Demel, Vienna

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The last time we were in Vienna, we didn't get the opportunity to visit Demel. This time, we weren't going to pass up the opportunity. We met up with one of LJ's friends (from when she used to live here) and headed to Demel for lunch/dessert. A classic, historic and wonderful place to visit...just the desserts alone make this a "must-see" destination. But the "Store Window" is a beauty to behold as the sculptures are changed on a regular basis and made out of chocolate.

Favorite Dish: We ordered Vöslauer prickelnd (sparkling water), Melange (small espresso with warm milk & milk foam), Gulaschsuppe (Goulash soup/roll), Dobostorte (a Hungarian five-layer sponge cake layered with chocolate buttercream and topped with thin caramel slices) & Gerollte Mandeltorte (rolled almond tart with simmered buttercream).

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Thats another decoration of " Demel K&K Hofzuckerbaeckerei" and behind the statue you will see the famous Kaffeehaus of Demel. The best about Demel is the great cake-buffet and the lovely ornate decorations of the whole cafe with lovely stucco-works and chandeliers - see my pics !.

Favorite Dish: all these decorations are made of chocolate and colored sugar and in my personal opinion the faces look better than most of the celebrities at the famous Wax-cabinets.

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Demel was the official backery of the emperor and who-ever delivered some of his goods/products to the court was allowed to call himself
K&K Hoflieferant*
or K&K Hofzuckerbaecker etc.

Favorite Dish: They are certainly worth a visit: for a hot chocolate they will not take an instant-mix but will boil the milk slowly and put in pieces of chocolate and stirr, until finished and they also have the original Sachertorte-recepee - and are allowed to call it "original Sachertorte" as the mentally sick son of Madame Sacher sold the original recepee to Demel about 100 years ago and it looks a tiny little bit different, as the thin layer of jam is missing in Demel' recepee...

The most refined retreat for cake-lovers in the city. Experience the epitome of politeness and delights that imperial guests once enjoyed. This was the other place my friend recommended.

The full name, “K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker Ch. Demel’s Söhne” (“Imperial and Royal Court Confectionary Bakery Ch. Demel’s Sons”) should give the idea along with the fact that the shop stands in line with the castle courtyard, that this is a special place that has survive the test of politics, history and time.

Update:

Demel has changed hands since I was in the city and though I've read that some changes have been made, I do hope that the traditions of Demel is not lost. I hope that the sense of chivalrous men escorting beautiful women of high social postition for a tryst will still be evident when I finally do get the chance of entering these doors.

If you do have a chance of stopping here and are interested, they have a museum that tell about the history and traditions. Much of which have been lost in our modern times.

Also, I'll mention that they have a shop in New York, USA too.

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It seems that the history of Demel started way back in 1786 when one Ludwig Dehne from Wurtemberg settled in Vienna.

He was selling frozen goods aswell as candy, jam-filled doughnuts and a variety of other bakery goods. It was a place to visit with cavaliers held their trysts with beautiful Viennese women at Dehnes.

Ludwig Dehne's son August sold the shop in 1857 to his first assistant Christoph Demel. Thus the name change takes place. His sons Josef and Carl were the ones who in the end consequentially named the confectionery “K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker Ch. Demel’s Söhne” (“Imperial and Royal Court Confectionery Bakery Ch. Demel’s Sons”). The renown of the confectionary Demel had already reached foreign shores and the title “K.u.k.” Court Supplier was already secured.

In 1888 the shop was moved into the Palais at the Kohlmarkt as Emperor Franz Joseph ordered sanding works to be done on the city fortifications. Demel now stands in one line with the Hofburg. The most prestigious decorators of the time, Portois and Fix, designed the interior in a Rococo style.

After the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy collapsed in 1918; in Demel's however time seemed to have stood still. Anna Demel watched with an eagle’s eye that the old traditions and order were kept to. Even though it was forbidden and penalized, Anna Demel made sure that the emblem "K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker" (“Imperial and Royal Court Confectionary Bakery”) remained on both the portal as well as on the chocolate boxes and candies.

Anna Demel was awarded the title of ‘Kommerzialrat’ (Councillor of Commerce) in 1952, and was the first woman to receive this title. In 1956 her adopted daughter Klara Demel took over the reigns of the Court Confectionary Bakery. After Klara’s death her husband Baron Federico v. Berzeviczy-Pallavicini managed Demel's. The highly-gifted artist and pupil of the “Wiener Werkstaetten” set up the ornately designed displays as well as creating the fine packaging art that both still exist today.

In 1972 Federico von Berzeviczy-Pallavicini sold the family firm and worked in Italy and New York as architect and artist. Sadly there followed rough times and over the next 30 years the owners changed several times. Since 2002 Demel has been owned by the Austrian DO & CO Group, an internationally operating restaurant and catering company.

