15 German Restaurants In New York You Have To Try At Least Once
New York hides pockets of Germany in every borough, and I keep chasing them one plate at a time. You can taste history in schnitzel that crackles, pretzels bigger than your face, and steins that clink like tiny celebrations.
Come hungry and a little curious, because some of these spots feel like time travel while others remix tradition with New York swagger. Let me show you where to find the good stuff and exactly what to order when you get there.
1. Reichenbach Hall — A Bavarian Pub With Classic Comfort
Nothing beats the moment a platter lands with schnitzel so crisp it crackles, while a giant pretzel leans against mustard pots like a proud mascot. You feel the party hum at long wooden tables, and servers hoist liter steins with effortless cheer.
Bring friends, bring appetite, and let the night unfold one clink at a time.
Mid-block in Midtown, Reichenbach Hall sits at 5 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018, a quick walk from Bryant Park. Order the pork knuckle if you are serious about crispy crackling and sauerkraut with bite.
Currywurst here hits that sweet-tangy equilibrium, especially with extra curry ketchup.
Insider tip: ask about seasonal lagers and compare pours side by side. The pretzel is textbook, with a shiny mahogany crust and pillowy interior that loves obatzda.
For dessert, share apple strudel and pretend it is for research. This place is bright, boisterous, and exactly the kind of Bavarian echo New York wears well.
2. Heidelberg Restaurant — A Yorkville Mainstay Preserving Old-World Flavours
Walking into Heidelberg feels like stepping into a family album where the gravy recipes are heirlooms. The room glows warmly, and plates arrive sturdy and unapologetic, like they were built for snowy nights and long conversations.
You come for comfort, then stay because everything tastes like a well-rehearsed tradition.
You will find it in Yorkville at 1648 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028, right where the neighborhood’s German roots still whisper. Order the sauerbraten with potato pancakes if you love a sweet-sour hug.
Spaetzle comes buttery and slightly chewy, catching every drizzle of jus.
Ask the server which German beer pairs with your choice, and they will steer you kindly. The schnitzel is classic, pounded thin, fried golden, and seasoned just right.
Dessert runs old-school too, so split a Black Forest cake and call it balanced. Heidelberg is not flashy, but it is honest, and that is exactly why you will remember dinner here.
3. Bierhaus NYC — Bavarian Beer Hall Near Grand Central
A few blocks from the commuter swirl, Bierhaus NYC delivers Munich energy with zero jet lag. Boots of beer clatter onto tables as bratwurst sizzles and pretzels demand mustard.
It is the kind of place where strangers become bench-mates and someone inevitably starts a toast.
Conveniently located at 712 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10017, it is ideal for after-work steins or pre-train feasts. Go straight for the jaeger schnitzel with mushroom gravy if you want full comfort mode.
Bratwurst with tangy sauerkraut is reliable, and the potato salad swings savory.
During Oktoberfest, the room turns spirited and loud in the very best way. Off-season, it still holds a cheerful buzz that pairs nicely with a crisp helles.
Save room for an apple strudel and another round if your schedule allows. Bierhaus keeps things unpretentious, hearty, and ready for a good time whenever you are.
4. Zum Stammtisch — Queens’ Bavarian Gem With Authentic Hearty Fare
Queens knows how to feed you well, and Zum Stammtisch proves it with plates that feel like a Sunday feast. Expect roasts that melt a little, schnitzel that stays snappy, and gravies that cling lovingly to spaetzle.
You will want a stein of something malty to keep pace.
Head to 69-46 Myrtle Ave, Glendale, NY 11385, where neighborhood regulars trade tips about the best cuts. The pork shank is a legend, its crackling loud enough to announce itself.
Potato pancakes arrive crisp-edged and begging for applesauce and sour cream.
If you love tang, the red cabbage sings with gentle sweetness. Ask for a dunkel to go with the heavier dishes, then nibble a pretzel while you wait.
Service is warm in a way that makes the second round feel inevitable. Bring friends, order big, and let the table turn into a Bavarian still life of happiness.
5. Cafe Katja — A Casual, Friendly German Bistro On Orchard Street
Small and sunny, Cafe Katja reads like a love letter to the comfort foods of Central Europe. The room hums softly, and dishes glide out with that effortless, tidy confidence.
You can pop in for a quick plate or settle into a leisurely graze with a beer or two.
Find it at 79 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, a sweet stroll from the neighborhood galleries. Try the schnitzel with lemon and lingonberries for a bright finish.
