An Authentic Sanctuary for the Secessionists
Founded by Jacob Ronacher and later acquired by the Sperl family, the café quickly evolved into the favorite meeting ground for military officers from the nearby Stiftskaserne alongside the founding pioneers of the Vienna Secession movement, including Gustav Klimt and Josef Hoffmann.
Unlike many city-center coffeehouses that modernized after the Second World War, Café Sperl underwent a meticulous restoration in 1968 under Manfred Staub, which carefully preserved the original plush red velvet alcoves, gas lamp chandeliers adapted for electric illumination, and original parquet wood floors.
"At Sperl, one does not feel like a customer being hurried along; one feels like an invited guest to a grand imperial salon where time has politely agreed to stand still."
The Carom Billiard Tradition
At the rear of the salon stand three full-size, pocketless carom billiard tables. Here, the traditional three-cushion billiard games continue to be played beneath vintage cone lamps, accompanied by the gentle clatter of heavy ivory-composition balls and porcelain coffee cups.
Why Sperl is Legendary
- Selected as a filming location for classic cinema (e.g. Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise)
- Exclusive Sperl Torte recipe with delicate milk chocolate, vanilla cream, and almond paste
- Extensive library of broadsheet Austrian, German, French, and English newspapers
Visitor Guidance
- Closed on Sundays during July and August according to historic seasonal tradition
- Cash payments are strongly preferred for traditional transactions
- No loud telephone calls permitted in the reading and billiard areas