Sachertorte

The Sachertorte is Vienna's most famous cake, a dense chocolate sponge layered with apricot jam and coated in a firm, glossy dark chocolate glaze, traditionally served with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream. Created in 1832 and the subject of a long legal battle between the Hotel Sacher and a rival over the original recipe, it is a Viennese institution.

The main sights

• The cake - the chocolate sponge with apricot jam under a dark glaze.
• The unsweetened cream - the plain whipped cream served alongside.
• The Hotel Sacher - the home of the original, sealed recipe.
• The coffee-house ritual - the slice with a Viennese coffee.

When to go

Year-round; a slice with coffee in a cafe or at the Hotel Sacher is the classic experience. It travels in a wooden box as a souvenir.

Practical notes

It is drier and less sweet than many expect, which is traditional, and the unsweetened cream is essential to balance it. The Hotel Sacher version is pricey and touristy; many cafes make an excellent slice for less. It divides those who love it from those who find it dry.

Nearby

The Hotel Sacher is by the opera; cafes across Vienna serve their own versions.