Ballhaus Watzke in Dresden

I was there for an event. There was a buffet. Everything tasted very good, and the service was quick and friendly. I really liked the atmosphere.

The Watzke Ballroom in Pieschen is always a highlight for me in Dresden! It uniquely combines historical flair with a cozy brewery atmosphere. The location right on the Elbe River is simply idyllic. The beer garden, in particular, with its view of the Old Town and the Elbe meadows, is very inviting. It's one of the most beautiful spots in Dresden to enjoy the end of the day or to take a break from a bike ride. The Watzke home-brewed beer (I recommend the smooth Altpieschner!) is always fresh, naturally cloudy, and a real treat. It's accompanied by hearty and delicious cuisine that perfectly complements the brewery ambiance. The dishes are of high quality, and the portions are generous. The historic interior is also impressive. The meticulously restored ballroom is a gem and makes events held here a truly special experience. The staff is always friendly and attentive, even when the place is packed. You simply feel welcome here. Anyone looking for authentic brewery culture, good food and a beautiful location in Dresden simply must visit Ballhaus Watzke. Highly recommended!

No need for advertising. Good food. Full-bodied beer. Quaint atmosphere.

One point deducted immediately because you have to go up a difficult flight of stairs to get in. (I'm currently using a walker.) The place is cozy on this dark winter afternoon. There's snow outside. It's warm inside. The beer is fantastic, as always. Add a pretzel... almost paradise. But the pretzel is too salty and too hard. There are better ones. Anyway, the super-hoppy specialty beer was amazing.

The food, including dessert, was excellent. The baked apple and sea buckthorn mulled wine was also delicious. Unfortunately, I didn't look at our waiter's name tag, but he deserves praise as well.

Our daughter had her 25th graduation ball on November 16th. We're familiar with the ballroom from our own graduation ball and other celebrations. The staff was friendly and efficient. We understand that with such a large party, the menu has to be limited. We didn't find the food selection particularly appealing. We felt the price-performance ratio was unjustified (over €20 for two fish fingers with mashed potatoes). And one suggestion for future balls: It was inconvenient that the food was served during the opening ceremony. We wanted to watch our daughter, and by then the food was cold. :( We really like the atmosphere of the ballroom.

We were at the dance class graduation ball yesterday in the ballroom. Coordinating the timing, watching the dancing, and simultaneously ordering food was difficult. The food wasn't worth the price. The Spätzle were oversalted, and the duck leg was so tough it was impossible to get it off the bone with a knife and fork. After my appetizer, my cutlery, along with my empty plate, was returned to the waiter, but there was no replacement for my main course (Menu 3). I had to borrow cutlery from other guests at the table. For four people, a menu consisting of two plates of Spätzle, one fish dish, three lemonades, one Altpieschner beer, and one red wine, totaling €130 without a handwritten receipt on a piece of paper is simply too much.

We were there yesterday, it was very crowded. Unfortunately, our waiter wasn't very friendly and seemed annoyed. Of course, it was also very busy and they were very busy, so I think it was due to the stress. But the atmosphere and the food were very nice.

A huge thank you to the service staff who attended today's dance class ball at the Fischer Dance School. You were attentive, helpful, and unobtrusive, readily accommodated special requests, and did a fantastic job – keep it up and thank you so much!!!

The beer and food were good, as always. But we've never had a snide remark about the size of the tip before. Not everyone can afford to tip. Not everyone who deserves a tip gets one. "Ingratitude is the world's reward." We'll still come back.

The best (!) beer in Dresden (from the brewery Watzke) in their (out of the three) biggest and probably oldest brewery with a beer garden, views of the old town and great, traditional German food to go along with the beer. When in Dresden, this is a must!

First, the positive: The beer still tastes great and the selection is fantastic; our server was also very friendly and accommodating. But unfortunately, the food has significantly declined. For example, they used to have a really good schnitzel with a spicy malt-crumb coating. Now, unfortunately, it's just a standard, run-of-the-mill schnitzel with few side dishes at a hefty price. You can definitely get better food elsewhere.

