Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street

German restaurant · Boerum Hill

Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street

German restaurant · Boerum Hill

1

181 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

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Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null
Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street by null

Highlights

Black Forest is a cozy German beer garden on Smith Street, renowned for its hearty fare like schnitzel and sausages, complemented by an extensive beer selection and a vibrant outdoor space.  

Featured in Eater
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181 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Get directions

blackforestbrooklyn.com
@blackforestbrooklyn

$$ · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

181 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Get directions

+1 718 522 1806
blackforestbrooklyn.com
@blackforestbrooklyn

$$ · Menu

Reserve

Features

dine in
takeout
delivery
wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 7, 2025

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"At Black Forest’s Smith Street location, the restaurant has built a winterized beer garden for customers with heaters installed around each table for maximum comfort. Black Forest also maintains the same heated setup on the sidewalk in front of its Fort Greene location, plus individual heated cabins at Fowler Square, neighboring the cabins at Peaches Hothouse. Grab a sausage basket and a boozy spiced cider from the German-leaning menu to eat under the glow of the heaters." - Erika Adams, Luke Fortney

32 Restaurants for Heated Outdoor Dining in Brooklyn - Eater NY
View Postcard for Black Forest Brooklyn - Smith Street

Sam Andras

Google
Our’s was a family dinner with my wife, daughter, and her partner. We started with the French Onion Soup and a pretzel. Both were exceptional with the FOS setting the bar. Our main meal consisting of pork and chicken schnitzel, bratwurst, and goulash. Our sides included potato salad and sauerkraut. Overall, the meal was exceptional. The server was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and made sure our needs were met. The atmosphere was good, though a bit loud from a large family group that was celebrating life. We would recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking an exceptional German meal.

Douglas Bearak

Google
I have been for my dad’s birthday on several occasions, but today I had a small Bark Day party for my puppy. The outdoor seating with heat lamps were pawfect for us! Anywhere with dog friendly seating is a must re-visit. Also the food is delicious!

Zidong Zhao

Google
We were really happy to find a German restaurant nearby and were so excited to visit - unfortunately, our brief visit made it an absolute no go for us. There was some confusion around our reservation - we had a reservation for a party of 6 but the host was adamant that the only table we could sit at was the tiny table for 4 by the front window. He seemed already frustrated with something and was rude from the get go but became extremely exasperated within a few seconds of us talking and me trying to to understand how we were supposed to fit at the table - he refused to communicate and just walked away. Maybe it was a busy time (it didn't seem particularly so) and he had a hard shift, which I can totally understand, but that was simply no way to treat anyone. I hope management can address whatever issue that led to his behavior, so no one else needs to have experiences like mine here Edit: added photo of the table in question after owner's response that didn't address the issues (not being able to honor reservation and being extremely rude about it) and essentially painted the complaint as baseless, so y'all can see for yourselves if you care enough the table had seating on 3 sides, two on the short ends were for 1 person, and the bench on the long side seats 2 uncomfortably given that the two benches formed an L shape and there's no room for legs and knees. Were the other two people supposed to sit on the table?

W L

Google
Just don't order the wings and you'll be fine here! Why am I ordering Jamaican jerk wings in a German place? It looked so disconnected from the rest of the menu that I thought the owners put it in because it's just that good. Apparently not. There was plenty of smoke and spice flavor but not any savory or sweetness to the wings. I have to say though that the cook on the wings was perfect. Nice crust on the outside and juicy on the inside. The rest of the food I ordered was fine. Good burger and brats. Really like the selection of beers. The barrel aged old fashioned is nice and boozy without being overly sweet.

Monica Gonzalez

Google
Watermelon frosé is AMAZING! The beer is cold! Have a HUGE screen to watch the games. We enjoyed the outdoor patio for some beer and cocktails. Overall a very nice place to kick back & have a few drinks! Would definitely come again! The staff is super friendly and the German sausage is super savory. Order the cheese sausage with a German beer, it’s delicious! Very happy with our experience here

Kristian Singh-Nergård

Google
This beer garden has a good selection of beers, though not the largest selection I've seen. The food is good (definitely get the pretzel). At your table you scan the QR code, look at the menu and order and pay through your phone. The waiters will bring what you ordered and it takes no time at all. The drawback is that you have to wave for the waiter if you have questions or are looking for recommendations, but it's definitely a lot more efficient this way. The staff is very friendly and courteous. I keep coming back to this place and it has a nice vibe.

