Viennese coffee house
Café AmselViennese coffee house in the JosefstadtA seat by the window, a Melange and time.
Nobody is rushed at Café Amsel. Our pastry chef bakes the cakes in the cellar every morning, breakfast is served until 2 pm, and if you'd rather read than talk, today's paper is waiting.
- 4.5624 reviews on Google
- 4.3211 reviews on Tripadvisor
Highlights
What you can look forward to
The little things that make a visit special.
- 24 newspapers & magazines
- Free Wi-Fi
- Pavement terrace
- Dogs welcome
- Vegan cake
- Piano in the salon
Events
Readings & piano evenings
Every third Thursday someone from the neighbourhood reads, and once a month the piano plays on a Saturday. Booking a seat is recommended.
Reading: stories from the Josefstadt
November 19, 20267 pmFree entry, donations welcome
A local author reads short stories about courtyards, caretakers and regulars.
Piano evening: waltzes & Viennese songs
November 28, 20267:30 pmEntry €12
At the grand piano in the salon, with punch and vanilla crescents from our bakery.
Advent reading by candlelight
December 17, 20267 pmFree entry, donations welcome
Wintry texts by Viennese writers, read by actors from a theatre around the corner.
Reading: poetry at the marble table
January 21, 20277 pmFree entry, donations welcome
Three young poets read new work, followed by an open conversation.
Piano evening: Schubert in the coffee house
January 30, 20277:30 pmEntry €14
Impromptus and Ländler, played by a student from the music university.
Crime reading at the end of carnival
February 18, 20277 pmFree entry, donations welcome
A Viennese crime story set in a coffee house, with doughnuts for everyone listening.
About us
Named after the bird in the courtyard
In 1953 Hermine Kolb opened her coffee house in a Biedermeier building near the theatre. Because a blackbird sang in the courtyard every evening, the café got its name. The Thonet chairs and marble tables from back then are still here.
Clara Hofstätter has run the house since 2017. She rediscovered the founder's recipes in an old notebook, extended breakfast and put a vegan cake on the menu. The most important thing has stayed: you may sit here for hours over a single Verlängerter.
- Breakfast daily until 2 pm
- Pastries from our own bakery
- Readings every third Thursday
Clara HofstätterOwner & host
What we offer
Time for coffee and cake
From weekday lunch to a small private celebration: here is what we can do for you.
Book a tableBreakfast until 2 pm
From the small Viennese breakfast to the big Amsel breakfast, vegan options included. At weekends we recommend booking.
Cakes to order
Every cake in our display case is also available whole, for 8 to 16 slices. Please order two days ahead.
Thursday readings
Every third Thursday of the month, writers from the neighbourhood read in the salon. Free entry, donations welcome.
Pastries to take away
We'll happily box up strudel, pastries and slices of cake, and in Advent biscuits in a jar too.
Guest reviews
What our guests say
„Herr Ferdinand brings me the paper before I ask, and the apple strudel is as thin as only my grandmother used to make it. A real coffee house, without any fuss.“
„Breakfast until 2 pm is a blessing for late risers. Without a booking we had a short wait on Sunday, but the Amsel breakfast was worth it.“
Lukas F.Sunday breakfastReview on Google „Exactly how I imagined a Viennese coffee house. Marble tables, Melange, and in the evening someone played waltzes on the piano.“
Hannah L.Visiting from BerlinReview on Tripadvisor
„Our dog got a water bowl straight away, and we got a vegan hazelnut cake that beat many made with butter.“
Murat Ö.Came with my dogReview on Google
Our team
The people in the kitchen and on the floor
Clara Hofstätter
Owner & host
Paul Winkler
Master pastry chef
Ferdinand Hrubesch
Head waiter since 1998
Mira Novak
Service & breakfast
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your question? Just give us a call.
Can I book a table?
Yes, by phone or email. On weekdays you'll usually find a seat without one; at weekends and for evening events we recommend booking.
How far ahead do I need to order a whole cake?
Two days are enough for any cake from our display. For lettering or cakes larger than 16 slices, please allow a week.
Do you have vegan or gluten-free pastries?
The vegan hazelnut cake is available every day, usually with a vegan cake of the week. We don't bake gluten-free at the moment, because we can't rule out traces in a single bakery.
Do I need to register for readings and piano evenings?
Registration isn't required, but the salon has only 40 seats. A booking guarantees you a chair.
Can I pay by card?
Yes, contactless by phone too. Pay right at your table; our staff will bring the card terminal.
Visit us
Opening hours & directions
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 07:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 07:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 07:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Thursday | 07:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 07:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 08:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | 09:00 AM – 08:00 PM |
Breakfast until 2 pm, small hot dishes until 9 pm. Public holidays 9 am–8 pm.
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Viennese coffee house in the JosefstadtMusterplatz 4, 1080 Vienna, Austria
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We look forward to seeing you
Call or write to us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
- Phone+43 1 405 27 63
- Emailservus@cafe-amsel.example
AddressMusterplatz 4, 1080 Vienna
Please order cakes at least two days ahead, by phone or email.