Eating Sacher Torte at Vienna’s Famed Café Sacher

Ask anyone for cafe recommendations in Vienna and the first thing you’ll hear is Café Sacher. This place hardly needs an introduction – it’s the most popular cafe in the whole city! – and it also serves what may be the most popular dessert in all of Austria: the Sacher Torte.

I arrived at Hotel Sacher and immediately joined the queue outside; I thought I could avoid crowds if I ate my cake mid-morning when people would presumably still be full from breakfast, but that wasn’t the case!

However, the line was fast-moving, and it was only a few moments before we were whisked into one of the salons covered in deep red wallpaper, gold-framed paintings, and dangling chandeliers. Fancy!

What is Sacher Torte?

So what is this Sacher Torte that brought me all the way here?

Why, a heavenly dessert for chocolate lovers, of course!

The Sacher Torte is a dense chocolate cake, filled with a thin layer of apricot jam and covered in a dark chocolate icing. At Café Sacher, it is served with a swirl of whipped cream on the side and each slice bears a chocolate seal that reads “Hotel Sacher Wien” in case there was any confusion about where you ended up.

The History of the Original Sacher Torte

And now for a bit of history and cake feuding:

The Sacher Torte was created in 1832 by a young 16-year-old boy by the name of Franz Sacher, who worked in Prince Wenzel von Metternich’s kitchen as an apprentice.

The story goes that the Prince had asked his head chef to prepare a dessert to impress some very important guests who would be visiting, but then the head chef fell ill, leaving this grand task to the young apprentice.

Well, Franz Sacher whipped up some magic and the new cake went on to delight both the prince and his guests…and then the cake received no immediate attention.

Franz Sacher went on to live in modern-day Bratislava and then Budapest before returning to Vienna where he opened a delikatessen shop.

Eventually, Franz Sacher had a family, and his son, Eduard, trained with the Royal and Imperial Pastry Chef at the Demel Bakery. It was during this time that he perfected his father’s Sacher Torte recipe developing it into its current form.

That means the Sacher Torte was first served at Demel, where Eduard worked, and later at the Hotel Sacher, which Eduard opened in 1876; and this is where the legal cake battle begins!

In the 1930s, there arose a disagreement over who was selling “The Original Sacher Torte”.

Was it Demel or was it Hotel Sacher?

The hotel sued the bakery and this resulted in a drawn-out battle that was eventually resolved in an out-of-court settlement.

The result?

Hotel Sacher won the right to call their cake “The Original Sachertorte” and Demel got to call his cake “Eduard-Sacher-Torte”.

But that’s enough about the history, now let’s eat some cake!

What we ordered at Café Sacher

Seeing as we had come all the way to Café Sacher, we had to order a slice of the Sacher Torte, but we also perused the menu for some new cakes and drinks to sample on the side. In the end, we ordered:

Original Sacher Torte mit Schlag

A chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam, covered in dark chocolate icing, with whipped cream on the side.

Liliput Original Sacher Gewürzgugelhupf

A Viennese ring cake with sweet spices, ginger and candied oranges.

Wiener Eisschokolade mit Schlagobers

This Viennese iced chocolate is honestly one of the best drinks I’ve ever had in my life.

They didn’t reveal the ingredients that go into making this, but I imagine it takes some decadent scoops of dark chocolate ice cream because the end product was so rich and frothy, I almost felt like I was having a milkshake.

The drink was topped with whipped cream and two praline sticks. I could have easily had a second one!

Wiener Melange

The Viennese Melange is a speciality coffee drink similar to a cappuccino.

If you order this anywhere in the city, you should get one shot of espresso topped with steamed milk and milk foam in equal parts, but at Café Sacher, you also get a swirl of whipped cream in your coffee.

“Wenn es im Herzen weh tut, 
braucht der Mensch viel Süßes.”

“If your heart is weary, 
you need more sweets.”
– Anna Sacher

So that’s Café Sacher for you. It’s far from a well-kept secret and you’re almost guaranteed to always find a bit of a line, but sometimes you just have to join the crowds to eat delicious cake.

I mean, it just wouldn’t have been a proper trip to Vienna without a slice of Sacher Torte!

If you’re looking for more foodie recommendations, check out some of my favourite places to eat in Vienna and also where to eat in Salzburg.

How to Plan Your Café Sacher Experience

Café Sacher is busy from open to close. However, the line moves quickly and the salon is worth the wait. Go in the spirit of a “Viennese hour”: unhurried, chatty, and indulgent.

• Aim for late morning or late afternoon to dodge the lunch rush.
• The queue looks long but moves; factor 15–35 minutes most days.
• Bring a light layer—salons keep it comfortably cool for the cakes.

Café Sacher Logistics

Beat the Queue

There’s no ironclad hack here. To be perfectly honest half the fun is the anticipation. But you can stack the odds. Weekdays are calmer than weekends. And shoulder season calmer than summer.

• Go on a Monday–Thursday if possible.
• Arrive right at opening or after the afternoon lull.
• Two people beat four—split the party if you can.
• If you must bail, grab a boxed mini Sacher from the shop and picnic later.

