70 years of Hübler: How Vienna celebrates its coffee house culture!

70 years of Hübler: How Vienna celebrates its coffee house culture!

On September 29, 2025, the Hübler coffee pastry shop in Hernals celebrated an impressive anniversary: ​​70 years of family tradition are under the star of Viennese coffee house culture. Founded in 1955 by Johann and Maria Hübler as a modest candy shop, the company has developed into one of the last producing pastry shops in the 17th district and is a popular meeting place for the Viennese. Gastro.news reported that the anniversary brought together numerous partners, employees and regular guests to celebrate the company's long history and successful future.

Looking back a little: just ten years after the company was founded, the family took the step to expand their business and opened their own coffee house in 1970. This fits perfectly with the Austrian coffee house culture, which plays a central role in Vienna. This culture is not only a place of enjoyment, but also an important space for social exchange and creativity. Since October 2011, “Viennese coffee house culture” has even been listed in the Austrian UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, as Wikipedia notes.

Confectionery art and tradition

Hübler's product range includes freshly baked Danish pastries and sandwiches, which are very popular with guests. The pastry shop also supplies renowned Viennese hotels and cafés with its delicacies. “We attach great importance to quality and craftsmanship,” emphasize the current managing directors Alexander and Martina Hübler. Alexander took over the management in the 1990s and, at just 26 years old, became the youngest independent master pastry chef in Vienna.

Another indication of the distinctive Viennese coffeehouse culture can be found in the special atmosphere: these establishments are not just about coffee, but also about being together. “Here you consume time and space, but only the coffee is on the bill,” says UNESCO, describing the essence of this culture. Typical features are the marble tables, Thonet chairs and the historic interior furnishings, which carry so many memories and experiences. Just think of the evening piano music or the readings that take place in many coffee houses to keep art and literature alive.

The future of the coffee house

Despite challenges such as the decline in the “death of coffee houses” in the 1950s and the influence of tourism, many classic Viennese coffee houses are making a comeback. Hübler is a prime example of how tradition can be combined with modern standards. After extensive renovations in recent years, the Hübler coffee pastry shop is now more than ever a place where generations come together.

The relevance of coffee houses goes beyond their function as establishments. They are places of transnational literary communication and played an important role in the history of Vienna. The Equals, which were once considered a male domain, have developed into valued spaces for dialogue since they were opened to women in 1856. Not only friends but also many creative minds meet here to discuss ideas and create works.

In this respect, not only the Hübler confectionery, but also the entire coffee house culture is a living heritage that needs to be maintained. In the next few years, with their commitment and passion, the Hüblers want to continue to offer a place in the heart of Vienna that combines tradition and innovation. The motto remains: coffee, enjoyment and a good time – that’s Vienna!