10 Traditional Viennese Desserts You’ll Fall in Love With in Vienna
From imperial chocolate tortes to sugar-dusted strudels — the sweetest journey through Austria’s capital.
Traditional Viennese desserts are more than sweets — they’re stories of emperors, coffee houses, and centuries of sugar-dusted elegance. Vienna hums to the rhythm of clinking cups and the rustle of pastry paper, each café a living museum of confectionery art. On my many trips to Vienna, I’ve made it my mission to taste every classic Viennese dessert — from the dark, dignified Sachertorte to the golden, torn clouds of Kaiserschmarrn.
If you’ve already read my perfect one-day Vienna itinerary, two-day Vienna itinerary, and my guide to the most famous traditional Viennese coffee houses, you know I believe that dessert here isn’t just food — it’s culture. It’s art. It’s the taste of an empire that still lingers in every crumb.
So if you’re planning a trip and wondering what to eat between museum visits and waltzes, save room. This is your guide to the best traditional Viennese desserts — the ones that belong on your Vienna bucket list, the ones locals still whisper about, and the ones that make you fall in love with the city one spoonful at a time.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO.
Best Vienna Cakes Tours:
Vienna Coffee, Cake & Pastries Tour with Local Stories
Vienna: 2.5-Hour Viennese Coffee, Cake, and Chocolate Tour
2.5 Hours Viennese Coffee House Culture Tour with Tastings
Book Your Stay in Vienna:
The Amauris Vienna – Relais & Châteaux, a 5-star hotel on the historic Ring Boulevard, within walking distance to the Vienna State Opera and the Musikverein concert hall.
1. Sachertorte — Try it at Café Sacher or Demel
No other Viennese dessert is as iconic as the Sachertorte. Born in 1832, when 16-year-old apprentice Franz Sacher stepped in to create a dessert for Prince Metternich, this legendary Vienna cake has since become a national treasure. A dense yet elegant chocolate sponge layered with apricot jam and cloaked in glossy dark chocolate, the Sachertorte is the very definition of refined indulgence.
At Hotel Sacher, the original recipe is still a closely guarded secret. The result: a perfectly balanced sweetness that pairs harmoniously with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream. Meanwhile, Demel, the rival patisserie, offers its own historic version, sparking one of Vienna’s most famous culinary feuds. Whichever side you choose, you’re tasting more than cake—you’re tasting centuries of Viennese history served on porcelain.
2. Apfelstrudel — Try it at Café Central and Café in the Kunsthistorisches Museum
Few traditional Austrian desserts capture home-baked comfort like Apfelstrudel. Originating from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and inspired by Ottoman pastries, this Vienna dessert layers paper-thin pastry around warm spiced apples, raisins, and buttery crumbs. The delicate dough, so translucent you could almost read love letters through it, requires both skill and patience to master.
At Café Central, beneath its vaulted ceilings where Trotsky once lingered over coffee, the Apfelstrudel arrives warm, perfumed with cinnamon and served with vanilla sauce or ice cream. And for an equally enchanting experience, try it at the Café inside the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum). Under the museum’s grand dome, surrounded by marble columns and golden frescoes, a slice of Apfelstrudel feels almost ceremonial — a meeting of art, history, and Viennese sweetness. Each forkful carries the taste of nostalgia, the kind of warmth that lingers longer than the last bite.
3. Kaiserschmarrn — Try it at Demel
This whimsically torn pancake is pure Austrian joy. Kaiserschmarrn, meaning “the Emperor’s mess,” was reportedly Emperor Franz Joseph I’s favorite treat. It’s a golden, fluffy pancake shredded into bite-sized pieces, caramelized with sugar, and sprinkled with powdered sugar like mountain snow.
Served with plum compote or apple sauce, Kaiserschmarrn is airy yet rich, indulgent yet comforting. The magic lies in its contradictions—it’s imperfectly perfect, rustic yet regal. Try it at Demel, where the royal pastry kitchen once supplied the Habsburg court. Their version is soft, buttery, and delicately caramelized, arriving in a sizzling pan that perfumes the air with vanilla.
And here’s a delightful secret: Demel also serves Kaiserschmarrn to go—from a small window right near the main entrance. You’ll often see locals lining up for a warm portion wrapped to take away, ready to enjoy as they stroll through Vienna’s elegant streets. Whether savored inside under crystal chandeliers or eaten from a paper box on Kohlmarkt, Demel’s Kaiserschmarrn is a taste of Viennese royalty that everyone can share.
4. Topfenstrudel — Try it at Café Museum
If Apfelstrudel is comfort, Topfenstrudel is sophistication. This lesser-known cousin replaces apples with creamy Topfen (Austrian quark or fresh curd cheese), folded into whisper-thin pastry and baked until golden. Slightly tangy, softly sweet, and often served with warm vanilla sauce, it’s one of the most refined Austrian desserts you’ll taste.
At Café Museum, just steps from the Secession Building, the Topfenstrudel feels like a secret Viennese indulgence—something locals love but tourists often overlook. Each forkful is a quiet symphony of creaminess and lightness, the perfect afternoon reward after wandering through Vienna’s museums.
