For a first Würstelstand in Vienna, go to Bitzinger behind the Albertina for a Burenwurst after the opera. Then try the organic Wiener Würstelstand in Josefstadt, or Extra Würstel in Leopoldstadt for a late bite. For the rest of the day, there are dumplings at Laolao in the first district and cheap market food at Brunnenmarkt and Karmelitermarkt. Vienna’s sausage stand culture joined UNESCO’s intangible heritage list in 2024.
The short list
6 places, in the order they appear below.
- 01Bitzinger WürstelstandBurenwurst after the operaInnere Stadt, behind the Albertina
- 02Wiener WürstelstandOrganic Käsekrainer, vegan mushroom sausageJosefstadt
- 03Extra WürstelLate bite, Lángos on some eveningsLeopoldstadt
- 04Laolao - grandma's homemade dumplingsDumplings and duck biang biang noodles to goInnere Stadt
- 05BrunnenmarktTurkish and Balkan stalls, cheese, picklesOttakring
- 06KarmelitermarktSaturday farmers' market, regional food stallsLeopoldstadt
Which Würstelstand in Vienna is worth going to?
Start with Bitzinger, the city’s best-known stand, which has held its corner behind the Albertina since 1999. The Wiener Würstelstand in Josefstadt takes a different line: it was the first sausage stand in Vienna to get organic certification. And Extra Würstel on Taborstraße keeps Leopoldstadt fed long after the neighbourhood goes quiet.
At Bitzinger, order the Burenwurst rather than the Käsekrainer. It comes split and grilled until the skin blisters, with mustard and pickled cabbage. The best time to go is straight after a Staatsoper or Volksoper performance, when evening dress and jeans share the counter with the taxi drivers.
Bitzinger Würstelstand
Hours: Mon–Sun 08:00–04:00
Address: Albertinapl. 1, 1010 Wien, Austria
The organic stand on Pfeilgasse has three Käsekrainer from three different butchers, plus a lamb bratwurst and a vegan mushroom sausage. Everything comes on sourdough, with Augustiner beer from Salzburg. Toppings are light by default. Ask for extra onions and mustard on the side and they’ll pile them high.
Wiener Würstelstand
Hours: Mon 12:00–23:00 · Tue–Thu 12:00–00:00 · Fri–Sat 12:00–01:00 · Sun 12:00–23:00
Address: Pfeilgasse 1, 1080 Wien, Austria
Extra Würstel serves the lunch crowd and the post-bar crowd just as fast, and the menu goes past the Viennese standards into Eastern European-style preparations. Some evenings Lángos turns up as a bonus item. When it does, order it: it’s the best thing at the counter.
Extra Würstel
Hours: Mon–Sun 11:30–00:00
Address: Taborstraße 38, 1020 Wien
Where can you eat street food in Vienna besides sausages?
In the first district, Laolao is our pick: a tiny counter built around dumplings made from recipes passed down through generations, with hand-pulled noodles made to order. There are only three seats inside, so most people take their food away, or eat on the small terrace outside when the weather is kind.
Fillings run from pork and cabbage to shrimp and chive. Once you’ve worked through the dumplings, try the duck biang biang noodles with crispy duck. That’s the dish regulars come back for.
Laolao - grandma's homemade dumplings
Hours: Mon–Sun 11:00–21:00
Address: Herrengasse 6/8, 1010 Wien, Austria
Which Vienna market is best for cheap street food?
Brunnenmarkt in Ottakring is the city’s longest outdoor market. Its Turkish, Balkan and Austrian stalls sell produce, cheese, pickles, fresh bread and prepared food, and it’s all better and cheaper than at Naschmarkt. Karmelitermarkt in Leopoldstadt has traded since 1671. It’s where the 2nd district does its own shopping, at family-run stalls and regional food counters.
At Brunnenmarkt, skip the stalls by the metro entrance and walk to the Turkish cheese sellers at the northern end, where prices are lower and the stock is fresher. Bring cash, because most vendors won’t take a card. If you want the vintage clothing and second-hand stalls too, come on a Saturday.
Brunnenmarkt
Hours: Mon–Fri 06:00–21:00 · Sat 06:00–18:00 · Sun closed
Address: Brunnengasse 16, 1160 Wien, Austria
The cheese, fish and vegetable vendors at Karmelitermarkt are family operations, not chain outposts. On Friday and Saturday mornings an organic farmers’ extension sets up alongside them. The cheese stall on the south side cuts to order. Let them point you towards whatever they’re featuring that week.
Karmelitermarkt
Hours: Mon–Fri 06:00–19:30 · Sat 06:00–17:00 · Sun closed
Address: Karmelitermarkt 21, 1020 Wien, Austria
How do Vienna’s sausage stands and markets compare?
Bitzinger is for a post-opera bite in the centre, the Josefstadt stand is where to go for organic or vegan sausages, and Extra Würstel handles Leopoldstadt after the bars. Karmelitermarkt and Extra Würstel are both in the 2nd district, so they pair well.
Plan by time of day: Laolao for lunch or an early dinner, and a Würstelstand once the evening winds down.
