Drinking a beer on the railway platform, in the middle of a castle courtyard or at a street art gallery? Or perhaps a white wine spritzer in a vineyard in the middle of the vineyards? There are so many ways to experience the romance of a beer garden in NRW. Take a look at our selection of the most beautiful and unusual beer gardens in North Rhine-Westphalia. And then it's time to put on your sandals and enjoy a summer's day in the beer garden.
In the middle of natureBergisches Land
Bergische Schweiz, Engelskirchen
In the heart of the Bergisches Land and directly on two hiking trails lies the Waldcafé Bergische Schweiz. A large sun terrace with a view of Ehreshoven Castle is the ideal place to stop for a bite to eat.
www.bergische-schweiz.de
Thomashof, Burscheid
A beer garden with a difference: dairy products from their own farm are the speciality of the Thomashof in Burscheid. Cheese dishes, ice cream and salads taste particularly good out here in the Bergisches Land.
www.thomashof-burscheid.de
Bavaria or NRW?Bonn and surroundings
Zum blauen Affen, Bonn
Bavaria or NRW? In the "Zum Blauen Affen" beer garden, guests feel like they're in Bavaria. There are pretzels, bratwurst and cool drinks. Plus: expansive meadows, magnificent rows of trees and a view of the nearby banks of the Rhine.
www.haus-am-rhein.de/blauer-affe
Gut Sülz vineyard, Königswinter
Beer garden? Vineyard? It doesn't matter at all. Gut Sülz is located directly on the slopes of the Oberdollendorf vineyards and boasts a unique vineyard. We recommend taking the 2.2-kilometre wine trail through the vineyards first.
www.gut-suelz.de
Three cities, three beer gardensThe Bergisch Three
Café Restaurant Haus Rüden, Solingen
Hiking and a beer garden can also be wonderfully combined in Solingen. In the well over 200-year-old half-timbered building of Café Restaurant Haus Rüden, you should also try the Bergische Kaffeetafel with your beer. In the local dialect, it is known as "Kaffeedrenken mit allem dröm und dran".
www.haus-rueden.eatbu.com
Zornige Ameise, Remscheid
A day at the lake. The Zornige Ameise beer garden is located right next to the Bevertalsperre reservoir, surrounded by greenery and with a view of the water. If it gets too hot, you can simply cool off in between.
www.zornige-ameise.app
Hutmacher, Wuppertal
Drinking beer on the platform - that's possible at Café Hutmacher at Mirk railway station. Located directly on the Nordbahntrasse cycle path, there is a large area for a cosy get-together with a delicious drink and the best weather. If you like, it's best to come by bike.
www.instagram.com/hutmacher_bar
With a view of the RhineDüsseldorf
Three Little Birds, Düsseldorf
"Don′t worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing gonna be alright" sang Bob Marley in his song Three little birds. And that is exactly the vibe of the "Three Little Birds" beer garden on the Düsseldorf Rhine terrace. Here you can enjoy the most beautiful sunsets in one of the most relaxed places in the city.
www.threelittlebirds.bar
Burghof, Düsseldorf-Kaiserswerth
How about travelling here by boat? The Weiße Flotte (White Fleet) sails regularly from the centre of Düsseldorf to Düsseldorf-Kaiserswerth. Here you can walk along the Rhine or stroll through the historic town centre. With its large wooden tables and benches right next to the city wall, the Burghof beer garden creates a unique atmosphere.
www.galerie-burghof.de
Tigges, Düsseldorf
The cult pub Tigges is located in the centre of the Bilk district. With a view of an impressive mural, the beer here tastes particularly delicious.
www.tigges-duesseldorf.eatbu.com
Real holiday atmosphereEifel
Castle restaurant, Nideggen
Stroll through Nideggen's old town centre, climb Nideggen Castle and reward yourself with food and drinks in the beer garden in the castle courtyard. Afterwards, climb the castle tower and enjoy the impressive view of the Voreifel - how does that sound?
www.burgrestaurant-nideggen.de
Lago Beach, Zülpich
The Lago Beach in Zülpich immediately puts you in a holiday mood: Scratch your feet in the sand, sip a cool drink and enjoy the marvellous view of the water - it's all possible from the hotel's own beach on the water sports lake. The beer garden itself is an integrated business.
www.lago-zuelpich.de
Terrasse am See, Heimbach
The "Terrasse am See" restaurant offers a sun terrace with a view of the Heimbach reservoir - simply marvellous. But you shouldn't linger too long. There is so much to discover all around: The Eifel National Park, for example, or what is probably the most beautiful Art Nouveau power station in Germany.
www.terrasse-am-see.de
Kölsch with a view of the lakeCologne
Johann Schäfer beer garden, Cologne
The beer garden of the Johann Schäfer brewery is located directly on the Rhine in Cologne's Rheinauhafen harbour. Here you can enjoy the delicious Südstadt Pils as well as bratwurst, currywurst and chips on the go.
www.johann-schaefer.de/biergarten
Beer garden at Aachener Weiher, Cologne
Lake view, cosy beach chairs and deckchairs or a swinging Hollywood swing: in the beer garden at Aachener Weiher in Cologne is the perfect place to relax.
www.biergarten-aachenerweiher.de
Club Astoria, Cologne
What used to be an officers' mess and hotel for the Belgian army is now a chic destination in the middle of Cologne's city forest. With a view of the Adenauer pond, you can really enjoy yourself here in a sophisticated ambience.
www.club-astoria.eu
Hellers Volksgarten, Cologne
A shady spot in the park with a view of the water - and an organic beer from the in-house brewery on the table: this is how to enjoy hot summer days in the Volksgarten! A pedalo tour across the pond provides a breeze.
www.hellers.koeln/volksgarten-hellers
Fancy more beer gardens in Cologne & the surrounding area? Have a look here.
