Schweizerhaus, Vienna, Besucherguide & was in der Nähe unternehmen

Schweizerhaus is a large, long-established restaurant and beer garden in the Prater, the old amusement and parkland district of Vienna. It is best known for its Czech Budvar beer and its grilled pork knuckle, the Grillstelze, served at long tables under leafy trees. For many Viennese it is as much a part of a day in the Prater as the rides around it.

The story behind it

The site's roots go back about 250 years, when it was known as the Swiss Lodge and imperial dignitaries came here to eat and drink. In the 19th century the name changed to Schweizer Meierei, the Swiss Dairy, and over time it became the Schweizerhaus, or Swiss House, that Vienna knows today.

The house built its reputation on hearty, simple food and good beer. Fried fish, roasted corn, potato pancakes (Erdäpfelpuffer) and the Grillstelze are all part of its story, alongside the Budvar that is poured here. It is now regarded as a Viennese institution, a place where locals and visitors share the same tables.

What to look for

• The shaded garden itself, with its rows of long tables under tall trees, is the heart of the place and the best spot to take in the atmosphere.
• Look for the Grillstelze being carried out to tables, a huge roasted pork knuckle that is the house speciality.
• Notice the Budvar beer on tap, a Czech lager that the Schweizerhaus has made its signature drink.
• Glance up above the tree line nearby to see the Prater Turm, a tower swing of about 117 metres whose spinning seats are visible from the surrounding paths.

Tips for your visit

• Plan about an hour for a meal, or longer if you want to settle in for the afternoon. Seating is mostly outdoors, so good weather makes a big difference.
• The garden is a seasonal, weather-dependent place, so check current opening hours before you go.
• Tables fill up on warm evenings and weekends. Arriving earlier in the day or on a weekday usually means a calmer visit.
• You are in the middle of the Wurstelprater, so the Riesenrad and the rest of the amusement park are a short walk away. Walking around the park is free, and you pay only for rides and food.

See it on a quest

The Schweizerhaus is one stop on Vienna Prater: Wurstelprater, a self-guided walk through the Prater's amusement district. You reach it on foot as part of a longer route, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group. You can start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join.