Viennese legend: Ms. Hradetzky shaped the Spatzennest and Café Ulrich

Viennese legend: Ms. Hradetzky shaped the Spatzennest and Café Ulrich

Sad news from the 7th district: The popular gastronomy personality, Ms. Hradetzky, has died at the age of 94. For many years she was the soul of the “Spatzennest”, a traditional inn that was run by her and her husband. Today the popular “Café Ulrich” is located at this location. The dignified atmosphere of the café reflects the previous history of the establishment, which not only offered gastronomy but was also a place for the neighborhood.

Ms. Hradetzky was a regular visitor to the “Café Ulrich” and often enjoyed a glass of Prosecco there, a small elixir of life that she preferred to combine with a piece of cake. Gerald Bayer, the café's managing director, has valued them since they opened in 2013. Their visits were a highlight in the everyday life of the small café, which is located near the St. Ulrich church and its square. In recent years, Hradetzky lived in a nearby retirement home and leaves behind many fond memories. Her connection to the old inn was strong, even after she sold it, she continued to live above the place and felt comfortable in her neighborhood.

The Café Ulrich: A place of enjoyment

The “Café Ulrich”, furnished in a modern, urban style, offers guests not only a cozy atmosphere with bricks and industrial yellow tones, but also a diverse selection of healthy dishes and international delicacies. It's known for its homemade sodas and small plates that are perfect for sharing. The popular outdoor terrace invites you to linger on sunny days.

Similar to the “Spatzennest”, where Ms. Hradetzky once stood at the stove for the guests, the café places great emphasis on seasonal products. The menu ranges from hearty breakfasts to fresh smoothies, evening cocktails and lunch specials to suit every taste. The café is open every day through lunchtime and into the evening and has become an important part of the neighborhood.

A piece of Viennese cuisine

Viennese cuisine itself has a long and eventful history. It developed in the 19th century and incorporated influences from the crown lands that belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Dishes such as the famous Tafelspitz, which is valued not only in inns but also in private households, are characteristic. Traditions of home cooking, which consisted of several courses, were passed down and maintained over generations. The love for dishes such as beef, soup and pastries is evidence of a cuisine that is both down-to-earth and refined.

Viennese cuisine continually adapts to social changes and integrates new influences. Today, vegetarian and international dishes are also very popular and fit well into modern cafés like “Café Ulrich”. Pastry cuisine and its heyday in the Biedermeier era are still very popular today, supported by the love of good food and a pleasant atmosphere.

The loss of Ms. Hradetzky hurts the neighborhood, but her legacy lives on in “Café Ulrich.” Together with her husband, she shaped the district's gastronomy and will be fondly remembered, especially for her warm manner and her passion for good food and social gatherings. It is the spirit of this Viennese tavern culture that survives in modern gastronomy and makes the “Café Ulrich” a popular meeting place in Vienna.

For more information about “Café Ulrich” and its offerings, visit the website Ulrich Vienna. For a deeper insight into Viennese cuisine and its history, read more on History Wiki.

We will always remember Ms. Hradetzky fondly.