Restaurant
Steirereck im Stadtpark
Heinz Reitbauer's three-Michelin-star restaurant in a steel-and-glass pavilion in the Stadtpark, serving creative contemporary cooking built on Austrian produce.
Schweizerhaus
The Kolarik family's seasonal beer garden in the Prater, famous for crisp roast pork knuckle carved at the table and Czech beer served in Krügerl mugs.
At a glance
- Type
- Beer garden restaurant
- Area
- Prater, Vienna, Austria
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- schweizerhaus.at
Good to know
- Large tree-shaded beer garden
- Takeaway counter
- Online reservations
- Seasonal opening
Why we recommend it
The Schweizerhaus is a Viennese institution and one of the most popular places to eat in the Prater. It is a large beer garden shaded by old trees, a few minutes' walk from the Riesenrad, and it has been run by the Kolarik family for more than a century. In the warmer months it fills with locals and visitors who come for the same two things: roast pork knuckle and a cold beer.
The signature dish is the Schweizerhaus Stelze, a pork knuckle roasted until the skin is crisp and the meat is juicy. One portion is large enough for two or three people, and it is carved at the table and eaten with mustard, horseradish and bread. Other favourites on the menu include grilled chicken and Rohscheiben, thin-sliced fried potatoes. The beer comes from the Czech brewery Budweiser Budvar and is served in a half-litre Krügerl mug, a combination that has become part of the house's identity.
The setting is informal and noisy in the best way, with long tables in the garden, quick service and plenty of room for groups. It suits families, groups of friends and anyone combining a meal with a day at the Prater. The Liliputbahn, the miniature railway that runs through the park, passes nearby, which children enjoy.
The Schweizerhaus is a seasonal operation. It opens each year from mid-March to the end of October, daily from 11:00 to 23:00, with the kitchen open until 22:15 and no closing day during the season. Outside those months it is closed, so plan accordingly, and check the website for the exact opening date each spring. Booking is strongly recommended, especially on warm evenings and at weekends, and can be made online, by phone or by email. If you cannot get a table, the takeaway counter sells all the dishes during kitchen hours without pre-ordering.
The beer garden is on the Prater's main avenue, a short walk from the Riesenrad and the Wurstelprater. The nearest stations are Praterstern (U1, U2 and S-Bahn) and Messe-Prater on the U2. After lunch, walk it off along the Hauptallee, the long chestnut-lined avenue that runs through the park.
Schweizerhaus FAQs
When is the Schweizerhaus open?
From mid-March to 31 October, daily from 11:00 to 23:00, with the kitchen open until 22:15.
What is the Schweizerhaus famous for?
Its roast pork knuckle, carved at the table, and beer served in Krügerl mugs.
How big is a portion of Stelze?
One pork knuckle serves two to three people.
Do I need to book?
Booking is strongly recommended, especially on warm evenings and at weekends.
Is there takeaway?
Yes, the takeaway counter sells all dishes during kitchen hours with no pre-order needed.
Is it good for children?
Yes. It is informal and family-friendly, and the Prater's rides and miniature railway are nearby.
How do I get there?
Take the U1 or U2 to Praterstern or the U2 to Messe-Prater and walk into the park.
Who runs the Schweizerhaus?
The Kolarik family, who took it over more than 100 years ago.