Café Central, Historic coffee house in Innere Stadt, Austria
Café Central occupies the ground floor of Palais Ferstel in the heart of Vienna's Innere Stadt and ranks among the city's most recognized coffeehouses. The rooms display high vaulted ceilings, slender marble columns, and generous arched windows that give the interior a formal setting.
The opening took place in 1876 in a newly built structure that formed part of an urban development project. Over the following decades, the coffeehouse grew into a meeting place for writers, philosophers, and political thinkers from across Europe.
The nickname Chess School emerged from the many chess players who met here and often bent over their games for hours. Other guests immersed themselves in Tapp Tarock, a traditional card game rooted in Austrian coffeehouse culture.
The entrance is located at Herrengasse 14 in the first district, a few minutes' walk from the Hofburg. Opening hours run from morning into the evening, and the menu includes coffee, pastries, and hot dishes prepared in Austrian style.
Writer Peter Altenberg had his mail delivered here and regarded the establishment as his true residence in the early years of the 20th century. His presence was so regular that he maintained a fixed spot among the guests.
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