Their house sausage platter gives you a curated tour without committing to just one.
Potato salad arrives balanced and herb-kissed, perfect alongside a crisp pilsner. Dessert often leans classic, so do not skip the apple strudel when the mood hits.
Service is friendly without fuss, the kind that remembers what you like. Katja keeps things approachable while still delivering depth, which is exactly why it becomes a habit.
6. Max Bratwurst und Bier — German Sausages With Beer In Astoria
Astoria’s appetite meets its match at Max Bratwurst und Bier, where the sausage board reads like a road trip through Germany. You pick a style, a snap, and a side, then watch plates fly out cheerful and hot.
It is unfussy, fast enough for weeknights, and still satisfying on a slow weekend afternoon.
Point yourself to 4702 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103, easy to reach from the neighborhood’s main drag. Classic bratwurst is a safe bet, but try käsekrainer if gooey cheese sounds right.
Load up with fries, curry ketchup, and sauerkraut that has a tidy bite.
Beer options rotate, with crisp lagers matching the salty richness perfectly. Grab a seat near the window, and your tray becomes a sidewalk show.
When in doubt, order an extra sausage and pretend you are sharing. Max nails the essentials, and sometimes that is the only credential you need.
7. Jägerhaus German Mediterranean restaurant — A Flushing Favourite With Diverse Roles
Fusion can be fussy, yet Jägerhaus keeps it friendly and grounded. You can start with a brat, continue with schnitzel, then bring in grilled Mediterranean vegetables that brighten everything.
The balance feels natural and generous rather than clever for the sake of clever.
Make your way to 15-16 149th St, Whitestone, NY 11357, close to Flushing’s broader culinary orbit. Order the jaeger schnitzel for comfort, then share a mezze-like plate to reset your palate.
Portions are healthy, so pace yourself and save room for dessert.
Ask about the beer list, which nods German while staying flexible. The room is relaxed enough for family dinners and first dates alike.
Service moves at an easy clip, and plates arrive hot and tidy. Jägerhaus proves you can cross-pollinate flavors without losing the soul of either tradition, and your table will thank you.
8. Loreley Beer Garden — Seasonal Beer Garden With German-Inspired Bites
Sunset over the Lower East Side turns Loreley into an instant plan. Tables glow under string lights, and shareable plates land fast: pretzels, wursts, crispy fries with paprika dust.
It feels social, breezy, and pleasantly casual, especially when the weather cooperates.
Set your maps for 7 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002, right in a lively pocket of the neighborhood. The currywurst is solid, and wings with spicy sauces sneak into the German lineup comfortably.
A cold kölsch or radler keeps things refreshing between bites.
Go early on weekends, because seats fill quickly when the garden is fully open. Inside, the vibe remains festive without losing its easygoing charm.
Dessert is more occasional here, so lean into another round instead. Loreley is less a deep dive into tradition and more a cheerful, modern echo that plays well with friends.
9. Black Forest Brooklyn – Fort Greene — A Modern Take On German Comfort
Brooklyn’s knack for cozy style meets German comfort at Black Forest Brooklyn. The room is airy, plants peeking through sunlight, and plates arrive with that dependable, homey heft.
You can brunch on pretzels and Weisswurst or lean into dinner with schnitzel and spaetzle soaking up gravy.
Make your way to 733 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, steps from the neighborhood’s artsy bustle. Order the sausage sampler if indecision strikes, then add a crisp pilsner to keep things snappy.
The schnitzel is textbook, lemon wedge included, and the cucumber salad refreshes.
Weekends bring a lively crowd, so reservations help. Dessert favors classics, and the apple strudel does honest work with cinnamon and flaky layers.
Service stays warm without hovering, the kind you hardly notice until your glass is full again. It is modern, friendly, and firmly in the comfort zone, with just enough Brooklyn personality to feel special.
10. Cafe Sabarsky — Viennese-Style German-Austrian Café With Global Flavours
Elegance lives at Cafe Sabarsky, where pastry cases glitter and coffee arrives on silver trays. You come for sachertorte with immaculate ganache, then discover savory plates that whisper Vienna.
It is restful, refined, and the kind of pause the city secretly craves.
Find it inside the Neue Galerie at 1048 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, overlooking Central Park. Order goulash or a frankfurter plate if you want something warming before sweets.
The apfelstrudel is a must, layered and gently sweet with real apple presence.
