservation to make sure you don’t miss out.
However, you’ll find that some popular spots like Cafe Central don’t take reservations, and you can almost always expect there to be a line—especially on weekends.
Ok, all this talk is getting me hungry! And with so many Vienna breakfast restaurants to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one. But here are a few of my favorites!
Best Breakfast in Vienna
Joseph Brot
You will see apple strudel all over Vienna, but trust me, no one does it like Joseph Brot. This spot is the perfect place to try a multitude of Austrian pastries.
They also offer some of the best breakfast in Vienna with a range of sweet and savory dishes, like poached eggs with smoked salmon, omelets with ham, scrambled eggs with bacon, and fruit salads.
On top of all this deliciousness, they have an impressive selection of teas and coffees that you can enjoy while sitting in one of their six cozy cafés around Vienna.
Ulrich
Oh, I love a good brunch and Ulrich was my favorite place in Vienna to indulge.
This place was busy every time I passed it, with music playing and people chatting away. The atmosphere is buzzing and they have a great selection of food, like avocado toast with poached eggs, smoothies, omelets, and pancakes.
Inspired by cafes in Australia, you can bet that the coffee was some of the best I had during my whole trip. So even if you aren’t in the mood for a big meal, I highly recommend stopping in for a coffee and pastry!
Erich
Erich is the brother cafe to Ulrich and is another fantastic option for breakfast. Gerald, the founder of both Ulrich and Erich, claims that while both are influenced by breakfast cultures from other countries such as Australia and New Zealand, Erich is slightly more easygoing. Consequently, the coffee at Erich’s cafe is also excellent.
The menu is full of mouthwatering Austrian favorites like Kaiserschmarrn (a shredded pancake dish), cheese spreads with fresh bread, apple strudel, schnitzels, and more! Plus, they have plenty of vegan options too.
With so many options, Erich recommends creating your own spread. You can start with a vegan or egg base, then add smoked salmon, bacon, chorizo, or vegetarian items to create a unique meal.
The coffee shop has an inviting ambiance with its low, arched ceiling. And on a warm day, the outdoor garden is one of my favorite places to enjoy the best breakfast in Vienna.
Cafe Central
Right in the city center of Vienna is a grand cafe known as Cafe Central. It’s easy to find and makes for a perfect spot if you’re in the mood to dine like an emperor or empress.
The elaborate decor will make you feel like you are in a palace. But don’t let the opulence distract you from the food. Enjoy their famous Viennese-style cakes with a cup of coffee.
This is a really popular spot because a lot of famous people have dined here—including Hitler, Freud, and Stalin. And while it’s historic and a beautiful building, I felt like we had better Viennese desserts elsewhere.
Palmenhaus
Located in a high-ceiling greenhouse, Palmenhaus is the perfect place to go for a leisurely breakfast. There are plenty of tables outside and you can enjoy some fresh air while eating your meal.
The menu has something for everyone, from traditional Austrian dishes like Kaiserschmarrn and Apfelstrudel to international favorites such as eggs Benedict and French toast.
We tried a couple of their Viennese cakes as well and they were to die for!
This is a great place to stop while exploring the city as it is located right around the corner from the National Library and Hofburg Imperial Palace.
Das Augustin
Das Augustin truly feels like home. With two cats roaming the cafe, it has a cozy, warm atmosphere.
The breakfast menu is simple and brings out the true Viennese charm to your meal. Classic cold cuts, cheese, spreads, and bread are staples here.
Their coffee is also well-brewed so you can be sure to get your caffeine kick in the morning. For a unique twist on Viennese classics, they serve different plates that are inspired by other cultures.
My favorite besides the classic Wien breakfast was the Turkish spread.
OBEN Kitchen and Bar
Girl, this… this is the place to go while in Vienna! Brunch with a view at OBEN Kitchen and Bar: feast your eyes on the cityscape while you enjoy delicious dishes.
Located on the top floor of the main city library you can enjoy a beautiful morning on their rooftop terrace or sit inside at one of their many tables that overlook the city.
This restaurant offers bottomless Sunday brunch so you can eat your heart out at the buffet-style table filled with pastries, salads, eggs, bacon, and more.
Plus, they have Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and Aperol Spritz to help kick-start your day!
Vollpension
This little cafe is a hidden gem in the heart of Vienna and one of my favorite places to grab breakfast. Vollpension offers traditional Austrian dishes and all-day breakfast items that will fill you up until lunchtime.
