It came to me as a big surprise when I learned (mostly by experience) that in a city whose name is wedded to coffee--a city which is actually known for the unique style of its coffee shops--it's difficult to find a place that gives the drink a good, serious, second thought. Caffe Couture is a rare exception. Nestled in a beautiful shopping arcade in the heart of Vienna, Wien 1, sits this minimally beautiful coffee shop that unlike many of its Viennese counterparts, including the very famous Cafe Central nearby, takes coffee seriously.
Alas that we discovered this gem very late, just days before our departure last month. In our only visit to the coffee shop and after mostly drinking mediocre coffee for our entire stay, we were pleasantly impressed by not only the syphon coffee and cafe latte we tried here, but also by the barista's knowledge and passion. The young lady who was single-handedly running the shop actually took the time to sit with us (during her short breaks when she was free) and talk about her experience, training, and passion for the craft. I also observed that while preparing orders, she once and again educated customers and answered their questions, among other things, about brewing using a syphon. In our conversation, she also mentioned that the owner was a barista champion and that they roast their own coffee.
Make sure to stop by the coffee shop for an excellent drink, if you happen to be in Vienna. read more