10 German Restaurants In Michigan You Have To Try At Least One Time
I grew up with the scent of nutmeg and braised cabbage lingering in my grandmother’s kitchen, so I have a bit of a bias when it comes to the heavy, wooden doors of Michigan’s German halls. There is something deeply grounding about the low-frequency thrum of a dining room filled with the smell of brown butter and the sharp, vinegary snap of warm potato salad.
Whether it’s the festive, timber-framed energy of Frankenmuth or a quiet, brass-fitted basement in Detroit, it feels like sitting inside a well-worn family notebook where the lager is always colder than the weather outside.
Michigan’s best German restaurants offer an authentic taste of Europe through crispy schnitzel and old-world hospitality that connects diners to the state’s rich immigrant history.
It is the kind of place where the gravy tastes like a Sunday afternoon and the “gemütlichkeit” isn’t a marketing slogan, it’s just the way things are done. If you want the real experience, look for the spot with the most mismatched coasters and the shortest wait for a side of rye bread.
1. Bavarian Inn Restaurant, Frankenmuth
Soft accordion notes float past carved wood beams as servers glide through the room. At 713 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, the vibe blends tourist bustle with village calm.
Blue-and-white Bavarian accents and shelves of ornate cuckoo clocks do a lot of the mood-setting. Families lean in over spätzle and pretzel rolls, and the pace naturally slows.
The pork schnitzel hits the table thin and crackly, with lemon ready for a bright squeeze. Sauerbraten arrives plush, with red cabbage and a lightly sweet fruit compote.
Frankenmuth chicken still fits the table, with crisp skin and a peppery backbone beside warm potato salad. It’s a hearty spread that feels festive without trying too hard.
History shows up quietly in the lodge-like rooms and old photos on the walls. Reserve on peak weekends, and expect a quick wander through the attached shops.
For a calmer corner, ask for the lower-level Stube, then linger over Black Forest torte. The whole place invites you to take your time.
2. Zehnder’s Of Frankenmuth, Frankenmuth
White tablecloths and polished banisters set a parade-ready stage. At 730 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, the room buzzes with reunions and big-group energy.
Servers move with crisp efficiency, and oversized platters keep appearing like clockwork. It feels like a Sunday dinner scaled up to the size of a landmark.
The food philosophy is comfort first, led by the famous family-style chicken. German touches show up in liver pâté, tangy slaws, and buttered noodles beside gravy boats.
If you want deeper classics, add bratwurst or sauerbraten to the spread. Finish with apple strudel that flakes cleanly, then turns warm and soft at the center.
Opened in the 1920s, it helped cement Frankenmuth’s chicken tradition. Reservations save serious time during the town’s festival weekends.
Before you leave, stop at the bakery downstairs for stollen or house-baked rolls. It’s the kind of detail that makes the meal last past the last bite.
3. Oma’s Restaurant, Frankenmuth
The morning scent at Oma’s Restaurant, 1 Covered Bridge Ln, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, is a heady mix of coffee, butter, and a hint of cinnamon wafting from the pie case.
Situated inside the Bavarian Inn Lodge, it draws early birds and late brunchers alike under its warm wood trim. The mood here is delightfully unhurried, with families mapping out their water park plans between hearty forkfuls of breakfast.
The menu successfully crosses the line between breakfast comfort and German classics. You’ll find hunter’s schnitzel smothered in mushroom gravy, spätzle that practically drinks in butter, and potato pancakes that offer a satisfyingly loud crisp at the edges.
The sausage platters pair beautifully with tangy kraut and a welcome swipe of spicy mustard. If you lean toward the sweet side of things, order a slice of seasonal pie and let the flakey crust prove why this place is named after “Grandma.”
History at Oma’s is a quieter affair, folded into recipes that keep to tradition without adding unnecessary fussy twists. To dodge the biggest lodge crowds, try to go early on weekends or slide in right after the noon swell.
Request a window seat for a lovely view toward the Cass River, and leave with the deep calm that comes from eating plates built to satisfy rather than just impress.
4. Metzger’s German Restaurant, Ann Arbor
Stein-lined shelves read like a ceramic family album. At 305 N Zeeb Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, the room feels like a neighborhood anchor that knows your rhythm.
Open since 1928, it moved from downtown to the west side without losing its heart. Regulars nod hello before menus even land.
Rouladen comes rolled with mustard and a whole pickle for that sharp, authentic bite. Jägerschnitzel hides under rich mushroom gravy, and sauerbraten tastes textbook.
The long marinade gives it a balanced tart-and-sweet depth that keeps the plate from feeling heavy. Everything tastes like it’s been practiced, refined, then left alone.
Parking is easy here compared to downtown, and weeknights keep the pace smooth. If you can’t decide, start with the wurst sampler to compare spice profiles.
Split Black Forest cake at the end, and notice how the table goes quiet after the first bites. That hush is the real review.
5. Heidelberg Restaurant, Ann Arbor
On a busy Ann Arbor corner, the Heidelberg Restaurant, 215 N Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, offers a multi-level experience: a pub-style basement, a cozy gemütlich dining room, and a roof deck for when the Michigan weather actually cooperates.
The vibe toggles between a university study break and alumni nostalgia, with heavy steins thudding softly as conversations braid across different eras. The music stays at a respectful volume, allowing for real talk over large beers.
Start your journey with the currywurst or a soft pretzel that is quite literally the size of a steering wheel. The pork schnitzel arrives tidy and crisp, while the kassler rippchen brings a wonderful smoked heft served alongside sauerkraut and potatoes.
