The messy abandon of Hawelka makes for a refreshing change from the prim and preened elegance of so many of Vienna's historic cafes. However, as you've probably guessed, if you want to sit amongst locals, best continue your quest elsewhere. An all-important factor here though is that the cafe is still in the hands of the Hawelka family. They continue to bake their pastries according to time-honoured recipes, and ensure that the old tatty charm is not given the Starbucks treatment. Once the hip hangout of sixties and seventies Vienna, Hawelka has seen Warhol, Miller and a host of local poets drop by for a dollop of inspiration and some mischievous gossip.
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