Mader's Restaurant
German restaurant · Westtown ·

Mader's Restaurant

German restaurant · Westtown ·

Authentic German cuisine, Bavarian decor, traditional waitstaff, glass boots

Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by Kevin Miyazaki
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null
Mader's Restaurant by null

Information

1041 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53203 Get directions

$30–50

Reserve a table
See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Lunch reservations recommended
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended

Information

Static Map

1041 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53203 Get directions

+1 414 271 3377
madersrestaurant.com
@madersrestaurant
𝕏
@MadersWI

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve a table

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Lunch reservations recommended
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Romantic

Last updated

Jan 9, 2026

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@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

6 Essential Foods to Try in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - AFAR

"A long-established German restaurant that evokes old Bavaria with a turreted exterior, interior decor featuring armored knights and stained glass, and a reputation for hearty, traditional cooking that helped it survive Prohibition." - Elaine Glusac

https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-best-foods-in-milwaukee
Mader's Restaurant
@infatuation
132,814 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

The 22 Best Restaurants In Milwaukee - Milwaukee - The Infatuation

"Milwaukee’s founding fathers were Germans, and Mader’s does the city’s culinary heritage justice. The downtown restaurant looks like a chalet with barrel-vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows, and you should probably drink some beer out of glass boots while you’re here. Stick to the German food like a skinless pork shank with apple demi-glaze and sides of red potatoes, cabbage, and sauerkraut that’s been on the menu since 1902 (and happens to be Packers’ legendary coach Vince Lombardi’s favorite). After dinner, go to Knights Bar on the first floor and drink an Old Fashioned." - kristine hansen

https://www.theinfatuation.com/milwaukee/guides/best-restaurants-milwaukee
Mader's Restaurant
@infatuation
132,814 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

Mader's Restaurant - Review - Downtown - Milwaukee - The Infatuation

"Milwaukee’s founding fathers were Germans, and Mader’s does the city’s culinary heritage justice. The downtown restaurant looks like a chalet with barrel-vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows, and you should probably drink some beer out of glass boots while you’re here. Stick to the German food like a skinless pork shank with apple demi-glaze and sides of red potatoes, cabbage, and sauerkraut that’s been on the menu since 1902 (and happens to be Packers’ legendary coach Vince Lombardi’s favorite). After dinner, go to Knights Bar on the first floor and drink an Old Fashioned." - Kristine Hansen

https://www.theinfatuation.com/milwaukee/reviews/maders-restaurant
Kevin Miyazaki
Mader's Restaurant
@cntraveler
42,174 Postcards · 5,652 Cities

50 States, 50 Cuisines: The Food Worth Traveling For in Every State

"A long-standing institution known for traditional German dishes like roast pork shank with sauerkraut."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/50-states-50-cuisines
Mader's Restaurant

Steven K.

Google
Excellent food with large portions. The menu said the Tour of Germany platter can feed two but it is large enough for four. My only disappointment was the liver dumpling soup was not on the menu. The potato soup I had was terrific. Our waitress Reanna was great! Do make reservations if you go after 4pm.

Neche V.

Google
I went to Mader's with some friends from out of town to show them part of the Milwaukee culture. There were 6 of us at dinner. We were seated promptly, very well taken care of by the staff, and the food was incredible. The only item I would add that would make Mader's even better is 1 to 2 more vegetarian dishes. I know its not the norm of German food; it would make it a little easier for those with different diets to have more than one option to choose from. Definitely will be back.

Olena

Google
We had an amazing time. The food was absolutely delicious and full of authentic flavor. Despite the city event and the place being fully booked, the service was fast, friendly, and on point. Everything was served quickly and with a smile. I would definitely come back – highly recommended!

Steven H.

Google
Great spot downtown for some German grub! Very laid back vibe with a fun ambience. I got the sampler and had a drink at the bar and had a great time. Perfect place to dip in when traveling and trying to get a Milwaukee experience. I’ll be back next time I’m in the neighborhood.

Mark Y

Google
I was impressed with the Bavarian decor walking in. The service was wonderful, everyone from the valet to the busing staff went above and beyond. We had a pretty good pretzel with delicious cheese to dip it in to start. I had a sampler platter for dinner. The pork and schnitzel were good, the beef was okay, and the potato was meh. The sides of cabbage and kraut were both good. Overall, if you ignore the price, I'd give the food a three and a half stars. When you include the price, I give it a three. But the service was five stars, so I reluctantly bump my review up to four stars.