Maria Orloff

Google
Loved atmosphere at this bar. Nice beer and delicious pretzels. Vegan burger and sausage were mediocre but I really appreciate them having plant based options. It didn’t make our top 5 German bars in the city list

Tamara Bosworth

Google
1 n Done. The food was good but with only 3 tables of people I can imagine why we had to walk to the bar after 30 minutes to get our beverages or get s personto acknowledge us....every time. As we we're practically done it did seem like someone responsible came in to work. But at that point the drinks were.warm and the food was cold. I'm all for casual dining but at 30 bucks a plate you better step it up. Could be why there were only 3 tables of people.

Nicholas B.

Yelp
Great staff, food, and ambience, especially the GM. We drop in weekly for dinner and they always do their best to accommodate us regardless of the crowd. The chicken schnitzel platter is the best thing on the menu, followed by the Flammkuchen (either the butternut squash or the bacon), and any of the sausages really. Drink menu is wonderful as well.

Nicholas C.

Yelp
Food is great, but we were seated in the back for 10 min after ordering, they came back and told us we had to move (with a baby) into the loud freezing cold bar. No thanks. Because the patio was already booked... don't sear us then.

C A.

Yelp
Amazing scene, albeit a little loud when there are kids there (6-8ish?) I got a sausage in a pretzel bun with potato salad, and everything was amazing and authentic! I also really loved their grapefruit beer. Blew me out of the water I recommend if you're bringing friends over, going on a date (maybe not first date bc the noise), or even just by yourself.

Cyrus A.

Yelp
Black Forest's Smith Street location is a great spot for German fare! I've had the schnitzel a few times, and it always hits the spot. The wurst hasn't blown me away when I've ordered it before, but still a hearty dish that goes well with the many German beers on tap. Sides have been great, too. They've consistently had great fries and spatzle. Prepare for massive portions that will definitely leave you full! If you like German cuisine and beers, you can't go wrong with Black Forest.

Kirsti H.

Yelp
The hub and I were craving a sausage, likely since all the local breweries were doing Octoberfest celebrations, and we decided to give Black Forest another try. It had been years since we'd been -- we went for the lunch special -- but we remembered liking it. The man who greeted us and led us to a table was lovely, welcoming. We were offered outdoor or indoor seating, but the former was pretty loud as it was packed for Octoberfest. Our waitress was not friendly -- neutral at best -- and service was slow. We weren't upset about the latter as it was clear they had a lot of people to serve. Both of our sausages were delicious -- what's not to love about a sausage on a soft pretzel roll? -- as were the fries (and there were enough to share). If you're craving a sausage, give Black Forest a try. And if the weather is nice, I suggest sitting in the backyard area if it's not too crowded.

Kelly R.

Yelp
The food and the drinkcome in XL portion in this restaurant. However the seating and the service was definitely something that we need waiting on. During rush hours such as weekend it is good to make reservations ahead as the seating get booked fast. And yes even in Brooklyn.

Mae-Elisa S.

Yelp
The dinner plans with my friend didn't end up happening so she took me to this place to hang out, drink a beer and have a snack! We both ended up having a wonderful time - little did we know we walked in on a night where they were playing live music. My friend and I ordered the huge beer and a LARGE fry. We were curious why there was a large fry on the menu, we love fries. But it was honestly just a huge plate of fries. My friend and I love fries so it worked out for us! There was a guy playing live music for us - it was his birthday on Easter so he mentioned it a few times. He occasionally looked in our direction and called us the "fry crew" because he was surprised that we were just snacking on a huge plate of fries. It was so funny and he was an amazing musician. This place just had a great vibe. The bartender was also really friendly in helping us choose which beer we wanted. Overall, it was an incredibly fun time. Would recommend this place to get a beer and snacks!

