I have had the opportunity to visit Vienna several times over the years, and I have a good idea about the best and not-so-good affordable meals in the city. This guide has been in the making for years, contains some bad iPhone photos, but the information is solid and I stand behind all the recommendations here - if I missed any classic affordable meals in Vienna, please let me know in the comments. I have also included a Google Map guide with all the tips below, so you can download and use it for your next trip to Vienna. Enjoy your meal!
1. Tofu and Chili
Address: Linke Wienzeile 18, 1060 Vienna, Austria
In the heart of the touristy yet charming Naschmarkt, Tofu and Chili is a very modest place where you can taste authentic dishes from the Shanxi region of China. The portions are good, the dishes are sour and spicy (they can be very spicy, if that's suitable for you), and the prices are quite reasonable - one of the best deals in Vienna.
2. Trzesniewski
Address: (There are many addresses but the main branch is here) Dorotheergasse 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Trzesniewski has perfected the art of open-faced sandwiches for the past 120 years and offers quite innovative and delicious versions - 27 different toppings on dark rye bread, from the popular bacon and egg to truffle egg and lentils with beetroot. Each sandwich is €1.80. I recommend ordering at least 3-4 to make a good snack. You can have your sandwiches with a ‘Pfiff’ beer, which is a third of a pint or a shot of Polish vodka.
3. IKEA Vienna Westbahnhof
Address: Europaplatz 1, 1150 Vienna, Austria
There is a new IKEA next to Westbahnhof station, and if you are looking for a nice simple breakfast with fresh bread, gouda cheese, jam, ham, and coffee, the €2.99 breakfast offers great value. The rooftop terrace is also a big feature - it offers a stunning 360-degree view of the city, and there is a bar on the upper floor serving drinks.
4. Würstelstand LEO
Address: Döblinger Gürtel 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Another classic affordable meal and a classic Viennese institution (+ UNESCO cultural heritage list) is Würstelstands or sausage stands. You can find a Würstelstand in Vienna at breakfast, lunch, or at 2 AM, where you can enjoy a sweet or spicy sausage. There is also the classic lightly smoked Austrian Käsekrainer, which contains 20% cheese. You can enjoy your sausage with well-priced local beers. My top choice is Leo’s Würstelstand; the oldest and of high quality in Vienna.
5. Prosi South and North Indian Restaurant, Vienna
Address: Kandlgasse 44, 1070 Vienna, Austria
Vienna is home to some of the best Indian food I have eaten in Europe. Their dosas - savory pancakes made with lentils and rice from South India - are great and a big value (€12.90), and I love their vegetable thalis, where you get a variety of dishes - this is real Indian cuisine.
6. Nguyen’s Pho House
Address: Lerchenfelder Str. 46, 1080 Vienna, Austria
If you are looking for quality Pho at good prices, Nguyen’s Pho House (1070 Vienna, Siebensterngasse 25) is a great choice. Among my favorite dishes here are the vegetable-friendly Bun Bo Cha {€12.90} and Pho Bo with beef {€14.90}. The staff is friendly and speaks multiple languages. It can be a bit crowded, keep that in mind.
7. Garbanzo and other affordable meals at Brunnenmarkt
There are cheaper places for a falafel sandwich at Brunnenmarkt, but the classic falafel wrap here (€8.30) is extraordinary, and I say this as someone from Berlin. There’s also a nice range of sauces made from pesto and hot sauces, and the Za’atar fries (€4.20) are delicious.
If you’re looking for something cheaper but really good quality, I highly recommend Al Shami Imbiss in the market and the Turkish bakery at Yppenplatz. Bäckerei Ahi makes great spinach and cheese Burek pastries for just a few euros. Also, Watani Tandoor Boot makes great soups along with their famous tandoori bread.
8. Der Wiener Deewan
Address: Liechtensteinstraße 10, 1090 Vienna, Austria
This must be one of the best deals for food in Vienna - there’s no fixed price, and customers pay what they think is a fair price.