A brewery where you can feel at home, with delicious beer and delicious food.

We haven't regretted making the long journey to Brauhaus Watzke and are grateful for the delicious food. The Watzke beer 🍻 was also amazing. We wish you continued satisfaction.

We were there for a morning pint with Lamarotte. Overall, it was a very successful and atmospheric event! We received a friendly welcome, and the Altpieschen beer was very tasty. The wait staff seemed a bit overwhelmed at times and had trouble sorting things out. Unfortunately, the cheese spaetzle we ordered were more or less overcooked and thus more like a rather unappealing spaetzle porridge. Therefore, one point deducted overall.

A very nice place in itself. The food is very good. Unfortunately, I can't give any positive reviews for the service staff. While the colleagues are very attentive to the guests' well-being, the waiter's behavior in particular leaves a lot to be desired. Decency and politeness are unfortunately non-existent. From the poor order-taking to the ignored drink order. Unfortunately, in a bad mood, only half the order is delivered. In school grades, a clear 6 would be enough.

The natural-colored beer simply tastes good 👍🏻

We were there for the second Schlagerball. Simply fantastic. We'd love to come back. But it wasn't our first time there. We've never been disappointed. Highly recommended. Keep it up.

We were there very spontaneously; the weather was getting worse, and we ended up here on a recommendation for good food :) Due to the bad weather, it quickly became crowded, and the mood of some of the other guests changed, which we couldn't understand. Despite the hectic pace, we didn't have to wait long for either the food or dessert. If we visit Dresden again, we'd love to come back.

We like going to Brauhaus Watzke, but we only drink our beer from a Willibecher. That's customary for special or monthly beers. Today, there were no Willibechers available for either beer. Very sad!

Always a draw when we're in Dresden. The beer is the best in the area, and we always take it home in a siphon. Yummy!

The quality of the food has improved significantly, but the service is unfortunately still poor. The world's tastiest beer keeps me coming back.

We were there as a small group. The beer garden and restaurant were packed, but the service was still excellent. Above all, the waiter immediately said, "Guys, the drinks are going fast, but you'll have to allow a bit of a wait for the food." We didn't really mind, as the weather was still great that evening and we had plenty of time. In the end, everything was great, and we can't complain. Keep up the good work!

We were at Watzke last night to round off a wonderful day. The food and beer were amazing, as always. Everything was delicious. But the best part was the service. Everyone was very friendly. Especially Leyla (nicknamed Birne). She rocked the place despite the heat and the crowds. Very personable and friendly. Thanks for the great evening. See you next time.

Super cozy restaurant, right on the banks of the Elbe. The service was absolutely excellent, the food delicious, and we had a perfect evening in the beer garden. The only drawback was people smoking on the first floor, even though it's prohibited, and mindlessly puffing away... Not so great for the people sitting downstairs. But changing seats was quick. If you're in the Neustadt district, you should definitely stop here.

The best beer garden staff I've seen in years. The beer garden was packed, and that's quite a few tables. Our waiter was always attentive despite being "constantly busy" and even organized some art supplies for my child. Best of all, my beer glass wasn't empty for more than five minutes. A huge thank you to the waiter at table 108 on September 20, 2025.

We've been to Watzke in Dresden several times, but not yet to the "Ballhaus." And we didn't actually go inside the Ballhaus either, but sat in the beer garden due to the nice weather. We were also lucky enough to be seated right outside, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Elbe and the silhouette of Dresden's old town. The location is perfect, although the outdoor furniture could definitely use a refresh. The beer is excellent, as is typical for Watzke, in all its establishments and tastes great even after years. Be sure to try the beer of the month. The fact that prices in restaurants have climbed quite rapidly in recent years should also be reflected in the quality of the food. The portions are large enough to fill you up, but the chef or those preparing the food could do with showing a bit more inspiration in the garnishing and presentation of the dishes. The waiter assigned to us was, as you'd expect from a beer garden, rustic and friendly. But – a flat €2.00 charge for every menu change? I know that Watzke's isn't an isolated incident, and this evil seems to be gaining a foothold in the industry. I believe that restaurants should offer their guests a little more flexibility without always asking them to pay extra. That has something to do with valuing the customer. Or will there be a fee next time you want cutlery with your meal?

