Coffee in Vienna

Coffee is an art form in Vienna.  A whole culture built up around the bags of beans the Turks left outside of the city when they were defeated in 1683.  Soon coffee houses sprung up everywhere.

There are many ways coffee drinks are made in Vienna.  Originally, the coffee was named according to how it resembled the color of the robes of various monastic orders.  Thus, you can order a Franziskaner or a Cappuziner (our Cappuccino).  I think there are others as well, but not as common.  The ratio of coffee to milk accounts for subtle differences in the color. 

In Vienna, coffee is always served with a small glass of water, the spoon resting on top of the glass.  It arrives on a silver or pewter platter.

The milk drinks are served with Schlagobers on top and sometimes with cinnamon or chocolate shavings.

A Grosser (or Kleiner) Brauner is straight coffee served with a small pitcher of hot milk for you to add.

Coffee houses are institutions that attract tourists, artists, writers, intellectuals, etc.  You should not be in a hurry when you enter one.  Each has its own special atmosphere and decor.  I visited three while here this time; Cafe Museum, Cafe Sperl and Cafe Schwarzenberg.

Here is a photo of my Franziskaner at the Cafe Museum.

This is my Cappuccino at Cafe Schwarzenberg.

This is my breakfast at the Cafe Museum.  You can see the Grosser Brauner coffee in the middle.  The red hat is keeping my soft-boiled egg warm.