Restaurant
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Heinz Reitbauer's three-Michelin-star restaurant in a steel-and-glass pavilion in the Stadtpark, serving creative contemporary cooking built on Austrian produce.
Bitzinger Würstelstand Albertina
A family-run sausage stand by the Albertina and the State Opera, serving Käsekrainer, Burenwurst and other Viennese sausages from morning until the early hours.
At a glance
- Type
- Sausage stand
- Area
- Innere Stadt, Vienna, Austria
- Price
- $ · Budget
- Official site
- bitzinger-wien.at
Good to know
- Open late
- Standing counter
- Takeaway
Why we recommend it
No food tour of Vienna is complete without a stop at a Würstelstand, the sausage stands that are part of the city's street life and where everyone from construction workers to opera-goers in evening dress stands side by side at the counter. Bitzinger's stand on Albertinaplatz, below the Albertina and opposite the back of the State Opera, is probably the best known in the city centre. It is run by the Bitzinger family, who have a long history in the trade.
The menu covers the full range of Viennese sausages. The Käsekrainer, a smoked pork sausage filled with pockets of cheese that melt as it grills, is the one most visitors try first. Other classics include the Burenwurst, a coarse boiled sausage, Bratwurst, the Sacherwürstel, the Waldviertler and the spicy Teufelsgriller, along with hot dogs and the Bosna, a Salzburg-style sausage in a bun with onions and curry spice. Sausages are typically served sliced on a paper plate with a slice of bread or a crusty roll, mustard (sweet or hot) and, if you like, pickles or horseradish.
Eating at a Würstelstand is quick, casual and inexpensive. You order at the window and eat standing at the counter, so it is perfect for a fast lunch between museums or a late-night snack. After an evening at the opera, the stand is a popular stop for people still in their concert clothes, which is part of the charm. It suits solo travellers, budget travellers and anyone who wants a taste of everyday Viennese food.
According to Vienna's official tourism board, the stand is open daily from morning until the early hours. Expect a queue at lunchtime and after performances at the opera, but the line moves quickly. Seating is minimal, so on a cold evening it is worth timing your visit for a quick bite rather than a long meal.
The stand is on Albertinaplatz, a minute's walk from the State Opera, the Albertina and the Café Sacher. Karlsplatz station (U1, U2, U4) is the nearest underground stop. From here it is a short walk along Kärntner Straße to St. Stephen's Cathedral. Cards are not always accepted at street stands, so carry some cash.
Bitzinger Würstelstand Albertina FAQs
What should I order at Bitzinger?
The Käsekrainer, a cheese-filled smoked sausage, is the classic choice, with mustard and bread.
Where is the stand?
On Albertinaplatz, below the Albertina and next to the State Opera.
Is it open late?
Yes, Vienna's tourism board lists it as open daily from morning until the early hours.
Is there seating?
No real seating; you eat standing at the counter.
Is it cheap?
Yes, a sausage stand is one of the least expensive ways to eat in central Vienna.
What other sausages are there?
Burenwurst, Bratwurst, Sacherwürstel, Waldviertler, the spicy Teufelsgriller, hot dogs and Bosna.
How do I get there?
Walk from Karlsplatz station on the U1, U2 or U4, or from anywhere along the Ring near the opera.
Is it a good stop after the opera?
Yes, it is a popular late snack for people leaving performances at the State Opera.