Bar
Berghain
Berlin's most famous techno club, in a former power station near Ostbahnhof, with the Panorama Bar upstairs and marathon weekend Klubnacht parties.
Prater Garten
A long-established beer garden and restaurant on Kastanienallee in Prenzlauer Berg, which describes itself as Berlin's oldest beer garden.
At a glance
- Type
- Beer garden and traditional restaurant
- Area
- Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany
- Price
- $ · Budget
- Official site
- pratergarten.de
Good to know
- Beer garden in season
- Restaurant all year
- Chestnut trees
- Groups welcome
Why we recommend it
Prater Garten on Kastanienallee is one of the classic places to drink beer in Berlin, and it describes itself as the oldest and most beautiful beer garden in the city. Set back from the street, it has long been a meeting place for the neighbourhood, and on a summer evening its tables under the trees fill with locals, families, students and visitors.
The beer garden is the main draw in the warmer months. Long wooden tables and benches are set out under the leafy canopy, and you collect drinks and simple food such as sausages, pretzels and other snacks from the self-service counters. Beer is the obvious choice, but soft drinks and other options are available too. The relaxed, democratic atmosphere, where strangers share tables, is very much part of the experience, and it is one of the best places in the city to spend a long, warm evening.
Next to the garden, the Gaststätte, a traditional restaurant, serves German food at the table and stays open when the beer garden closes for the season. It opens Monday to Saturday from 5pm and on Sundays from 12 noon. It is a good choice for a hearty meal in a historic setting on a cooler evening.
The beer garden is seasonal and closes for a winter break, and its opening depends on the weather, so check the website before you go if you are visiting in spring or autumn. On warm weekends it can be very busy, but the garden is large and tables turn over regularly. It suits groups of friends, families with children and anyone who enjoys a relaxed, outdoor drink. Prices are moderate, and simple self-service food keeps costs down.
Beer gardens are an important part of social life in Germany, and Berlin's are generally more relaxed and less formal than those of Bavaria. A visit here is an easy way to join in: find a space on a bench, say hello to your neighbours and enjoy the evening.
Eberswalder Strasse station on the U2 is a few minutes' walk away, and trams run along nearby streets. Kastanienallee itself is lined with cafés, shops and restaurants, Konnopke's Imbiss is just around the corner under the viaduct, and Mauerpark and the Kulturbrauerei are both within about ten minutes on foot. The Hotel Oderberger and Bonanza Coffee on Oderberger Strasse are also close.
Prater Garten FAQs
When is the beer garden open?
It is seasonal and closes for a winter break; opening depends on the weather, so check the website.
When is the restaurant open?
The Gaststätte opens Monday to Saturday from 5pm and on Sundays from 12 noon.
Is it the oldest beer garden in Berlin?
Prater Garten describes itself as the oldest beer garden in Berlin.
Is there food?
Yes, simple self-service food in the garden and German dishes in the restaurant.
Is it good for families?
Yes, families are a common sight in the beer garden.
Do you need to book?
Not for the beer garden; groups may want to contact the restaurant in advance.
What is the nearest station?
Eberswalder Strasse on the U2.
What is nearby?
Konnopke's Imbiss, Mauerpark, the Kulturbrauerei and Kastanienallee's cafés.