Honor G.

Yelp
Pros Cute , warm, cozy aesthetics Friendly & accommodating staff Trivia nights $$$ Comfortable bar stools High traffic area Large screen televisions Good for groups Large seating area Impossible burger Cons No spatlese Riesling Few vegetarian options

Albert H.

Yelp
I came to Black Forest for a friend's birthday party and really enjoyed the space and food. We went around 6pm on a weekday and there were several tables open in the back. My daughter enjoyed playing the games - Jenga and connect four which kept her busy. For food, we got the sausage platter which was quite a lot of food. The highlights were the bratwurst, potato salad, and mash potatoes. I will definitely come back for a drink and solid German food.

Joseph T.

Yelp
I'd rate Black Forest four and a half stars. I've been missing Europe late. I've been seeking on doner kebabs. We were walking down Smith Street and felt compelled by Black Forest. Walked in and you seat yourself. They have a fancy ordering system through Toast where you scan a QR code and can order and pay through an app. I had the Hofbrau original and the Hofbrau dunkel. I also ordered a Lange rote wurst on a pretzel bun with shoe string fries. Served with sautéed cabbage and onions along with mustard. Snappy dog with ultra crispy fries. They had formula one on the TVs. There were a bunch of fans and they pulled down a projector so more people could watch. Service was friendly and super quick. The ordering system is less personal but they staff is attentive and engaging.

G B.

Yelp
The food is cold and unseasoned. The atmosphere is frat bar with drunks screaming at full volume.

Babs R.

Yelp
Good food and ambiance. Unfortunately some stuff I wanted on the menu was out of stock like the chicken sausage and apple streusel. But what they had tasted alright. Music was a smidge too loud, but I went on a Friday night so it made sense it was more of a party/social vibe.

Sean C.

Yelp
delicious and fun. Sometimes they have World Cup or other international soccer games on the projector.

Elizabeth E.

Yelp
I absolutely love Black Forest. They have an incredible menu of German beers and food. They have both an indoor and outdoor seating area. Their backyard is lovely and is pet friendly! Instead of giving you a menu, they ask you to scan a QR code where you not only see the menu but you can also order there too!! The waiters serve food but all orders are through their TOAST ordering system. Great food, drinks, atmosphere, and staff.

Christopher J.

Yelp
We are a black family who came into the restaurant with 5 empty tables. We were asked to sit at three bar with our 14 year old. We waited for what felt like a lifetime An angry waitress asked for our order. When I said that I needed to be served so that I could make it to an appointment, she said "if you are in any kind of a hurry, I suggest that you don't eat here". It wasn't said in a polite way and she repeated it 3 times. She walked away in frustration when we stopped her on her 4th repeat. The manager came for our order. I would not recommend this restaurant to black and brown people.

Jessica N.

Yelp
Bratwurst sausage on pretzel bun was delish- bun was nice and soft, wished the sausage had little more flavor. Fries were nice and crispy. Chicken schnitzel was alright- fell apart really easily and flavor was a little bland. Nice atmosphere, heated backyard garden.

Zuobin T.

Yelp
It's been a long time since we last had brunch as a family at a restaurant. We stopped by on a sunny afternoon and were promptly directed to our preferred seating location outdoors. This location has more outdoor space than its first location in Fort Greene. We chose to sit at a table under an umbrella for some shade. It was surprising that the waitress asked for proof of vaccination even when we sat outside, but I guess it's better to be on the safe side. The menu is available via a QR code on the table and I like that it included photos so we can actually see what we are ordering. We ordered the nurnberger, the eggs benedict with smoked salmon, and what turned out to be my favorite, chicken and waffles. I love how you get two kinds of chicken with the chicken and waffles, a wing and a drumette as well as chicken schnitzel. The wing and drumette had a spicy but not overwhelming kick to them. The schnitzel was crispy and moist. The waffles were thinner than Belgian waffles but were just as satisfying. If you are hungry, then the nurnberger might be a good choice. It included five small sausages (a couple were a bit burnt) sitting on top of sauerkraut and mashed potato. It also came with a medium size bowl salad. The eggs benedict was perhaps my least favorite. I expected the smoked salmon to be more flavorful.

