# Ordering coffee in Vienna

**Language:** German  
**CEFR Level:** A2  

> Master German cafe culture by listening to Tobias and Marie's conversation about how to order a traditional Viennese coffee. It may feel challenging at first, but by the end of this course you will be able to fully understand and participate.

**Setting:** Tobias and Marie meet at a small marble table in a historic Viennese Kaffeehaus, where Tobias is studying local pastry techniques and Marie is taking a break from touring nearby vineyards. They decide to sit together to share a table in the crowded café, chatting about the unique local menu and the famously brusque service.

## Lessons

### 1. Introducing yourself and your profession

Tobias asks Marie if he can sit at her table in a crowded cafe, and they introduce themselves and share what they do for a living.

### 2. Explaining your reason for traveling

Marie and Tobias chat about why they are in Vienna, and Tobias explains that he is there to compare local Sachertorte recipes with his own.

### 3. Asking for advice on ordering

Tobias asks Marie for advice on how to order from the strict-looking waiter, and Marie explains the local etiquette of being direct and polite.

### 4. Ordering food and drinks

Tobias and Marie place their orders with the waiter, and Tobias wonders if his direct approach was successful.

### 5. Comparing cultural habits

Marie and Tobias compare service styles in their respective regions, and Tobias asks about a local coffee specialty.

### 6. Describing your daily routine

Marie explains what a "Verlängerter" is and describes her daily habit of relaxing at the cafe with the newspaper.

### 7. Talking about work schedules

Tobias contrasts his fast-paced bakery work schedule with the calm cafe atmosphere, explaining why he enjoys the quiet break.

### 8. Describing the appearance of food

Marie reacts to Tobias's early wake-up time, and Tobias describes the dark, glossy cake that has just been served to him.

### 9. Describing how food tastes

Marie asks Tobias how his cake tastes, and he describes its intense flavor and how the whipped cream complements it.

### 10. Expressing preferences for flavors

Tobias shares a bite of his cake with Marie, who finds it delicious but slightly bitter, leading them to discuss their preference for less sweet flavors.

### 11. Comparing different culinary concepts

Marie explains her comparison between wine and cake flavors, prompting Tobias to relate it to baking as they realize they share similar culinary views.

### 12. Talking about upcoming travel plans

Tobias and Marie discuss their remaining time in Vienna and their upcoming travel plans before wrapping up their coffee meetup.

### 13. Ordering another round of drinks

Tobias and Marie decide to have another coffee, and Marie calls the waiter over to place their order.

### 14. Complimenting someone on their skills

Tobias praises Marie's confidence in the café, and Marie shares how quickly she has adapted during her three weeks there.