Justizcafé — Restaurant in Vienna

This cafe is like every rewarding secret. A little difficult to find, has a touch of mystery and requires overcoming a challenge or 2. Housed within the Ministry of Justice building, you may be forgiven if you decided it was just a bit too hard to get to or get in to. For one, the building is like any other bureaucratic building - not very welcoming from the outside. It is grand, but cold. It doesn't really say "come on in, grab a drink, something to eat, have a good time!".

The facade at the front of the building has statues of 2 large seated lions, no signage about the cafeterria. But do walk in. Do go up to the security guards and tell them you want to go to the JustizCafe. They'll know.

Do walk into the body scanner, do give the guards your bags, do let them go through every pocket, and do allow them to withhold any of your bottles with liquids. You'll collect them back when you exit the building. The guards were professional, brusque, but hey, that's their job. While I was "checking in" I had a reminder of why when a man in cuffs was led into the building by police. This isn't an art gallery, it's a working "courthouse". Understand this, and you won't be disappointed if the security isn't effusive in their customer service.

Once you've gone through the first check-point, you're in and you'll be greeted with a jaw dropping hall, grand staircase and massive statue of Justice. It really is beautiful.

Hang around if you want to, it's a public building, after all.

Do take photos, do walk up the stairs. Do be respectful and quiet, because it is a working building and do be warned that lunchtimes are busy, so you might want to skip the pics till later.

The cafe is on level 5, and the lift is at the other end of the building. Just walk on the right side of the stair case, until you hit the lift at the back of the building.

The caffeteria food is great value. I had a risotto brown rice salad and a verlängerter and it was about 30% less than at the tourist spots near Stephansplatz.

Do get there early - the terrace does have a fantastic view of the city, and it's a sanctuary with a view. I had the place to myself and stared at the horizon for a good hour.

Although incongruous (I did see 2 instances of prisoners in cuffs being led by police through the building), it is completely unique location with excellent food, a fantastic view and in my opinion, well...

What a hidden gem for a coffee and a cake in Vienna!

The views are spectacular over the city, and the food and drink (we had an apple strudel, a coffee and a tea) is tasty, reasonably priced, and fresh. Not ‘haute couture’ but if you’re looking for somewhere away from the crowds with an unbeatable view and tasty treats, head here!

Heads up that the staff don’t speak English (which meant we couldn’t decipher what savoury food was on offer that day) but others seemed to enjoy their main meals just as much as we enjoyed our dessert!

And there’s the added bonus that you get to pass through a beautiful hall on your way up to the cafe for some...

If you are not a researcher when looking for places to visit in Vienna, this has to be one of the most amazing places I've visited in Vienna!!!!!!!! X100,000,000,000. I felt very humbled by entering the building once we passed security. The security process is spot on and is there to protect everyone and not sure why it has been down voted. On the 5th floor is the terrace where the Justicecafe is located. If you just want coffee or cake or breakfast or lunch, I promise you, you will not be disappointed. Enjoy every second. We took our one year old and I had a moment with my coffee and the view. Thank you for such a...