5. Punschkrapfen — Try it at Aida Café Konditorei
Think of Punschkrapfen as Austria’s playful answer to the petit four. This pink-glazed cube of rum-soaked sponge cake, layered with jam and chocolate, has been brightening pastry cases since the 19th century. Its distinctive rosy icing makes it one of the most photogenic traditional Viennese desserts, but beneath the charm lies a serious hit of flavor.
At Aida, Vienna’s beloved retro café chain, the Punschkrapfen captures pure nostalgia. The combination of boozy warmth, sweet glaze, and jammy filling feels like a toast to the city’s spirited café culture. It’s small, bold, and absolutely unforgettable.
6. Marillenknödel — Try it at Zum Schwarzen Kameel
Summertime in Vienna tastes like Marillenknödel—sweet apricot dumplings wrapped in potato or quark dough, boiled, then rolled in buttery toasted breadcrumbs. Originating from the region of Wachau, famous for its apricots, this Austrian dessert embodies the fleeting beauty of summer fruit.
At Zum Schwarzen Kameel, a centuries-old culinary institution, the Marillenknödel arrives warm and fragrant, the apricot inside bursting with tangy sweetness against the soft dough. Dust it with powdered sugar, take one bite, and understand why Viennese grandmothers guard their recipes like family heirlooms.
7. Marillenpalatschinken — Try it at Gasthaus Pöschl
Another ode to the apricot, Marillenpalatschinken are delicate Austrian crêpes filled with apricot jam, then rolled and sometimes flambéed for drama. These traditional Vienna desserts trace their lineage to Central European kitchens influenced by both Hungarian and French traditions.
At Gasthaus Pöschl, the Marillenpalatschinken are tender and buttery, their jam filling perfectly balanced between tart and sweet. Served with a sprinkle of sugar and sometimes a scoop of vanilla ice cream, they embody the Viennese love of simple pleasures elevated to art.
8. Esterhazy Torte — Try it at Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker
Named after the diplomat Prince Paul III Anton Esterházy, this intricate Viennese dessert layers almond-hazelnut meringue with buttercream enriched by cognac or vanilla. Its signature striped glaze—white fondant with delicate chocolate lines—is instantly recognizable across Austrian patisseries. Created in the late 19th century, the Esterhazy Torte became a popular dessert in Austria and Hungary during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, enjoyed in aristocratic circles and elegant cafés alike. Today, it remains a symbol of imperial sophistication, showcasing the artistry and refinement that define traditional Austrian desserts.
At Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker, directly opposite the Vienna State Opera, the Esterhazy Torte feels like a slice of imperial opulence. Rich, nutty, and beautifully balanced, it’s a dessert that whispers luxury. Every bite echoes Vienna’s golden era of elegance
9. Kardinalschnitte — Try it at Café Diglas
Light, airy, and utterly Viennese, Kardinalschnitte combines meringue, sponge cake, and coffee cream into a divine symphony of texture. In 1933, Viennese bakers created Kardinalschnitte to celebrate theologian Theodor Innitzer’s elevation to cardinal. The cake’s signature white and yellow stripes mimic the Vatican’s colors.
At Café Diglas, the Kardinalschnitte feels like Sunday afternoon in edible form—refined, not overly sweet, with the subtle bitterness of coffee cream balancing the meringue’s softness. This Vienna dessert captures the quiet sophistication that defines the city’s café culture.
10. Vanillekipferl — Try it at Kurkonditorei Oberlaa
Finally, no list of traditional Viennese desserts is complete without Vanillekipferl—crescent-shaped vanilla cookies that fill Vienna’s air with the scent of Christmas. These delicate cookies date back to the 17th century, believed to have originated in Vienna. The “kipferl,” or crescent shape, is said to have been created to celebrate an Austrian victory over the Turkish Ottoman Empire in 1683 in Vienna. The crescent shape of cookies resembles the crescent moon on the Turkish flag. Traditionally baked during the festive season, they were a symbol of prosperity and a favorite among the nobility, gradually becoming a beloved treat for families across Austria.
Made from ground almonds or hazelnuts and dusted in vanilla sugar, they melt delicately on the tongue. At Kurkonditorei Oberlaa, these biscuits are perfection: buttery, aromatic, and gently sweet. Though often tied to the festive season, locals enjoy them year-round with coffee. If Vienna’s best cakes are its opera, Vanillekipferl is its lullaby—simple, soft, and unforgettable.
A Final Bite
Vienna is not just a city of waltzes—it’s a city of desserts. From the imperial indulgence of Sachertorte to the humble joy of Apfelstrudel, these traditional Viennese desserts tell Vienna’s story one spoonful at a time. On your next trip, don’t just see Vienna—taste it. Order that slice, linger over that cup of coffee, and let every bite be a note in your own Vienna symphony.
- 10 Traditional Viennese Desserts You’ll Fall in Love With in Vienna - November 5, 2025
- Sleeping Above the Clouds: The Highest Hotels in Europe You’ll Never Forget - November 4, 2025
- The 5 Most Enchanting Castle Hotels in England for Christmas 2025 - November 3, 2025
