Cafe Sperl

Café Sperl is a charming Viennese café situated at Gumpendorfer Straße 11 in the Mariahilf district of Vienna, Austria. The café has been listed on the Austrian Register of Historic Places. Café Sperl captivates both the Viennese public and tourists from around the world. Visiting Café Sperl is akin to immersing oneself in the rich history of Vienna, as it has served as a platform for both artists and audiences alike.

Today, there are numerous writers and artists who are represented here and have their own regular table at Sperl.The café underwent a complete renovation in the 1970s while still maintaining its traditional atmosphere. There is a wide variety of daily newspapers available for you to choose from. Additionally, if you’re in the mood, you can also try your luck at one of the three billiard tables.The piano is played on Sundays, and during the summer, you have the opportunity to sit in the garden in front of the café.The café is renowned for its authentic Viennese cuisine and its delectable assortment of homemade pastries, which are freshly made every day.

In 1880, Jacob Ronacher established Café Ronacher at the intersection of Gumpendorfer Straße and Lehargasse (Lehar Lane). The decor of the place brings to mind the elegant Ringstraßen-Cafés of Vienna. It features parquet floors, bentwood Thonet chairs, marble tables, crystal chandeliers, and carambole billiards tables. Architects Wilhelm Jelinek and Anton Groß were responsible for designing both the building and the interior decor. Ronacher sold the establishment to the Sperl family within the first year of operation. The Sperl family then decided to rename the business Café Sperl. In 1884, the ownership of the cafe was transferred to Adolf Kratochwilla, who chose to keep the cafe’s original name.

Before World War I, the primary clientele consisted of a fascinating blend of individuals from Vienna’s cultural and military circles. Apart from authors, artists, architects, composers, musicians, and actors, there were also military officials from the nearby Imperial and Royal (K.u.K) military academy in attendance. Among them were notable figures such as Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf, who would later become the Chief of Staff of the Austro-Hungarian Army, and Archduke Joseph Ferdinand.

In 1968, Manfred Staub purchased the café from the Kratochwillas. The cafe was renovated in 1983. Cafe Sperl has been the recipient of multiple awards in recent years. Some notable awards received by the cafe include the “Austrian Cafe of the Year” in 1998 (known as “Österreichisches Kaffeehaus des Jahres” in German) and the “Goldene Kaffeebohne” (Golden Coffee Bean) in 2004. Some of the regulars at the contemporary cafe have been notable authors such as Jörg Mauthe, Robert Menasse, Ana Tajder, and Michael Köhlmeier.

Café Sperl gained recognition for its appearance in the 1995 film “Before Sunrise,” which starred Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Additionally, the café was also featured in a 2011 DVD showcasing the Vienna Philharmonic’s performance of compositions by renowned musicians such as Johann Strauss and Fritz Kreisler. The café interior was also featured in the 2011 movie “A Dangerous Method,” starring Viggo Mortensen and Michael Fassbender. The miniseries “The Winds of War” showcases both the interior and exterior settings.