Bad times for the Viennese »Kipferl«. Although it is in its mellow nature to bend, it currently has to bow to the French competition. Croissants rule the city, and Falstaff knows, where they taste the best.
The map of Austria resembles a croissant and the vibrant heart of pastry in the east is divided into many districts. The Viennese are in the mood for fluffy complexity in greasy paper wrappers. The city's new hotspots show that they are very serious about their new breakfast habits: Artisan bakeries, pop-ups and coffee shops with a focus on croissants have made the leap across the »Gürtel«. Until now, the chic corners of the city center and bohemian miles in Wieden and Neubau have been where the dough was toured and prepared according to selected recipes, but the high demand is also making itself felt in the outer districts. This trend goes hand in hand with two international movements: the growing artisanal bakery scene and the popularity of third-wave coffee bars, which serve their young clientele photogenic Danish pastries with flat whites. Croissant specialties such as the pistachio croissant or sensational hybrids such as the Cronut or, most recently, the Crookie are spreading quickly via Instagram and TikTok, inspiring experimental pastry chefs who hope for long queues outside their stores.
According to legend, the history of the croissant began in Vienna and now the flagship of Viennoiserie is returning to challenge its cousin, the shortbread croissant, to a popularity duel. Falstaff has tasted its way through and presents its Croissant-Guide through the districts.
The owners Rémi Soulier and Patricia Petschenig learned the craft of Viennoiserie in Lyon and Paris and incorporate French Tourage butter into their croissant dough. In addition to the classic, there is also a Croissant Pistache.
In addition to the Kaffein's location in Schulerstraße and the Specialty Coffee Shop in Stoß am Himmel, a temporary pop-up with the resounding name Concrete & Croissants has now also opened at Doblhofgasse 9. The excellent croissants are not only served in the classic way, but also with a savory filling.
The name says it all here: while the croissant plays the pretty supporting role in most coffee hotspots, guests can expect a reversed balance of power here. Photogenic variations with colorful glazes and toppings make Instagram hearts beat faster. And they taste good too.
The sweet exception in the croissant city guide: La Stella is not a bakery, patisserie or coffee shop, but an Italian aperitif café. And strictly speaking, the tiny gastro store opposite the State Opera does not serve croissants, but Italian cornetti. However, this negligible formality should not deter us from recommending it. There is a creamy variety of fillings of really good quality here.
Want some cornetti to go and you're at the other end of the city center? Then you will find even more pasticceri to choose from in the Dolce Pensiero display at Salzgries. The pistachio variant is also one of the sweet protagonists here.
Although the delicatessen bistro Beaulieau is hidden away in Palais Ferstel, it is no longer an insider tip, just like the delicious croissants in the display case.
Not quite so hidden and already a breakfast institution in the city center: Le Bol on Hoher Markt and Le Bol Blanc in Naglergasse. What does the chic crowd order with their (really excellent) croissant? The café au lait, of course!
French Breakfast Deluxe: The Marischka patisserie offers an extravagant food pairing as a combo on Saturdays. For 11 euros you get champagne served with a croissant.
Here it doesn't start until midday, but the filled cornetti also taste molto bene in the afternoon. For early risers with an appetite for sweets: at the second location in Stubenbastei, the dolci are available from 8am.
As a representative of the seven branches of Joseph Brot, the mothership in the center of Vienna is a croissant hotspot. Two variants are offered: Classic or with chocolate beans.
Opened in March Kashtan brings French patisserie and Ukrainian specialties to the high street. A colorful selection of filled and beautifully decorated croissants can be enjoyed on the spot or to go.
Further along the country road is the first location of Ströck Feierabend. There and in the other branches, you can enjoy the after-work croissant from the French-born chef-pâtissier Pierre Reboul. Falstaff he has revealed his recipe for the classic pastry.
The name says it all: Wohllebengasse in Wieden has given up counting calories. In addition to filled cornetti, the Casolaro Bros also offer other classics of Italian snack cuisine. The second location on Erdbergstraße in Landstraße attracts the neighborhood crowd with dolci such as Cornetto Nocciolo and Pistacchio as well as Crema and Amarena.
