Sachertorte
Sachertorte · Vienna, Austria
Vienna's most famous chocolate cake, over which two old houses fought legal battles for decades.
Know before you go
- Don't hurry the waiters in a Viennese café
- don't squash a takeaway cake in your backpack (buy it boxed)
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
One layer of jam or two
The Sachertorte was created by the pastry chef Franz Sacher in the mid-19th century. In the 20th century, Vienna's Hotel Sacher and the confectioner Demel went to court over ownership of the cake and its trademark, and argued over how many layers of sponge the original had: Hotel Sacher insists on two, Demel on one. To this day their cakes carry round and triangular chocolate seals respectively.
Source: Wikipedia: Sachertorte
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Sachertorte was invented by the Austrian confectioner Franz Sacher in the mid-19th century. In Vienna, the Hotel Sacher and the Demel patisserie dominate the market for the cake. In the 20th century the two fought over the cake's ownership, its trademark and how many layers of sponge the original had: Hotel Sacher insists on two, Demel on one. Their cakes bear round and triangular chocolate seals respectively.
Local customs
With a spoonful of unsweetened whipped cream and a Viennese coffee
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Austria: be ready to show your passport
- Carry your passport
- Assuming your driving licence counts as ID
The law requires you to be able to show your passport at all times; Austria does not accept a UK driving licence as official ID.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Austria travel advice
Austria: buy a vignette before using the motorway
- Stick the motorway vignette on the inside of the windscreen
- Driving on motorways and expressways without a vignette
You will be fined.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Austria travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't hurry the waiters in a Viennese café
- don't squash a takeaway cake in your backpack (buy it boxed)
Locals appreciate DO
Viennese appreciate customers who eat slowly in the café and are in no hurry to leave.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The Hotel Sacher café often has a queue
- you can also compare the two at Demel. Read it alongside 'Viennese coffee houses' in the city guide. Prices and opening hours are set by each shop
- popular old places often have queues, so go outside peak mealtimes.
Sources & verification notes
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