Hollis T.

Google
If you’re craving a taste of Germany without booking a flight, Mader’s delivers the full experience right in downtown Milwaukee. From the moment you walk in, the medieval decor — suits of armor, stained glass, and antique wood carvings — sets the tone for a meal that’s anything but ordinary. The menu is a celebration of classic German fare: buttery pretzels, crisp fried fish, and schnitzels that could double as comfort food therapy. The beer selection is robust, with Spaten Lager served in glass boots that practically beg for a toast. Whether you’re diving into oxtail soup or the Bavarian platter, portions are generous and flavors are bold. It’s a great spot to hang out, indulge, and let the atmosphere transport you.

Jennifer B.

Google
Fantastic staff, food, beer, and ambiance. We had a large party meet and they were so welcoming and helpful. Excellent food (the pretzel is huge and delicious!) and German beers. The owners even provided a brief history of the armory throughout the restaurant. Highly, highly recommended!!!

Ron E.

Google
Excellent! Service, food, atmosphere. A friend recommended and he was not wrong. The schnitzel took me back to Germany or Austria. Loved the food coming out steaming hot. Server was very helpful. We’d return any trip to Milwaukee.
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Jack G.

Yelp
Very good German comfort food. Generous portions. The plate-sized off-menu pretzel (just ask for one) is great; ideal appetizer for a group while enjoying drinks and deciding what to order. Decent traditional German dishes. Lovely service and great Bavarian ambiance.
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Clark B.

Yelp
Maders is an old place with claims to great German food. They get the old right, and the decor is awesome. The food doesn't live up to my - admittedly high - expectations. I ordered a Hefe weizen and Jaeger Schnitzel. I'd well reviewed the menu before going since I had to wait relatively late to get a seat on a busy game night. The food came quickly, but my Spidey senses immediately flared up when I saw the mushroom sauce on the side. Look, Jaeger Schnitzel needs an abundance of thick sauce. This was thin and light on mushrooms, they offered to bring more but it just set me back. This is the second time I've seen this and it made me sad. The schnitzel and spaetzle itself was okay. The sauce marginal. The sauerkraut wasn't wonderful but I don't usually like it. There was a lot of food but I did try the dessert which was a chocolate bread pudding with brandied cherries and pecans. Wasn't sure if they could remove the pecans but they did. I didn't care for it. Service was quick and fine with garbed gals in dirndls and guys in lederhosen. I give it a 3.6 which rounds to a generous 4.
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Joe S.

Yelp
If you give a Schnitzel about good German food and you're in downtown Milwaukee, you have to give Mader's a try. It was a short walk from the hotel and although it was a bit pricey, it was worth it, especially since it was on an expensable meal. The complimentary pretzel bread was good and came with plenty of butter! Service was pretty awesome with the waitress letting us know there would be plenty of food with our schnitzel meals, and she was right. There were two nice pieces of pounded breaded pork over a nice pile of spatzel which was definitely homemade. I ordered it Jager style which had a delicious mushroom gravy. I had an espresso martini as I had just had some beers at another spot and needed a pick-me-up to get through the dinner after a long week. Great meal, cool place, and excellent service.
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Molly L.

Yelp
The BEER CHEESE sooooo yummy with the fresh pretzel ... I tried something new that I didn't think that I would like which were the potato pancakes. They were so delicious crunchy and flavorful, and I loved the thick, sweet applesauce that the potato pancakes laid on top of it was a very tasty combination. Another favorite was the super cheesy French onion soup. Service was fast and friendly personally I feel it is a little overpriced, but the food is good. Will definitely be back to visit next Green Bay trip.
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Mike L.

Yelp
This is a German Food Tourist trap. With that said we went to the other one up the road and after waiting for a while the bartender said kitchen was not working today and suggested we leave. So we hit the road and went to Mader's. I was big concerned b/c this is a 2-3 $ place but I was pleasantly surprised at what we got for the price. I still think it's about $10 too expensive but the food is very good, the beers are excellent and the service is great. Definitely worth doing once.
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Mark Y.

