Konditorei-Kaffee Zauner in Bad Ischl

If you are looking for a taste of Austrian history and culture, you might want to visit the Konditorei-Kaffee Zauner in Bad Ischl, a historic confectionery that has been serving delicious pastries and cakes since 1832. The Zauner family has been associated with the imperial court, the operetta scene, and the international confectionery world for almost two centuries, and their products are still enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

The Imperial Connection

The story of the Zauner confectionery begins in 1821, when Emperor Franz I’s personal physician, Franz de Paula Wirer Ritter von Rettenbach, decided to develop Ischl into a famous brine spa. He invited the Viennese confectioner and wine merchant Johann Zauner (1803-1868) to Ischl as purveyor to the court, since there was no confectioner in Ischl that met the imperial standards.

Johann Zauner started his career at the “Wirerkeller” (now “Zaunerkeller”) on Maxquellgasse, where he served his delicacies to the aristocratic guests. He then founded his own pastry shop in Pfarrgasse (the parent firm) in 1832, which soon became a popular destination for many renowned people, including the playwright Johann Nestroy.

Johann Zauner’s son, Karl Zauner (1846-1889), continued the family business after his father’s death and built a new building on Pfarrgasse in 1869, four years after a devastating fire in Ischl. Karl Zauner had the honor of hosting Empress Sisi, who visited Ischl every year since her wedding in 1854. The empress had a sweet tooth and loved the Zauner pastries, especially the “Ischler Törtchen”, a chocolate-covered almond biscuit filled with apricot jam. Karl Zauner also trained Vincens Reschinsky, who later founded the Reschinsky pastry shop in Scheibbs.

Karl Zauner’s wife and heiress, Maria Anna (1850-1925), left Ischl with a new husband and their youngest son after Karl’s death, leaving the other nine children behind. However, she returned in 1905 and eventually handed over the business to her son Viktor Zauner (1877-1950), who was already in charge of the confectionery.

The Golden Age

The confectionery reached its peak of fame and success under Viktor Zauner, who created many new products and expanded the business. In 1905, he and his bakery manager Josef Nickerl invented the “Zaunerstollen”, a nougat-filled pastry covered with chocolate and nuts, which became a trademark of the Zauner confectionery. Viktor Zauner also adopted Rosina Ferner, who worked for him for many years after his wife died in 1944.

Viktor Zauner also acquired the former Café Walther and founded the “Café Esplanade Zauner” in 1927. The “Esplanade” became a meeting place for well-known operetta composers (Franz Lehár and Leo Fall), singers (Leo Slezak and Richard Tauber), and writers. The café was famous for its elegant atmosphere, its live music, and its exquisite desserts.

The Modern Era

After World War II, the German confectioner Richard Kurth (1908-1970), who had won several international medals, came to Zauner and married Viktor Zauner’s adopted daughter. Under Kurth’s direction, the Zauner confectionery grew and gained more recognition. Kurth received a gold medal at the 1958 World Exhibition in Brussels for the “Ischler Törtchen” he displayed. Eugen Brixel composed the concert waltz “Ischler Törtchen” specifically for this occasion in 1959.

Kurth’s second wife Hildegard (1929-2019) continued the business after his death. In order to preserve the old house name, she changed it from Kurth to Zauner in 1982. She also adopted Josef Zauner (née Ferner, * 1948), who took over the management of the company in 1987. Josef Zauner had a master’s degree in both German and Austrian confectionery and traveled abroad several times to learn from other countries. He was a visiting lecturer at the Japan Cake and Confiserie College, where he taught since 1988. He also worked as a “TV chef” in the ORF series “Häferlgucker” from 1978 to 1985, and as a “TV confectioner” in the Bavarian television series “Enjoy allowed” from 1995 to 1996. Josef Zauner also won many gold medals at international competitions.

In recognition of its achievements, the Republic of Austria awarded the Zauner confectionery the right to use the Austrian national coat of arms in the form of a state award in 1980. This is a rare and prestigious honor for a confectionery.

The old ballroom on the first floor of the main building was restored in 1989 as an Art Nouveau salon. Until 2010, this place hosted weekly operetta cafés, where guests could enjoy the Zauner pastries while listening to live operetta music.

Josef Zauner handed over the management to his son Philipp Zauner in November 2020, and the confectionery is now run by the 7th generation. The Zauner family has maintained the tradition and quality of their products, while also adapting to the changing tastes and preferences of their customers. The Konditorei-Kaffee Zauner in Bad Ischl is a place where you can experience the sweet legacy of Austrian history and culture.

Bad Ischl, Austria