Trend alert: In Vienna, croissants are also available in a circular format. New on the market since April: New York Rolls on Operngasse. The predominantly young audience is served 10 different croissant varieties – from sweet to savory. Photography desired, crumbling unavoidable.
The Viennese chic butter croissants are also available in a vegan version and in a delightful mini format.
French style through and through: At Motto Brot, the croissant is exactly as you would expect from a Parisian boulangerie: buttery, crispy and delicately fluffy on the inside. Tastes like a short trip to the Marais, right in the middle of Mariahilfer Strasse.
The artsy coffee hotspot offers homemade baked goods to go with your coffee: the savory and sweet croissants in many varieties are not only pretty to look at, but also taste good. The baked goods are also available in the Karlsplatzpassage near the opera.
There's no way around this Viennoiserie gem in 1060 during a Croissant city tour. Crispy, fluffy croissants with a shiny surface that are almost too good to eat.
The public in Mariahilf obviously has a weakness for Viennoiserie, as it can also be found on Otto Bauer Gasse: The Peti Pari. Here, the focus is on the classic version of the croissant. To go or to enjoy directly on site.
Here they pay homage to the (sourdough) Danish pastry: at Ährnst they take the production of Danish pastry dough very seriously. The croissants not only look like little masterpieces, they also taste like them.
If you want to get your hands on one of the homemade croissants at Jonas Reindl, you have to be quick. The vegan pastry delicacies are often sold out by lunchtime. Coffee Roasters has locations in 1070 (on Westbahnstraße) as well as in 1080 and 1090.
Small restaurant, huge selection: In addition to the opulent tarts and eclairs, the simple, shiny croissant cuts a fine figure at Tart'a tata.
Charming coffee shop that makes it extremely difficult for guests to do without the lovingly prepared baked goods. The bestseller: the pistachio croissant.
Since opening at the beginning of May, Freyja – The Croissant Story has added a new facet to Vienna's patisserie scene. Here they rely on slow fermentation and 27 layers of butter in the dough. They are allowed to rest for four days before the perfectly shaped sourdough masterpieces are served. A difference that you can really taste.
A breakfast institution in the Servitenviertel that is not stingy with plunder. The art of Viennoiserie is cultivated here at a high level, which is why it is no mistake to make a morning stopover on Berggasse.
In contrast to the opulent display, the croissants are a simple but no less delicious affair.
Grab'n go: Right next to the Enkplatz subway station you can get the fluffy butter croissants from Geier. The branch on Simmeringer Hauptstraße is also open on Sundays and supplies local residents with the coveted Danish pastries. New to the range are the opulently filled pistachio and strawberry croissants in XL format.
The name says it all: the pretty barista coffee is accompanied by even prettier croissants.
Hietzing surprises with a density of coffee shops that attract the bohemian breakfast crowd with their purely plant-based croissants. For example, the Nook, where the Danish pastry is also filled with chocolate and sprinkled. New in the district: The Café Láska in Lainzer Straße, where the much sought-after pistachio croissants ruin the calorie balance of Hietzing residents, but undoubtedly bring a smile to their faces.
Just as the Spice Girls once sang about 1+1, the Mehlspeis-Labor in Spallartgasse turns croissants and cookies into 2 Become 1: The result: crookies, with a blob of cookie dough on top.
This restaurant could be responsible for the fact that bohemians are increasingly drawn to Hernals again: The Grey Cafe is now synonymous with pistachio croissants in the city. Delicious. Point.
The croissants at the Lilla Soul Boulangerie have the soul of a great Danish pastry heart: no frills, with lots of crispy layers and a fresh, fluffy taste.
Croissants with a view? These are available at the Rondell – Café am Cobenzl. These come from the bakery of Joseph Brot and are served with probably the most beautiful panoramic view over Vienna.
A sweet change from the pistachio hype: at Le Brunch on Dresdner Straße, the vegan croissants are filled with a raspberry heart.
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