Bratwurst sizzling, beer steins clinking, and the smell of fresh pretzels in the air — Minnesota knows how to do German food right.
Across the state, from cozy small-town taverns to lively city beer halls, these restaurants serve plates that feel straight out of Bavaria. Think schnitzel crisp enough to echo across the table, spaetzle dripping in butter, and sauerkraut with just the right tang.
One bite and you’re no longer in the Midwest — you’re deep in comfort-food heaven.
Some spots have been family-run for decades, pouring pints and perfecting recipes passed down through generations. Others bring a festive energy with polka nights, long communal tables, and desserts that demand stretchy pants.
If you crave hearty portions, old-world charm, and flavors that stick with you long after the last forkful, Minnesota’s most beloved German restaurants are calling your name.
Black Forest Inn — Minneapolis, MN
You feel the welcome the second you step onto Eat Street and hear the clink of steins at Black Forest Inn. This historic spot brings out comforting plates that taste like tradition, from crispy schnitzel to hand cut spaetzle soaking up buttery pan sauce.
The scent of simmering sauerbraten floats through the dining room, hinting at tangy gravy and slow braise magic.
Grab a table by the murals and share a giant pretzel that tears soft and warm, perfect with sharp mustard. Red cabbage arrives tender and sweet sour, a bright counterpoint to hearty meats.
If you love balance, add a simple salad and one of their German lagers to keep the flavors lively and refreshing throughout the meal.
Portions lean generous, so bring a friend or make peace with leftovers. Servers move with practiced calm, guiding you toward longtime favorites and seasonal specials.
When the room buzzes, it feels like a neighborhood festival, the kind where conversations stretch and plates linger.
Do not skip dessert. Their Black Forest cherry torte layers chocolate, cherries, and cream into a slice that feels celebratory without being heavy.
It is the sweetest reason to toast one more round and plan your next visit.
Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter — Stillwater, MN
Tucked among Stillwater pines, Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter feels like a countryside retreat you secretly hope stays just yours. The timbered dining room and biergarten set the mood for hearty classics done with care.
Think golden schnitzels crisp at the edges, creamy spaetzle, and gravies that taste like someone’s patient Sunday ritual.
Start with a giant pretzel, warm enough to steam when torn, and pair it with Obatzda for a tangy, savory spread. Bratwurst platters arrive snappy and juicy, riding alongside sauerkraut with just the right bite.
A clean, malty lager keeps everything in balance and begs for that next perfect forkful.
On weekends, the biergarten hums with families, cyclists, and old friends swapping stories. Service is kind and unhurried, encouraging you to settle in and savor.
Portions are generous, so you will likely carry a box home smelling faintly of nutmeg and butter.
Leave room for apple strudel, flaky and warmly spiced, or a slice of Black Forest cake if you crave chocolate. As the light fades through the trees, you will understand why regulars swear by this place.
It is a gentle escape, a plate, and a toast to tradition.
Gluek’s Restaurant & Bar — Minneapolis, MN
Gluek’s wraps downtown Minneapolis in brick, brass, and a century of stories. Slide onto a bench and the beer hall energy does the rest, fueled by crisp lagers and platters that arrive ready to share.
Bratwurst and kielbasa glisten, mustard pops, and sauerkraut brightens each bite like a squeeze of sunshine.
If you love a sturdy classic, order the schnitzel with lemon and capers for an extra spark. The Reuben channels deli comfort, while German potato salad lands tangy and warm.
A giant pretzel with beer cheese bridges every table like a peace treaty you will happily sign.
Game nights and happy hours turn the room electric without drowning conversation. Staff knows the regulars and the first timers equally well, steering you to a house favorite or something seasonal.
It feels easy to linger, to let one more pint arrive while the city hums outside.
Save space for something sweet, or pivot to a digestif and people watching. Gluek’s is where hearty meets lively, where beer hall nostalgia pairs with friendly downtown bustle.
Come hungry, bring friends, and let the platters do the talking.
New Bohemia — Golden Valley, MN
New Bohemia riffs on the classic wurst hall with a modern, playful spirit. The sausage list reads like a tour of Europe, leaning German but wandering deliciously.
