“Sweet (süss) or spicy (scharf)?” is the standard question you will get asked when ordering from a Viennese hot dog stand. This has nothing to do with making a choice between Sachertorte or Käsekrainer, but refers to your mustard preference – whether the mild sweet Kremser or spicy hot Estragon. Incidentally, the Käsekrainer is an Austrian invention and a traditional classic. It is a lightly smoked pork sausage with 10-20% cheese content. The city’s hot dog stands – mostly small sidewalk kiosks – sell not only hot dogs but also wieners, Käsekrainer and fried sausage, and as well as a whole range of culinary surprises. They are complemented by an impressive variety of beverages from raspberry pop to specialty beers.

One of the popular stands is the legendary “Würstelstand am Hohen Markt” located on a traffic island in the heart of Vienna’s old city. During the day it is the ideal place to grab a quick snack while shopping or sightseeing. However, it owes its cult status to its late night opening hours and the diversity of its night owl clientele. It is nothing unusual for bankers to be seen eating shoulder-to-shoulder with punks.

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The Bitzinger sausage stands on Albertinaplatz and near the Giant Ferris Wheel are among the best-known sausage stands in Vienna. Choose between a delicious Bosna, hot dog or Käsekrainer and a range of traditional side orders. Draft beer, bottled wine or champagne are also on.

The "sharpest" sausage stand in the city is called "Zum scharfen Rene". The name says it all. The fine selection of sausages here are served with the sharpest chili mixtures and an award-winning, home-made curry sauce.

Dine like an emperor at the Kaiserzeit Sausage Stand. In addition to the traditional offering of sausages, including the multi-award winning Blunzn (blood sausage), there are also local delicacies such as goulash soup and Altwiener Suppentopf, which you wouldn’t normally expect to find at a sausage stand.

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The Wiener Würstelstand (Viennese sausage stand) even comes with a seal of organic quality. The first organically certified sausage stand is located in the 8th district. Particularly popular are the organic sausages and Bosna, also available in a vegan option. Our insider tip is the Bologna Wü hotdog, which comes with sautéed fennel salsiccia, rocket and olive tapenade. A second Wiener sausage stand has opened on the Platte near the subway junction of the U4 and U6 at Spittelau, where DJs sometimes even add their music to the ambience.

Extrawürstel on Taborstraße also focuses on offering high-quality snacks as well as specialties such as Kimchi Bosna. Its menu also includes vegetarian and vegan options.

Alles Wurscht is far from being just a normal sausage stand. The quality and preparation of the sausages are a world apart. The fermented accompaniments like kimchi are home-made, of course. And if you don't fancy sausage or meatloaf, you can order calamari fritti, truffled potatoes or steak tartare. These are also a hit because the operator of the sausage stand is an award-winning chef.

The trend towards vegan cuisine doesn't stop at the sausage stand either. Eh Wurst, the first fully vegan sausage bar, offers Bosna sausage made with mushrooms, currywurst made with seitan, and Leberkäse meatloaf made with pea protein from local suppliers.