Bob K.

Yelp
Really great spot along the upscale Smith St, where we had a truly excellent takeout experience. Enjoyed the chicken schnitzel (super thin and tender) and also an assortment of sausages (the brat was most excellent). Also had some basics like salad and fries and sauerkraut which were done really well. Look forward to going back and dining in... just excellent.

Bryan P.

Yelp
Exactly what you want it to be. Great selection of beer. Great food. The staff are so nice, they have comped us drinks multiple times for reasons we'd never even think to ask for. Great atmosphere, especially the patio. One of our favorite spots.

Morlene C.

Yelp
If you're shopping around for a toasty outdoor set up to get you through this pandemic winter, look no further than Black Forest Brooklyn, who has one of the best set ups of any restaurant or bar I've been to so far this season. Reservations can be made via Resy and on their website for one of the tables in their 'Chalet.' The whole area is covered with a glass roof to protect from precipitation and the elements, and the overhead heating on all sides was strong enough to keep my companions and I warm throughout our stay on a 30 something degree afternoon. What's refreshing for me to see is that while they took care to build an outdoor set up that keeps in the heat, it is also open on most sides to allow plenty of ventilation for safety. There are also partitions that separate parties between booths which don't feel effective in an enclosed space but makes me feel slightly better since the chalet is in the open air. The ordering system is also set up very well for pandemic times since you can just scan the QR code on your table to pull up their menu, pay, and order from your phone and a server will bring your order to your table. They do enforce the food requirement here but their kitchen is quite talented so you likely won't upset anyone in your party with an order of their fries, a hot pretzel, or some of their famous sausages. Take advantage of their extensive beer menu, which lists dozens and dozens of beer for every palate. They have cocktails, ciders, and even coffee, tea, and soda so there really is something for every predilection. Black Forest's great set up is no secret, so instead of testing your luck, make a reservation in advance, and be aware of their table time limits depending on your party size. In these precedented times (intentional word choice), we take what we can get, and I'll take 90 minutes of warm outdoor drinks over none at all!

Ryan F.

Yelp
Had dinner and drinks at Black Forest Brooklyn on Saturday night. A cool space to watch a big game, but the prices are a bit high and I wasn't crazy about the food. Quality: Loved the large selection of old world style beers on the menu. The Risenbrezel was excellent, though needed beer cheese. I was disappointed in the two Sausages I tried. The Bratwurst was okay, but the Cheese Brat was very dried out and I didn't enjoy the flavor. Quantity: Large portions for both food and beer. Value: $7-$11 for Draft Beers. $12 for the Risenbrezel. $6 for a Sausage. $6 for Side Mashed Potatoes. Ambiance: Black Forest Brooklyn is a German style beerhall in Cobble Hill. With a bar area in front, long tables in the back, and an outdoor patio it offers tons of space for big parties. They also had a huge screen pulled down playing the football game. Crowd: Decent crowd for the game. Service: They use QR Code and order on phone. Parking: Limited street parking.

Magali D.

Yelp
Excellent Beergarden with great ambiance, ideal for an early dinner, even with children. They have games as well. The courtyard at the back is quiet and spacious, and very clean. Really nice. The food is a gamble: avoid the flamenkueche, the goulash and the spatzle which are not made/cooked right- just not good. Very good sausages, mash and sauerkraut.

Rich B.

Yelp
Black Forest is a solid spot, especially during the COVID nonsense. They have a wonderful outdoor garden in the back which is an excellent spot to hang and crush a couple of large German brews on a warm afternoon. While the heated lamps still leave a bit of warmth to be desired during winter, overall it's one of the better setups you'll find these days. Ordering is entirely digital. As for food, the sausage platter is a hell of a deal and is our go-to order - for $30, you choose four sausages and four sides. The sausages come out hot, flavorful, and grilled just right. What's better is that you can choose the same item more than once - if you prefer four bratwursts and four orders of sauerkraut (which, along with the fries, is quite tasty), go for it! They also have a nice selection of beers. Definitely suggest making a reservation, as they are understandably in high demand right now.

