UNESCO Viennese Coffee House (Kaffeehaus) Rules
Listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, a traditional Viennese Kaffeehaus (such as Café Central, Café Sperl, Café Hawelka, Café Prückel, or Café Jelinek) is an "extended living room" where buying a single cup of coffee (€4.90–€6.20) entitles you to read international newspapers on wooden holders and sit at your marble table for as long as you wish. Every coffee arrives on a silver tray with a complimentary glass of cold alpine tap water (Hochquellwasser).
- Wiener Melange: Espresso with steamed milk and a velvety milk-foam cap (Vienna's cousin to a cappuccino).
- Verlängerter ("Extended"): Espresso diluted with an equal amount of hot water (similar to an Americano).
- Kleiner / Großer Brauner: Single or double espresso served with a tiny porcelain pitcher of cream (Obers).
- Einspänner: Strong black Mokka served in a handled glass topped with a generous tower of cold whipped cream (Schlagobers).
How a Viennese Heuriger or Styrian Buschenschank Works
In Vienna's hillside vineyards (Grinzing, Nussdorf, Neustift am Walde, Stammersdorf) and in the Wachau and South Styria, winemakers open their courtyards when a pine wreath (Buschen) hangs over the gate. Waitstaff take your wine order at the table—try Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC or a refreshing G'spritzter (half white wine, half sparkling water)—while you walk up to the wooden buffet counter to choose slices of roast pork (Kümmelbraten), Liptauer paprika cheese spread, and warm bread rolls.