Yelp
I was impressed with the Bavarian decor walking in. The service was wonderful, everyone from the valet to the busing staff went above and beyond. We had a pretty good pretzel with delicious cheese to dip it in to start. I had a sampler platter for dinner. The pork and schnitzel were good, the beef was okay, and the potato was meh. The sides of cabbage and kraut were both good. Overall, if you ignore the price, I'd give the food a three and a half stars. When you include the price, I give it a three. But the service was five stars, so I reluctantly bump my review up to four stars.
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Beth A.

Yelp
This is such a lovely German restaurant in Milwaukee with nice decor outside and inside. We reserved online via Resy, for lunch. The staff and service was great and food came out quickly. The tables are big because the plates of food are big! We enjoyed the hall of fame to the bathrooms with the pictures and autographs of famous people that have dined here. Pricing was fair for the amount of food - for two people with drinks, entrees including the salmon salad and the German sampler the total was in the $80s.
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Jake L.

Yelp
OVERHYPED OVERPRICED TOURIST's TRAP Mader's is terribly overhyped. I had my expectations up when I saw all the good reviews online. We got the tour of Germany (big platter around $90 that says suitable for two but the portion was enough for 3-4 people) and found the dishes to be either terribly sweet & sour or bland. And I can see that the dishes on the platter were preped long time ago and just did an easy assemble and brought to us. The spetzle and whinerschnitzel, along with our drinks & bread, but the rest of the food was underwhelming despite its' eye-widening price. Overall the service was good, but rather awkward. You have to park by Valet parking too. The room was too dark until somebody realized and turned on the lights when we already half way done eating. $140 for a class of don't trust the HYPE!
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Dennis T.

Yelp
Diane and I joined my cousin and his wife for dinner at this decades-old bastion of German food during our cross-country road trip. In a dining room that featured stained glass windows and bas-reliefs on walls we began by sharing a nice Pretzel Loaf and good Potato Cakes. But I made the mistake of ordering Liver Dumpling Soup to try it. The big hunks of liver were far different than traditional Chinese dumplings, and way too dense for my taste. So, I didn't eat much of the soup. I then had a Baby Spinach Salad with spinach leaves and egg, which I liked. Next for me was a German Sampler with Veal. The Sauerbraten was cool. But the Veal Schnitzel, Red Cabbage, ham, and sauerkraut were all warm and good. Diane had the Veal Schnitzel Scallop Sampler and found it to be okay. The two others in my party enjoyed Herb Crusted Salmon and Duck Chambord. Service was good. Except for my cousin, who ordered an Apple Strudel ala mode, we passed on several available desserts, posed for photos with each other, and then said our goodbyes until we meet again in Las Vegas.
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Ali M.

Yelp
I'm so confused by these 4 and 5 star reviews. This was one of the worst meals I've ever had. Everything was very clearly microwaved and had been sitting out for a long time. Or food took about 10 minutes to come out even though the restaurant was full....The food was bland and tasteless as well. Service was attentive but our waitress wasn't particularly friendly and just seemed extremely stressed. Everything about this place just felt like an overpriced tourist trap. This is such a shame as the decor and vibe were cool and I love the history behind the restaurant but man did it not deliver.
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Peg P.

Yelp
I was surprised to notice I hadn't reviewed Mader's before. This is a great dinner destination. Especially for a group. Especially if you have kids with you. You can hardly say you've been to Milwaukee if you haven't been to Mader's. The staff have always been surprisingly cool with a little kid getting hyped up and running around a little bit. And it's understandable because they have stuff like suits of armor in here, and what little kid wouldn't get over-excited about that? I can hardly stop myself from getting up and running around here. The food is a good representation of traditional German food. If you like meat and potatoes, you'll be fine here. If you have a group of four or more adults, and no one is a vegetarian, order the tour of Germany. So. Much. Meat. We've found that when it's just two of us, we enjoy sitting in the bar and sampling the appetizers. Everything's good. Most of it's sausage. I think. It's kind of a blur now. Did I mention the drinks are excellent? mean, I haven't had the espresso martini, but all the other cocktails are pretty good. And if you want an espresso martini, I don't know what you're doing in a German restaurant. You can't go wrong with beer here. Great beer selection, obviously. And Sprecher root beer to keep the kids hopped up on sugar.

Gary C.

Yelp
Jumped the shark. Don't bother. Even the waitstaff is telling people the food sucks. Expensive without the quality.