Grab a tray, add a giant pretzel, and line up mustards from mellow to sinus clearing for a simple, perfect start.
Brats snap clean, smoky sausages bring campfire vibes, and toppings range from kraut to beer cheese. Sides stay straightforward: fries dusted with herbs, warm potato salad, maybe pickles that cut through richness.
It is casual in the best way, built for groups, quick lunches, or long catch ups over pints.
Beer matters here, with taps that celebrate crisp lagers and hop friendly choices. Staff happily points you to pairings that match whatever sausage adventure you choose.
You will feel free to try two or three and call it a sampler supper.
Vegetarians are not left out, thanks to specialty links and pretzels big enough to share. The space swings lively without shouting, making conversation easy.
If you want a gateway into German inspired flavors with a relaxed twist, this is your inviting on ramp.
Oma’s Bread — Wadena, MN
Oma’s Bread invites you in with the smell of warm crust and butter, the simplest welcome there is. Loaves line the shelves with crackly tops, while pretzels sit glossy and salted, ready for a quick tear.
If you love breakfast, grab a pastry and a coffee, then watch the parade of locals greeting one another.
The menu leans German inspired without being fussy. Expect rye, hearty multigrain, and pretzels that hit that soft chew sweet spot.
Sandwiches come honest and balanced, letting the bread do the heavy lifting like a proud stage.
You can taste patience in everything, from long fermented dough to careful shaping. Staff is happy to steer you toward favorites or something new coming out of the oven.
It is the rare place where a simple buttered slice feels like a tiny celebration.
Take home extra loaves for soups and stews, or a pretzel for the road. When you want old world craft in a small town setting, this bakery delivers.
Bring your appetite and a little time, because choosing might be the hardest part.
Hastings Bierstube — Hastings, MN
Hastings Bierstube channels a classic tavern heartbeat where schnitzel shares space with laughter. The menu is a love letter to German pub fare: bratwurst with kraut, potato pancakes crisp at the edges, and gravies that invite bread dunking.
You settle into a booth, order a pint, and let comfort find you.
Start with the giant pretzel or cheese curds if you want something playful. Potato salad, warm and tangy, pairs beautifully with juicy sausages.
If you crave crunch, the schnitzel brings golden edges that hold a squeeze of lemon beautifully.
Service is friendly and fast without rushing you out. Regulars swap stories at the bar while families turn weeknights into mini celebrations.
It is approachable, satisfying, and priced for easy repeat visits, the very definition of a neighborhood standby.
End with apple strudel or share a dessert so everyone gets a bite. Whether you are post hike, post work, or just passing through, this spot welcomes you.
Expect familiar flavors done right, plus that easygoing bierstube spirit.
Turner Hall Restaurant — New Ulm, MN
Turner Hall Restaurant brings New Ulm’s history alive under brick arches and friendly chatter. The rathskeller setting makes schnitzel and spaetzle feel exactly right, like they were meant for this room.
Murals and vintage details make every visit a mini time travel without the fuss.
Order sauerbraten if you love tangy, slow braised comfort, or choose jägerschnitzel for mushroom gravy bliss. Sides stay classic: red cabbage, potato salad, buttered noodles that catch every drop.
It is the kind of meal that slows you down in a good way.
Service is warm, guiding you through favorites and seasonal touches. Families gather, travelers take photos, and locals wave to friends across the room.
You will likely leave with a satisfied quiet only comfort food can deliver.
Finish with something sweet, maybe strudel or torte, and a final toast. If you want the story of German Minnesota in one setting, this is a near perfect chapter.
Come hungry, linger, and let the room do its gentle magic.
Waldmann Brewery — Saint Paul, MN
Waldmann Brewery pours history into every stein, housed in one of the region’s oldest surviving saloons. The space glows with candlelight and polished wood, ideal for pairing house lagers with wurst platters.
Sausages arrive snappy and hot, flanked by kraut, pickles, and assertive mustards.
