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.
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.
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.
A sweet change from the pistachio hype: at Le Brunch on Dresdner Straße, the vegan croissants are filled with a raspberry heart.
