Legendary beer garden in the Prater park serving since 1920. Famous for crispy pork knuckles and house-brewed Budweiser. Massive outdoor seating under chestnut trees. Quintessential Viennese beer garden experience.
Schweizerhaus is a legendary beer garden in Vienna's Prater park, serving since 1920 and considered one of the quintessential Viennese summer dining experiences. It is famous above all for its Stelze, a crisp-skinned roasted pork knuckle carved tableside, paired with the venue's own Budweiser Budvar on tap, imported specifically for the restaurant under a long-standing arrangement. The setting is a sprawling outdoor beer garden shaded by chestnut trees, with long communal wooden tables that seat thousands of guests on a busy summer evening, alongside a smaller indoor dining room for cooler months. The atmosphere is boisterous and convivial rather than refined, popular with Viennese families, groups of friends, and visitors combining a meal with a trip to the adjacent Prater amusement park and its famous Ferris wheel. Service is quick given the volume of guests, and the menu beyond the pork knuckle includes other classic Austrian beer-hall fare. The venue operates seasonally from March through October and does not take reservations for casual seating, though larger groups can arrange tables in advance.
Signature dishes
- Stelze (pork knuckle) — $16
- House beer — $5
Good to know
- Hours
- 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM (Mar-Oct)
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Location
Prater 116, 1020 Vienna
48.2145, 16.4015 View on map
Highlights
- Legendary beer garden in Prater park since 1920
- Signature Stelze pork knuckle carved tableside
- House Budweiser Budvar served on tap
- Massive shaded outdoor seating under chestnut trees
- Seasonal operation from March through October
Tips for visiting
- Visit on a warm evening for the full beer-garden atmosphere under the chestnut trees
- Order the Stelze to share, as portions are large
- Combine a visit with the nearby Prater amusement park and Ferris wheel
- Large groups should call ahead to arrange a table
- Arrive early on weekends, as the outdoor seating fills quickly in summer
Accessibility
The beer garden is on level, open ground with wide pathways suitable for wheelchairs; the indoor dining room also offers step-free access.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is Schweizerhaus open year-round?
No, it operates seasonally from March through October, closing over the winter months.
Are reservations needed?
Casual seating is walk-in, though larger groups can arrange tables in advance by phone.
What is the signature dish?
The Stelze, a roasted pork knuckle, served alongside the venue's own Budweiser Budvar beer.