Deep in the Minnesota woods, there’s a little slice of Bavaria waiting to surprise you.
Follow the winding road to Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter in Stillwater, and suddenly pine trees give way to Old World charm. Carved wood beams, cozy corners, and the comforting scent of schnitzel frying in the kitchen make it feel like you’ve crossed an ocean without leaving the state.
The plates arrive hearty and unapologetic. Golden schnitzel with a crisp snap, warm spaetzle, tangy red cabbage, and rich gravy that begs to be soaked up with every bite.
It’s the kind of meal that makes you loosen your belt and settle in for stories, laughter, and maybe one more stein.
This isn’t just dinner in the woods. It’s a family tradition served hot, where Minnesota hospitality meets Bavarian comfort in the most delicious way possible.
The Lodge-Like Setting That Transports You Straight to Bavaria
Pull into the parking lot at Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter and you already feel like you have left Minnesota behind. The building itself is designed to look like a traditional Bavarian hunting lodge, complete with dark timber framing, decorative woodwork, and a setting surrounded by towering pine trees that makes the whole experience feel cinematic.
Step inside and the transformation is complete. Mounted antlers, carved wood details, and warm lighting create an atmosphere that feels genuinely old-world rather than a theme-park imitation.
Customers regularly compare it to walking into a grandmother’s home in rural Germany, which is honestly one of the best compliments a restaurant can receive.
The outdoor deck adds another layer of charm, especially on warm days when the forest air drifts through and you can hear birds alongside your beer stein clinking. This is not just a backdrop for your meal.
The setting is part of the experience, and the family that runs Gasthaus clearly understands that atmosphere and food go hand in hand. One reviewer put it perfectly: from the moment you pull in, it is awesome.
The Schnitzel Menu That Keeps Regulars Coming Back Every Season
Schnitzel is the undisputed star of the menu at Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter, and regulars will tell you it earns that title every single time. The kitchen offers several classic preparations, including Jagerschnitzel with a dark mushroom hunter sauce, Rahmschnitzel with a velvety cream sauce, and Wiener Schnitzel in its traditional breaded form.
Each one comes out hot, crispy on the outside, and tender underneath.
The Jagerschnitzel consistently earns the loudest praise from diners. That deep, savory mushroom gravy soaked into the crispy coating is the kind of thing you think about on the drive home.
One reviewer noted they immediately started searching for a recipe to recreate the cream sauce at home, which says everything about how memorable it is.
Portion sizes are generous, and the lunch menu offers slightly smaller servings that still leave you full. Sides like red cabbage, potato dumplings, and warm cider potato salad complete the plate beautifully.
If you are visiting for the first time, ordering any schnitzel variation is a safe and deeply satisfying choice. Birthday lunches, anniversaries, and casual Friday outings all seem to revolve around this dish for good reason.
Live Accordion Music That Fills the Dining Room With Joy
Not many restaurants can claim that live music is one of their most talked-about features, but Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter pulls it off effortlessly. A talented accordion player roams the dining room during service, filling the space with traditional German folk tunes and polka melodies that make the whole room feel lighter and more festive.
It is the kind of entertainment that catches you off guard in the best possible way.
What makes the experience even better is that the musician is approachable and loves to chat. Guests have noted that he is happy to talk about the instrument, explain the history behind a particular song, or simply play a request with a warm smile.
That personal connection elevates the music from background noise to genuine entertainment.
Several reviewers specifically mentioned the accordion player as a highlight of their visit, even calling it a joy and a treat. For birthday celebrations or anniversary dinners, having live traditional music playing softly nearby adds something no amount of table decorations can replicate.
It gives the restaurant a soul that feels authentic rather than performed. Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter understands that great dining is about more than just what lands on your plate.
Imported German Beers That Pair Perfectly With Every Dish
Germany has a centuries-old reputation for brewing some of the world’s finest beers, and Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter honors that tradition by stocking an impressive selection of imported German brews. Whether you prefer a crisp lager, a rich dunkel, or a smooth wheat beer, there is something on the menu that will make your schnitzel taste even better than it already does.
The beer garden atmosphere extends to the drink experience itself. Sipping a proper German beer in a lodge surrounded by pine trees while polka music plays in the background is genuinely transporting.
One reviewer described the restaurant as evoking the feeling of immediate transportation to a traditional German beer garden, and that description rings true for anyone who has sat down with a cold stein here.
During special events like the Christkindl German Christmas Market, German beers are available on tap outdoors, adding to the festive energy. The bar crowd is described as civil and welcoming, making it a comfortable place whether you are a serious beer enthusiast or someone who simply enjoys a cold drink with dinner.
Pairing a dark beer with the Jagerschnitzel is a combination that regulars swear by, and first-timers quickly understand why.
Classic German Side Dishes That Complete Every Plate
A great schnitzel deserves equally great company on the plate, and Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter takes its side dishes seriously. Red cabbage, potato dumplings, warm cider potato salad, spaetzle, and coleslaw rotate through the menu as accompaniments that reflect genuine German home cooking rather than afterthought fillers.
Getting the sides right is what separates a good German restaurant from a truly memorable one.
The potato dumplings are a particular favorite among regulars who grew up eating traditional German food. Dense, satisfying, and perfect for soaking up mushroom or cream sauces, they are the kind of side dish that makes you wish you had ordered extras.
The warm cider potato salad offers a tangy, slightly sweet contrast to the richness of the meat dishes and has earned its own loyal following.
Rotkohl, which is the German word for red cabbage, gets special mention from long-time visitors who describe it as delicious and perfectly balanced. Spaetzle, the soft egg noodle, pairs naturally with the saucy schnitzel preparations.
