Cafes of Vienna: Kleines Cafe

This little place is tucked away at the corner of Franziskanerplatz inside Vienna's central district (Innenstadt). The cafe, true to its name, is indeed a very small one, with barely ten sets of chairs and tables inside, but it is a truly warm and intimate place to have your daily round of coffee and cakes, especially on a beautiful sunny autumn day or in the quiet hours after the evening meal.

Being at a part of Vienna's old town some distance away from the usual beaten tourist tracks, this small cafe is a popular hangout of local students and the general public. As it is not as crowded or well-known as the other big name historical cafes in the city centre, one does not have to queue up for hours before gaining admission to the premises. Once inside, one can spend as much time as one fancies reading, writing, or sampling the coffee, without the need to feel obliged to give up the seat for those waiting at the door. 

Although small, the clever use of mirrors on both sides of the wall make the interior appear much more spacious than was actually the case. In the evenings, the warm reflective lights give rise to a feeling of close intimacy, which makes the place an ideal corner for those who are looking for a quite, cosy atmosphere to spend a plesant evening.

Many locals prefer to sit outside in the open air and enjoy their cup of coffee or tea while reading their daily newspapers or favourite novels. During the summer months, seats right outside the cafe are very much sought after by both visitors and locals. As this is not a touristy place by Viennese standards, you can turn up at any time without reservation and still be able to get a seat.

Address: Kleines Cafe, Franziskanerplatz 3, A-1010 Wien

Copyrights@2010. All text and photos by YC Cheng. All Rights Reserved.