Rick Steves Thinks This Decadent Chocolate Shop Is A Must-Visit For Foodies In Vienna

Coffee and cake is to Austria what sushi is to Japan. It's a way of life, part of the culture, and an absolute part of their society as a whole. Over many centuries, important historical figures, movers, and shakers within music, journalism, science, and politics have walked and ate their way through many of Austria's elaborate coffeehouses and dessert shops. And European travel expert Rick Steves thinks that Demel, the decadent chocolate and dessert shop in Vienna since 1786, is a must-visit for foodies, and where you can have your chocolate cake and eat it too.

While you may not avoid Vienna's tourist crowds at this popular dessert shop, the wait to get inside is worth it once you get a taste of the decadent cakes, chocolates, and other confectionary delights. In Steve's blog post titled "Tasting High Culture in Vienna," he explains that Vienna, one of Europe's most elegant cities, is the city to visit when it comes to experiencing the good life. "Make it a point to stop by Demel," he writes, "the ultimate Viennese chocolate shop, filled with Art Nouveau boxes of choco-dreams come true: Kandierte Veilchen (candied violet petals), Katzenzungen (cats' tongues), and much more." 

As soon as you walk into Demel, the smell of chocolate fills your nostrils and puts your body into a sensory overload in the best way possible, as I experienced first hand. During my visit to Demel, I was immediately drawn to the display case showcasing dozens of handmade, beautifully decorated, colorful cakes and chocolates placed on display like fine jewelry. Chocolate fanatics will be spoiled for choice, choosing from full sized chocolate bars to carefully crafted boxes of bonbons with tasty fillings such as caramel and creamy nougat. Steves urges food lovers to visit whenever in Vienna.

Vienna is home to approximately 130 traditional coffeehouses within its 23 districts, and out of all of them, Rick Steves gushes most about Demel's obsession with all things chocolate, including the famous Viennese cake, the Sacher torte. "You're sure to see Sacher torte, the local specialty," he writes. "Apart from its apricot filling, the recipe seems pretty simple ... chocolate on chocolate." Visiting Demel takes grabbing dessert to another level: With its smartly dressed waitstaff and historic charm, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time to rub shoulders with the elite, as you get the most out of your food tourism experience. 

Demel's dark wooden cozy interior allows patrons to sit back, relax, and enjoy dessert and coffee, all while watching the magic unfold behind the scenes with the confectionary magicians at Demel on display. "You can sit inside the shop, with a view of the cake-making, or outside, with the street action," Steves says. "Fancy shops like this boast on their sign: 'K.u.K.' (meaning good enough for the König und Kaiser — king and emperor)." 

While a visit to Demel does not run cheap, with a single piece of chocolate starting around €3, the experience is priceless. After taking in the sights, treat yourself to a box of beautiful chocolate hearts, presented in a stunning wooden box, for €34 as a tasty souvenir to take home. If coffee isn't your cup of tea, Demel's hot chocolate (sold in bars with instructions) can be purchased to take home for around €21 for a three-piece box, or €89 for a 20-piece set. With a never-ending amount of chocolate and desserts to choose from, it's easy to see (and taste) why Demel is a chocolate lover's paradise.