Allison C.

Yelp
Came here with my family for my moms birthday and it was great! Really good portions of food and obviously the beer selection is outstanding. Ordering is through a QR code, but staff is still attentive and lovely.

Alex M.

Yelp
Unless you are looking to just drink a bunch of German beer, don't come here. The food is bad enough, and the online-only ordering system is so goofy and unnatural, that really the only reason to come here is if you're looking to drink a liter of German beer. And, to be clear, this is German beer that you could be buying at a grocery store or bodega. They have ~rarer~ German beers here, but the prices are so bad on those that you're better off sticking to the more common ones. So, to recap, you should come here to drink German beers that you could get at a grocery store, but poured into a larger glass than you probably have at home. I get it, I like to drink liters of beer too. And that's something you can do here. But don't let that trick you into thinking that any other part of coming here will be good.

Lauren M.

Yelp
HUGE portions but good! Probs would lean closer to 3.5 stars for me, the food itself wasn't anything special but the vibe and outdoor seating was nice. They asked us to move to accommodate a larger party after we were sat and we gladly did and they still brought Jager shots over for us as a thank you. Probably would go back but maybe not over trying a new place.

Marisa M.

Yelp
Good filling food. They have a decent backyard space with plastic separators. I really liked my meal and it didnt break the bank. I had a lang rote with fries. The bun it came on was really fluffy and crispy on the outside. The fries were warm and perfectly salted. And they had my favorite summer beer- shofferhofer. It tastes like grapefruit juice. And my friend liked his chicken and waffles. Interesting part of the chicken was a spicy wing. The menu is online and you order on your phone from your seat. Which is nice, i liked not having to take out mt credit card.

Tamara M.

Yelp
Spaztles with gravy are the best. Spaztles are like a small wet dumpling. The large pretzel of course is perfect. Chicken snitzel and sausages make a complete meal to share. Great beer yayayaya!

Amira A.

Yelp
I love their cozy little garden. The drink menu is short and sweet and the cocktails are strong. I like that you can order what you need on your own time and the staff doesn't have to worry about coming in to check on you as much due to you ordering at your own pace. Our water bottles were refilled without even asking. It's also easy to get reservations. I made reservations an hour before they opened on Memorial Day. I was able to come in as soon as they opened.

Julia C.

Yelp
Very disappointing. We purchased tickets for the last night of Octoberfest. The ambiance was nice and the servers tried there best, however it was just slammed and not enough workers. We arrived early for our 6pm reservation and were told to sit anywhere. (even though we reserved indoor seating) Many tables and places were dirty as the staff just didn't have enough time to clean. We waited 90 min for a pretzel, and didn't want to order anything else. We left to have dinner else where. The drinks were good but again, they should have anticipated the crowds and hired enough people.

Lindsey O.

Yelp
Tasty with huuuuge portions for the price, cute decor, and friendly service. I ordered the smallest beer they had, 0.5L and it was still massive for $8 which seems like a pretty good price to me for so much beer. My mom and I split two orders but really should have gotten one because they were huge! I got the Nuremberg sausages and they were tasty but I've had better and they also seemed a little bigger than usual? But - the mashed potatoes and sauerkraut under them? *Le chef's kiss* delicious. My mom's order of the pork schnitzel was also to die for - I liked her choice better than mine, so that's what I'd get whenever I return (because I will be).

Reggie M.

Yelp
Yet again, it took us a pandemic to find out a German beer garden just stone throw away from our home. We walk pass it few days ago and inquired if we needed reservation, at the moment they don't take one. We came around 6:30pm to beat the crowd but there were already many tables occupied when we get in we still able to snag a table for two with a huge umbrella . Make sure to download a QR scanner before heading here since they now have a contactless payment and ordering system which we found safe and efficient. We started with 0.5 liter of Radeberger together with their Jamaican jerk chicken wings our main entree was curry wurst served with fries and kaiser bun. The Sausage was great but the sauce is a little on the sweet side and I could have done without it. It was a fun Friday evening I can't wait to try their champignons and wurst platter next time around!

