If you’re walkingdown Margaretenstraße in the 4th district in winter or spring , you might be surprised by the meter-long lines. Viennese often line up outside a small shop there, stretching all the way out onto the street.
But people aren’t waiting for a sale here—they’re waiting for fresh citrus fruits. The unassuming shop Crupi Alimentari brings oranges and lemons directly from Sicily to Vienna.
Anyone who has tasted the sun-ripened fruit from the foot of Mount Etna will definitely be back. We’ll show you who’s behind the deli and what you need to know about your purchase.
A family business with a concept
Behind the name is the owner, Nino Crupi. His family cultivates their own orange and lemon groves in Sicily—more precisely, right on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Instead of passing through countless middlemen, the fruit is shipped directly to Vienna via the fastest route after being harvested by hand. That means: When you fill your bag at the register, you’re getting completely untreated and hand-picked produce.
Authentic Italian products
The peak season for Sicilian citrus fruits runs from winter through spring. It usually starts with the thin-skinned Navelina oranges, followed later by the juicy, reddish Tarocco oranges.
You’ll quickly notice that the fruit here doesn’t look flawless and uniform like it does in a catalog. But that’s an honest sign of natural cultivation. Since the peels are untreated, you can grate them without hesitation for your next orange cake or for tea.
In addition to the fresh harvest, you’ll also find substantial delicacies in the assortment. There’s 18-month-aged prosciutto, ricotta salata, and house-pressed olive oil, in case you want to take a little bit of culinary Italy home with you.
When is the best time to get in line
The crowds at Margaretenstraße 3 are often huge, so bring a little patience if you want to snag some fresh oranges.
Regular hours are usually Monday from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The shop is usually closed on Wednesdays.
Since opening hours at this small family business can change from time to time, be sure to check the website crupi.at before your visit. This way, you can make sure you don’t end up in front of closed doors.
