Masterpieces and Macchiatos: Vienna’s Best Museum Cafes

Why go there?
The Café in Vienna’s art history museum is one of the most beautiful coffee shop in the world (according to many-many TikTok creators). Marble columns, geometric black-and-white tiled floor, seating in noble red. As the café is literally situated in the middle of the museum, you can sip your coffee while looking up at a frescoed ceiling.
One con — it’s impossible to get in without buying a ticket to the KHM. But you were going to buy it anyway, right?

What to try from the menu?
If you want to start your day, particularly bourgie… we mean artsy, you can come between 10am and 12pm and have a Wiener Frühstück surrounded by opulence while glancing over Maria-Theresien-Platz.

Why go there?
This is not your typical museum-cafe with crowds of tourists and stale pastries. This is a full-blown restaurant with a separate entrance and a chic-meets-sleek-meets-I’m-a-great-place-for-conversations-about-art-and-other-deep-things. The vibe is ‘luxe gallery cafe’: marble and wood, brass and glass, a constellation of lights on the minty ceiling. Very much the place to ponder the life of an artist, while choosing items from an extensive menu, including a quality drinks menu.

What to try from the menu?
Annatorte from Café Demel. Need we say more? Annatorte is Sachertorte’s younger, more attractive sister. And this rich luxurious cake goes down pretty well after gawking at some Monet and Picasso.

Why go there?
The restaurant in MAK museum is one hip-lookin’, complete with some quirky interior design, kinda’ place. Picture this: modern interior, patterns on the walls playfully clashing with patterns on the drapes, a grand, historical ceiling (hence the name!). It’s a really chill place that makes you want to focus on every detail, just as you would in the Museum of Applied Arts itself. The breakfast is stellar while it also makes for a great place for after work (or museum) drinks.

What to try from the menu?
People are raving about the vegan options, but honestly, the kitchen in this place is stellar. So, go ahead, and pick anything; you’ll most likely end up with something yummy.

Why go there?
This may be the least spectacular out of those on the list, and we wouldn’t recommend going there if you’re not planning on visiting the museum, but it is a solid spot to stop if you aree. Situated right above the gift shop in the Museum of Modern Arts, this one might surprise you. The decor is a play on East meets West: think minimalistic chairs paired with ornate, traditional rugs. It’s this harmonious blend of snug and modern that perfectly complements the contemporary art journey you’ve just experienced.

What to try from the menu?
Latte macchiato (hence the title of this article). The Bistro’s menu is pretty simple and MUMOK does not inspire a substantial appetite. So we suggest sitting there and sipping a latte, being all artsy and mysterious.

Why go there?
Lucy’s is one is somewhat of a hidden gem. It’s got an interior that’s cool and understated, plus t’s the ideal spot to unwind after immersing yourself in the art world at Belvedere. Settle into a cosy blue chair beneath a giant floor lamp, flip through a book from the gift shop – it’s a great setting for any kind of cafe or bar activities.

What to try from the menu?
This might surprise you, but the Bio-goulash soup with a fresh Semmel is very, very good.