Ordering at a Viennese sausage stand

A sausage stand can make a useful lunch between sights or a simple meal after an evening out in Vienna. Read the menu before joining the front of the queue, especially if you want to compare a sausage with bread against a filled roll.

The Vienna tourist board's sausage-stand guide lists several established stops, including Bitzinger at Albertinaplatz. Use the list to find a stand near your route, then check its current menu and opening hours.

Choose what you actually want to eat

Käsekrainer is a cheese-filled sausage. If you prefer a simpler option, look at the other sausages offered and ask what meat they contain. A familiar-looking sausage name does not settle ingredients or dietary requirements.

Decide whether you want it cut up with bread or served in a roll, where both are offered. Ask what comes with the order. Mustard, horseradish, pickles and extra bread can be separate choices rather than one fixed combination.

You do not need to memorise local slang to order. Pointing to the menu and asking a clear question works better than using a phrase you do not understand.

Keep the meal within your budget

Compare the complete order, including a drink and any extras. A stand in a famous location may cost more than one elsewhere, but a long detour for a small saving rarely improves a sightseeing day.

Start with one portion if you are unsure of the size. You can add something afterwards more easily than carry a large unfinished order around a museum.

Eat in the space provided and move aside after receiving your food so the next person can order. Keep bags clear of the counter and return or dispose of packaging as directed.

For another Vienna food stop, our European coffee guide explains how to choose a café drink without treating local habits as strict rules. You can have a simple stand lunch and still leave time for a longer café break later.