Cozy. Interesting beer cocktails, good beer, and entertaining staff. We'll be back.

Delicious food and delicious Watzke beer from our own brewery and a great view of Dresden

We stumbled upon this place spontaneously and felt truly at home. We started with a small tasting of four different beers, followed by some delicious food. In short, we absolutely recommend this place. We'd be happy to come back.

I've been a regular here for three years and have been meaning to leave a review for a long time... By far the most beautiful beer garden in Dresden! I absolutely recommend the Altpieschner. The staff is always nice and friendly! Watzke and Dresden simply belong together.

Temple of beer & pork. Absolutely must visit if you are willing to try authentic Saxon quisine and craft beer. Don't bother if you're lookin for sophisticated and exquisite menu. Simple German food and beers made in the restaurant's brew. Unfortunately smoking is allowed in whole garden area so when you want to take a seat outside during hot summer afternoon you have to deal with nasty smell of cigs... That's a big No for me.

The AfD is allowed to meet openly here and engage in historical revisionism!

We ordered tap water but at the end each cup was shown to cost €4.1 per cup!!! Too much over priced!

Great home-brewed beer: wheat beer, pilsner. Very good.

Great restaurant, delicious food and beer, a changing beer special, reservations recommended. The sun is shining and it's beer garden season again. Super friendly service in the beer garden, always ready with a quick joke.

A great place to end the day. Delicious food and drinks with a stunning view of the Elbe River.

A rustic restaurant – just the thing for a warm summer evening.

Despite requests, the waiter does not clean the table - what a pity.

If you want to eat something traditional in a historic setting, with a view of the river, I absolutely recommend this brewery!!

Unfortunately, we lost long-standing customers today. As we gathered for the monthly beer in the outdoor area of Brauhaus Watzke today and chose the sheltered spot under the linden tree, we waited for the conditions. The young, tall waiter with short black hair saw us, but stopped and called across three tables, "If you want to order something, you have to sit here, the table isn't set." Then he turned around and disappeared. Maybe we're mistaken, but we all agreed that this wasn't appropriate; we could walk the five meters to our table and hopefully say it in a friendly tone to the guests. We then got up, returned the seat cushions, and went to the Landstreicher, where we were given a very warm welcome.

Unfortunately, the quality and quantity of the food has significantly declined in relation to the price! What a shame! Even the excellent service doesn't make up for that!

We've been regulars at Watzke for many years – whether at the Goldener Reiter, in the Zentrum, or at the Ballhaus. However, it must be said: The food varies from restaurant to restaurant. Unfortunately, we've only had negative experiences at the Ballhaus, in particular. Last week was my last visit for the time being. The salad was served unwashed – with small insects clearly visible. Fortunately, the beer was good as always – but with current prices, you should expect a certain level of quality from the food as well. A shame

Red-haired waitress is unfriendly and only interested in tips

Highly recommended! Good food! Excellent service, and the view of the landscape with the Elbe River in the background is magnificent!

The June bratwurst sounds better than it actually was. Still, it's still recommended.

Very good location directly on the Elbe, a brewery just like you would wish for on holiday in Dresden. Mr. Müller VK was our waiter, the beer was a dream and the service was top-notch!! The beer is very tasty, as is the food. Thank you and we'll be back!

As always, good food with delicious beer. You can't go wrong.

Absolutely! I'm sure my words don't need to describe this Dresden institution. Fantastic!

The best view of Dresden's skyline with Altpieschener beer on tap, delicious Leberkäse (meatloaf), and the best potato salad. And since the service is excellent despite the packed beer garden: 3x5 full points!

