Viennese gastronomer Christian Wukonigg is dead – operator of Café Engländer died on Tuesday

A reopening with Jelinek

Wolfgang Jelinek died of a serious illness in 2017. Jelinek lives on in his son – the director Marvin Kren, whom Wukonigg called "Nipote" in Italian, meaning nephew. Kren immortalized Wukonigg in his series.

Under the new concept, the café attained a quite special status particularly within the artist scene. It was known, among other things, for its extraordinary cuisine and the traditionally styled attire of its waiters. The guests – the John Malkovices, Harald Schmidts, Cordula Reyers and Angelika Hagers, as well as the Hinichens and Fertigen – were also regulars, along with Michael Niavarani and Robert Palfrader. Its proximity to the Kabarett Simpl in Wollzeile additionally made the house a meeting place for the cabaret and small-stage scene.

A second Engländer and a restaurant for the sons

In 2020, Wukonigg opened the restaurant "Paul & Vitos" at Petersplatz, named after his two sons. The establishment is known for its characteristic red upholstered armchairs and large windows. In autumn 2023, he opened a second "Engländer" location at Praterstern, closely modeled on the concept – and the menu – of the original in Postgasse. The new venue took over a former police station.

Christian Wukonigg is survived by his two sons, Vito and Pauli. He was a trained bookseller and also ran, among other things, the "Bar 1010," which he later handed over to his co-operator. During his time in Vienna, he initially worked as a bouncer at the Panigl behind the Jesuit Church, where he got to know half the inner city. He later told of growing up in a drafty villa and of half a year in Accra, Africa, of entrepreneurial adventures in Poland, where he even learned the language reasonably well.

Support services in acute crises

Wukonigg personally loved the Italian way of life. "Mit dem er die Liebe zum Vespa-Fahren und zum Dolce Vita teilte", a companion described the shared bond with Marcello Mastroianni. He entertained guests in the most beautiful Prague German, and his favorite crime writers – who, not surprisingly – no na! – were Englishmen, gave the coffeehouse its name.

Anyone who cannot see a way out of a crisis can contact Telefonseelsorge in Austria around the clock at the free number 142. The service is confidential and available 365 days a year, regardless of age, gender, religion or social background. For children and young people, "Rat auf Draht" is also available anonymously and free of charge at 147; the Ö3-Kummernummer can be reached daily from 16:00 to 24:00 at 116 123.

The Health Ministry compiles information on suicide prevention at www.suizid-praevention.gv.at. Relatives and friends of people with suicidal thoughts can find help at www.bittelebe.at. (Manfred Rebhandl, 7.7.2026)