Prater Biergarten

Prater Garten in Berlin is the Biergarten institution which also is home to one of the best German restaurants in Prenzlauer Berg. Choose between having a Prater beer and a Bratwurst in the cosy Biergarten in the summer or a Weißbier with a Schnitzel in the restaurant which is open all year around.

I often talk about "institution" but most other place fade in the light of the remarkable history of Prater Graten in Prenzlauer Berg. Berlin's oldest Biergarten on Kastanienallee has been attracting people to drink beer and watch theatre since the 1850's and this place has a fascinating story, I would recommend everyone to take a few minutes and read up on it. Prater has survived two world wars along with the GDR and the walls, stones and trees are drenched with history. The Prater is most known for its Biergarten which is open May to September, a beautiful garden area with lots tables and benches under the old trees that overshadow everything and make it a cool hangout during even the hottest summer days. What also is guaranteed to keep you cool is the Prater beer which you only can buy here, it's a very tasty Pils and they usually also brew a Schwarzbier which is equally great.

One part of Prater Garten that is not so well known is the restaurant which is open all year around. The Prater Gaststätte serves classic German food with a seasonal menu including German food celebrations like white asparagus and goose. The restaurant has a large indoor area but also a veranda towards the Biergarten for the summer. The venue is very traditional and has that fantastic Berlin 1920's vibe to it and when the place is full to the last seat you really get that proper, German atmosphere.

After you've settled down and ordered your first Prater pils you can choose between a couple of seasonal dishes and some classics which include Berliner Senfeier or the famous Prater Wiener Schnitzel. The Schnitzel consists out of two massive, battered pieces of veal, cooked perfectly with a thin batter. The seasonal dishes most times include some kind of Schweinebraten and the Bauernente which is one of my favourites - a juice duck half with crispy skin, Knödel and red cabbage, topped of with a fantastic gravy. During the "Spargelsäsong" you can eat the in the German eye highly addictive vegetable in countless ways. I strongly recommend the full monty which is Spargel with a Schnitzel, served with potatoes and a jar of liquid butter. The heart attack is complimentary. Prater is also a great place to have German goos before Christmas and you can reserve the traditional Gänseessen for large parties and feast upon the fat bird with all the classic side dishes. The quality of the food is way above average, I wouldn't say it's necessarily the best German food in Berlin but in combination with the fantastic venue, great atmosphere and outstanding beer it is absolutely one of the best German restaurants in Berlin.

During the summer it would be a sin to miss one of the city's most beautiful Biergarten. Situated in a huge area hidden off Kastanienallee and hidden beneath huge trees this is the perfect place to spend a summer day, be it during the hottest time of the day or during the long summer evenings. A relaxed hangout where locals, tourists, hipsters, old and young share tables and beers. Along with your beer you can grab a sausage, corn on the cob or Obazda from the food stand and watch the city life unfold in fron of you.

The Prater is also home to a long theatre tradition and they still set up both indoor and outdoor plays during all seasons. Prater has a lot to offer and is standing as strong as ever with every seat in the restaurant and Biergarten occupied by thirsty and hungry Berliner's most nights. It's also a great place to take visitors to experience a classic piece of Berlin. The prices are definitely on the higher end and not cheap, but it's still doable.