At Demel, on the luxury Kohlmarkt shopping street, tradition and family recipes have stood for the quality of sweet seduction for more than two centuries. The former k.u.k. Hofzuckerbäckerei, the imperial and royal court confectioner, stands for top quality in matters of pastries and coffee.

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The Sacher is also a Viennese institution. This is where people enjoy time-honoured Viennese coffee house tradition at its best with a slice of Sacher cake, which is made to a strictly guarded original recipe from 1832. The Sacher cakes can also be bought and enjoyed in the Café Bel Étage on Kärntner Strasse.

Gerstner K.u.K. Hofzuckerbäcker - the Imperial and Royal Court Confectioner - is also steeped in tradition. The sweet delicacies from the Gerstner patisserie and confiserie have been handmade for over 170 years. Whether Klimt confectionery, Sisi cake or Punschkrapferl chocolate, there's something for every sweet tooth here. The lovely shop with café and restaurant on the upper floors is a real eye-catcher.

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A typical Viennese souvenir is also to be had at Altmann & Kühne on Graben. The speciality of the house - the handmade Liliput confectionary - is packed in lovingly created boxes.

Also well-packed are the Mannerschnitten, the legendary nougat waffles in the pink-red foil bearing the silhouette of St. Stephen's Cathedral. The wonderful sweetshop even has its own flagship store - right opposite the cathedral itself.

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Aida is the name of a Viennese confectionary chain, whose ingredients are behind the success of the design of the '50s, '60s and '70s, opulent desserts, excellent coffee and lots of pink.

What Mozart balls are to the people of Salzburg, Lipizzaner balls are to the Viennese. Since 1850, these fine confections have been made of nougat, marzipan and chocolate. At the Lipizzaner Store at Stephansplatz, the Lippizaner balls are sold alongside coffee, cocoa, jams and souvenirs in Lipizzaner designs.