Best German restaurants in New York City – Part 1

Ist hier das Menu.

No you are not entering a restaurant in Munich but rather New York City. Sauerbraten, sausage and spaetzle are just some of the choices you can have in an authentic German restaurant, where October Fest is an observed 365 days a year celebration only in New York. Portions are typically enormous in the German cuisine family style. The items on the menu seem endless with beer, predictably, being the preferred beverage, with German brands on tap.

During the height of immigration from Europe during the 1920s, neighborhoods developed into small portions of homeland. For the Germans this was no exception. They migrated to an area known as Yorkville, previously known as Germantown, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side from 1st to Lexington Avenues between 80th to 90th Streets.

Neighborhoods have evolved and Germantown with the many bakeries and restaurants no long exists as extensive as it once was; giving way to massive high rise doorman residential buildings, expensive bistros and Starbucks on every corner. To find truly wonderful authentic German cuisine, the options are becoming slim in Manhattan and are more favorable for an authentic German restaurant within the outer boroughs.

Only one restaurant did cling to their original roots of Germantown and that is The Heidelberg, originating in 1936. Although relativity revamped in 1964, it maintains the old world charm, of a bygone era and leaves to the imagination of dining in Germany. Be prepared to come on an empty stomach and make reservations. They have the best potato pancakes in town, while the staff dresses in traditional German garb.

Heidelberg Restaurant

(212) 628-2332

1648 2nd Ave

New York, NY 10028

Web Address: www.heidelbergrestaurant.com

Prices run from $10 to $20 per entree with live music on Saturdays

More and more German establishments from Yorkville relocated and can be found outside of Manhattan. These fine German restaurants left their original locations to the outer boroughs and suburbs due to the escalating rental costs in Manhattan.

You need not fret because they are a taxi, subway or bus ride away and are well worth the visit for price, quality and friendliness. The following should be considered as the best available for traditional and bona fide German fare.

In Brooklyn:

Cafe Steinhof

(718) 369-7776

422 7th Ave

Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Prices run under $10 per entree and Cafe Steinhof may be considered more Austrian than German but the cuisines are similar and make way for decadent deserts.

Schnitzel Haus

(718) 836-5600

7319 5th Ave

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY 11209

Web Address: www.schnitzelhausny.com

Prices run from $20-30 per entree. You will not regret going to Schnitzel Haus with portions that are quite generous and they offer a buffet too.

In Queens:

Zum Stammtisch

(718) 386-3014

69-46 Myrtle Ave

Ridgewood, Queens, NY 11385

Prices run from $10 to $20 per entree. Zum Stammtisch has been in the area for over 100 years. Seek out their famous daily specials.

Chalet Alpina

9835 Metropolitan Ave

Forest Hills, Queens, NY 11375

Web address: www.shopforesthills.com/chalet alpina/

Prices run from $10 to $20 per entre. Reservations are suggested because the locals frequent Chalet Alpina often. Now what does that tell you?