Kit W.

Yelp
Very German restaurant with good food and decent service. We ordered the Bavarian Pretzel, The Tour of Germany platter, and two lager style beers with 20% tip (fed 2) was $175.00. quiet expensive but we had enough leftovers for a meal the next day. Pretzel came salted with beer cheese and spicy mustard. The platter came with wiener schnitzel (we upgraded to veal), solauerbrauten, pork shank, pork loin slices, potato salad, spaetzle, sour kraut, and red cabbage. Very good, very flavorful, very tender meat, and a lot of food. Our server was less than stellar but he didn't ruin our experience (chalking it up to an off night). He did bring us a slice of Black Forest cake for free because it had been cut incorrectly and couldn't be sold. All in all a good experience.
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Holly W.

Yelp
I have no skin in the Authentic German game as I have never been to Germany so my statement is: felt authentic. Cool vibe inside like you are inside a castle. Interesting painting on the wall. Servers all wear lederhosen. Our waiter was a young guy who I liked his blatant honesty. (He told us he had never washed his lederhosen and he had worked there for about a year. Pretty gross thought actually.) Potato pancake- delicious, needs the toppings The Giant pretzel is GIANT! The guys went with authentic food, but I can't remember what. It does take awhile to get your food but we were pleased.
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Karl A.

Yelp
We had a reservation for a large group at Mader's. When we got there we were seated quickly and had our drink order in pretty fast. That's when things ground to a halt. The server came back about 15 minutes later to get our food order and we actually had to ask where our drinks were. He said they were a little busy, but it was obvious they were understaffed for a Saturday night. After we finally got our drinks, the food started to hit the table. It was good, not the best German food I've had, but it was solid. I tried the portobello napoleon and it was tasty! The portobello was overpowered by the bell pepper. Honestly the giant pretzel was the highlight of the meal. It was baked to perfection, and the cheese was Wisconsin heaven in a bite! Mediocre service, decent food.
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A C.

Yelp
First time in Milwaukee and first time at the restaurant. Free valet parking in the area is a plus! Stopped by for a Friday lunch. Service was attentive. Beer selection was good...wish they had more German dark beers. Wife and kid had the schnitzel and were content,,,I went with the sauerbraten Nd it eas delicious. Very nice decor.
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Jennette R.

Yelp
So much fun! Loved our time there! We were short and time and not that hungry so we just shared apps. Baked onion soup, potato pancakes and the Reuben rolls which were on point! Those can be so tricky to get done right. I highly recommend and if you can, do dinner! Other diners entrees looked amazing! Also, so many fun photo opps with the beautiful decor!

Bob S.

Yelp
Crazy expensive. Horrible service in Knights Bar Cannot recommend to anyone. $42 for a schnitzel???'nn
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Fernando L.

Yelp
The food was fantastic. Everything had rich, traditional flavors, was well prepared, and came in generous portions. We had the Reuben rolls and the pork shank. Pure heaven for your paladar. Great spot if you're in the mood for hearty, satisfying food.
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Brandon B.

Yelp
I hadn't been here for over 20 years, and I was stopping through town and wanted to revisit! First of all, I forgot how absolutely dead Milwaukee was on Monday, I walked by and looked in and it was nearly empty--after checking online that they were open I ventured in and they were seating right away for dinner--quick! (maybe 5 people in the whole place at the time, another 10 or more came later). Myles was a giant sparkler of a human in lederhosen that broke the silence and made the the night lively, great waiter! I had a very full meal of hot wine/old fashioned and the Bavarian platter, ith 3 types of Wurst, Ham, sauerkraut, and potato dumpling: great protein meal after a long day of less food. No room for dessert! The decor is fun and "medieval"/old school German as always, a Milwaukee classic!
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Debbie K.

Yelp
Authentic German cuisine. Delicious selections. Not sure if there are selections besides German food for patrons. Prompt service. Make reservations. It took a bit for the food to come out. The restaurant was very busy. Classic Old World decor. Beautiful and authentic. A lovely place.
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Vince J.

