A Piece of Vienna in Sibiu
A story about taste, place and identity
The Viennese Coffeehouse
At Cafe Wien, the Viennese coffeehouse is more than just a concept. It is a state of mind that has endured through centuries and continues to thrive in the heart of the old town.
Cafe Wien is at once a coffeehouse, a pastry shop and a restaurant. A place where you can begin your morning with a Wiener Melange and a freshly baked croissant, enjoy a cake inspired by Vienna's grand cafés in the afternoon, or meet friends for dinner in a relaxed atmosphere in the evening.
Here, travellers and locals meet, as do people in a hurry and those who choose to slow down. Some come for the coffee, others for the desserts, the Wiener Schnitzel, a glass of wine, or simply for the pleasure of an unhurried conversation, all accompanied by Austrian radio music in the background.
The Viennese coffeehouse is both old and young at the same time. Faithful to tradition, yet always open to the present. Exactly as a true Viennese coffeehouse should be.
Vienna's Wine Tradition
Few cities in the world can boast vineyards located within their city limits. Vienna is the only major metropolis that has preserved this tradition to the present day, and wine culture is as much a part of its identity as music, architecture, or its famous coffeehouses.
For centuries, Viennese people have spent their evenings in Heuriger wine taverns, the traditional establishments of local winemakers. A Heuriger is not merely a place where wine is served; it is a way of life: people gathering together, stories shared around the same table, and the joy of spending time without haste.
Austria is internationally renowned for its white wines, and its most representative grape variety is Grüner Veltliner, appreciated for its freshness, minerality and elegance.
At Cafe Wien, we draw inspiration from this authentic Viennese tradition. We invite you to pause for a glass of Austrian wine and a few moments of tranquillity. Our menu features Grüner Veltliner both by the glass and by the bottle. Prost!
Beisl, Not Bistro
If the French have their famous bistro, Austrians have the Beisl. Less well known outside Austria, yet just as representative of local culture, the Beisl is where tradition, gastronomy and everyday Viennese life come together.
Many historians trace the origin of the word "Beisl" to the Yiddish term bajiss, meaning "house." Perhaps this origin best explains the spirit of an authentic Beisl: a place where you feel at home.
The cuisine of a Beisl is honest and generous, centred around dishes that have stood the test of time: Frittatensuppe, Wiener Schnitzel served with potato salad, Viennese goulash, chicken paprikash, and many other dishes that made the cuisine of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire famous.
Located just steps from the Evangelical Church and Huet Square, Cafe Wien has brought the spirit of the Viennese Beisl to the centre of Sibiu since 2007: a place where history, hospitality and the pleasure of sharing a meal remain just as important today as they were a century ago.
The Taste of Vienna at Cafe Wien
Viennese cuisine is one of the few cuisines in the world named after a city. Developed over centuries at the crossroads of cultures within the former Habsburg Empire, it absorbed influences from Bohemia, Hungary, Italy, the Balkans and southern Germany, transforming them into a unique culinary identity. Today, Viennese dishes are appreciated worldwide for their elegant simplicity, quality ingredients and respect for tradition.
Frittatensuppe — Vienna's Traditional Sunday Soup
Few dishes capture the spirit of Viennese cuisine better than Frittatensuppe. At first glance, it is a simple soup: a clear, aromatic beef broth enriched with delicate strips of pancake. Traditionally, beef broth was prepared in almost every Viennese household, and homemakers always found creative ways to make use of leftovers. Alongside semolina dumpling soup, it remains one of the most popular soups served in Viennese restaurants today.
Wiener Schnitzel — The King of Viennese Cuisine
If there is one dish that represents Vienna throughout the world, it is undoubtedly Wiener Schnitzel. Its secret lies not only in the quality of the veal but also in its light, golden crust. Viennese cooks say that a proper schnitzel should "soufflé," meaning that the breadcrumb coating should gently separate from the meat during frying. At Cafe Wien, we serve both the traditional veal Wiener Schnitzel and the popular pork Schnitzel Wiener Art, prepared using the same Viennese technique.
Sachertorte — Vienna's Sweet Legend
In 1832, the young apprentice Franz Sacher was tasked with creating a special dessert for Prince Metternich and his guests. The result was a chocolate cake layered with a thin spread of apricot jam — a dessert that would become one of the most famous in the world. Traditionally served with unsweetened whipped cream, Sachertorte remains a staple of Vienna's great coffeehouses.
At Cafe Wien, we strive to keep this tradition alive and bring a part of Vienna's culinary charm to the heart of Sibiu. Because some recipes are more than just food — they are stories worth passing on.