Quaint and idyllicMünsterland
Landgasthof Kastanienbaum, Lüdinghausen
The family-run beer garden is part of a Münsterland half-timbered house and was named one of the most beautiful beer gardens in the Münsterland in 2012. Münsterland Münsterland. Good for parents: children can run around in the playground.
www.kastanienbaum.de
Kruse Baimken, Münster
One of Münster's oldest pubs still attracts numerous guests today thanks to its idyllic location directly on Lake Aa. There is certainly enough space, as the Kruse Baimken beer garden is one of the largest in the city.
www.spatzl-wirtshaus.de
Pleister Mühle, Münster
A stop at Pleister Mühle is perfect for thirsty throats after a canoe or bike tour. The beer garden is located right next to a canoe hire centre and on several cycle paths, including the Peace Route and the R1 European Cycle Route.
www.pleistermuehle.de
Pott's Brau & Backhaus, Oelde
If a beer garden deserves its name, then this one does: Pott's Brau & Backhaus is connected to a brewery and sells its own Pott's beer.
www.brau-backhaus.de
Bagno, Steinfurt
Visitors can combine a stroll through Steinfurt's famous Bagnopark with a break in the beer garden of the same name. Idyllically situated in the countryside, walkers can fortify themselves here before continuing on their way.
www.bagno-restaurant.de
Castle Park & Alpine ParkLower Rhine
Plane tree garden in Schlosspark, Hünxe
The beer garden in Schlosspark Hünxe, which is located right next to the castle, is just as chic as the moated castle. Large plane trees provide shade and hydrangeas and oleanders exude enchanting fragrances.
www.blumraths.de
Rhine Side, Krefeld
At Rhine kilometre 765, on the banks of the Rhine in Uerdingen, street artists have transformed a former industrial site into an open-air urban art gallery. A beer garden with a beach atmosphere invites you to take a break right by the Rhine. Especially delicious: freshly baked waffles are served every Sunday!
www.rhineside.net
Biergarten am Stadtwaldhaus, Krefeld
The beer garden at the Stadtwaldhaus is in a particularly idyllic location in the Krefeld's city forest. According to an online survey by Falstaff magazine, the beer garden at the Stadtwaldhaus was voted the most beautiful in the whole of Germany, beating even Bavarian beer gardens.
www.stadtwaldhaus.de
Beer garden at Haus Erholung, Mönchengladbach
The beer tastes particularly good against the backdrop of the 150-year-old Haus Erholung. In addition to classically brewed beer and brewery fare, the Abteiberg in Mönchengladbach also serves cocktails and trendy veggie street food.
www.hauserholung.de
Salzburger Alm Biergarten, Neuss
First you can ski or snowboard down the piste and then relax in the beer garden in beautiful summer weather - this is only possible in the Salzburger Alm Biergarten, which is located right next to Alpenpark Neuss. A convertible roof ensures a carefree visit to the beer garden even in rainy weather.
www.alpenpark-neuss.de
Ruhr area
Bergmann Brewery, Dortmund
Hard work, honest pay - that is the motto of the Bergmann Brewery in Dortmund. The stand-up beer hall in the centre of the Phoenix colliery is ideal for breaks on cycle tours through the region.
hwww.harte-arbeit-ehrlicher-lohn.de/brauerei/stehbierhalle/
Jupp unner de Böcken, Haltern am See
Even if the unusual name Jupp unner de Böcken does not necessarily suggest it, it is actually a beer garden with Bavarian flair. Guests can enjoy white sausages, pretzels and Leberkäs at rustic wooden tables - all with a view of the Haltern reservoir, protected by a dense forest of leaves.
www.juppamsee.net
Franky's im Wasserbahnhof, Mülheim an der Ruhr
Its location on the lock island between two arms of the Ruhr makes the Alte Wasserbahnhof an exceptional location. Particularly practical: it is located directly on the main jetty of the Weiße Flotte.
www.frankys-wasserbahnhof.de
Finkenkrug, Duisburg
300 types of beer - one pub. In Duisburg's student pub Finkenkrug, an evening in the beer garden can be a real test: Which of the 300 types of beer will you choose? Our tip: it's best to come back often!
www.finkenkrug.de
Sauerland
Forsthaus Waldsee, Brilon
The Forsthaus Waldsee has a romantic setting: a half-timbered building surrounded by greenery. And right next to the Waldsee lake, which invites you to swim in its crystal-clear waters in summer. The perfect destination for a warm summer's day.
www.forsthaus-waldsee.de
Seemer's Gasthof zur Post, Eslohe
The country inn, which is housed in a pretty half-timbered building, has an upmarket beer garden. Handmade oak benches, tables and chairs create a cosy atmosphere. And children will love it too: They can let off steam in the playground.
www.seemer.de
Teutoburg Forest
Alpine hut, Dörenther Klippen
Wooded paths, impressive rock formations and the best views - the Dörenther Klippen are ideal for your next outdoor adventure. For a break in between, you can stop off at the alpine hut. Several hiking trails lead past here and you can enjoy your drink with a view of the Dörenther Klippen in the middle of nature.
www.teutoburgerwald.de/almhuette-mit-aussichtsplattform
Salz und Zuckerland, Bad Oeynhausen
Salz und Zuckerland is not only the largest beer garden in Bad Oeynhausen, it is also in a particularly favourable location: All of the region's cycle paths meet here and invite you to take a break in the Sielpark nature reserve.
www.salzundzuckerland.de
Schiffmühle, Minden
As the name suggests, this beer garden is located directly on the Weser promenade with a view of a historic ship mill. So romantic and so unique.
www.schiffmuehle-gastronomie.de