Yelp
In town for wedding & made reservations for lunch. The German restaurant been here over 100 years & looks authentic inside with Knights armor plus beautiful stained glass windows. We were seated immediately... My girlfriend & I started potato pancakes plus cheese & suagage board...cheeses & sausage were all tremendous...mustard plus warm baguettes!!! We shared the Tour Of Germany entree...delicious with a variety of items She had a German beer on tap but went famous Milwaukee roor beer. I totally reccomend to take a walk around especially if never going across the Pond for Octoberfest....this next best thing for authentic German food.

C H.

Yelp
Old well preserved decor. Wonderful service. The pretzels were amazing. One was enough for 3 people. The decor was authentic, felt like you were stepping into a German pub.
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Ashley J.

Yelp
This place is a solid 4 star! The food was good, and Mercedes did a great Job being our server. The ambiance definitely takes you back in time, Which has a cool feel.
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Dustin U.

Yelp
Great German food! Wonderfully authentic atmosphere! Awesome service! 10/10 would return!
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Eric B.

Yelp
This is a very historic German restaurant in Milwaukee that I wanted to try during a recent visit. Having grown up in Germany I am always looking for good German food. You can make a reservation online which is highly recommended given how popular the place is. The interior is very authentic and definitely has the ambiance of a German dining room. I was seated right away, and the server was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I was seated at the same table Gerald Ford used, and I was told that Will Ferrell had previously sat in my seat. I had the sausage and pretzel starter. Delicious! The pretzel was warm and soft and perfect. The sausage was also delicious and authentic with tasty and mild flavor. I had the schnitzel entree and substituted the potato dumpling for the spaetzle. The schnitzel was tender although a little bit bland. It did have a good crunchy coating with tender pork. The dumpling was fairly good although for some reason was not shaped into a dumpling and looked more like a serving of mashed potatoes. It definitely had the potato dumpling taste, though. Save room for dessert. I had the apple "apfel" strudel which was delicious. Perfectly warm with a flaky crust and plenty of apples and raisins within. Overall this was a great meal, and I highly recommend Mader's for a German meal in Milwaukee!
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Alyssa F.

Yelp
Updated review since my last visit to Mader's was 3 years ago (hard to believe!) and a star change. This restaurant is a Milwaukee institution that serves up some of the best, authentic German food in the city. Inside you'll find a fun atmosphere- a moody, Bavarian feel with dimly lit spaces, large round chandeliers, huge stain glass windows, life-sized suits of Medieval armor and lots of large, dark wooden furniture. Servers are even dressed up in traditional German lederhosen and Bavarian dresses. There's a big bar if you want to stop in for drinks and light bites but I recommend you dine here for a full meal. Best to make reservations in advance especially on the weekends and if there are major events taking place in the city like graduations or a Bucks basketball game. Portions are on the large side. My favorite vegetarian dishes are: the big, soft pretzel served with mustard and cheese, vegetarian spaetzle and potato pancakes. The sauerkraut used to be the freshest I could find in the city but it is now served with bits of corn beef so vegetarians beware! Even though I told my server I was a vegetarian before I ordered, I did order a side of the kraut and wasn't told it had meat in it until after the fact. Thankfully my meal was taken off the bill as a result. We've started coking here once a year around the holidays and hope to continue the tradition for a long time. It's a fun time for the whole family. Be sure to snap a picture in the huge chair by the main checkout/hostess counter and peruse the antique collection too. Bonus! This place is centrally located location right downtown near Fiserv Forum and theaters (in the Deer District). There is a valet which is incredible considering the location and how hard it can be to find free street parking in the city. Best practice is to tip valet $3-$5.
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Ashlee A.

Yelp
The food was delicious, I've never seen a pretzel that large. The restaurant is so cute on the outside and inside. I felt like we had authentic food and good service.
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Jen E.

Yelp
I'm really surprised by how low the overall rating is for Maders. This restaurant is classic, kitschy, and a super cool experience. Totally old school German food-- traditional, tasty, and really plentiful. The portions are huge. SHARE!! If something says it's for 2 people... you can definitely feed 3-4. Our server was lovely and attentive and the decor is a total vibe. This isn't modern and hip but it is a total Comfort spot with good beers (I wouldn't recommend the cocktails... stick to beer and wine) and an old school cozy feeling. Check your attitude at the door and embrace a trip back in time.

J R.

Yelp
Always love going to Mader's! Good array of authentic German Food. The apple strudel is one of favorite desserts around!
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KC L.