The beer lineup favors clean, classic styles that let malt and yeast shine. Each sip feels tuned to the food, especially with pretzels or a plate of cheese and charcuterie.
You will want to pace yourself, because it is easy to settle in for an evening.
Staff speaks beer fluently and steers you with confidence, whether you prefer bright pils or toasty dunkel. The room’s calm energy encourages conversation and second rounds.
It is a cheers with friends place, not a shout over music one.
Seasonal events and outdoor seating expand the experience when weather cooperates. End with strudel or simply a final lager, still crisp to the last sip.
If you love heritage backed by craft, this is an essential stop.
Aki’s Bread Haus — Minneapolis, MN
Aki’s Bread Haus is where early mornings feel special. Trays of pretzels gleam under glass, while seeded rye loaves cool on racks like edible architecture.
Order coffee, choose a pastry, and watch bakers move with quick, practiced grace behind the counter.
German styles lead the case: laugenbrot rolls, hearty ryes, and cakes that sit somewhere between treat and tradition. A buttered slice here is as satisfying as a full breakfast, especially with jam.
If you need lunch, simple sandwiches showcase the bread rather than hide it.
Everything tastes focused and intentional, from salt levels to the crumb’s gentle chew. Staff offers samples and suggestions if you are torn between choices.
It is easy to overbuy, then feel grateful you did when afternoon hunger strikes.
Take home a bag of pretzels for game night or a loaf that will anchor soup. This bakery makes everyday eating feel like a quiet celebration.
You will leave with crumbs on your sleeve and plans to return.
German Haus — Minneapolis, MN
German Haus keeps things casual and convivial, the kind of spot where a pint meets a plate of sausages. You settle in at the bar, scan the taps, and choose something crisp to chase a salty pretzel.
It is straightforward, friendly, and built for easygoing evenings.
Expect brats, kraut, and mustard trios that let you mix and match. Potato sides, pickles, and maybe a cheese spread round things out.
Nothing tries too hard, and that is the charm: reliable flavors, cold beer, and a seat that feels like yours quickly.
Service is quick with recommendations and samples if you want to explore. The energy stays upbeat without turning rowdy, perfect for catching a game or swapping stories.
Bring friends and share plates, then order a second round when the conversation deepens.
If you are curious about German flavors without committing to a full dinner, start here. It is a low pressure, high satisfaction hangout that fits countless plans.
Simple, satisfying, and ready when you are.
German Specialty Imports — Prior Lake, MN
German Specialty Imports turns pantry shopping into a treasure hunt. Shelves stack mustards from mild to fiery, chocolates in neat rows, and pickles you will want on every sandwich.
You grab a basket and start building weekend plans around what lands inside.
Look for baking staples that are hard to find elsewhere, plus holiday treats when the season turns. There is joy in discovering a favorite brand from a past trip or a childhood memory.
Staff is happy to help decode labels and steer you toward best sellers.
If you are hosting, pick up sausages, pretzels, and a few spreads to build an at home bierstube. Pair with a crisp lager and invite friends to graze.
It is the easiest way to bring German flavor to your table without turning on the oven.
Leave room in your bag for that one extra bar of chocolate you did not plan on. This shop helps you stock flavor and nostalgia in equal measure.
It is a small errand that pays delicious dividends.
Deutschland Meats — Twin Cities Region
Deutschland Meats is where cravings meet craft. The deli case gleams with bratwurst, knackwurst, and smoky links that promise sizzle and snap.
You order a little extra because the samples always win you over.
Butchers speak the language of spice blends and textures, guiding you toward the right grill plan. Sauerkraut, mustards, and pickles are within reach, turning your basket into a full meal kit.
If you are feeding a crowd, they help you scale without stress.
Quality shows in the clean bite and balanced seasoning. Pan sear or grill, then listen for that satisfying crackle before the first juicy mouthful.
Sides can stay simple when the sausage is this good.
Grab buns, maybe a potato salad, and call it dinner. Hosting becomes effortless, and leftovers make unbeatable next day lunches.
This shop is a steady ally for weeknights, tailgates, and any time a good sausage can save the day.