Tiffany L.

Yelp
[covid review] came for lunch at 1pm on a saturday afternoon with 2 others. I had made reservations for the heated chatlet in their garden space. I was honestly shocked at how crowded it looked when entering the seating area. Yes there were partitions up but there were a lot of people. tables were definitely not spaced 6 feet apart. We were quite close to the 2 patrons next to us. in fact, it was one table, separated by a removable partition. There was a birthday party going on behind us [about 10 ppl] and a big rowdy crowd in front of us. [8 ppl] I was glad that they had QR codes for menus and the checkout process was easy- all mobile. The food was decent. I had the schnitzel with a side salad + fries and a mug of grapefruit beer. Schnitzel was fried well, crunchy but the pork was very thin. Fries were crisp. overall a good place, but beware of the crowd in the back!

Mollie T.

Yelp
This spot is great! Their beer and ciders are pretty tasty and it's a great environment as well. They have some games around to play, which is always fun and made us stay for a lot longer! This is a great place to catch up with friends and offers a relaxing drinking environment to talk and casually hang out. Their coffee is also incredible.

Nataly N.

Yelp
I've been very excited to try this place and picked it for a colleague's birthday lunch today, but then felt very bad after leaving disappointed about the experience. While most restaurants are aware that lunch hour crowds are under time constraints, it took over a half hour for our food to be ready (in an empty restaurant with only a 4-top and us, a 3-top), causing us to bolt though our food and rush back to the office in 10 mins. Given the low volume of customers and relative simplicity in food preparation (2 portions of fries, 1 side salad, 2 pork schnitzel sandwiches, and 1 sausage), it is possible that the kitchen staff may have been asleep while preparing our meal. The server even got defensive when we expressed our time concern instead of expressing any urgency to help. Two of us went with the lunch special, which on the menu states comes with an entrée (sandwich), fries/soup/salad, and dessert. In case you were wondering what the included dessert is, it turned out to be "if you want, we can bring you a scoop of vanilla ice cream." Sadly, due to the time crunch, we were unable to receive said ice cream. It's a shame that the experience was so awkward because taste-wise, the food was good and the concept is nice as there isn't much German food around. I probably wouldn't dismiss this place completely, but two key takeaways to remember are: (1) do not have an afternoon meeting scheduled within 2 hrs of coming here for lunch unless you want to miss it, and (2) do not pick a place you haven't tried yet for your colleague's birthday lunch.

Caroline N.

Yelp
If you want a laid back not noisy place, where you can have a conversation, this is the place to go especially if you want to try different beers. Came here previously for brunch which is great. This time my friends want I highly recommend you get the brezel (pretzel). It comes out warm with mustard on the side. So good. The bar is in the front. There is a cushion round nook right next to the bar. There are wooden bench with wooden tables in the back that reminds me of a German biergarden. Non-gender bathrooms are located in the back. There are about 3 single restrooms. Great place and worth coming back.

Teach M.

Yelp
Great German beer and food in a cozy safe beer garden, The garden is well divided to give each group of guests a safe and comfortable place to eat and drink with plexiglass- dividers and over head heaters. Dogs are allowed in the garden which is entertaining and sweet. I was for the food, High ratings for the Black Forest burger and corn on the cob. The ultimate burger was ok, nothing to write home about. I'd like to see it dressed up in a pretzel bun with a bit more seasoning. The only thing I would not recommend is the jerk wings, should be renamed paprika wings. If you want jerk chicken get it from a Jamaican not a German, these have no spice, no heat. Maybe try regular Buffalo wings instead. One last comment about online in-restaurant ordering. Right now there are is no true wait staff just bartenders, host, and busboy. So it's hard to get something like extra napkins. They need to add messaging to the ordering app. It would also be nice to be able to keep a running tab so you can continue to order if you want another drink or food without paying, getting taxed and tipping each time you want something. We placed our full order to avoid that and ended up getting our appetizers and food together. Otherwise a great experience for eating out during a pandemic. We'll be back for sure.

