Demel, Vienna

Peek into the kitchen of Demel and you will see feet upon feet of pastry dough rolled out on a clean, white sheet. Topped with apples and spices, the dough is swiftly spiraled and divided into even, exceptional apple strudels. Classic Austrian pastries abound at this historic bakery, which continues to serve the candied violets that were once favored by the Hofburg Empress Sisi, as well as flakey scones and a shorter, plumper version of biscotti. Now, as then, waitresses demonstrate their deference by referring to guests in the third person (“The lady will have the Demel Sacher torte.”). Decorative nougat and confectionary are popular selections, and Les Langues de Chat—slim milk-chocolate bars curved to resemble a cat’s tongue and packed in a stylish box—make an ideal souvenir. Kohlmarkt 14; 43-1/535-17-17-0; demel.at.