leopoldstadt
Schweizerhaus in Vienna's Prater serves half a Stelze with sauerkraut for around EUR 14, the cheapest serious pork-knuckle plate in town when the chestnut-tree garden opens mid-March to October.
Try: Half Stelze with sauerkraut
Tip: Order a small Krug of Budvar to start; the kitchen runs out of Stelze by 21:00 on busy summer nights.
wieden
Vollpension on Schleifmuehlgasse in Vienna's Wieden bakes Apfelstrudel under EUR 6 a slice, the grandmother-baker social-enterprise cafe a budget alternative to the marble Konditoreien.
Try: Apfelstrudel and Melange
Tip: Slice and Melange for under EUR 9; the Schanigarten on the corner opens from April.
mariahilf
Naschmarkt Deli in Vienna runs an all-day breakfast carte for under EUR 13, the shakshuka and sabich the Levantine-leaning brunch the cheap-eats option on the Naschmarkt.
Try: Shakshuka with pita
Tip: Open daily; the breakfast carte runs all day, useful for jet-lag arrivals from outside the EU.
innere-stadt
Bitzinger on Augustinerstrasse in Vienna feeds the Opera and Albertina crowd for under EUR 8, the Kaesekrainer with sweet mustard and Semmel the city's most iconic cheap eat.
Try: Kaesekrainer with mustard and Semmel
Tip: Add a Manner Schnitten from the counter for under EUR 2; cash and card accepted.
innere-stadt
Trzesniewski on Dorotheergasse in Vienna has run since 1902, the 21-Aufstrich open-faced sandwiches at around EUR 1.50 each the centre's cheapest sit-down snack with a Pfiff beer.
Try: Three open-faced rye sandwiches and a Pfiff beer
Tip: Order at least three; the egg-and-bacon Aufstrich is the regular's pick.
alsergrund
Der Wiener Deewan on Liechtensteinstrasse in Vienna's Alsergrund runs a pay-what-you-want Pakistani buffet, drinks charged separately, the city's loved student-budget room since 2005.
Try: Pay-what-you-want Pakistani buffet
Tip: Pay what you want for food; drinks are charged. The buffet is replenished through 22:00.