German Restaurants in Cincinnati, Ohio
Hofbraushaus may well be one of Cincinnati’s most well known German eateries and breweries. Although technically located across the Ohio River in Newport, Kentucky, most people just say Hofbraushaus is in Cincinnati. Hofbraushaus is a 13,000 square foot restaurant that oozes old world charm. Copied after its namesake in Munich, Germany, Haufsbrauhaus literally transports diners into another world. German cuisine, beer, and music dominate this restaurant. Over 700 diners can fit into the Hofbraushaus at any given time. Stained glass and wood were imported straight fro Germany to lend an authentic dÃ?©cor. Long wooden tables cover the entire floor space, creating a friendly atmosphere of family style dining. Polka bands wearing traditional German clothing play delightful music that sets patron’s inhabitations free. In a beer haze diners jump up onto the sturdy tables and do their best rendition of Polka dancing, or swaying and jumping erratically as the case usually is. Young and old can’t help but smiling as Grandma downs another brew and regales the youngsters with a show on top of the massive tables. German favorites on the menu include Wiener scnitzel, wurstlteller, and saurbraten. Hofbraushaus brews their own beer on sight. One light, one medium, and one dark brew offer guests something they should find to their liking. Beers are served in massive sized beer mugs, in combination with the massive tables and tall ceiling, it really puts a perspective on how small we all really are. Maybe this accounts for the friendly atmosphere and generally happiness at this Cincinnati favorite.
On a small scale, the Black Forrest restaurant and lounge quietly offers locals German fair with a touch of Bavaria. The Black Forrest restaurant is locate din the suburbs North of Cincinnati. A family atmosphere invites diners to relax and enjoy some traditional German fare. Beer cheese dip, potato pancakes, sauerkraut balls, and German potato salad are available on the appetizer menu. The main courses here are large and hearty, so make sure you save a little room while you are eating the appetizers. Schnitzels are made with Provini veal, giving this dish true German flare. For those of you unaccustomed to German food, schnitzels are escalloped (sliced) meat, traditionally veal that has been hand egg-breaded and then fried in fat. A true German dish that is definitely worth trying. Guest s will also find chicken, pork, beef, and seafood dishes on the menu of main courses. A lunch buffet is offered during the week, providing quick service to busy diners whom need their German food fix. On Fridays and Saturday nights the Black Forrest Restaurant hosts a traditional German band that creates a musical German experience to compliment their German food.
Lenhardt’s, located in the Clifton neighborhood of Cincinnati, offers an elegant and historic setting to enjoy some hearty German and Hungarian cuisine. Lenhardt’s is in a mansion built by a local brew master, Christan Molerlein, in 1890. The College Conservatory of Music is directly across the street from Lendhardt’s and makes for a cultural evening out that is complimented by the German fare. Downtown is only five minutes south. Upscale dining is the order of the day at Lenhard’s. Murals adorn the ceilings and fireplaces warm guests on chili winter nights. Menu items include sauerbraten with potato pancakes and chicken paprika with spaetzel. Hungarian goulash is equally delightful and filling. Metts and brats offer up more casual fare. An outdoor bier garten, beer garden for those of you who haven’t immersed yourself in this German heritage yet, offers an appealing place to sip on some Guinness. A younger crowd usually fills the bier garten almost any night of the week. Parking is off street and may require a little patience.
For a friendly and casual German restaurant try the Iron Skillet in Cincinnati, Ohio. Located at 6900 Valley Lane, this is an excellent restaurant for family or causal dining. Comfortable style and comfort food fill this home away from home. Guests are warmly greeted as they enter and it is not difficult to see that the staff is as excellent as the food. Hungarian and German cuisine mix again to provide paprika filled dishes that will leave you stomach near to splitting open. The atmosphere is small and quaint, while the menu is large and extensive. Covering German fare on a broad scope, there is something for everyone at the Iron Skillet. Beef goulash, sauerkraut balls, Hungarian steak, and a never-ending variety of schnitzels fill the menu. I recommend the chicken papriash or the hot bacon slaw. Warm bacon grease coats cabbage turning it into a food of unequaled modesty and delight. I can easily imagine German children dining away on this traditional affordable German meal. Portions are large, so you should come hungry. They are closed Mondays, so you will have to eat somewhere else on their day off!
Wertheim’s Restaurant provides traditional German food only a few miles south of Cincinnati. Located in the Mainstrasse Village, in Covington, Kentucky, location makes this a destination stop while you are visiting the Cincinnati area. Mainstrasse Village is a collection of shops and restaurants in a historically German lactation slightly south of the Ohio River. Victorian and classic Italianate homes surround the village, which is located in the local historic district. This is a family atmosphere that pays homage to the immense German population in this area. Mainstrasses is a living and interactive museum, if you will, of German heritage. Wertheim’s Restaurant is only one of many local attractions including the Goose Girl Fountain and the Carroll Chimes Bell Tower. Visitors will definitely feel as if they have traveled into another country while visiting the Mainstrasse Village. Wertheim’s Restraints offers German cuisine, as well as American favorites, befitting its location. The house specialty is Jaeger scnitzel, a concoction of pork, mushrooms, onions and sour cream. Now, how could that be anything but good! Small dining rooms make up the flow of this restaurant and German beers can be found at the small bar. Wertheim’s front porch offers a great place to dine, drink some German beers, and people watch.
German restaurants in Cincinnati are definitely a must try while you are in the area. The food is great and the beer only stops flowing when then law says it must. Locals gather in these eateries and offer a look into a population of generations of German-Americans. Who knows, you may find a new favorite dish, or at the very least expand you knowledge of German beer.
