150 Years Later, The Imperial Torte’s Legacy Endures

When is a torte more than a torte? When chocolate buttercream, thinly sliced almonds, the finest marzipan and delicate icing come together in a work of art that embodies the spirit of a culture steeped in refinement, precision and craft.

The Imperial Torte is one such treat. It’s not merely a dessert, but a symbol of Vienna’s rich cultural heritage – a city that’s attracted globally renowned artists, musicians, writers and thinkers since the 1700’s. The cake pays homage to Vienna’s legacy of lasting artistry and craftsmanship and serves as a testament to its history of excellence. 

So it’s of little wonder that the torte spawned from the kitchen of the Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna, is one of the crown jewels of the Imperial City, where at the legendary Café Imperial Wien, philosophers, maestros and the local cognoscenti have poured over this confection for the last 150 years while exchanging the intellectual ideas of the moment. 

“The production of the Imperial Torte is pastry art at its finest,” says Christian Cscencits, Master Confectioner at the Hotel Imperial. “The Imperial Torte has been enjoyed by guests from all over the world, including royalty and high society. It may well be the most exquisite souvenir from Vienna, one which will spirit nostalgics back in time to imperial Vienna, bite by delicious bite.”

So just how did the Imperial Torte come into being? According to legend, it was created by scullion Xaver Loibner on the occasion of the opening of Hotel Imperial in 1873 and in honor of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Loibner’s creation quickly gained popularity and grew synonymous with the hotel’s architectural grandeur, scrupulous attention to detail and impeccable service. The cake’s exquisite flavors and elegant presentation made it a fitting tribute to the imperial heritage of the hotel itself.

Outside the Hotel Imperial and beyond the walls of the Café Imperial Wien, the Viennese torte’s lasting legacy spans cafés near and far, enticing travelers to explore the broader world of Viennese pastries and desserts. The torte has also influenced Viennese café culture across the pond. 

Take, for example, Café Sabarsky on the Upper East Side of New York. Housed in the Neue Gallery, a museum devoted to twentieth century German and Austrian art, Michelin-starred Executive Chef Christopher Engel is churning out Viennese desserts, including multiple variations of tortes and a wealth of strudels and tarts in an atmosphere outfitted with Austrian period objects inspired by the great cafés of Vienna.

“We take the Viennese pastry tradition very seriously,” says Mr. Engel. “As Café Sabarsky is housed in a museum, we have a particular interest in the history of our recipes, which we delight in sharing with New Yorkers.”

Further downtown, at Chef Kurt Gutenbrunner’s iconic Austrian restaurant Wallsé, diners clamor for reservations to experience the eatery’s famed schnitzel, goulash and, of course, chocolate tortes. Beyond New York, there’s Café Savoy in Prague, Le Zimmer in Paris, Kipferl in London – the list goes on.

But while a wealth of Viennese tortes exist around the world, it’s the Imperial Torte’s precision of craft that affirms its status as the renowned variation in Vienna. While most tortes and cakes are circular, the Imperial Torte is square in shape. It’s also handmade over a span of five days in a dedicated Imperial Torte pastry kitchen at the very heart of the hotel.

“For generations, only the best pastry chefs have been initiated into this art,” says Mario Habicher, General Manager at the Hotel Imperial. “The finest ingredients are chosen and handled with the greatest care. Everything is done with utter precision, each step of the way.” 

You can savor the treasured spirit of the Hotel Imperial at home by ordering the torte in its original chocolate flavor, along with orange and raspberry variations and a limited edition Vienna coffee flavor in a custom box inspired by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. However, the best way to enjoy this storied work of art is with a stay at the Hotel Imperial or a visit to Café Imperial Wien, where you can join the artists and intellectuals who’ve been pampered with the same treat over the last many decades. An Imperial Torte at the Hotel Imperial is a transportive experience that embodies the splendor of culinary travel itself.