Founded in 1904, Cafe Prückel is one of my favourite traditional Viennese cafes. Located near the Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien (University of Applied Arts and Design), this cafe has been a favourite hangout for lecturers and students of that institution for ages.
Although Cafe Prückel is considered one of the best known Viennese Kaffeehäusern, the place has retained its sense of authentic charm, in spite of its location on Vienna's prestigeous Ringstrassen. Its airy, sleek modernist interior, designed by famous Viennese architect Oswald Haerdtl in 1954, introduces plenty of natural light into the interiors of the cafe. This classic example of 50s' modernist design has been a trademark of Cafe Prückel for more than half a century.
Unlike some of the more famous Rangstrassen and inner city cafes, Cafe Prückel is not flooded with tourists. As far as I can see, most of the customers are either locals or foreign residents of Vienna. The cafe offers a good selection of snacks, salads, cakes and pastery, as well as a comprehensive a la carte menu which comprised of local Viennese specialities and traditional Austrian fares. Between Monday and Friday, the kitchen also offers a weekly lunch menu, according to the availability of prevailing seasonal farm produce.
I first chanced upon Cafe Prückel in 1995, during one of my short visits to the city. Still a student, I stumbled upon this unpretentious, authentic place frequented by students and academics from the nearby University of Applied Arts, and instantly felt enchanted by its relaxed yet sophisticated ambience. One could spend hours sitting inside reading, writing, engaged in a conversation with friends, or simply look around and observe the world around you. Although some might think that the waiters at Cafe Prückel are slow in terms of service, I actually enjoy the sense of freedom that the waiters at Cafe Prückel never try to hurry the customers into ordering something. One could just go into the cafe, pick a seat and enjoy your newspapers for as long as you like, without ordering anything.
Over the last 15 years, little has changed at Cafe Prückel. This place is still as warm, authentic and comfortable as when I last saw it. The thing I like most about Cafe Prückel is, unlike some of the more posh cafes in Vienna's old town, where one is under constant pressure to finish your coffee and cakes as soon as possible, then get off your seat in order to make way for the ever-present long queue for a place at the door, there is no need to queue up for hours outside the entrance of Cafe Prückel in order to get a place inside. I can sit anywhere I like, and spend as much time I can fancy inside the cafe, without the risk of being told to vacate my seats at a certain time. This is how a truly genuine Vienna Kaffeehaus experience should be like: no long queues, no eager crowds waiting at the door for your seats, no time-limits imposed. You can enjoy your coffee or tea at your own pace, unhurried and in style, and contemplate the deeper meanings of the world around you.
Copyrights@2011. All text and photos by YC Cheng. All Rights Reserved.
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