Vienna is known for its desserts, and no visit would be complete without trying some! One not-to-miss spot for mouth-watering desserts in Vienna is Gerstner KuK Hofzuckerbäcker. Gerstner KuK Hofzuckerbäcker has been opened since 1847 and used to provide the dessert for the imperial court! Today the shop and restaurant are open to the public, and they also provide the sweets for the Vienna State Opera!
This confectionery shop is unlike anything you’ve seen before! It is three floors, with the main storey being a store, the next level being a casual cafe with velvet sofas, and the top floor an opulence restaurant! As it is located next to the Vienna State Opera, you can also enjoy a magnificent view of the famous opera house as well.
When I visited, I was overwhelmed with all the delicious options; there are so many cakes, cupcakes, strudels, petits fours and truffles! When you first arrive, I suggest taking a moment to look at the counter to figure out what dessert you want to try before finding your table.
One of the more famous desserts K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker makes is their Sisi Cake which is named after Empress Elisabeth of Austria. It is a chocolate cake with red currant marmalade and cassis marzipan.
The other dessert I tried was the raspberry slice, which is raspberry cream layered between chocolate biscuits and topped with raspberries.
All the desserts I tried were fantastic, as you might expect from a bakery that used to serve the imperial court! What I found surprising is for such a grand place with chandeliers everywhere and high-quality food, the desserts were remarkably affordable. Most of the cakes and other sweets were €4,80! Which to give you an idea that is the average cost of a coffee in Vienna.
I highly recommend going here for a slice of cake and enjoying the view of the Opera House.