Bitzinger, the Albertina sausage stand

What a Würstelstand is

Sausage stands are Vienna's traditional fast food: a kiosk on the street, a counter around it and sausages grilled or boiled, with bread, mustard and a gherkin. The Bitzinger family's is on the Albertinaplatz, behind the Opera, and is open from 8:00 to 4:00 every day. At any hour there is someone: tourists coming out of the museum, office workers at midday and opera-goers in the small hours.

What to order

The menu is short and in plain view. The Käsekrainer is the one to try: a smoked sausage with bits of cheese that melts as it is grilled. It is served sliced with a slice of bread or stuffed into a hollowed-out bread roll. The Burenwurst is the boiled one, milder; the Bratwurst, the classic grilled one; the Bosna, a Salzburg hot dog with onion and curry; the Teufelsgriller, the spicy one. There are also Sacher and Waldviertler sausages, and hot dogs.

Ask for sweet (süß) or hot (scharf) mustard, and, if you want, a gherkin and pickled chilli.

Getting there

It is on the Albertinaplatz, two minutes from the State Opera. Metro U1, U2 and U4 at Karlsplatz/Oper. There are no tables: you eat standing at the counter.