Cafe Zartl

Tucked away on the corner of Rasumofskygasse and Marxergasse, Cafe Zartl beckons. This isn’t just any cafe. It’s a time capsule, a haven for artists and writers. Cafe Zartl first opened its doors in 1883. It started as a simple establishment. Then around 1919, Robert Zartl took over. He transformed it into the charming cafe we see today. Picture cozy booths, elegant English wallpaper, sparkling crystal chandeliers, and the click of billiard balls. There’s even an original Kolschitzky filtering machine, a nod to Vienna’s rich coffee house tradition. In the interwar period, Cafe Zartl became a hub for literary giants. Robert Musil, who lived just a few doors down, was a regular. Heimito von Doderer, whose childhood home was nearby, frequented the cafe. So did Franz Karl Ginzkey and the cabaret artist Karl Farkas. Their conversations filled the air, shaping the cultural landscape of Vienna. After the Second World War, Cafe Zartl reopened its doors, once again drawing artists and writers. Milo Dor, Barbara Frischmuth, Georg Eisler, Alfred Hrdlicka, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Axel Corti, Gottfried von Einem, Friedrich Gulda, Jeannie Ebner, and more recently, Robert Schindel, all found solace and inspiration within these walls. Cafe Zartl even features in Heimito von Doderer’s novel “Die Wasserfälle von Slunj” (The Waterfalls of Slunj). Jeannie Ebner claimed to have written her novel “Die Wildnis früher Sommer” (The Wilderness of Early Summer) here. Karl Farkas even dedicated a short poem to the cafe, urging people to visit. Cafe Zartl isn’t just a cafe. It’s a living testament to Vienna’s artistic and intellectual heritage. Step inside, order a coffee, and let the echoes of these great minds inspire you. You might even find yourself penning your own masterpiece.