![\"Caf\u00e9](\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/alscafesmall.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nFor a taste of authentic Vienna away from the palaces and art museums, try one of the many neighbourhood caf\u00e9s. Like the one near me: the lovely AlsCaf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Typical “Gr\u00e4tzel-Caf\u00e9” for Vienna<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Friendly staff, congenial atmosphere<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Small menu (changes monthly: hope for the brownie)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Surrounded by local history<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Enjoy a classical concert<\/a>* in Vienna<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- See also:\n
- \n
- The coffee houses<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Viennese districts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
A croissant & creativity<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n![\"Interior](\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/alscafe1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n(Photo by Fiona-Livia Bachmann @fionalivia.arts)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think of caf\u00e9s in Vienna, and you probably imagine one of the famous city centre coffee houses that played host to philosophers, poets, and painters of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the caf\u00e9 is part of the fabric of life across all Vienna. Particularly the Gr\u00e4tzel-Caf\u00e9, a term used to describe a neighbourhood caf\u00e9 that serves as a community hub and cultural venue for the local population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One such location is the AlsCaf\u00e9 in the outer district of Hernals: a quiet suburb stretching into the hills and not a stop on any hop on hop off buses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back in 2023, two locals (Juma Hauser and Eva Baumgardinger) opened empty premises in a turn-of-the-century building as the AlsCaf\u00e9 for a day as a contribution to a city project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thomas Huber was so taken by the idea that he turned the one-off concept into a personal project of the heart that became today’s caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Window](\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/alscafe3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n(A window full of event announcements)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Thomas puts it, the AlsCaf\u00e9 is a place where locals can come together to chat, write, read or work without overt pressure to keep consuming. A kind of extended living room: a concept emphasised by armchairs and bookshelves in one part of the caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As such, the AlsCaf\u00e9 is a place you might go to experience Viennese life away from the tourist areas. Especially on Saturdays, when locals drop in for refreshment after visiting the adjoining Alszeile open-air weekly market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider it somewhere to sit and relax in congenial surrounds, with friendly staff and (in the time-honoured tradition<\/a> of the Viennese caf\u00e9) no urgency to move on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might spot a retiree enjoying an espresso after walking the dog. Or young parents treating their kids to whatever cake is on this month’s menu. Or friends catching up on local gossip. (If you go, pray they have the nut and cranberry brownie…it’s that good.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thomas also supports local cultural and community activities with a dedicated room for events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ad:<\/em>
<\/div><\/div> - The Viennese districts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- See also:\n