It’s one of the most iconic desserts in the world and Cafe Sacher in Vienna can make it its claim to delicious fame. Writer Sherry Spitsnaugle explains why no visit to Vienna, Austria is complete without sitting down with a slice of the historic Sacher Torte. 

Save this article about Sacher Torte in Vienna to Pinterest to help you plan your experiences there and in Austria. Photos by Sherry Spitsnaugle. Graphic by Real Food Traveler.

Plan a Visit to Austria to Savor the Dreamy Sacher Torte Dessert in its Birthplace 

“For you, madame,” a server said, placing a slice of dark chocolate cake with an Original Sacher Torte logo in front of me. I sat at a table in the famed Café Sacher, Vienna, Austria, in an intimate space with eight tables, high ceilings, chandeliers, and velvety red décor.

Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro played in the background; couples and friends visited in hushed voices; and the aroma of chocolate filled the room.

The first bite tasted dreamy. But it was being in the birthplace of this famous culinary delight that made the experience as rich as the cake itself.

Sacher Torte at Café Sacher. Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle.

Original Sacher Torte Recipe: A Sweet Secret

The dense cake iced with chocolate enjoys 24 hours of fame every year in the U.S. National Sacher Torte Day, December 5, provides a motive to delve into a slice of this divine treat while you plan a trip to Austria to savor the original deliciousness.

One of the most celebrated and decadent desserts of all time, the Sacher Torte’s history is multi-layered. The internationally known Sacher Torte has many copies, but the original—and official—dessert is made from a secret recipe from the 1800s.

Prince von Metternich, in 1832, requested that his 16-year-old apprentice, Franz Sacher, fashion a dessert to dazzle the Prince’s guests. Chocolate, apricot jam, and whipped cream made up the ingredients of what would become the Original Sacher Torte.

Where to Stay: Alpin Resort Sacher Seefeld-Tirol 

After visiting Vienna, my companions and I traveled by train to the western-most part of the country and checked into the Alpin Resort Sacher in the charming Alpine village of Seefeld, 20 minutes from Innsbruck, site of two Winter Olympics. As the third largest province in Austria, Tirol is a land of stunning mountains and peaks.

Alpin Resort Sacher Seefeld-Tirol ranks as one of Austria’s most luxurious hotels and in 2023 will be listed as a member of “The Leading Hotels of the World.”

The Original Sacher Torte is served at Café Sacher, Vienna, and at Alpin Resort Sacher Seefeld-Tirol. Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle.

When I walked into the lobby, I felt as though I were entering a world of sophistication and elegance. Even the air smelled sweet. Flattering lighting, an antler chandelier, fresh flowers, and snowy-white overstuffed chairs enhance the lobby.

My junior suite featured soft taupe and rose colors, luscious down pillows and comforters, and a faux fur rug. A fresh orchid added just the right touch.

Alpin Resort Sacher Seefeld-Tirol is a luxury hotel in the Alpine village of Seefeld. Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle.

Hungry for more? Read Sherry’s article about Stollen in Dresden.

Service is meticulous, yet warm and friendly

The first morning, I could not operate the elaborate Nespresso coffee maker to craft a cappuccino, espresso, or café crema. After pushing random buttons, I considered searching for a YouTube tutorial, but finally called reception and asked if there was an instruction manual in the room

“Madame, I will send my colleagues,” the woman who answered my call replied.

Minutes later, I answered a knock on my door, and two staff members in traditional Austrian dress–a man in lederhosen and a woman in a dirndl–asked if they could enter my suite. They politely showed me how to produce a perfect espresso.

I later told a friend how silly I felt asking for help with the coffee machine.

“Europeans instinctively know how to operate a cappuccino maker. The staff must have thought we Americans don’t get out much,” I said, and she replied with a giggle, “Or that we don’t have electricity!”

Mountain chic

Elisabeth Gürtler, owner of the hotel, resides in Vienna but visits Alpin Resort Sacher on a regular basis. This businesswoman, who was instrumental in the success of the Spanish Riding School and the Opera Ball, has been called the grand lady of hospitality in Austria. She ran the famous Hotel Sacher in Vienna, next to Café Sacher, but recently turned her focus to the Alpin Resort Sacher.