The buffet offers five main dish options - three vegetarian, also vegan: vegetable curry, potato-vegetable curry, dhal; two meat options, also halal: chicken or beef. The dishes change several times throughout the day. Additionally, there’s basmati rice, mixed salad, four different sauces (yogurt, spicy green pepper sauce, red sweet pepper sauce), pita bread, and desserts.
9. SLY & ARNY
Address: Lackierergasse 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Extremely cheap and extremely good - SLY & ARNY is very popular among locals and students because it offers very affordable food and drinks. You can sit outside when the weather is nice. Pizzas start at just €5, masala risotto with tofu is €5, African Chicken Curry is €7, or you can get tomato soup with pesto and bread for only €3. Drink prices are also incredible for Vienna - a small glass of wine is €2.80, a small beer is €3.50, and Vodka orange starts at €5!
10. Mr Miao
Address: Gersthofer Markt Stand/4, 1180 Vienna, Austria
If you’re looking for good and honest Chinese food without any frills, Mr Miao in the 18th district is a reliable choice, featuring star dishes like Gonbao chicken and rice (€6.50) or spicy beef. Portion sizes are generous too!
11. Best Lunch Menu in Vienna aka Mittagsmenü
Many restaurants in Vienna offer a lunch menu or mittagsmenü where you can enjoy great cuisine at good prices.
Among the great lunch offerings in Vienna is the Mittagsmenü at the historic Cafe Museum, where you can taste a two-course lunch (soup and main dish) for €16.90. The typical monthly lunch menu here includes a bowl of ham and cheese pasta or a vegan option of ratatouille served with creamy polenta. Soups include frittata strips, semolina dumplings, or seasonal soup.
Bep Viet (Address: Favoritenstraße 2, 1040 Vienna) offers a lunch menu specializing in Pho, priced at €11.50 (including salad or soup). The menu here includes 60 different dishes (e.g., Pho Bo Tai, beef salad, Bun Bo).
Woracziczky (Address: Spengergasse 52, 1050 Vienna) is a neighborhood-style pub serving traditional Austrian cuisine (e.g., Frittatensuppe, Backhendl, Schnitzel, and Zwiebelrostbraten) and has a great wine list. Every two months, a different wine producer is highlighted. The daily changing lunch menu starts at €9.50 and is announced on their Facebook pages.
12. Zum Figmuller – Restaurant Bäckerstraße
Address: Bäckerstraße 6, 1010 Vienna, Austria
The home of Viennese schnitzel! Prices are not cheap, but this restaurant stands out with its cheerful service outside of the Viennese style, the food is great (I love the potato salad served with schnitzel), and of course, the beautiful interiors (they have several locations, but I recommend the Bäckerstraße location for its nostalgic atmosphere).
13. Kleines Café
Address: Franziskanerpl. 3, 1010 Vienna, Austria
My favorite café in the world - the service is very slow, typical of Vienna style, but the atmosphere in the square in front of the fountain, the interior - it’s a very nice café. It features in the film Before Sunrise - I might be a bit biased, but oh, this place!
14. Cafe Sperl
Address: Gumpendorfer Str. 11, 1060 Vienna, Austria
There are many great coffee houses in Vienna, but this is my favorite. The booths, the old-world charm - it feels like time stands still here. A perfect place to relax with a coffee.
Combine Sperl with a coffee/drink at Phil bookstore - records, books, and coffee - I love this place!
15. Cafe Bendl
Address: Landesgerichtsstraße 6, 1010 Vienna, Austria
A true old-school Viennese bar - you can still hear stories here and feel the magic.
16. Stehbeisl Bar
Address: Windmühlgasse 6, 1060 Vienna, Austria
Probably my favorite bar in Vienna - in the dim light, entering here feels like stepping into a different universe - there's always jazz or soul music playing in the background. Great service, unusually good prices for wine and drinks, and affordable by Vienna standards.
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