The Café Central was designed by architect Heinrich von Ferstel as a bank. It was converted into a coffeehouse in 1860 and today finds itself one of the most famous of Vienna’s cafés.
Central was a regular meeting place for late 19th century intellectuals when it went by the name Die Schachhochschule. Its clientele included architect Adolf Loos, Mathematician Leo Perutz, and Novelist Hugo von Hofmannsthal.
Die Schachhochschule closed its doors at the end of WWII and reopened them after a great renovation in 1975 as the Café Central. Many now categorize it as a tourist trap, but it is worth the visit for its architecture and the remarkably conceived pumpkin soup!

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Café Central
43 (1) 53 337 6424
Herrengasse 14 Vienna, Austria
OPEN HOURS:
8:00 – 20:00 Monday –Saturday
10:00 – 18:00 Sunday