A few tram rides, a stroll past Vienna’s impressive Neo Gothic Rathaus which reminded me of a similar one in Hamburg, and an hour or so with the children in the adjacent playground banished memories of breakfast to the far back of the mind. Returning to the Ring, we were faced with a difficult choice: avail ourselves right there and then of the gastronomic services of Café Landtmann or continue the advertised 250m down the road to the culinary delights of the local McDonalds… Although I have nothing against McDonalds, and sometimes even consume their products, in this situation, McDomalds never had a chance.

Café Landtmann is one of Gründerzeit Ring’s traditional cafés. It has been in operation since 1873 and was a favorite haunt of Sigmund Freud. Other names in the guestbook include Thomas Mann, Niki Lauda, Burt Lancaster, Michael Gorbachov, and Hillary Clinton. According to Michelin, Landtmann still draws the crème de la crème of the performers from neighboring theater and the top politicians from the nearby town hall and parliament. It was probably still too early in the morning for either of these target groups to make an appearance and frankly I would not have recognized any even if introduced by name rather than title. Ever met someone who knows the name of a living Austrian politician? If so, ask him to name two more!

Although Landtmann has a fine and pleasant interior with a collection of national and international newspapers, we opted to sit on the terrace with views of the adjacent Burgtheater and the Rathaus on the opposite side of the wide and busy Ring. In addition, a few snazzy, but illegally parked cars added some eye candy.

After almost a week in Vienna, we were beginning to worry about the waistlines – completely unnecessary, as objective scales back home would proof a week later – so we were planning on having only coffee. My wife stuck to the tried and trusted Wiener Melange (€3.80) while I opted for the more elaborate Einspänner (€4.20). A brief glance in the cake cabinet and all resistance crumbled: I simply had to have a Landtmann Kugel (ball). This round chocolate cake came close in size to the standard tennis ball and excellent value at €3.20.

Café Landtmann is not cheap but the location and ambiance very pleasant. Like Café Schwarzenberg, it is located directly on the Ring with views of passersby, trams, and notable buildings. Service here is equally impeccable – fast and correct without objections to the children having brought their own drinks (water) and biscuits.