(The above is an adaption from the Demel web site)

When i was in the restaurant, I saw it was full of tourists and locals, it does seem as if The Demel is still a huge attraction for many people and the old traditions are still observed1.

Great service and good food.

Favorite Dish: I had a wonderful Wiener Schnitzel and coffee.

Demel is one of the best Cafes in Vienna. I've been many times and never found a food they served that I disliked. You can pop in and get a pastry or something more savory like Goulasch soup. Demel catered to the Hofburg empire when it was still around. It's located in a beautiful historic building on Kohlmarkt. There's wooden paneling on the walls as well as wonderfully decorated ceilings. It has become quite a tourist attraction, so expect to hear a lot of English, but the overall experience is worth it.
I've found the service to be excellent. When I ordered Kaiserschmarr'n (explanation below) the first time, the waitress was kind enough to give me updates on the progess, since it is a dish made from entirely fresh pastry, and therefore took a bit of time to create. She was also swamped that day, but she still found the time to do more than take my order and bring the food.
The dishes served in the cafe are not nearly as expensive as gifts in the gift shop at the front. For a pastry or dessert you can expect to pay about 8€.

Favorite Dish: Mohr im Hemd--a delicious chocolate soufflé with hot, melted chocolate served over top
Kaiserschmarr'n--a classic Viennese dish that not many tourists are aware of; Demel makes the pastry fresh (so you might have to wait 20 minutes); it looks like cut up pancakes but tastes much more decadent; topped with powdered sugar and served with jam on the side

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I wanted to try both the Sached Cafe and Demel and be Judge and Juror on the Torte tuzzle in Vienna.

The First day I visited the Sacher Cafe and had to waite few minutes and then got assigned a table and order the much acclaimed Sacher Torte... It was a little drier than I expected, however with the whipped cream it was delicious.

The following day I Visited Demel to chek out their claim... Sadly it was bad from the very start.

1. Firstly there was no one managing the seating... after few rude people passed me and grabbed a vacant table I waked into the reception area and asked to be seated.... I was rudely told " FIND YOUR OWN TABLE" ----- exact words quotes.

2. After I found a table... service was very sloppy with one 2 waitreses managing over 2 dozen clients.

3. They did not have a menu and wanted you to walk in and check out what you wanted and place an order.....

4. The Torte that I order was clumpy/ dry and lousy.... I would say that the local shoprite torte tased better at home.

5. Finally it took way to long for the waiter to get out check even after remining her twice...

Terrible experience over all.

Favorite Dish: None .... DO NOT EAT THERE.

In 1786 confectionary assistant, Ludwig Dehne settled in Vienna. He started selling frozen goods then extended to candy and jam filled doughnuts. Demel is now an Austrian institution with cafes in Vienna and Salzburg, there is also a branch in New York. The Demel is a very smart cafe and the food delicious.

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I've been told that Demel's owner bought the recipe to the infamous Sacher Torte from its creator and to this day, people are still debating who has the "real" Sacher Torte. Whichever it is, the pastries here are super yummy! The cafe is located in the prestigious shopping area, surrounded by luxury boutiques such as Louis Vuitton & Gucci.

The restaurant still maintains its original interior design which is quite lovely. I can sit here and enjoy a hot beverage & sweet pastry and imagine myself being back in the old days. The cafe is always packed with Viennese & visitors alike so be patient if you can't get a seat. When the weather is warm, it's great to sit outside and enjoy the weather.

The other attractions are the "Bill Clinton" and "Kofi Annan" cakes on display behind a glass wall in the kitchen area.

OPENING HOURS
daily from 10.00 am – 7.00 pm

Favorite Dish: The pastries are the best, and of course the hot drinks like the hot chocolate. The freshly made chocolates are fantastic as well

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Demel has always been a much loved meeting point of the aristocracy as well as of the regular people who can afford the sweets. Empress Sissi liked to indulge in the sweets that were made at the K.u.K. (Imperial and Royal) Court Confectionary Bakery; the young empress did not buy anything herself in the shop at the Kohlmarkt; rather, she got Mr. Demel himself to personally deliver the candied violets that she so loved, amongst other things, to the royal court at the Hofburg.

Demel is one of the oldest and traditional coffeehouse decorated in the Rococo style. It is famous for its grand coffee salons which serves Viennese coffee and sweets including cakes and pastries. Demel always has beautiful window displays that catch much attentions. They always change the window displays to reflect the season or the flavour of the moment.

Favorite Dish: Ku.K (Imperial and Royal) Court Confectionary Bakery
Ch. Demel’s Sons Ltd.

Open daily from 10 am – 7 pm