Gürtler was at the property when I visited and took time to chat about the philosophy of the hotel.

“We want guests to touch, smell, taste, hear wonderful things when they are here,” she said. “All of the senses are important. We offer guests the chance to eBike, hike, walk, and have a ‘good body feeling.’ So they will enjoy eating,” she added with a laugh.

One look at the wall of photos of Gürtler greeting guests such as former Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, and a host of celebrities and high-ranking politicians, told me this stylish woman holds a prominent place in the very fabric of the country.

Still, Gürtler greeted me as warmly as if I were an old friend. She often sits in the lobby chatting with guests.

Elisabeth Gürtler owner of Alpin Resort Sacher, has created an atmosphere of elegance and style at the luxury property. She has been called the grand lady of hospitality in Austria. Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle.

General Manager Anton Gustav Birnbaum sees to every aspect of guests’ experiences here, and often greets guests personally, as well.

The resort’s spa is world-renowned for those who want to relax but they also offer a range of activities. A brochure in my room listed, “Beginner E-Bike tour with Fabian, aqua gymnastics with Markus, spa treatment consultation in the lobby, hiking with Michael, or singing bowl deep relaxation with Rita.”

The hotel even has a relaxation planner. Guests answer a few questions and receive a detailed, tailor-made result with tips to know what type of holiday you need and how you relax best.

My choice was to explore the charming village of Seefeld, with its flower-filled windowsills, historic cathedrals, boutique shops selling children’s lederhosen and dirndls, and my favorite, the Klosterbra̎u, a “beer hotel with wellness.” They even have a never-ending beer fountain to enjoy after a session in the sauna.

Windowsills and balconies are filled with fresh flowers in the small town of Seefeld. Photo by Sherry Spitsnaugle.

That evening at dinner, a pianist played Somewhere Over the Rainbow and servers glided as if on wheels in the hotel’s restaurant. On the menu: beef tartare, cream soup of pumpkin, a choice of roasted loin of venison or Schlutzkrapfen (similar to ravioli) with brown butter and Tyrolean Adler cheese.

Let there be cake!

I don’t live in opulence every day, but for 48 hours it was lovely to experience sumptuous style at this superb hotel.

On my final morning, I made a perfect café crema and lingered on my balcony. Then I retreated to the dining room for the extensive breakfast buffet, where the Original Sacher Torte takes its rightful place next to croissants.

I helped myself to a slice of the decadent dessert. In Austria, every day is Sacher Torte day.

Treat yourself to Sacher Torte

 It’s possible to order the Original Sacher Torte online at Sacher.com but be prepared to pay a price for the lavish dessert, shipped from Austria. Shipping takes a minimum of seven days, and there are some restrictions. Or visit Austria.info to start planning a trip to the birthplace of Sacher Torte, where you can savor a slice of the rich cake in the heart of the culture, history, and traditions of this culinary delight.

Author Sherry Spitsnaugle stocks up on the Original Sacher Torte, at retail shop at Hotel Sacher, Vienna, Austria.

If You Travel to Austria

For a true luxury experience, stay at Alpin Resort Sacher Seefeld-Tirol, located about a two-hour train-ride from Munich or Zurich. You can arrange for hotel staff to pick you up in the train station in Seefeld. From Vienna, the train takes about six to seven hours to travel across the country. This sounds like a long day, but you’ll pass by villages, mountains, and stunning scenery. One person I met who lives in Seefeld told me that taking the train from Vienna back home is her favorite thing to do because she finds it so relaxing.

In Vienna, reservations at Café Sacher aren’t required. You can also simply show up and wait in line. The day I visited, I waited about 20 minutes. While in Vienna, download Austria Tourism’s official city guide app, ivie which has a wealth of information, including a two-hour audio walk along the famed Ringstrasse Boulevard.

Stay at The Leo Grand in Vienna, a gorgeous, newly remodeled hotel located in the heart of the city near St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Another option is Hotel Kaiserin Elisabeth which is also in an excellent location.

If You Want to Bake Sacher Torte

On the Original Sacher-Torte website, they publish what they label as an “approximate recipe,” and add the caveat, “This is only an approximation of the original recipe, which of course must remain a tightly-kept secret.”

-Story and photos by Sherry Spitsnaugle

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