The Sachertorte

The Sachertorte is a proud symbol of the Austrian capital. It's a dense, chocolate sponge cake made with thin layers of apricot jam that's topped with a semi-firm chocolate icing.

Where to Try It: This is the signature creation of the Sacher Hotel, an institution in the former Imperial city. But a rival bakery, Demel, also fashioned their own version of the beloved cake, using only a single rather than a double layer of marillenmarmelade (Austrian for apricot jam). Dubbing their own cake the "Demel's Sachertorte," the confectionary sparked a legal dispute and enduring rivalry—one that locals and tourists thoroughly enjoy. Both cakes are delicious alongside a Viennese "melange" coffee (see below) or spicy black tea.