Pairs beautifully with a melange or einspänner, because foam should earn its keep. Lines can form, so timing your visit mid-afternoon helps.
The room glows with wood paneling and artistry, creating a museum-worthy appetite. Leave feeling transported, like you snuck a European day trip between meetings and the park.
11. Rolf’s German Restaurant — Festive Christmas-Era Dining With Classic Roots
Holiday spirit never really packs up at Rolf’s, where garlands and ornaments turn dinner into a snow globe. The spectacle is real, but the plates matter too: Wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, and potato pancakes that land like winter armor.
It is kitsch, it is cozy, and somehow it works.
Make your reservation for 281 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010, near Gramercy Park. If crowds are heavy, settle in and enjoy the show with a glass of Riesling.
The schnitzel is generously portioned, lemon wedge ready to brighten each bite.
Potato pancakes arrive crisp and golden, ideal with sour cream and applesauce. Sauerbraten leans classic, tangy and tender, with gravy that begs spaetzle.
Visit off-season for a quieter table and the same glow. Rolf’s may be a holiday headliner, but the year-round comfort earns its encore.
12. Nurnberger Bierhaus — Staten Island’s Cozy Classic
Ferry over or drive, and you will find old-school comfort tucked into Staten Island at Nürnberger Bierhaus. The appeal is simple: cold beer, warm service, and plates that are unapologetically hearty.
It is the kind of pub that remembers regulars and wins newcomers in one visit.
Set your GPS to 817 Castleton Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310. Start with a pretzel and mustard, then share a sausage plate so everyone gets their favorite snap.
The schnitzel holds its crunch, and sides like red cabbage and potato dumplings show real care.
Beer lists skew classic, with enough variety to match porky richness or lighter bites. Weeknights feel neighborly, weekends a touch more celebratory.
If you want dessert, apple strudel keeps the tradition intact without weighing you down. This spot proves that German comfort thrives citywide, not just in the usual Manhattan haunts.
13. Schnitzel Haus — Bay Ridge’s Golden-Crunch Favorite
Bay Ridge brings the crisp with Schnitzel Haus, where the breading sings and the portions lean generous. You can wander the schnitzel map from classic veal to jäger style, each cut delivered hot and properly seasoned.
Bring a friend so you can trade bites and compare gravies like pros.
Find it at 7319 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209, right in the neighborhood’s main corridor. Start with the Bavarian pretzel and obatzda for easy sharing.
Spaetzle performs its saucy duty, and red cabbage keeps things bright.
Beer is a given, but a crisp pilsner really lifts the fried edges. Weekends get lively with families and groups, so book ahead if timing matters.
Save room for strudel or split it, because the portions are not shy. Schnitzel Haus keeps the focus where it counts: golden crust, juicy center, happy table.
14. Zum Schneider (Mention For Historical Interest) — A Historic German Spot Worth Remembering
Some restaurants linger even after the doors close, and Zum Schneider is one of them. Regulars still tell stories about crowded tables, soccer on the screen, and bratwurst that paired too perfectly with a fresh pour.
You feel a pang walking past and remembering the old hum.
Its former home was at 107 Avenue C, New York, NY 10009, where East Village energy met Munich spirit. The menu leaned classic: schnitzel, sausages, potato pancakes, and crisp lagers.
Oktoberfest celebrations packed the room with claps and laughs.
Though shuttered, its influence ripples through the city’s beer gardens and German pubs. New spots borrow that communal ease and keep the torch alight.
If you never went, ask longtime locals for stories and favorite dishes. Legacy matters in dining, and Zum Schneider’s memory still seasons the scene.
15. Döner Haus — A Casual Spin On German Street Classics
Quick, satisfying, and gratefully messy, Döner Haus brings Berlin’s favorite handheld to busy New Yorkers. The bread warms your fingers, meat spins on the rotisserie, and sauces thread creamy and tangy at once.
You will finish faster than planned and consider ordering another for later.
Head to 240 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10003, a short walk from Union Square. Go classic with beef and lamb, then pile on cabbage, tomatoes, and extra garlic sauce.
The durum wrap gives you neat edges if you are on the go.
Pair with fries showered in paprika and a cold soda or imported beer when available. Portions satisfy without the afternoon slump, which makes this an excellent office-adjacent fix.
Lines move quickly, and the staff keeps the flow cheerful. When craving German street flavor, this stop hits the mark without slowing your day.