No points for food because we only had a quick drink.

A very nice inn with excellent service. Even though it was my first time there, I felt like a regular. The beer is great, as is the food. It's not a gourmet temple, but it's very fitting for an inn. We'd love to come back.

We were a group of 10 people and made a reservation well in advance. The weather was beautiful and we had a table in the beer garden. Unfortunately, it was only suitable for 8 people, but there were 9 chairs. When we asked, the staff became annoyed and said we could go inside. They also told us they weren't set up for larger groups (there were several larger groups sitting outside). We ended up with a more or less better table, but we were still sitting close together. The service definitely needs to improve!

Yesterday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, our dance school celebrated its 60th anniversary in the ballroom of the Ballhaus Watzke. It was a thoroughly successful event. All of the Watzke staff played a huge part in making it a success. Thank you for your fantastic support!

Plenty of home-brewed beers. A large selection of food, too. A relaxed crowd. We'd love to come back!

We visited the brewery in June 2025 as part of an Elbe bike tour. We sat in the beer garden overlooking the Elbe and kept an eye on our bikes. The location is excellent. This is a great place to see and be seen. We enjoyed the food and drinks (their house beer). The Ballhaus Watzke is a professional host. We'll be back.

I had the vegetarian curry, big portion and very delicious. Also the tofu was just perfect. There were three more vegetarian/vegan options and all sounded very good too. Will try them next time!

Dear Ball-und Brauhaus Watzke Team, Of course, we appreciate your brewery not only for what is probably the most beautiful beer garden view of the Elbe, but also for the tasty beer that delights even seasoned hop connoisseurs. But for the past few weeks, we've been sorely missing a small, crispy chapter of the past: the dark bread in the bread basket! Once a savory revelation with addictive potential, it's now replaced by a rather tame baked good that—let's just say—would barely earn a certificate of participation in a bread competition if it came last. We know you have good taste—you prove it every day in your glass! We therefore hope all the more that something special will find its way back onto the menu, even with bread. That would be entirely in keeping with your wishes: typical of Watzke, hearty, and a little bit unique. With warm regards from two long-time Watzke connoisseurs, Gerlinde & Janusz

If you enjoy eating in a nationalistic atmosphere, this is the place for you. However, if hate speech and ignorance put you off your appetite, you should avoid this place. The beer isn't that good, and there are countless good pubs in Dresden with good beer and food!

A rustic ambiance and prompt service invite you to linger. A lively place, yet still a comfortable place to end a hectic day. A wide selection of food and drinks is available. We definitely recommend this place.

A very nice brewery right on the Elbe River. Typical menu, fast service. Great.

The Ball- und Brauhaus Watzke is a must-see for anyone visiting Dresden who wants to experience Saxon hospitality in a historic setting. Whether it’s for a traditional meal, a craft beer or attending a special event, Watzke offers a memorable experience that combines tradition, flavor and culture. The snacks and beer were wonderful, but we didn’t like the liqueurs, which we found to be different and more alcoholic.

I had the honor of being a DJ at Watzke again, and as always, I have to commend the staff. They were always very accommodating, friendly, and attentive to even the smallest details. Otherwise, Watzke is more than suitable as a venue for larger groups. The food is delicious, and the ambiance is just what you'd expect from a historic ballroom. I'm looking forward to the next time.

It's always nice at Ballhaus Watzke. The atmosphere is relaxed. The service is friendly. The food is okay, but it doesn't blow you away. I had trout, which didn't impress me. Another guest had vegetable curry, which also wasn't great. Only the knuckle of pork was a hit. Perhaps that's what tastes best in a brewery. The beer is really delicious. The view of the Elbe from the beer garden is calming and always beautiful.

We love Watzke and always enjoy coming back! The dishes are down-to-earth, tasty, and the service is warm, rustic, and attentive, and we always feel very welcome! Thanks for the changing daily and monthly specials and the free parking 🅿️! We'd be happy to come back again – an uncomplicated recommendation.

