Tips for the Eurovision Song Contest: The Best Viennese Coffee Houses for ESC Fans

In the 18th district, within walking distance of the U6 and the Gürtel, you’ll find Café Schopenhauer. This café is a true homage to traditional Viennese coffee house culture: formerly known as Café Zoglmann, the location now looks back on around 100 years of history. At the same time, it has been carefully renovated and now also offers a modern (read: clean and contemporary) feel.

The menu has been redesigned with a focus on organic ingredients, and you can enjoy breakfast here every day until 4 pm. The coffee is sourced from Pellini and is among the best you’ll find in classic Viennese coffee houses. If you feel like it, there’s even a small integrated bookshop. Plus, Café Schopenhauer regularly hosts readings, book presentations and concerts—perfect for unwinding after a long Eurovision Song Contest night in Vienna.

• Read more: Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna: The Best Brunch Spots for the Morning After

Another historic gem is Café Savoy on Linke Wienzeile in the 6th district. On the first Sunday of every month, it usually hosts a brunch from 10 am to 2 pm. The café also impresses with its classic Viennese flair: elegant Thonet-style furniture, high ceilings and richly decorated interiors invite you on a little journey back in time.

Beyond that, you’ll find a great breakfast menu featuring options like the classic Savoy breakfast (butter, jam, honey, ham, cheese and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice), an energy bowl (porridge)—also available vegan—or the more unusual oriental “Kaiser breakfast” (shakshuka). You can also order traditional Austrian mains such as beef goulash or cheese spaetzle, while vegan options include, for example, a bagel with avocado, hummus and beetroot.

As you can see, despite its old Viennese charm, Savoy is anything but stuck in the past. Instead, it has long been a popular meeting spot for the LGBTQIA+ community and a safer space. And one more thing: the coffee is sourced from the well-known Austrian brand Julius Meinl.

• Read more: Queer Partying in Vienna: Safe(r) Spaces Around the Song Contest

The traditional Café Prückel made international headlines in 2015 for the wrong reasons after a homophobic incident—but since 2024, it has been under new (queer) management. The café on Stubenring in the 1st district has since been gently renovated, and there’s a noticeable fresh breeze throughout this historic spot.

Inside, you’ll find 1950s-style furniture and a small menu featuring classics such as a Viennese breakfast, scrambled eggs, chive bread, goulash soup or Wiener schnitzel. Its central location in the 1st district also makes it easy to reach—for example, you can quickly get to Rathausplatz by tram, where the Eurovision Village is located. Perfect for a quick coffee before ESC public viewing!

• Read more: Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna: The Best Places for Public Viewing

Vienna doesn’t just shine with traditional old Viennese coffee houses—it also offers some excellent specialty coffee spots. The baristas at GOTA Coffee Experts in the 15th district are among the top addresses—not without reason, as the café was even ranked among the top three coffee shops in the world in 2025.

The beans are sourced directly from producers in Peru, El Salvador, Indonesia and Ethiopia. All single-origin coffees are roasted in a way that makes them suitable for every brewing method—whether filter coffee or espresso. The result is truly excellent coffee, best enjoyed in the café’s stylish, minimalist interior.

By the way: at this café in the 15th district, you can not only get your daily dose of caffeine, but also enjoy a fantastic brunch offering. Bonus: the Wiener Stadthalle, where all ESC shows take place, is only about 20 minutes away from here!

• Read more: Die besten Adressen für Specialty Coffee in Wien (German)

If you find yourself in Vienna’s 2nd district—well worth a visit thanks to the spacious Augarten and the Wiener Prater—you can stop by Café Ihana for a short coffee break.

This Finnish café stands out with its Scandinavian chic, excellent coffee and specialties from the north. Our highlight: the cinnamon buns (korvapuusti). You’ll also find other Nordic treats like Danish smørrebrød, Karelian pies from Finland and a fine selection of wines. A truly cozy insider tip for visitors looking for a spot near the Augarten!

• Read more: Die gemütlichsten Cafés in Wien (German)

Centrally located and not far from the Eurovision Village at Rathausplatz, you’ll find Café Eiles, one of Vienna’s oldest coffee houses. This spacious venue offers classic Viennese coffee house charm, and its large window fronts make it a great place to work—or simply relax in peace.

ESC visitors to Vienna who are looking for a laid-back coffee house atmosphere will feel right at home here. With its wide breakfast selection, solid coffee, tempting pastries and friendly team, your culinary needs are well taken care of.

• Read more: Unsere liebsten Cafés für Kuchen in Wien (German)

For a very good coffee to go, head to Grey Kaffee. At this spot in the 17th district, you can not only order incredibly fine coffee, but also enjoy excellent pastries.

A signature sweet highlight of this specialty coffee shop are the cornetti, especially those filled with pistachio cream. The café itself is quite small, so you’ll need a bit of luck to grab a seat—but the culinary experience is definitely worth the trip, trust us!

• Read more: Wiens süße Seiten entdecken (German)

The 7th district is arguably Vienna’s trendiest neighbourhood. Among the cafés in this area, Café Bar Espresso holds a special status, as this cool spot truly has it all: cosy red seating, large glass fronts, a garden area, and a dimly lit interior. It’s simply a place you’ll love to stop by.

Alongside the usual café classics, you can also enjoy excellent natural wines, as well as delicious croissants, breakfast options and other light snacks. If you’re looking for even more treats, there’s also a stylish extension right next door: the Espresso Buffet, a fancy little gourmet shop.

• Read more: Tips for the ESC: Vienna’s Top Cocktail Bars for the Perfect Drink