Places to Eat

5 Restaurants to Get Your German Food Fix in the Texas Hill Country

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Tony Maples Photography

 

German food satisfies in ways other cuisines don’t. Oktoberfest does not have to be the only time of the year to seek out German restaurants. German immigrants played a large part in the Texas Hill Country’s history, and their remnants remain to this day in the culture and cuisine of many Hill Country towns. If you’ve never had German food, try any of these restaurants to satisfy both your curiosity and your appetite.

1. Alpine Haus

Alpine Haus German Restaurant

Photo: Facebook/Alpine Haus Restaurant

Alpine Haus, located in New Braunfels, breaks the stereotype that German food must be casual. This family-owned, upscale restaurant provides diners with a seated dining experience for lunch and dinner. Traditional dishes such as spatzle and schnitzel pair well with many of the drinks on the extensive beer and wine lists.

2. Der Lindenbaum

Der Lindenbaum German Food Restaurant

Photo: Facebook/Best of Fredericksburg Texas

Looking for a biergarten in Fredericksburg? You’ll find one at Der Lindenbaum, which not only sells dozens of beers but also offers a fine-dining experience. Should you crave rare German favorites, like Rheinischer Sauerbraten or Konigsberger Klopse, you’ll find these here. Of course, you will also find the schnitzels commonly served in Texas German restaurants. If history interests you, the limestone building that houses this restaurant was constructed around 1876 and is a Texas historic site.

3. Schilo’s Deli

Schilo's Root Beer Sign

Photo: Facebook/Schilo’s Deli

For 100 years, Schilo’s Deli in San Antonio, has been serving classic deli foods in downtown near the Riverwalk. Most visit for breakfast or an early lunch since the deli closes in the afternoon, except Thursdays through Saturdays. When visiting, ask about the daily specials, and don’t forget to sample the homemade root beer, split pea soup and hot mustard. If you go when the deli stays open later, evening specials such as sauerbraten and various schnitzels await to tempt your taste buds.

4. Friesenhaus

Friesenhaus Restaurant

Photo: Facebook/Friesenhaus

Don’t leave your kids at home when you go out for authentic German cuisine. Visit Frisenhaus in New Braunfels. This restaurant caters to the entire family, with authentic German food and a special menu for children that serves more authentic fare than hamburgers and french fries. Both you and the kids can enjoy schnitzel or sausage. For just the adults, the restaurant has more than 20 German beers and over half a dozen wines available.

5. Little Gretel’s Restaurant and Biergarten

Little Gretel's Restaurant Sign

Photo: Facebook/Little Gretel Restaurant

Outdoor dining, live music, tasty food and copious beer options make Little Gretel’s Restaurant and Biergarten a dining spot in Boerne that you’ll want to try. You can try not only traditional German dishes here but also authentic Czech foods. From a bounty of breakfast kolaches to reubens and schnitzels, you’ll find the right dish for your taste, and don’t miss happy hour Wednesdays through Saturdays for drink specials. The restaurant highly recommends reservations for dining, so call ahead if you plan to visit.