Sarah K.

Yelp
German food here is delicious!!! My friends and I ordered the $32 sausage platter called die wurstplatte and $15 Waldschrat (flatbread with mushrooms, sour cream, and caramelized onions). We each ordered a drink. I got the Schofferhofer grapfruit. :) Free wifi! Not gonna lie! Service was slow because they had one waiter waiting all the tables for the restaurant (inside and out) on a Saturday evening. It is also pricey. Make sure you are not in a rush to leave! They have clean restrooms and have a lot of space and seats. Will come back if I get a chance next time.

Noah C.

Yelp
Had my birthday party at Black Forest and it was a great experience! The manager, Yorick, and his staff made it a special night. Delicious food and unique beers. Thanks and I'll be back soon!

Lana V.

Yelp
This is my kids' preferred dinner spot on Smith and I'm always thrilled to take a break from burgers. Black Forest's schnitzel and shoe string fries can't be beat and I appreciate their fair prices at a time when it feels like cost of a dinner out sky rocketed everywhere else. The back garden set up is lovely, with individual booths which have ceiling fans. Other menu favorites for me have been the pretzel and heirloom tomato salad, plus beer selection of course.

Xuxin C.

Yelp
My fiancé and I had our engagement party here and it was a perfect venue for a small, intimate gathering. The manager was great in helping us to reserve the back indoor space and ensuring everything went smoothly. Would no doubt recommend this place again.

Scott S.

Yelp
Really fun evening here with colleagues after work. We arrived early and had great beer reco's and great service from the bartender. As the place filled up, the great service didn't abate: when a later arrival who doesn't drink needed something, the bartender told me, "order a lemonaid off the app and I'll make something up." What arrived delighted our tired, needing-a-pick-me-up compatriot. That was a nice touch. Only feedback? Have the kitchen replace the steamed Brussels Sprouts with something fire-roasted or oven-roasted or pan-fried. Still five stars: we'll come back soon!

Peter D.

Yelp
Do you like beer, sausages, giant pretzels, and other German specialties? Do you live in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, or Boerum Hill, and are much too lazy to walk over to Fort Greene on a regular basis? Yes?* Well, you're in luck, because Black Forest has come to Smith Street. The service is still getting their act together, but they are new, so cut them some slack. And otherwise, it's pretty much the same as the original (and many other German beer halls you've been to). They have tasty sausages like the käsebratwurst, served in kaiser rolls with shoestring (think McDonald's in a good way) fries and sauerkraut. They have potato pancakes, spaetzle, giant pretzels, jerk wings (for some odd reason), flammkuchens (flatbreads), schnitzels, and more. All these things are tasty, and I recommend you order one of each per person. And they have delicious German beers available by the half liter, liter, and boot. If you drink enough strong beer, it doesn't really matter what you ordered anyway, but then you have a shot at finishing all that food you ordered. (A little excessive, if you ask me.) One thing I would NOT recommend doing is ordering liquor. You're in a beer hall, and even if you weren't, they are inexplicably charging $14 for a Tito's and soda,** which is only barely acceptable if you're on a rooftop in Manhattan. ______________ *Wait, are you me? You sound like me, but you're clearly so much better looking. **My wife is basic AF. Then again, so am I.

Helen C.

Yelp
Came here for brunch when other places were full so we had to scout around for a restaurant that can accomodate 6 + 1 baby. We found BFB randomly and it was empty inside. It wasn't a good sign, but it's best to give a place a fair shot before confirming. So.... yeah, not a good sign confirmed. To start things off, the good thing we had was the big ole pretzel. It was soft, it was chewy, it came with two sauces I couldn't decide which I liked more. Majority of us got a cup of coffee and all of us agreed that it was weak and tea would've been a better choice in flavor and in caffeine delivery. I decided to get the German breakfast because what more can define what German food is other than a spread they listed as German Breakfast? Lo and behold, the cutting board that came out the kitchen for me was decorated with slices of cheese and deli meat, a hard boiled egg, some sliced fruit with nutella, a mini pretzel, and a croissant. The only thing I cared for on that dish is the nutella. You'd think I'd say the pretzel is the star of the plate but nope, it was rock hard. WHY? I have no idea. The rest of the group looked like they didn't like their food either so maybe brunch isn't BFB's forte. Mein Gott, I really wanted to love this place because I love German food, but sadly, I don't like it here.

