5People on Caffeine
How often do you have coffee, let alone specialty coffee, inside a Baroque church? And not just any church: the Alser Vorstadt Kirche was home to the 1827 funeral service of Ludwig van Beethoven! People on Caffeine (POC) isn't located in the nave, of course, but in the side of the building, which was once the mortuary...positively bizarre!
POC was an early bird in Vienna’s new-wave coffee when it opened in 2011. The customers comprise young staff from the University of Vienna’s campus across the street. The inside relies on artificial lighting so I usually get my verlängerter (Americano) to go, but lingering is welcome, the service unfailingly friendly. There's an outdoor terrace for the warmer months. Cash only and closed on weekends.
To remain unbiased, I visit all places incognito and pay for my own meals and drinks. I never accept money in exchange for coverage. But this means I must rely on readers to support my work. If you're enjoying this article, please consider making a one-time payment (PayPal, Venmo) or becoming an Offbeat Patron.