Our waiter was extremely friendly, the food was very good and the ambience was also very nice, thank you for that!

perfect place to go during spring. lovely biergarten restaurant at dresden and you get perfect view of sunset by the river. found my most favourite German cuisine steak au four! all the beers are fresh and good.

The beer (Alt-Pieschner) is a very tasty thing. But unfortunately some of the staff occasionally tend to make unprofessional statements - a shame!

Very nice, rustic inn with very tasty food and large portions. We can recommend it and will come back!

Traditional brewery with a postcard-like view of Old Dresden located directly on the Elbe. Excellent beer and delicious food. Drinking under linden trees is how beer is supposed to be drunk. Prices reasonable. A real highlight in May: The Maibock in the Watzke Brauhaus I had the great pleasure of trying the Maibock beer at Watzke - and what can I say: it's one of the best bock beers I've ever drunk. Perfectly balanced, with subtle caramel notes, a full-bodied, round taste and a velvety finish. Not at all pushy or aggressive – just a harmonious, honest beer experience. If you are in Dresden in May, you should not miss this seasonal masterpiece. A big compliment to the master brewers – everything is perfect here.

It was a great evening and great service from MvK.

Great home brew, local atmosphere, highly recommended.

Always happy to have freshly tapped and delicious food 🍻👍

We were here for the second time today. 1. Pork knuckle: perfect except crispy, juicy inside 2. Meatloaf: Best butcher quality 3. Beef tongue: absolute reference. It couldn't be better The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The beer is also really tasty. We'll be back!

First of all, the service staff was very, very pleasant. Nice, funny, fast and attentive - just as you want it to be. However, the food wasn't that good. My food was very salty and my husband's food was little or no seasoning at all. I know it's hard to please everyone, but we also know the dishes from Watzke differently - namely, simply delicious. Unfortunately, this was the second visit and we didn't like it so much. Nevertheless, I would like to mention that the ambience in the Ballhaus is simply excellent. There's almost something pub-like about it. In a positive sense.

Perfect, the wishes and suggestions are implemented well. Starting from the management to the actual service in the brewery. Thumbs up!

I give the food full marks: It was the best schnitzel I've ever eaten. The vegetable side dishes were superb. Everything tasted just right. I'll be honest, I never rate anything I've been to. But everyone should know that this is the best restaurant where you can meet up with family (even with small children) and friends. Everything was top-notch for the price. 👍🏼 Location: beautiful, with a lovely view of the Elbe.

We were in the Elbzimmer with around 60 people as a closed event and it was simply wonderful. The whole booking and organization was uncomplicated. The food tasted very good and we received extremely positive feedback from the conference participants. Great compliments to the staff and kitchen and thank you again.

At the Ballhaus: baller atmosphere, but it's hotter Timothy Schackalacka in there. That's why you sweat a lot. Also chilled people and not just sweaters.

THANK YOU BALLHAUS WATZKE DRESDEN🌟🌟🌟 ChampagneTango Marathon ♥️Dresden 1st Edition 🌟 A wonderful tango marathon in beautiful Dresden is behind us🌟 ChampagneTango in the enchanting ambience of the Watzke Dresden ballroom, it was simply fantastic ♥️ Dancers from so many countries accepted our invitation to Dresden, with enthusiasm, warmth and passion you created a very special atmosphere of joy! The tango & the wonderfully warm magic of the weekend are still flowing through us...We are over the moon!!! A big thank you to our fantastic DJ’s for wonderful music at all Milongas. Thank you to “Interplay”, the jazz start with you as a band was great! Arrive and relax with a glass of champagne in your hand to fine jazz sounds & first enjoy the sunset from the terrace, fantastic! ♥️♥️♥️A big thank you to the top team at “Ballhaus Watzke” ❤️ great service, efficient, friendly, fast, warm. Very good quality of food🌟simply a very competent team! We would love to come back! We are filled with warmth & great joy!! It was just great to enjoy our 1st ChampagneTango Marathon ♥️ with ALL OF YOU!! Thanks! Thank you! Muchas gracias! Hasta muy pronto!

