Once I’ve spotted the Innsbruck branch of the famous Viennese coffee shop Café Sacher, there were no doubts or debate on where we were going to have our mid-afternoon caffeine fix never mind that we have spent the previous week in Vienna itself. Located inside the Hofburg (Imperial Palace), Café Sacher has a superb location in the old town with easy access from all the sights in the former imperial district.

We were fortunate to claim the last table up a flight of stairs in a back room deep inside the café. Some sections here were already closed for a private reception and I could put the server’s mind to rest that we too would be out of there within less than an hour and way before they really needed the space. The decor was much as expected – Viennese-style café furniture with dark-red upholstery and the Baroque "S" for Sacher all over the place. The walls were overloaded with photos of famous people who had previously visited the establishment.

It was to be our final coffee in Austria before heading back to Frankfurt and we were going to make it elaborated. My wife and I thus ordered a Wiener Melange each (€2.80) – no cappuccino here despite Innsbruck being closer to Venice than to Vienna – and a Sacherturm for two (€15). The Sacherturm, literally Sacher Tower, comes in a stand with four levels of plates with Viennese treats. You can’t pick the individual confections but Sachertorte is always included. Ours furthermore had a wonderful Apfelstrudel, some tennis ball-like cakes that I have never seen previously or since, and some dainty, small delicacies on the top layer. It was simply divine. The one-year old did a repeat of his visit to Sacher Eck in Vienna and promptly fell asleep while the four-year old was fobbed off with a €1.20 vanilla ice cream. All in all, 45 minutes of bliss for just less than €22.

Café Sacher Innsbruck
Kaiserliche Hofburg zu Innsbruck
6020 Innsbruck
Tel: 0512-565626

This is the Sacher otupost in Innsbruck. It is convenient to the Goldenes Daschl (just down the alley to the right as you look at the Daschl), in the back of the Hofburg. One of its strong points is this cafe is an oasis of quiet within the crowds of tourists shopping and exploring the Alstadt. It's outdoor seating area is in the quiet courtyard of the Hofburg.

They offer a good variety of German/Austrian food at a fairly reasonable price (given that this is a tourist location). You will see the traditional "usuals" here on the menu. As dessert is my favorite course, I would highly recommend the dessert tower for two--a multi-layered tower containing a variety of small slices of cakes and tortes (including the original Sachertorte) and truffles.

I would recommend the Cafe Sacher to anyone who happens to be in the Alstadt and just wants to get away from the crowds for a nice meal or simply stop in for a coffee and cake.