A two-layer chocolate sponge cake split with apricot jam, enrobed in a thin, glossy chocolate glaze and served with a quenelle of unsweetened whipped cream. The most photographed Viennese dessert, and the subject of a long legal-history dispute between Hotel Sacher and Demel.
Franz Sacher invented the Sachertorte in 1832, aged 16, while filling in as the apprentice pastry chef in Prince Metternich's kitchen. The recipe was perfected by his son Eduard at Demel before the family opened Hotel Sacher in 1876. A long legal dispute between Hotel Sacher and Demel was settled in 1963: Hotel Sacher won the right to the 'Original Sachertorte' name and the round seal; Demel uses a triangular 'Eduard-Sacher-Torte' seal to this day. Both versions are still made by hand at the respective addresses.
5 editor picks for Sachertorte in Vienna, ranked by editorial score. All Vienna signature dishes · Sachertorte across every city.
Demel ★ 4.5
innere-stadt · Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Wien
Demel on Kohlmarkt in Vienna has been a court confectioner since 1786, the Eduard-Sacher-Torte and Anna-Torte from the K. und K. Hofzuckerbaecker now served behind a working pastry kitchen window.
Cafe Landtmann ★ 4.4
innere-stadt · Universitaetsring 4, 1010 Wien
Cafe Landtmann on Universitaetsring in Vienna has poured at the Burgtheater corner since 1873, Sigmund Freud's preferred coffeehouse with a long carte of cakes and a serious lunchtime kitchen.
Cafe Central ★ 4.4
innere-stadt · Herrengasse 14, 1010 Wien
Cafe Central on Herrengasse in Vienna has poured Melange in Palais Ferstel's vaulted hall since 1876, the Trotsky-Freud-Altenberg coffee house with a small pianist programme each afternoon.
Kurkonditorei Oberlaa ★ 4.4
innere-stadt · Neuer Markt 16, 1010 Wien
Kurkonditorei Oberlaa on Neuer Markt in Vienna runs the Karl Schuhmacher Konditorei from 1974, the wide carte of Torten the modern alternative to the Demel and Sacher dispute.
Cafe Sacher Wien ★ 4.3
innere-stadt · Philharmoniker Strasse 4, 1010 Wien
Cafe Sacher inside Hotel Sacher on Philharmoniker Strasse in Vienna serves the Original Sachertorte under chandeliers across from the State Opera, the dispute with Demel settled by the 1963 court ruling.