Yin H.

Yelp
Awesome beer garden in the neighborhood. They have a beautiful back outdoor space. Everything is no contact, you order and pay via the QR code which actually makes it easy for groups of friends and when you're done, you just get up and leave. They have great beers, cocktails, even warm drinks for cloudy days. The food also looked delicious. Looking forward to coming back.

Kristina M.

Yelp
What better way to celebrate Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo than having brunch at a German beer garden? ;) Well, my girlfriend and I have a long-running tradition of trying out a new restaurant in her neighborhood every other weekend - and Black Forest was next on our list! To be honest, I feel like there's too much hype surrounding their overpriced menu items. My friend's waffles were SO TINY, and my beer mimosas were weak AF for $10 a glass. BUT her husband's french toast was pretty impressive, and I myself was quite happy with my bratwurst gravy and biscuits - a very filling and savory dish that left me with plenty of leftovers for dinner! Overall, I feel like the dinner experience would have been more enjoyable than brunch based solely on the more authentic selection.

Chester C.

Yelp
I ate here last night with a group of friends. The backyard patio was really nice, and the food was decent (not great, but not bad). I would give it 3 stars but I'm knocking it down to 2 because the bathrooms were DISGUSTING! It's clear the staff just neglects them during business hours. I felt gross even going in just to wash my hands before my meal

Maria T.

Yelp
Food wasn't THAT great but they have wifi and great service. I plan on going back, maybe we just didn't order the right things. We got 2 of the German specialities

Joanne K.

Yelp
Pricey but legit. My German friend wants to move to Cobble Hill because of this place. He told me that the beer tastes like home, but the price reminds him of what it takes to survive in NYC. It's got a hipster vibe, a somewhat spacious back area with a big overhead for your football or whatever show. It has legit food like Black Forest Cherry Gateau which has been branded as True German food (by the same friend). More cherry would have made it better and the portion for $9 should be larger, in my non-german opinion. It had the weisswurst ($16) and my friend had wurstkorb with Freiburg taste ($12). My drink Weihenstephan hefe dunkel ($8) was good - fruity and light. Radeberger pilsner ($7) has been deemed real German beer and my friend says you can't go wrong with it. It tastes like home, he says. You can choose between .5L and 1L . Sauerkraut is fine but is slightly sweeter than what he's used to. Pretzel is good, but it didn't come with butter. Kaiser bun with wurstkorb is worth remember because he was amazed at its flavor and wondered if it was imported because it tasted like home. The weisswurst came in some sort of a broth. Remember to peel off the casing when you're eating the wursts! Has wifi. Nice but slow service. Quite dim. tasty food.

Chuck C.

Yelp
Black Forest still has it going on. Yes, it is very very similar to the place up on Fulton street, but that is 100% OK in my book, as I really loved living close to the OG location. They have virtually the same beer (save maybe one draught that is only available at the other store), and the same menu. The layout is similar as well, with bench style seating and a decently sized bar. They are super kid friendly which is nice for anyone who has kids or friends with kid, but still wants a 1/2 liter of German goodness. I personally go with a dunkle or kellerbier, unless I am in the mood for some night night juice, then that calls for the Aventinus (a liter of that is seriously dangerous). As for the food, the schnitzel looked legit (will def try next time), the sausage platter lets you chose your own four (go with the cheese brat), comes with a few sides, and is great for sharing, and the giant pretzel is...well a giant pretzel (also very good for sharing) Come here with friends, have a few liters of beer, and a large pretzel, you're guaranteed to have a good time.