We were able to experience a wonderful tango festival in the ballroom of the Brauhaus Watzke. The service was first class - friendly, courteous, quick and thoughtful. The food was delicious and was always served promptly. A perfect weekend that left nothing to be desired ❤️

I took part in ChampagneTango 2025; I don't eat anything while dancing, so I can't say anything about the food, just say: The atmosphere was wonderful, the service staff were radiantly friendly and with a keen eye, even when it was busy.

An interesting experience, we originally planned to go to Burger King, and since the parking lot we found was next to it, we assumed it belonged to Burger King. However, after parking, we realized we couldn’t exit, only to find out that the parking actually belonged to Ballhaus Watzke. I went inside and explained that we had mistakenly parked there, asking if they could open the gate so we could leave. I even mentioned that it was an honest mistake, but they insisted that we had to pay €5 to exit. The only way to avoid the fee was to place an order at their restaurant. I rated this place 2 stars due to the parking issue. They should have allowed us to leave, as most parking areas do, without charging a fee for a brief mistake. I wish I had discovered this restaurant under different circumstances, rather than feeling forced into dining there. Additionally, the staff was not friendly, no smiles, no extra effort to guide us, especially since I don’t have much experience with German food. A little hospitality would have made the experience much better.

I've been coming here regularly for years and today we took advantage of the nice weather and went to the beer garden. And what can you say you can never do anything wrong here, no matter whether it's the ambience, service or food, everything is always 10/10, good, consistent quality and the monthly beer, Märzen, is again highly recommended!!! Stay as you are and for me you are the number 1 gastro stop in Dresden

Oh new chef? The food and offerings were much better than usual. Although it was never bad. Was very impressed today

Familiar brewery atmosphere, good food and a pleasant ambience

The Kleine Watzke is located directly opposite the Ballhaus Watzke. There seems to be construction work going on there at the moment. It will be interesting to see whether this will be an extension of the ballroom or just used as a future office. There are many varied events at the Ballhaus Watzke. The beer garden is also well located with a beautiful view of Dresden and the Elbe.

Super tasty, price performance ratio simply unbeatable

What a disaster, what great food, and the beer is 1st class 😁, again in Watzke, nothing has changed, I RECOMMEND 😁👌

Excellent restaurant with a wonderful view of the Elbe towards the old town. Courteous and polite service. Very good food! Sauerbraten test passed 👍

I was very satisfied. Above all, the waitress, Ms. Kirsten, was very accommodating to my requests and very friendly!

Had one of the worst sauerbraten I've ever eaten. The meat was dry and the sauce was poor in taste.

Delicious monthly sausage and excellent beer!

It was a bit drafty right next to the front door. But apart from that, top service, friendly and accommodating. Quick preparation and delicious food. Would love to come back here.

Our waiter was exceptionally good.

Had a lovely afternoon with delicious Altpieschner (de Muddi Abberol) and extremely friendly service. Many thanks to Tobias

We went for dinner in the late afternoon on Saturday with almost 30 people. We had pre-ordered this due to the number of people. The food came quickly, many had the schnitzel with fried potatoes and champions. The schnitzel was a normal size, but the rest was completely hidden under the schnitzel and was very, very little. Luckily I had also ordered the curds. I never paid €16.80 for it, luckily it was a company party. The waiter also seemed to have little desire to provide his guests with drinks, despite there being only a few other guests in the room. We asked the older lady who was handing out food if we could order something to drink. Not with me, she said. But the waiter was already out of the room before you could order. So a colleague came out and asked if someone could come to our table. That took a while and after calling later he finally came. Empty glasses remained when we finally received refills. I think it was my last visit here, the beer tasted great. The toilets were clean.

It was a lovely evening.....gladly again

Venison goulash tastes like canned food, beer tastes good as always. ;-/

I only had a drink here, but the food is great. There are two other restaurants in Dresden.