Leslie Massey
Coffee is an integral part of Austrian culture, with the country contributing significantly to the development of modern coffee culture in Europe and beyond. The country's traditional coffeehouses, particularly those in Vienna and Salzburg, are renowned for their unique coffee offerings. Ordering a simple coffee in Austria will likely result in a blank stare from the waiter, as there are numerous coffee variations to choose from. This article will guide you through the art of ordering coffee in Austria, ensuring you blend in like a local.
How to order coffee in Austria
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coffee importance | Austria takes its coffee seriously. |
| Coffee variations | Dozen of coffee variations are available. |
| Ordering style | Avoid ordering "a coffee" or "Vienna Coffee". |
| Menu | The menu may list ten to twenty different preparations. |
| Language | It is a good idea to memorize the names in German. |
| Traditional Cafes | Traditional cafes can be found in Vienna and Salzburg. |
| Coffee presentation | Coffee is served on a little, oval silver plate with a glass of still water and sometimes a small piece of chocolate. |
| Coffee types | Kleiner Brauner, Großer Brauner, Melange, Milchkaffee, Kurzer, Türkischer, Eiskaffee, Cappuccino, Einspänner, Fiaker, Kaisermelange, Wiener Eiskaffee, Kapuziner, Biedermeier, Haeferlkaffee, Zarenkaffee, Kosakenkaffee, Kaffee Baileys, Mokka, Kleiner Schwarzer, Grosser Schwarzer |
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What You'll Learn
Don't order 'a coffee'
Don't order "a coffee"
Ordering "a coffee" in Austria is a big no-no. You will likely be met with a blank stare from your waiter or, worse, a slap (albeit an exaggerated claim). In traditional Austrian cafes, you will be expected to order something more specific than a simple "coffee". The choices offered will differ from what you may be used to back home. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with some local customs and peculiarities to avoid embarrassment.
Don't confuse your waiter with "Vienna Coffee"
While you may see many cafes with Vienna in their name, do not be tempted to order a "Vienna Coffee". This drink may exist somewhere else, but not in Austria. Instead, opt for one of the many coffee variations available in Austrian cafes.
Don't forget to specify your coffee type
Austria has contributed significantly to the development of modern coffee culture in Europe and beyond. As such, you will find many unique coffee variations to choose from. Be prepared to specify your order with options like Kleiner Brauner (little brown one) or Großer Brauner (large brown one), which are similar to ordinary coffee with a bit of milk, but steamed like espresso rather than filtered.
Don't expect an Italian-style cappuccino when ordering a "cappuccino"
When in Austria, do as the Austrians do and avoid ordering an Italian-style cappuccino. The version sold in Austria is a regional variation made with coffee and whipped cream instead of frothed milk. If you're craving the Italian version, opt for a Melange, which is similar but consumed any time of the day.
Don't be surprised by the strong coffee culture
Austrians take their coffee seriously, and you will find that coffee consumption per capita is among the highest in the world, even surpassing Italy. Embrace the unique coffee culture and enjoy the wide range of coffee variations Austria has to offer.
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Know the names in German
Austria takes its coffee very seriously, and you will never just order "coffee". There are several different types of coffee, and they also vary from region to region. A proper coffee in Austria is served with a glass of water, and a spoon to stir the coffee is placed on the edges of the water glass.
- Kleiner Brauner and Großer Brauner: This means "little brown one" or "large brown one" and is similar to ordinary coffee: black with a bit of milk, yet typically not filtered, but steamed like espresso.
- Melange: This is a mix of frothed milk and steamed coffee similar to the Italian cappuccino, but it is consumed at any time of the day.
- Milchkaffee or Café latte: A large coffee with frothed milk, this has been around for a long time but recently gained popularity, probably due to its fancy Italian name.
- Kaisermelange: This means "The Emperor's Melange". It is a strong black coffee with an egg yolk and honey, often served with a shot of cognac.
- Einspänner: This is strong, black coffee typically served in a high glass with a dash of whipped cream.
- Kleiner Schwarzer: This means "little black one". It is a shot of espresso.
- Mokka: This is a strong black coffee which in the past was filtered in a special coffee pot called a Seihkanne or Karlsbader Kanne. Nowadays, for speed and convenience, most coffee houses prepare the Mokka in an espresso machine.
- Fiaker: Named after horse-and-carriages, the Fiaker is a rather uncommon drink of coffee with a shot of Austrian rum and whipped cream.
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Order something specific
Ordering "a coffee" in Austria will likely get you nothing more than a blank stare from the waiter. You will need to order something more specific. Here are some options:
Kleiner Brauner and Großer Brauner
These mean "little brown one" and "large brown one", respectively. They are similar to what people consider ordinary coffee: black with a bit of milk, but typically not filtered, instead steamed like espresso.
Melange
Known as the "king of coffee", Melange is a mix of frothed milk and steamed coffee, similar to the Italian cappuccino. However, unlike in Italy, Melange is consumed at any time of the day in Austria.
Milchkaffee or Café Latte
A Milchkaffee or Café Latte is a large coffee with frothed milk. It has been around for a long time but has recently gained popularity, probably due to its fancy Italian name.
Einspänner
Einspänner is strong, black coffee typically served in a high glass with a dash of whipped cream.