Sharing a boot of beer is practically a group sport here, though a pilsner by the glass lets the nuances of the food speak first.
The Heidelberg has anchored Ann Arbor’s German cravings since the 1960s, surviving changing trends by keeping its flavors steady and its portions large.
It’s best to arrive early if the Michigan Wolverines are playing at home, as the crowds will swell to fill all three floors. Ask for a table upstairs on mild evenings, and always end your night with apfelstrudel that snaps at the edges before yielding its warm, apple-filled heart.
6. The Dakota Inn Rathskeller, Detroit
Down a few steps from the street level, voices gather like a boisterous chorus at The Dakota Inn Rathskeller, 17324 John R St, Detroit, MI 48203. Operating since 1933, this Detroit legend is famous for its sing-along nights where sheet music circulates and steins meet tabletops with a cheerful, percussive rhythm.
The room glows with an amber light that makes total strangers feel like they are halfway to being lifelong regulars. The potato pancakes arrive lacy and hot, practically begging for a dollop of applesauce and sour cream.
Their sauerbraten carries a measured sour-sweetness that speaks to a long marinating process, while the wiener schnitzel maintains a clean fry and a sharp lemon edge.
Don’t overlook the house-made soups; they rotate frequently, often starring cabbage or lentils with a very practical, soul-warming heft.
Logistics are important when visiting this Detroit staple. Parking is available in a well-lighted lot, and while cards are accepted, bringing a bit of cash is always a wise move for smaller checks. You should definitely call ahead for piano nights if you want the full, rowdy experience.
7. Jacoby’s, Detroit
Exposed brick and creaky floorboards carry the history. Tucked at 624 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226, it glows with tap badges and a chalkboard of rotating pours.
After-work crowds mix with game-day fans, and the soundtrack is mostly conversation. The vibe feels lived-in, like the building remembers everyone.
Schnitzel comes classic and unpretentious, with spätzle and red cabbage that keeps its bite. Currywurst leans gently spiced, and pretzels land warm and heavily salted.
Even the burger nods to the menu’s old-world comfort, with a bun that tastes deeper and more toasty than usual. It’s simple food, executed with steady hands.
Opened in 1904, it’s often described as Detroit’s oldest operating German restaurant. Street parking can be fickle, so build in a time buffer.
For a quieter moment, aim for a small table toward the back. You’ll leave remembering wood, salt, and the satisfying crunch of a
8. DeutschTroit, Metro Detroit
A modern project with deep traditional roots, DeutschTroit operates through pop-ups and clever collaborations around Metro Detroit. Usually announced via their social feeds, these events at venues like Eastern Market draw a line that forms fast and stays friendly.
The energy is a unique blend of an urban picnic and a high-end culinary workshop.
The menu here is flexible and exciting. You might find käsespätzle lush with caramelized onions, or currywurst served with a house-made sauce that strikes a perfect balance between tang and warmth. Occasional döner-inspired specials pay homage to Germany’s modern street food scene.
The brat plates arrive with a proper “snap” and are served on high-quality, brioche-adjacent buns. Portions are well-suited for sharing, which is great because it lets you try three or four different ideas without hitting a wall.
Because the locations rotate, you have to be a bit of a detective; check their announcements for specifics and always arrive early to avoid the dreaded “sold out” sign.
Most setups are card-friendly, and seating usually involves communal tables or park benches.
9. Harbor Haus Restaurant, Copper Harbor
Waves set the rhythm at Harbor Haus Restaurant, 77 Brockway Ave, Copper Harbor, MI 49918, where the expanse of Lake Superior fills the windows like a giant, living mural.
The servers in traditional dirndls add a sense of ceremony without any unnecessary stiffness, and it’s common to see guests pause mid-sentence to watch a massive freighter move slowly past the horizon. The entire room feels like a beautiful postcard that has finally thawed into motion.
The menu highlights local catches like Lake Superior whitefish prepared with distinct German inflections, alongside a schnitzel that stays remarkably crisp even in the damp lake breeze. The spätzle is the perfect companion, cuddling into the pan juices on the plate.
If you visit during the right season, you’ll find local wild mushrooms worked into the gravies. A glass of cold Riesling tracks perfectly with the shifting shoreline light.
The history here feels more northern and nautical than purely Bavarian, but the blend is seamless. Reservations are absolutely essential during the summer and the vibrant autumn leaf-peeping season. Timing your seating for the sunset rewards your patience tenfold.
Step out onto the deck after your dessert to feel the temperature drop and notice how the cold lake air pulls the savory flavors of the meal into sharp focus.
10. Hermann’s European Cafe, Cadillac
Hermann’s European Cafe, located at 214 N Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601, is a place of crisp linens and unhurried pacing. Chef Hermann personally oversees a menu that spans German and broader continental classics, and it’s the kind of establishment where high-level technique sits quietly beneath the surface.
The calm of the dining room allows the small, thoughtful details of the meal to truly shine.
The schnitzel here arrives golden with a delicate, fine crumb, while the roulade slices reveal beautiful, neat spirals of meat against a silky gravy. The potato croquettes are a must-try, breaking open with a puff of steam to reveal a creamy interior.
The red cabbage provides a necessary balance to the plate without being overly loud or vinegary. For the finale, the layered tortes show a sophisticated restraint rather than relying on sugary fireworks.
The logistics of a visit are very straightforward: there is plenty of downtown parking, and while reservations are recommended on weekends, it’s generally a smooth process. They also have a connected deli for daytime provisions like meats and cheeses. Be sure to ask about the nightly specials if you enjoy seasonal touches.