When people picture Oktoberfest, they think of the giant tents seating ten thousand revellers. But alongside the seventeen big halls, Oktoberfest has around 21 smaller tents – and many regular visitors will tell you these are the real secret to a perfect day. Cosier, calmer, often serving the best food, and far easier to get into on a busy day, the small tents are well worth seeking out. Here is your guide to the small tents of Oktoberfest you should not miss in 2026.
Why the small tents are special
The small tents offer a completely different experience from the big halls. They are more intimate and relaxed, with a charm and character all their own, and because they are less famous they are usually much easier to get into – often the perfect solution when the large tents have closed their doors on a packed weekend. Many specialise in a particular food or drink, and the atmosphere tends to be warmer and more conversational. For families, couples and anyone wanting a calmer day, they are ideal.
Tents for food lovers
Some of the best eating at Oktoberfest is found in the small tents. Fischer-Vroni is the place for Steckerlfisch, whole fish grilled on a stick over open flames, washed down with Augustiner from the barrel. The Café Kaiserschmarrn (Rischart) is a fairytale-themed dessert paradise, famous for its fluffy shredded pancake. The Wildstuben specialises in game dishes, the Heimer Enten- und Hühnerbraterei in roast duck and chicken, and the Wirtshaus im Schützenzelt offers hearty Bavarian fare in a relaxed setting.
Cosy and characterful tents
Other small tents are loved simply for their charm. The Glöckle Wirt is one of the most atmospheric, decorated with antiques and offering a warm, nostalgic feel. The Zur Bratwurst is a cosy spot dedicated to grilled sausages, and the various coffee, wine and specialty tents each have their own devoted following. Wandering between them is a lovely way to discover the gentler side of the festival.
When to visit the small tents
The small tents are at their best as a calm alternative to the big halls – perfect for a relaxed lunch, a quiet afternoon, or a refuge when the main tents are full and loud. They come into their own on busy weekends, when finding a seat in a large tent is nearly impossible but the small tents still have space. They are also wonderful for families during the day and for anyone who wants to actually hear their companions over a good meal.
How to get a seat
While generally easier than the big tents, the most popular small tents can still fill up at peak times, and some take reservations directly. For the best chance of a relaxed seat, visit on a weekday or in the morning or early afternoon, and simply walk in – you will often find the warm welcome and the space that the big halls cannot offer.
Frequently asked questions
Are the small tents worth visiting? Yes – they are cosier, calmer, often serve the best food, and are much easier to get into than the big halls.
Which small tent is best for food? Fischer-Vroni for grilled fish, Café Kaiserschmarrn for desserts, and the duck and game tents for hearty Bavarian dishes.
Are the small tents easier to get into? Generally yes – especially on busy weekends when the large tents have closed their doors.
How to build the small tents into your day
The smartest Oktoberfest-goers treat the small tents not as an afterthought but as a deliberate part of their plan. A wonderful way to experience the festival is to start the morning in a small tent for a traditional breakfast of Weißwurst and a pretzel when the big halls are still filling up, spend the busiest afternoon hours in one of the large tents for the full-volume atmosphere, and then retreat to a cosy small tent in the evening for a proper sit-down meal where you can actually hear your companions. This rhythm gives you the best of both worlds – the spectacle of the giants and the warmth of the intimate tents – and means you always have a fallback when the large tents close their doors. Because the small tents are scattered across the grounds, wandering between them is also one of the most pleasant ways to explore the festival at a gentler pace.
A taste of the festival’s soul
There is a strong argument that the small tents preserve the original spirit of Oktoberfest better than the famous halls. Before the festival grew into the global phenomenon it is today, it was a collection of modest booths and family-run stands serving good food and drink to a local crowd, and that is exactly the feeling the small tents still capture. The antiques on the walls of the Glöckle Wirt, the fish grilling over open flames at Fischer-Vroni, the devoted regulars who return to the same small tent year after year – these are the details that give Oktoberfest its heart. For visitors who want to feel the festival as locals do, rather than as a bucket-list party, the small tents are where to find it.
Do the small tents take reservations? Some do – the most popular ones can be booked directly – though many are easy to walk into, especially on weekdays.
Are the small tents good for families? Yes – their calmer, quieter atmosphere makes them ideal for families and anyone wanting a relaxed meal.
Which small tent should I try first? Fischer-Vroni for grilled fish and Augustiner from the barrel is a classic, beloved choice.
The verdict on the small tents
It is a common mistake for first-time visitors to spend their entire Oktoberfest chasing the famous big tents and never set foot in a small one – and it is a mistake worth avoiding. The small tents are not a consolation prize for when the big halls are full; they are one of the genuine highlights of the festival in their own right, offering some of its best food, its warmest atmospheres and its most authentic moments. They are where you can actually hold a conversation, where the cooking is often at its finest, and where the festival’s original, intimate character lives on beneath the shadow of the giants.
The ideal approach is simply to give them their due. Make a point of seeking out at least one or two small tents during your visit – whether for a leisurely breakfast, a proper sit-down meal, or a quiet hour away from the crowds – and you will come away with a far richer picture of what Oktoberfest really is. On a busy weekend, when the large tents have closed their doors and the queues stretch across the grounds, you may also find that the small tents quietly hand you the best afternoon of your whole trip. They are, in every sense, the festival’s best-kept secret.
Discover all the tents in our complete beer-tent guide, plan your visit with the trip planner, and check the 2026 dates.