Melange (Viennese Coffee)

Like Paris and Rome, Vienna is a European coffee capital. Cafes sprung up all around the city in the 18th through 20th centuries and have become fixtures of cultural and culinary life in the Austrian capital.

The famed Viennese melange, similar to a cappuccino but usually without cocoa powder, is topped with half hot milk and half foamed milk. Cappuccinos in Austria are generally topped with whipped cream, rather than milk. If you're looking for an Americano, ask for a Verlängerter (literally, "longer"); plain coffee with cream is a Brauner, and an espresso or double espresso is referred to as a Schwartzer.

Meanwhile, you can also enjoy local specialties with dramatic names: the Franziskaner (Franciscan Monk) is similar to a melange but is topped with whipped cream rather than foamed milk, while a Mozart is a true dessert in its own right: a double espresso served with a big mound of whip cream and served with a small glass of sherry.

Where to Try It: Some of the best cafes in the capital to enjoy typical Viennese coffee and cake near the city center include Cafe Pruckel, Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Central, Cafe Hawelka, and Cafe Ritter.