December 2022 Update: prices and new pictures
After reviewing their excellent afternoon tea, I was keen on trying the Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna breakfast and brunch buffet. I recently turned 29 and I had a friend visit me from Hamburg. These were two very good excuses to hit a gargantuan “Champagne brunch” on a grey Saturday:
For the afternoon tea & high tea review, click here
Champagne Sunday Brunch at Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna, Austria (five-star hotel)
Overall Mark: ★★★★★
Champagne Brunch price: 99€/person all-inclusive (Moët & Chandon Champagne, coffee, tea, juices…)
With Moët & Chandon Rosé Champagne: 119€/person
Beverage refills: Yes; Food refills: Yes
Sunday Brunch: 12 am to 3 pm in the Die Küche Restaurant
The Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna Setting ★★★★★
The hotel sits in Vienna’s first district, a two-minute walk from the Schottenring U-Bahn station and the Danube’s riverbank.
The Palais Hansen was built between 1869 and 1873, under the management of the eponymous Austrian-Danish architect Theophil Edvard Hansen. A prominent representative of neoclassical architecture, he participated in the construction of several other historical buildings in Vienna, such as the Austrian parliament and the Musikverein concert hall.
Even though the building was originally planned as a hotel for the 1873 world exhibition, it actually served as a municipal office for the city of Vienna. It was sold to a Kempinski-led consortium in 1999 and was renovated and remodelled into what it was originally meant to be: a lavish five-star hotel. The architect Boris Podrecca and interior designer Jean-Claude Laville teamed up to create what would become the Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna.
The remnants of Hansen’s traditional designs, such as the façade, the lobby’s columns or the Greek goddess Nike (which is also the hotel’s logo) are still very apparent. They are at odds with the modernity of the interior decoration, as you can see in the pictures below.
The Die Küche Restaurant ★★★★☆
Breakfast is served in the Die Küche restaurant. If you prefer to be close to the buffet, I recommend sitting in the central area by the greenery. if you favour a bit of privacy, the areas behind the “white walls” will suit you better.
The Beverage Selection ★★★★★
Now the Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna brunch is a very generous one: guests may have as many of these beverages as they see fit: tea, coffee, fresh fruit juice, “Theophil Lager” house beer and ” Moët & Chandon” champagne.
October 2021 pictures:
There are 6 freshly squeezed fruit juices to choose from and it’s even possible to squeeze your own mélange by yourself! The pear juice is a nice touch, it’s tasty and unusual.
The tea selection may seem a bit limited (4 teas and 8 infusions) but the quality is good and most importantly, the tea is loose-leaf. I love a good black tea, whether it’s an English Breakfast or an Earl Grey Royal, in the morning as it makes my body to wake up. For those of you who wish to focus on the teas, it is also possible to order from the lounge’s tea menu (40 teas on offer).
6 freshly squeezed fruit juices: Orange, Apple, Grapefruit, Pear Carrot & Multivitamin
4 teas and 8 infusions; loose-leaf tea
Moët & Chandon Champagne (brut & rose), Szigeti Sparkling Wine
The Brunch Buffet ★★★★★
There are several counters to choose from: charcuterie, scrambled eggs, bacon, veggies, cheese, charcuterie, fish, nuts, yoghurt, bread, pastries, jams, honey and a few cakes… The food is fresh, tasty and as plentiful as it gets.
October 2021 pictures:
As a Frenchman, I’m partial to a croissant or a tartine for breakfast. There are several sorts of high-quality jam and honey to go with the 10 sorts of bread on offer.
The selection is very generous and the food quality is excellent, as expected of a five-star hotel. I would’ve been happy to see a few more Viennese pastries and cakes!
The Asian & Western Breakfasts ★★★★★
To complement the buffet, guests can order food straight from the kitchen or at the egg stand: various egg-based dishes, dim sums, noodle soup, congee, waffles, pancakes, French toast…
October 2021 pictures:
I especially enjoy going to venues that combine buffets with food on order. It’s the best of both worlds and the mark of a great brunch! The possibility to order both Western and Asian food is most welcome, I do love variety! I especially recommend the “Egg in a glass”, served with browned bread topped with chives (photographed below).
I wanted to try some of the Western breakfast sweets but the kitchen team kindly gave me an enormous slice of chocolate cake for my birthday, which I couldn’t even finish!
Service ★★★★☆
The Die Küche staff is polite and efficient. The restaurant manager is very professional and constantly makes sure that each guest is having a good time.
I would’ve been happier if the table had been cleared out a bit more often but that’s a minor annoyance.
Below are pictures of the breakfast menu as well as of the tea and coffee menu:
Conclusion & Overall Mark ★★★★★
The Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna serves a brilliant brunch. There is a very wide choice of delicious food and beverages, including tea, coffee, fresh juices and Champagne!
At 99€/person, it’s good value for money and a perfect place to go to if you crave an all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink bubbly treat.
+: Beautiful hotel
+: Nice restaurant
+: All-you-can-drink tea, coffee, fruit juices & champagne
+: Brunch buffet with plenty of fresh food
+: Western & Asian breakfast on order
+: Great value for money
+: Good service
-: Few Viennese pastries & cakes
Email: restaurants.vienna@kempinski.com
Phone: +43 1 2361000 8080
Address: Schottenring 24, 1010 Wien, Austria
For the afternoon tea & high tea review, click here
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