Authentic Viennese Cafe brings a Touch of old Vienna to Punta Gorda

During an all too brief stop in the beautiful Austrian city with its regal Hapsburg-era palaces, ubiquitous Gustav Klimits, cobblestone streets and nostalgic cafes,  I fell in love with Vienna.  It's no wonder then that I eagerly anticipated the opening of Tina's Cafe and Bakery Vienna at 315 Taylor Street in downtown Punta Gorda. And when Tina opened her doors I was not disappointed.

Tina and Bernard Weidinger 

The vintage cafe is a caring renovation of a 1930s-era cottage, once occupied by the County Sheriff's family and later by an art gallery, with the room structure left in tact to provide the intimacy and charm of a European-style tearoom.  Owners Tina and Bernhard Weidinger got the inspiration for the cafe from their home town, Vienna.  "There are many places in Vienna where you can have these little finger sandwiches with various fillings," Bernard explained, "and when we came here we searched for such places in the U.S. and couldn't find them."  It was then that the couple both with hospitality backgrounds decided to open their own Viennese Cafe and serve, among other delicacies, finger sandwiches.

The Cafe offers both breakfast (all day) and lunch.  Breakfasts are European-style with boiled eggs, yogurt, cold ham and meats, cheeses and incredible bread and kaiser rolls, freshly baked.  Choices here  range from light options to a hearty large Viennese style one with a bit of everything.  And did we mention that Tina's is a bakery - a Viennese bakery - so there is apple strudel and sacher tort, cookies and more - all freshly baked.

During lunch you can still have the breakfast options, as well as salads and homemade soups.  But the pièce de résistance is those little finger sandwiches. The quirky open-faced delights are priced from $1 to $1.30, with a variety of cheese, meat, and other spreads as topping (I counted about 12 options.)  You can also order combination platters and savor a sampling of several of the little digits. Traditionally in Vienna the finger sandwich is accompanied by a pfiff, a small mug of beer.  And you can be traditional at Tina's for both beer and wine are available as well as a selection of teas, coffees, waters and other soft beverages.

A much welcomed addition to Punta Gorda's, Tina's would be a great stop for breakfast, lunch or a late afternoon light bite with a glass of wine or beer.  There is seating inside and outside on the lovely little porch.

If you go:

Tina's Bakery and  Cafe Vienna
315 Taylor St.
Punta Gorda

Opening Hours:
8 a.m to 5 p.m. daily

Menu