Vienna
Vienna has plenty of affordable places for a quick meal, a casual dinner or a filling lunch away from formal dining rooms. This guide brings together grilled Balkan food, döner, halal fast food, Persian dishes, Indian cooking and classic sausage stands across districts from the 1st to the 17th.
Compare location, opening hours, meal style and whether booking ahead makes sense.
We researched cheap restaurants across Vienna and left out anyone who doesn't really specialise in it, has poor reviews or makes it hard to get in touch.
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#1Turbo Grill is a compact Balkan grill and fast-food spot on Hernalser Hauptstraße in Vienna’s 17th district. The menu centers on classic grilled specialties, with generous portions, richly seasoned meats and an informal atmosphere that suits a quick, satisfying meal.
It opens daily from 10 am to 9 pm except Monday, when it is closed, making it easy to fit into a daytime food stop.
#2Döner with real sliced meat
A distinctive house sauce
Nalin KeepUp is a kebab shop on Wilhelminenstraße in Vienna’s 16th district, built around döner with real sliced meat and a distinctive house sauce . The meat is served well cooked and full of flavor, while the clean setting and warm service add to its appeal.
Open from late morning until 10 pm most days, it works equally well for a quick lunch, early dinner or late casual bite.
#3kantine - thai & bar pairs Thai-inspired dishes with a bar setting on Porzellangasse in Vienna’s 9th district. It is a late-day option for a quick bite or drinks, opening from 5 pm Tuesday to Friday and on Monday, while remaining closed at weekends.
The atmosphere leans more toward a bar than a traditional Thai restaurant, and service can be slower during busy periods.
#4Türkis Express Vienna Center is a fast-food restaurant on Goldschmiedgasse in Vienna’s 1st district, convenient for a central meal from morning through midnight. The menu includes halal options, and the relaxed setting works for a quick stop while sightseeing.
Service is friendly and lemonades are a popular accompaniment, making this a practical choice when convenience matters more than a long sit-down meal.
#5Skopik & Lohn is an evening restaurant on Leopoldsgasse in Vienna’s 2nd district, worth the walk or train ride for diners seeking a more considered meal away from the busiest center. Its charming patio and polished service frame a menu where starters and vegetable dishes stand out, including carrot, beetroot and kale preparations, alongside options such as beef tartare.
It opens daily from 6 pm.
#6Santoor brings modern Persian cuisine to Florianigasse in Vienna’s 8th district. The menu includes lamb shank, fesenjoon, kebab koobideh and kebab vaziri, with generous portions, fresh flavors and warm presentation suited to a relaxed lunch or dinner.
Open daily from noon until 11 pm, it is a strong choice for diners wanting a full Persian meal in a welcoming setting rather than a quick takeaway.
#7Spicy Burenwurst, currywurst and Käsekrainer
Würstelstand - Zum scharfen René is a classic Vienna sausage stand at Schwarzenbergplatz, a convenient stop before concerts at the Wiener Konzerthaus or Musikverein. Spicy Burenwurst, currywurst and Käsekrainer are the key orders, served with a notably cheerful manner.
It opens Monday to Friday from 11 am to 7 pm, so it is best suited to lunch, an early snack or a pre-show bite.
#8Little India is an Indian restaurant on Koppstraße in Vienna’s 16th district, serving lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, plus dinner on Sunday. Its dishes can be flavorful and satisfying, making it a useful neighborhood option for a casual Indian meal.
Service and menu pricing may feel less consistent, so it is better suited to diners prioritizing the food itself over a polished restaurant experience.
#9Le’s serves Vietnamese specialties on Lothringerstraße, around a five-minute walk from Karlskirche and close to Karlsplatz. Pho is a particular draw, while the attractive decor, generous portions and friendly service make it an easy choice for a relaxed central meal.
Open Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 7 pm, it is especially convenient for lunch or an early dinner before exploring the surrounding sights.
#10Cozy three-floor setting
QERO Peruvian Cuisine & Bar brings Latin atmosphere to Börseplatz in central Vienna, with a cozy three-floor setting that works for both dinner and drinks. Standout orders include beef heart, octopus and an especially memorable soufflé, making dessert a worthwhile part of the meal.
Open late most days, it suits leisurely evenings, though booking ahead is sensible when dining during the week.
#11Fritto1070 is a small fast-food counter on Kirchengasse specializing in schnitzel, grilled chicken and related Austrian comfort food. Schnitzel sandwiches, Wiener schnitzel, cordon bleu and potato salad are served quickly, with clean surroundings and friendly service adding to the appeal.
It currently opens only on Saturdays from 8 am to 4 pm, making it a focused weekend stop rather than an everyday option.