While some reviewers have noted that plain spaetzle could use a bit more seasoning on its own, a spoonful of leftover mushroom sauce transforms it instantly. These sides are what make a meal here feel truly complete.
The Christkindl German Christmas Market and Seasonal Events
Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter transforms into something truly magical during the holiday season when the Christkindl German Christmas Market takes over the property. Guests arrive to find outdoor food stalls serving goulash and sausage with sauerkraut, German beer on tap in the open air, live traditional bands playing Christmas music, and festive shopping that captures the spirit of a European holiday market with surprising authenticity.
One reviewer who attended the Christmas market described it as a great overall experience, noting the live traditional German band and the festive food offerings as particular highlights. The event even welcomes leashed dogs, which earned extra enthusiasm from pet owners looking for holiday outings they can share with their furry companions.
Hammerschlagen, the classic German nail-driving game, adds a playful and interactive element to the festivities.
Beyond Christmas, the restaurant hosts various seasonal events that draw crowds looking for something beyond ordinary dining. The combination of the forested setting, authentic food, and live entertainment creates an event atmosphere that feels genuinely celebratory.
If you have never experienced a proper German Christmas market and cannot make it to Europe, spending an evening at Gasthaus during the holiday season is honestly one of the most charming alternatives available anywhere in Minnesota.
The Outdoor Deck and Pine Forest Dining Experience
Sitting on the outdoor deck at Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter is an experience that feels almost unfairly pleasant on a good Minnesota afternoon. Surrounded by dense pine trees with dappled sunlight filtering through the branches, you get the rare combination of fresh forest air, cold German beer, and a plate of hot schnitzel arriving at your table.
Few restaurants in the state can match that particular combination of natural beauty and culinary comfort.
The deck also serves as the outdoor venue during special events, including live band performances that spill out from the main building into the garden area. Reviewers have noted enjoying trumpet bands playing under a pavilion while dining outside, which adds an almost festival-like quality to a regular weekend lunch.
Rain or shine, the covered areas keep the experience going.
For families, the outdoor space offers the added bonus of goats visible in the back of the property, which has become a charming and unexpected attraction that children and adults both enjoy. Multiple reviewers specifically mentioned watching the goats as a fun part of the visit.
It is a small detail, but it speaks to the character of a place that clearly cares about creating a full sensory experience rather than just serving food and moving people along.
Traditional German Sausages and Hearty Meat Dishes
Beyond the famous schnitzels, Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter offers a satisfying lineup of traditional German sausages and hearty meat dishes that round out the menu beautifully. Knockwurst, bratwurst, and sauerbraten are among the options that keep regulars rotating through different orders on each visit.
The sauerbraten in particular has earned devoted fans who describe it as a must-order for anyone who appreciates slow-cooked, deeply flavored German cooking.
One long-time visitor who has been coming to Gasthaus for years specifically called out the sauerbraten and Wiener Schnitzel as consistent favorites, noting that the quality has held up over time even through the restaurant’s change of ownership. That kind of loyalty speaks volumes about the kitchen’s commitment to maintaining traditional recipes and preparation methods rather than cutting corners.
The sausages make excellent additions to any order, and several reviewers noted wishing they had ordered more after finishing their plates. Paired with sauerkraut, mustard, and a side of warm potato salad, a plate of knockwurst at Gasthaus feels like a proper celebration of German food culture.
For guests who want to try multiple things in one visit, the combination plates allow you to sample both sausage and schnitzel without having to choose between them.
Desserts Worth Saving Room For at the End of Your Meal
Finishing a meal at Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter without trying dessert would be a genuine missed opportunity. The dessert menu leans into classic German sweets, with Black Forest cake being one of the most recognizable options on offer.
Rich, indulgent, and satisfying after a heavy meal of schnitzel and potato dumplings, the desserts here are designed to close out the experience on a high note.
Reviewers who celebrated birthdays at Gasthaus consistently praised the desserts as fantastic, with one noting that the sweets were a highlight of their birthday celebration alongside the food and atmosphere. The portions tend to be generous, which fits the overall philosophy of the restaurant: leave your guests full and happy, not nibbling at tiny portions that leave them wanting more.
Some guests have noted that the Black Forest cake is quite dense and brownie-like in texture, which differs from lighter interpretations of the classic dessert. Whether that is a positive or negative depends entirely on your preference for rich versus airy sweets.
Cocktails and dessert together make for a wonderful way to linger at the table after dinner, and the warm, unhurried atmosphere of the dining room encourages exactly that kind of leisurely ending to a memorable meal.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Visit to Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter
Getting the most out of a visit to Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter starts with one important piece of advice: make a reservation, especially on weekends. The restaurant fills up quickly, and walk-ins on a Friday or Saturday evening can face long waits or no seating at all.
Calling ahead or booking online takes the stress out of the experience and guarantees you a table in that wonderful dining room.
The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7:30 PM, and the kitchen typically closes around 7:30 PM, so arriving early gives you the most relaxed experience. Monday and Tuesday are closed, so plan accordingly.
The address is 8390 Lofton Ave N, Stillwater, MN 55082, and you can reach them by phone at 651-439-7128 or visit gasthausbavarianhunter.com for current menus and event information.
Pricing falls in the moderate range, making it accessible for families and special occasions alike without feeling overly expensive for what you receive. This is not a children’s menu type of restaurant, so younger diners who are adventurous eaters will enjoy it most.
Wearing something a little festive or traditional German-inspired adds to the fun, as at least one reviewer admitted wishing they had dressed for the occasion. Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to enjoy something genuinely special.