Best Times & Waits Cheat Sheet

What to Order (Beyond the Classic Slice)

Yes, the Original Sacher Torte is non-negotiable. But part of the joy is tasting around it: a spiced Gewürzgugelhupf if you like cozy winter flavors, a Wiener Eisschokolade if you want a drink that basically counts as dessert, and a Wiener Melange for pure coffeehouse nostalgia.

• Order 1× Sacher Torte + 1× “wildcard” cake to share.
• Pair rich cakes with an unsweetened coffee; pair spiced cakes with hot chocolate.
• Add Schlag even if you don’t think you’re a whipped-cream person.
• If you want a lighter bite, split a miniature Liliput cake.

Flavor & Pairing Cheat Sheet

A Sweet Half-Day Itinerary: The “Torte & Stroll” in Vienna Loop

Turn your Sacher slice into a mini Vienna day—walk, nibble, repeat.

• 11:00 – Light, savory bite near the Opera (keep room for cake).
• 11:30 – Café Sacher: Sacher Torte + Melange.
• 12:30 – Ringstraße walk: State Opera → Albertina → Burggarten.
• 13:15 – Optional second slice at Demel or a classic café nearby.
• 14:15 – Museum hour (Albertina/Art History) or window-shopping.
• 16:00 – Iced chocolate or espresso to toast a very Viennese day.

Mini Pastry Crawl Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Café Sacher in Vienna

What makes the Sacher Torte at Café Sacher so famous?

The Sacher Torte served at Café Sacher is considered the original, created by Franz Sacher in 1832 for Prince Metternich. Its dense chocolate sponge, thin layer of apricot jam, and glossy dark chocolate icing are iconic. Hotel Sacher legally won the right to call their version “The Original Sacher Torte” after a famous cake battle with Demel.

Do I need a reservation to visit Café Sacher?

No reservations are accepted for the café itself—it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the line typically moves quickly, and most visitors wait between 15 and 35 minutes depending on the time of day. Arriving mid-morning or late afternoon helps avoid peak lunch crowds.

When is the best time to visit Café Sacher to avoid long waits?

Early mornings right after opening (before 10:15 AM) and late afternoons after 4:30 PM are the best times. These windows typically have the shortest queues, calmer vibes, and freshly prepared trays of cake.

How long should I expect to wait in line?

Average wait times are 15–35 minutes, faster on weekdays. Solo travelers and couples tend to be seated more quickly than larger groups. Even when the line looks daunting, it moves steadily.

What should I wear when visiting Café Sacher?

Smart casual attire is appropriate. The salons are air-conditioned to keep the cakes cool, so bringing a light layer or scarf is recommended, even in summer.

Can I take photos inside Café Sacher?

Yes, photography is allowed. But flash is discouraged to preserve the elegant ambiance. The best time for photos is after you’ve ordered, between sips and bites—especially if you’re seated near a chandelier or gold-framed portrait.

What’s on the menu besides the classic Sacher Torte?

Café Sacher offers several other treats worth trying:

• Liliput Original Sacher Gewürzgugelhupf – a spiced Viennese ring cake.
• Wiener Eisschokolade mit Schlagobers – an ultra-rich iced chocolate drink.
• Wiener Melange – Vienna’s classic cappuccino-like coffee with whipped cream.
  Seasonal pastries and strudels are often available too.

Is the Sacher Torte very sweet?

Surprisingly, no. The cake itself is dense and slightly dry, balanced by a thin tart layer of apricot jam and a bittersweet chocolate glaze. The accompanying whipped cream adds lightness and contrast. It’s rich but not cloying.

Can I buy a Sacher Torte to take away?

Yes, you can purchase beautifully boxed mini and full-sized Sacher Tortes from the adjacent Hotel Sacher shop. Many visitors buy one to enjoy later or to bring home as a gift—they travel well.

Is Café Sacher child-friendly?

Yes, children are welcome, though the setting is elegant and formal. If visiting with young kids, consider going in the late morning when the café is less crowded and service is quicker.

How expensive is it to eat at Café Sacher?

A slice of Original Sacher Torte with whipped cream costs around €8–€9, and coffee or hot chocolate adds another €5–€7. For two people enjoying cake and drinks, budget approximately €25–€30.

What’s a good mini-itinerary to pair with a Café Sacher visit?

A classic half-day itinerary is:

• 11:00 – Light savory snack near the Vienna State Opera
• 11:30 – Cake and coffee at Café Sacher
• 12:30 – Stroll along the Ringstraße toward the Albertina and Burggarten
• 13:15 – Optional second slice at Demel
• 14:15 – Museums or window-shopping nearby
  It’s the perfect “Torte & Stroll” loop to enjoy Vienna like a local.

Read More about Austria:

• Viennese Food Tours
• Vienna Boat Cruises on the Danube
• Wine Tours in Vienna: Vineyards, Wineries & Castles
• Best Vienna Cycling Tours
• Must-Try Tyrolean Dishes
• Things to do in Vienna
• Austria’s Almabtrieb Cow Parade
• Visiting Tyrol’s Alpbachtal Valley
• Visiting Werfen Castle
• Day Trip to Gaisberg

Have you been to Café Sacher?
What are some other cafes in Vienna you’d recommend?