#12Mach ma curry is an Indian restaurant on Schopenhauerstraße in Vienna’s 18th district, known for a welcoming room, kind service and fair pricing. Its schedule combines weekday lunch and dinner with additional Sunday service, making it flexible for both casual visits and planned meals.
The relaxed atmosphere and generous, flavorful cooking suit diners looking for a neighborhood Indian restaurant away from the central tourist routes.
#13Würstelstand zum Hohen Markt is a central snack bar opposite Hoher Markt, handy for a sausage stop while sightseeing without standing in the busiest square. The selection includes several sausage styles, with the hot or spicy option a particularly enjoyable pick alongside mustard and ketchup.
Long opening hours, often extending into the early morning, make it useful for daytime snacks and late-night hunger alike.
#14That’s Amore is a pizza restaurant on Messenhausergasse in Vienna’s 3rd district, with a warm atmosphere and a menu that extends beyond pizza. Excellent pizzas share the spotlight with grilled calamari and gnocchi, while attentive staff make the restaurant well suited to a relaxed dinner.
It serves lunch and dinner most days, and reserving ahead is sensible when planning a popular evening visit.
#15Tortilla Española and champiñones al ajillo
el chipirón is a Spanish restaurant and tapas spot on Hamerlingplatz in Vienna’s 8th district. Traditional dishes such as tortilla Española and champiñones al ajillo anchor its authentic Spanish cooking, making it a strong choice for sharing plates and a relaxed evening.
It opens from 5:30 pm until 2 am Tuesday through Saturday, with reservations available for planned dinners.
Summary
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Turbo Grill - Balkanische Grillspezialitäten, Authentische Balkanische Grilltradition | 4.9 | 451 | Affordable grilled meat and casual daytime meals |
| #2 | Nalin KeepUp | 4.7 | 2,832 | Flavor-focused döner lunches and casual dinners |
| #3 | kantine - thai & bar | 4.8 | 540 | Casual evening food and drinks |
| #4 | Türkis Express Vienna Center | 4.8 | 534 | Quick central meals and halal fast food |
| #5 | Skopik & Lohn | 4.7 | 1,563 | Relaxed dinners and vegetable-forward sharing |
| #6 | Santoor (modernes persisches Restaurant in Wien) | 4.7 | 1,198 | Relaxed Persian lunches and dinners |
| #7 | Würstelstand - Zum scharfen René | 4.7 | 1,176 | Pre-concert sausage stops and classic street food |
| #8 | Little India | 4.7 | 928 | Casual Indian meals in the 16th district |
| #9 | Le’s | 4.8 | 445 | Central Vietnamese lunches near Karlsplatz |
| #10 | QERO Peruvian Cuisine & Bar | 4.6 | 1,541 | Atmospheric Peruvian dinners and dessert stops |
| #11 | Fritto1070 | 4.8 | 271 | Austrian fast food and Saturday lunch |
| #12 | Mach ma curry | 4.7 | 309 | Relaxed neighborhood Indian dining |
| #13 | Würstelstand zum Hohen Markt | 4.5 | 2,443 | Central sightseeing breaks and late-night snacks |
| #14 | That's Amore | 4.5 | 1,527 | Italian-style dinners with more than pizza |
| #15 | el chipirón | 4.7 | 269 | Spanish tapas |
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Map and areas
Use the map to see which options fit your route through Vienna. Central choices around Goldschmiedgasse and Schwarzenbergplatz work well for sightseeing or concerts, while addresses in Ottakring, Hernals and Leopoldstadt may suit a neighborhood meal. Check the distance from your hotel, station or planned activity before setting out.
Türkis Express Vienna Center on Goldschmiedgasse is convenient for a fast central meal and includes halal options. The sausage stand at Schwarzenbergplatz is another practical choice, especially before a concert or during a short break.
Santoor offers modern Persian dishes on Florianigasse, while Skopik & Lohn is better suited to a slower evening with sharing plates and vegetable-focused dishes. kantine - thai & bar can work for casual food and drinks later in the day.
Turbo Grill in Hernals focuses on Balkan grilled specialties and informal daytime meals. Nalin KeepUp in Ottakring is another option if you prefer döner with sliced meat and a house sauce.
Turbo Grill opens from late morning on most operating days, Santoor serves lunch from noon, and Zum scharfen René is suited to weekday lunch or an early snack. Always check the current hours before leaving.
For a planned evening meal, reserving ahead is sensible, particularly when you want a table at a popular restaurant rather than a quick counter-service option. Contact the venue first, especially for groups, weekends or a fixed dining schedule.
Yes. Hernals, Ottakring and the 16th district offer grilled food, döner and Indian meals, while Leopoldstadt and Josefstadt provide further sit-down choices. These areas can be useful when you are staying locally or want to avoid the busiest central streets.
