Hotel rooftop bars: Some are born with views, some never have any, and some have great views thrust upon them. And then there are those so breathtaking that we dont even care how they achieved them.
Such is the case at Das Loft, the 18th-floor bar at the top of the Sofitel Vienna, with its plum view of Wien’s First District and St Stephen’s Cathedral. This isn’t a classic rooftop bar, in the sense that it actually has a roof, and is just glass-walled, on the top floor. But with arguably the best views in the entire city, who cares about missing a bit of breeze?
Until May, Das Loft was known as Le Loft – but after a revamp which included extending the bar area, changing the menu in the restaurant section and sticking the waitstaff in sleek all-black uniforms, its gone all teutonic.
The menu used to be French-focused (tres Sofitel), but has now moved to international, small-plate style. Theyre also running a phenomenal lunch deal which got us through the doors this weekend: two courses for 24, or three courses for 30. Evening prices are much higher.
The food is good but its the views you come for – pretty much 360-degree views of Vienna,with the First District right in front of you, the icons of the Ringstrasse unfolding beyond it, and other places from the Belvedere palace to the Praters giant ferris wheel, Danube, and vineyard-clad hills beyond the city center – all through the walls of glass.
We visited Le Loft, as it was then, back in February, and had a great time at the bar – but as the bar is cantilevered above the restaurant, the best views are from the tables themselves. Go for breakfast (though reserve a window-side table) or lunch, to make it affordable. Service, by the way, is exceptional – impeccable service at the bar that persuaded us to come back for breakfast in February, and a waiter this weekend who recognised us from five months ago.
Food: good. Service: great. Views: heavenly. Ich liebe Das Loft.
[Photo: Julia Buckley/HotelChatter]