In the living room of generations: Evelyn Brandstätter

Ms Brandstätter, you have been the manager of one of Salzburg's most famous coffee houses for almost 20 years. What do you do at the café? 

Actually, I am responsible for all manner of things – a factotum. We have a great team with a majority of long-time employees. It's not too big though – we have between 20 and 25 employees throughout the year. As the manager, I'm always present where I'm needed. 

Café Bazar has been around since 1909, when Richard Tomaselli opened it in the tradition of the typical Viennese coffee house. From the very beginning it was a meeting place for artists, poets and thinkers. Is it still that way today?  

Because of the proximity to Landestheater and Mozarteum, many artists and actors still come here, yes. But we have a very mixed clientele – from students to artists and bank managers to business people and housewives. This diversity was and is very important to me. When I was young, before I took over Café Bazar, I never came here. I had a slight fear of entering this old-established business – the big, famous Café Bazar! When I took over, one of my goals was to break down this fear. The Bazar should always be a place of encounters. We open our doors to everyone – children and dogs as well. The important thing is respectful interaction. 

Many guests who come to Salzburg say: when you visit Salzburg, you must go to Café Bazar. Why do you think that is? What makes the café so unique? 

I think it's the location and the centuries of history. The interior is simply beautiful and still the way it was 100 years ago. I think it also has to do with the consistently high quality of the café – that has to be a given – and also the jovial service. We are proud of our team and our long-standing employees. I think that's even one of the main points. Because the most important thing for a business is that guests feel welcome. For me, it goes without saying that they get first-rate coffee. What makes you stand out then is, personalised service. It's also my own point of view: there is nothing better than a restaurant where not only the food is delicious but the waiters are attentive. A good 80 percent of our guests are regulars – so I think we are on the right track with this attitude. 

What experience in the café do you remember to this day?

We never get bored – every day is different. Basically, we don't make a fuss when celebrities come. Recently, for example, Christoph Waltz came a few times. Of course we treat him like we would any other guest. Again, this is my personal opinion: I think to myself, if I were famous, I would want to be able to drink my coffee in peace and without a great fuss. 

Speaking of which: Café Bazar has served as a film set on several occasions, currently for the series Die Toten von Salzburg. What does this mean for you? 

We get a lot of feedback. Many guests come, especially from Bavaria, and ask where the court councillor from the series always sits. But everything has to be reorganised for the series, which involves a lot of work, and the café has to closed during that time. 

What time of day do you like best in the café?

The early morning. We start relatively slowly, it takes a few hours for the café to fill up. There's a very special atmosphere, also with the guests. Especially in summer. If I didn't work here, I would love to sit outside on the terrace for breakfast myself. 

And how often do you actually look out of the window and enjoy the panoramic view?

Too rarely, I have to be honest. Often I simply don't have the time. But I don't take it for granted either, because I often think to myself: wow, what a wonderful workplace we have, it's incredible! Especially on nice, sunny days, you walk through the house even more consciously, that's great. It makes me realise all over again how lucky we are to be able to work here.

INSIDER TIPS

Do you occasionally visit colleagues at other places in Salzburg? 

Yes, we do, because you just want to go somewhere else sometimes. We always like to go to Magazin, especially in summer when you can sit in the courtyard. Or Edelmanns in Linzergasse. Auersperg in the Andräviertel is also great. The breakfast is lovely and there's always a pleasant atmosphere. 

What do you do with your family in Salzburg? 

We do a lot of cycling along the Salzach, I love that. Also in the mornings and evenings when I cycle along the Salzach to or from work – that's lovely in any weather. Without the family, I often walk across the Mönchsberg in the mornings, that's very enjoyable. It's quiet, I meet maybe three people. For me, there are hardly any more beautiful towns in the world. There are so many wonderful places in Salzburg that it's impossible to list them all, from St. Sebastian's cemetery to Hellbrunn. 

• more Information about the Café Bazar