Fiaker
Fiaker is named after the famous horse-and-carriages in Vienna. It is strong, black coffee served in a glass with lots of sugar, a shot of Austrian rum, and whipped cream on top.
Kurzer or Espresso
Although the Austrian term "Kurzer" (meaning "short one") is becoming less common, you can still order it in some traditional cafes.
Türkischer
Türkischer means "Turkish one" and is Turkish-style coffee. It is made by boiling grated coffee with sugar for a long time and serving it very hot, with the grains still in the cup.
Eiskaffee
Eiskaffee is a cold coffee-based drink with vanilla ice cream, chocolate, and whipped cream, typically served during the summer months.
Cappuccino
Note that what is sold as a "cappuccino" in Austria is not the Italian version. Instead, it is a regional variation made with coffee and whipped cream, rather than frothed milk.
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Understand the differences between international and Austrian coffee names
Coffee is an integral part of Austrian culture, and the country has contributed a lot to the development of modern coffee culture in Europe and beyond. However, ordering coffee in Austria can be challenging for foreigners, as simply asking for "a coffee" will likely result in a blank stare from the waiter. To navigate the coffee scene in Austria, it's essential to understand the differences between international and Austrian coffee names.
First and foremost, it's worth noting that the term "Viennese Coffee" or "Vienna Coffee" is not commonly used in Austria itself. While cafes and coffee shops worldwide may include "Vienna" or "Viennese" in their names, implying an association with Austrian coffee culture, these terms are not typically used when ordering coffee within Austria.
When it comes to specific coffee types, the names and preparations may differ significantly from what you find internationally. For instance, while "cappuccino" is on the menu, it does not refer to the Italian version with frothed milk. Instead, the Austrian cappuccino is made with coffee and whipped cream. Another example is "Milchkaffee," which directly translates to "milk coffee", but is more similar to a café latte, made with espresso and steamed or frothed milk.
Espresso-based drinks also have their own unique names in Austria. A single espresso is called a Mokka or "Kleiner Schwarzer" (little black one), while a double espresso is a "Grosser Schwarzer" (big black one). If you prefer your espresso with a dash of milk or cream, order a "Kleiner Brauner" or "Grosser Brauner" (little or big brown one).
Additionally, Austria has its own unique coffee creations. "Melange," often referred to as the "king of coffee," is a mix of frothed milk and steamed coffee, similar to an Italian cappuccino but consumed throughout the day. The "Einspänner" is another classic Austrian coffee, consisting of strong black coffee served in a high glass with a dash of whipped cream. For a stronger kick, try the "Fiaker," named after the horse-and-carriages in Vienna. It's a strong black coffee served in a glass with lots of sugar, a shot of Austrian rum, and whipped cream.
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Learn the local customs
Ordering coffee in Austria is an art. Coffee is an important part of Austrian culture, and the country has contributed a lot to the development of modern coffee culture in Europe and beyond. The traditional cafes of Vienna and Salzburg serve up a variety of coffee specialities, and you will need to be prepared to order something more specific than just a "coffee".
Firstly, you will need to memorise the names in German, at least for your favourite choice. The most common coffee in Austria is the Kleiner Brauner or Großer Brauner, which means "little brown one" or "large brown one". This is similar to an ordinary coffee, but it is usually not filtered, and instead steamed like an espresso, with a little milk. Another popular choice is the Melange, which is considered the "king of coffee" in Austria. It is a mix of frothed milk and steamed coffee, similar to an Italian cappuccino, but consumed at any time of the day.
If you are after a stronger coffee, you could try an Einspänner, which is a strong, black coffee, usually served in a high glass with a dash of whipped cream. Or, for something a little different, there is the Fiaker, named after the famous horse-and-carriages in Vienna. This is a strong, black coffee served in a glass with lots of sugar, a shot of Austrian rum, and whipped cream. For something cold, there is Eiskaffee, a cold coffee with vanilla ice cream, chocolate, and whipped cream, usually served in the summer months.
It is also important to note that the term "Viennese Coffee" does not exist in Austria, and you should familiarise yourself with the local customs and peculiarities to avoid embarrassment.
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Frequently asked questions
Ordering "a coffee" in Austria will likely get you a blank stare from your waiter. Instead, you should order something more specific, such as a Kleiner Brauner (little brown one) or Großer Brauner (large brown one), which is similar to an ordinary coffee: black with a bit of milk, but steamed like an espresso.
Melange, also known as "the king of coffee", is a mix of frothed milk and steamed coffee, similar to an Italian cappuccino but consumed at any time of the day. Milchkaffee or Café latte is a large coffee with frothed milk that has gained popularity due to its Italian name.
Fiaker is a unique coffee drink named after the horse-and-carriages in Vienna. It is strong black coffee served in a glass with lots of sugar, a shot of Austrian rum, and whipped cream on top. Another interesting option is Eiskaffee, a cold coffee served with vanilla ice cream, chocolate, and whipped cream during the summer months.
Traditional Austrian cafes can be found in Vienna and Salzburg, with the most Viennese cafes of Austria allegedly found in Mozart's city.
Coffee is extremely important to Austrian culture, and the country has contributed significantly to the development of modern coffee culture in Europe. Be sure to familiarise yourself with the different coffee preparations and their German names, as simply ordering "coffee" is generally frowned upon.