I learned while visiting that this restaurant does a lot to give back to the elderly community. The bakers at Vollpension are all from the retirement community and are there to serve up fresh pastries and bread every morning.
I think it is amazing that they are trying to keep them as involved as possible and to provide them with something to look forward to.
And on top of the great mission, it has some of the best breakfast in Vienna and is reasonably priced.
Die Wäscherei
A weekend breakfast brunch favorite, Die Wäscherei is a great spot to visit with your friends or family. This restaurant has the perfect chill atmosphere of a small cafe and they serve brunch until 4:00 for those who maybe had a late night the night before.
All-you-can-eat brunch for 22 euros is a steal and the selection of food is satisfying. On the breakfast buffet, you can find traditional Austrian items like cheese, ham, and fresh bread alongside international dishes such as pancakes and amazing french toast with maple syrup.
Waldemar Tagesbar
A classic option when visiting the Schönbrunn Palace is Waldemar Tagesbar. It is located in the popular district of Hietzing.
They serve a wonderful Viennese breakfast with all the staples included, such as ham, cheese, and boiled eggs.
The pastries here are top-notch too! Even if you’re not into having a full meal in the morning I suggest grabbing some saftkranzer to enjoy with your coffee or tea.
The Guesthouse
Many people will tell you that this is THE best breakfast in Vienna. Now, I haven’t tried everything here yet, but I can say without a doubt that the eggs Benedict is the best in town.
The eggs were poached to perfection and the hollandaise was velvety smooth… ugh yum! The bacon is crispy and salty, adding a great contrast to the dish. Just wow, I couldn’t get enough.
The Guesthouse also has an amazing selection of pastries, with tender croissants and addictive pain-au-chocolate, as well as hearty omelets, pancakes, and french toast.
Cafe Ansari
Okay, so you’ve been eating meats and cheeses for breakfast long enough and you are ready for something different. Don’t worry, I get it!
Cafe Ansari is the perfect place to get your cravings satisfied.
This cafe specializes in Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, such as hummus, falafel, and shakshouka. They also have some excellent breakfast items like Turkish eggs and labneh with za’atar.
The owners are from Georgia and Lebanon, bringing a beautiful blend of flavors and cultures to the cafe.
ALMA Gastrotheque
One word to describe ALMA is fresh. Everything here is made with locally sourced, sustainable ingredients and the dishes always keep you coming back for more.
They offer a wide variety of Viennese dishes, each one seems to be crafted with great care and attention to detail. The chefs here have a knack for adding interesting flavors and making the dishes truly memorable.
And a little secret, they seriously have the best brioche I have ever had in my life.
Cafe Harvest
For all my vegans and vegetarians out there, I know it can be hard to find good breakfast spots. But fear not, Cafe Harvest is here for you!
Cafe Harvest is an all-vegan cafe so you won’t even have to worry about the ingredients being vegan-friendly. The menu is full of delicious options like vegan waffles and vegan pastries. Perfect to go alongside your coffee as you enjoy your morning.
Haas & Haas
Did someone say tea? In Haas & Haas you will be able to find the best selection of teas, maybe in the world…too much? Okay, well definitely in Vienna.
When you listen to Miss Eva Haas tell stories about tea, suddenly the beverage becomes an adventurous drink that takes you to exotic locations. Most of the teas in her shop come from countries that she and her family have visited on their quest to find the rarest teas.
While sipping on your delightful cup of tea, a waitress will recommend the best meal on the menu that is most suitable for your palate. This was one of my favorite experiences, learning the ways teas can bring out certain flavors in food and vice versa.
Cafe Little Britain
Finally, if you want to add a bit of British culture to your breakfast in Vienna, Cafe Little Britain is the place for you.
This cafe offers the best English breakfast in the city, with all of the essentials like bacon, eggs, and baked beans. Plus, you can also get favorites like a sausage roll and fish & chips.
It’s a great spot for tourists wanting to try some of their favorite dishes from back home without having to leave Vienna.
So there you have it—some of the spots for the best breakfast in Vienna. From traditional Austrian dishes to international favorites, you’ll be able to find something for everyone here. So get out there and explore! Bon Appétit!
Heading to Vienna soon? Check out my other travel guides here.
7 Restaurants for the Best Schnitzel in Vienna
5 Best Vienna Christmas Markets
Best Bars in Vienna: The BEST Places to Grab a Drink
12 Best Vienna Instagram Spots
Where to Stay in Vienna: The Best Places for Every Budget
The Best 5 Star Hotels in Vienna
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
