Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Paper-thin strudel pastry stretched until you can read newsprint through it, wrapped around grated apples, raisins, cinnamon, sugar, and toasted breadcrumbs.
Strudel pastry travelled across the Habsburg empire from the Ottoman baklava tradition, taking hold in Vienna and Budapest in the 17th and 18th centuries. The paper-thin dough is the test of every Konditorei. Vollpension on Schleifmuehlgasse bakes by grandmothers from a recipe family tradition; Demel and Cafe Landtmann both serve the classical version on a silver tray.
5 editor picks for Apfelstrudel in Vienna, ranked by editorial score. All Vienna signature dishes · Apfelstrudel across every city.
Also in: Munich.
Vollpension on Schleifmuehlgasse in Vienna's Wieden hires Viennese grandmothers and grandfathers to bake the menu of Strudel, Torten and Mehlspeise.
OrderApfelstrudel with vanilla sauce, made that morning by one of the resident grandmothers.
TipThe dining room fills fast on weekends; the Naschmarkt branch at Stand 343 takes the spillover.
Demel on Kohlmarkt has been a court confectioner since 1786, the Eduard-Sacher-Torte and Anna-Torte from the K. und K. Hofzuckerbaecker still served.
TipThe first-floor dining room takes the queue; the ground-floor takeaway moves faster for a Sachertorte to-go.
Cafe Sperl on Gumpendorfer Strasse in Vienna's Mariahilf has poured since 1880, the bentwood Thonet chairs, parquet. At Gumpendorfer Strasse 11.
TipThe carambole tables at the back are still in play; ask the kitchen for a Sperl Torte with your Melange.
Cafe Landtmann on Universitaetsring in Vienna has poured at the Burgtheater corner since 1873, Sigmund Freud's preferred coffeehouse with a long carte.
TipOpen daily 07:30 to midnight; the front-room bench seats face the Burgtheater across the Ring.
Cafe Korb on Brandstaette in Vienna's first district was the 1960s underground-artist hangout, the cluttered Strudel-on-a-counter room now better-known.
TipThe basement bowling alley still runs on Saturday nights; reserve a lane two weeks ahead.
Apfelstrudel makes more sense with someone from Vienna explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 2h 30m
Experience Austrian food culture on this guided walking tour in Vienna. Enjoy tastings of ham, wine, pralines, and other Austrian delicacies in a Viennese Palais and a...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Taste your way through the heart of Austria on a guided culinary journey. Savor Wiener Schnitzel, warm apple strudel and schnapps while uncovering the hidden gems of V...
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Discover downtown Vienna and embark on a brunch tour with a difference Experience the best of all breakfast and lunch combinations on this 2,5h tour. Indulge in the ci...
