„The best nights are usually unplanned, random and spontaneous.“; Cafe Gerstner
There are evenings when you just know: Okay, this is our sign. The moment you meet up with your bestie in Vienna, both of you dressed up a bit more than usual, slightly excited, a hint of „girls‘ night out“ vibes in the air – and suddenly, quite unexpectedly, you find yourselves at Café Gerstner. We had actually planned something completely different, something really organized and proper. But as life sometimes goes: It literally lured us into this place full of history, elegance, and golden details. And honestly? I’m grateful for it.
Many people are familiar with the building, at least from the outside. Right next to the famous red, glowing bow, a huge, glittering tree shines on the facade – and right behind it is Café Gerstner. And every time I walk past it, I think to myself: „If Christmas decorations had a title of nobility, this would be Lady Sparkle herself.“ Even though we stumbled upon it by chance, everything immediately felt right – a bit like fate, but beautiful.
Three floors, three worlds
– and an elevator that demands selfies
I went there with a friend, and we were both absolutely thrilled. This place isn’t your average coffee shop; it’s a little miracle spread over three floors. On the ground floor, you’ll find chocolates, cakes, and little works of art made of sugar, which always leave you wondering whether to eat them or display them. And then it continues – on the first floor awaits the Schlumberger Bar. And anyone who knows me knows that if there’s Schlumberger anywhere, I’m not far away. The second floor then crowns the whole thing with a stately coffee shop that truly deserves the name Cafe Gerstner.
As soon as you enter the building, the elevator is right there. And I’ll be completely honest: an elevator is already a luxury, but an elevator WITH a mirror? That’s practically an invitation. Of course, a mirror selfie was a must. It’s kind of part of the official ritual there – first go up, then pose. And Café Gerstner clearly knows exactly how to make women like us happy.
The ambiance
– stately and perfect for content
When I say „stately,“ I mean it.
The rooms at Café Gerstner are like a little time warp: high ceilings, mirrors, exquisite details, that soft rustling of fabric and porcelain… and then the Christmas decorations. A dream. Nothing kitschy, just elegant and warm.
Golden ceilings, enormous mirrors, chandeliers, and little details everywhere that scream, „Sit down and feel important.“ The Christmas decorations then completed everything—so beautiful that you almost feel like part of the decor yourself. We sat right by the window, which I absolutely loved. First: more privacy. Second: the perfect mix of people-watching and gossiping. And third: better lighting—yes, that’s important. An evening at Café Gerstner is automatically half a content-focused evening.
The service
– Viennese hospitality in a non-ironic way
The waiters were incredibly friendly. And not that typical „Viennese friendliness“ where you’re sometimes unsure whether it’s sincere or ironic. No, they were genuinely warm and welcoming. We had a great chat with our waiter – he even told us that Café Gerstner is a little secret hideaway for Viennese locals. No celebrity crowds, no paparazzi vibes, but you’re treated like a VIP. And I swear, that’s exactly how it felt. Many people know the facade, the ribbon, the tree – but inside? There aren’t hordes of influencers, no tourists filming everything. Instead, there are Viennese people who know that you’re treated like a VIP here, even if you aren’t one.
We felt comfortable right away. And when we unpacked our tripod (of course), nobody seemed to mind. It’s always less awkward when there are two of you – but at Café Gerstner, you really do feel welcome.
Prosecco & Appetizers
– our love language
To start, Prosecco was served. There are certain things that just feel like tradition, and a sparkling glass for a toast is a must for us. Then, quite typically for us, we ordered and shared two appetizers. One had the beef tartare and the other the smoked salmon. Sharing is just our thing. That way you can try more without having to choose. And I love it when you don’t have to agonize over two things. Everything at Café Gerstner is so beautifully presented that you almost forget you’re hungry for a moment because you’re busy taking photos first.
Later, we each treated ourselves to a Melange. And if you’re not from Vienna – yes, a Melange is basically a cappuccino, but we Viennese simply prefer the word Melange. A little tip for your next coffeehouse visit: order a Melange; you’ll instantly seem a bit more local and less like a tourist. And at Café Gerstner, it really makes a difference – you truly feel like you’ve stepped back in time when that little white porcelain plate floats up.
Conversations with friends
The evening felt like a blend of tradition, luxury, and moments of friendship. It’s precisely this combination that makes Café Gerstner a place you want to return to. And I have to admit: I’ve fallen a little bit in love with this mix of old Viennese flair and modern „we take photos because we can“ lifestyle. That’s rare – usually it’s either kitschy or pretentious. But Café Gerstner strikes the perfect balance.
Sometime during our conversation about our plans for the year, it struck me how special the evening actually was. Nothing big had happened, no sensation, no surprise – and that’s precisely what made it so lovely. Sitting together, laughing, drinking, eating, chatting – that’s what a „girls‘ night out“ moment is all about. And somehow, Café Gerstner provided the perfect setting, without ever feeling intrusive.
A little bit of history is also necessary.
– we want to know everything
The story of Café Gerstner sounds a bit like Vienna decided to erect a sweet monument to itself. It all began in 1847, right in the heart of the city, when Anton and Barbara Gerstner opened their small confectionery shop – no Instagram, no hype, just genuine craftsmanship and a lot of patience. And somehow, that was all it took to slowly but surely captivate Vienna.
The Gerstners quickly became truly excellent. So excellent, in fact, that their sugar creations – fruit, flowers, entire miniature worlds made of sugar – became famous far beyond the city limits. And then came that moment that every traditional Viennese establishment secretly hopes to experience: the appointment as Imperial and Royal Court Confectioner. That’s essentially the ultimate accolade in the world of patisserie.
That’s when things really took off. Gerstner even took over the catering at the Hofoper – the site where the Vienna State Opera stands today. And eventually, the company moved to the Palais Todesco, right where the iconic Café Gerstner now shines across three floors. What do I love about it? That you walk in today, order a Prosecco, and immediately sense: This isn’t by chance. This is Viennese history you can eat.
My summary
– a great girls night
The waiter said goodbye to us as if we’d known each other forever. That feeling of being welcome and seen makes such a difference – and Café Gerstner really nails it. I think that’s also why so many Viennese know the place, yet still treat it like a little secret. A touch of glamour, a touch of nostalgia, a touch of „we know where the good stuff is“ mentality. I love that.
And yes, I’ll be honest: It was an incredibly successful Girls & Content night. We laughed so much, took so many photos, and just had a really great time. If you want an evening that feels a little bit like a movie set next time, go to Cafe Gerstner. And bring your best friend. And your thirst for Prosecco. And maybe your tripod, too. Just in case.
Because sometimes life takes you to the right places by pure chance. And sometimes that place is Cafe Gerstner.
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