Café Hawelka facts for kids
Café Hawelka is a very old and famous coffee house in Vienna, Austria. It's located in the heart of the city, at Dorotheergasse 6. People from all over the world visit this special place to enjoy its unique atmosphere and delicious treats.
History of Café Hawelka
Café Hawelka was first opened in 1939 by Leopold Hawelka and his wife Josefine. Before this, Leopold had another coffee shop nearby. They took over a place that used to be called "Chatham Bar."
However, the café had to close for a short time when World War II began. Luckily, the building wasn't badly damaged. So, in the fall of 1945, Café Hawelka reopened its doors to everyone.
After 1955, when the period of occupation ended in Austria, the café quickly became a popular spot. It was a favorite meeting place for many famous writers and artists. People like Heimito von Doderer and Hilde Spiel often visited. Later, even more artists came, making it a central hub for the art scene. Famous guests included artists like Friedensreich Hundertwasser and actors like Oskar Werner. The café was especially popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Its artistic vibe even inspired a song by Georg Danzer in 1976!
Josefine Hawelka was very important to the café. She managed it with her husband for 66 years. She was also famous for baking the café's special dessert, called Buchteln. These are sweet, fluffy pastries, and they are still made today by their son, Günther, using Josefine's original recipe. Leopold Hawelka continued to greet guests at the entrance until he passed away in 2011.
What is a Melange?
One of the popular drinks served at Café Hawelka is called a Melange. It's a coffee drink that is quite similar to a cappuccino. It usually has coffee, steamed milk, and a bit of foam on top. In May 2018, a Melange at Café Hawelka cost about €4.20.
See also
In Spanish: Café Hawelka para niños