Yelp
Went for lunch at this very famous German restaurant in downtown Milwaukee. It's been here since 1902. The place is beautiful with wood carvings and stained glass windows. Wait staff were wearing traditional German lederhosen. The server was prompt and friendly, however this was lunch service and not very busy. Started with a wonderful charcuterie board with bread, beer cheese spread, 2 different cheeses, 2 meats, fruit, nuts, pickles and a delightful spicy cherry jam which paired well with the beer cheese. Hubby had a dunkle beer he really enjoyed. We both had the veal schnitzel with jaeger style mushroom gravy. Came with homemade spaetzel and sauerkraut. Too stuffed to have any of the delicious dessert offerings. All very delicious and authentic German. I can say that having lived in Germany. When visiting Milwaukee you've got to go here!
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Peter F.

Yelp
I've eat here twice so far. Amazing art throughout the restaurant. Amazing service, and the food has been awesome each time. Easy valet parking right at the door.
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Dave B.

Yelp
This is one of the very best German dining experiences you could hope for. We visited while in Milwaukee and had a great meal. The service was super engaging and friendly. The atmosphere is of a genuine German restaurant with stained glass, steins, wood carvings and music. I give it a 10 out of 10. It's a must!
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Sarah P.

Yelp
Delicious, authentic German food. We actually ate at their tent during Germanfest this past weekend. I ordered their sausage sample that came with 3 different sausages, sauerkraut, and German potato salad. My sister had the cheese and bacon spatzel. We loved the spatzel, it was super rich, springy and full of flavor. I will add it was VERY salty, but I loved it. Just maybe chase it with a nice beer or some water. It was nice to sample the different sausages, my favorite was the bratwurst and I really enjoyed this vinegary (hint of sweet) take on potato salad. I couldn't put my fork down! I also had a jager cocktail that had lemonade, this was super refreshing and was a good chaser for my meal. I won't speak to service or ambience since this was in a unique setting but I did walk past the exterior of the storefront and it looks very classic and charming.

Thomas M.

Yelp
Our party of 8 went here for a special occasion. The food was great. However, our service and interactions with the manager were horrendous. Our server didn't come to our table for almost 30 minutes to provide waters or take drink orders. It was only after we found the manager that the server came over. She was apologetic, said she thought a different server had our table, and took our orders right away. Not a huge deal. One of us didn't get our beer, so then the server brought out another beer, but it was the wrong beer. We didn't say anything and were fine with the other beer. She then realized her mistake and brought the right one. Again, it was a little mix-up and not a huge deal, except on our bill she charged us for both - the wrong one and the right one! We waited, but the server didn't come take any other drink orders and we only got water refilled once by a different server after asking twice (we then asked to keep the water pitcher at our table so we'd at least have water). We began to wonder about our food as we waited another long while, probably 45 minutes, and hadn't even seen our appetizers. A member of our party went to speak with the manager, who was immediately defensive about how busy they had been this evening. Not at all apologetic or interested in how she could rectify the situation. And we were not being harsh or rude, as most members of our party have been restaurant servers for years, so we are all very understanding about service snafus. We just wanted to get the manager's attention, in hopes of getting our experience back on track. She certainly didn't help in that regard. Then our entrees started appearing (we never got any of the 3 appetizers we had ordered!). Three of us ordered entrees that were supposed to come with sauerkraut and red cabbage, but those were not delivered to our table with our entrees. We asked for them right away, and they were finally delivered after we had finished the rest of our entrees. Again, a member of our party went over to speak with the manager but she wouldn't even acknowledge him. Our server was apologetic, and did appear to be hurrying, but only briefly interacted with us once she knew we had spoken with the manager. No discounts were applied to our bill, and they still charged us a 20% auto-gratuity for being a party of 8! We are all understanding of a server having a couple mix-ups, but from a restaurant as famous as Mader's that is charging nearly $50 for their entrees, we expected a much higher level of service and much better treatment from the manager.
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Nisheet G.

Yelp
We were in the mood of some German food and everyone recommended Mader's in downtown so we decided to check it out. Here's my take on the experience: Quality of drinks and food: Excellent. I tried the Rhine Sampler that came with Weiner Schnitzel, beef goulash, spaetzle, red cabbage, and sauerkraut. Everything was seasoned to perfection and tasted very authentic. The portion size was also huge. For beer I had their dark Dunkel which paired brilliantly with the hearty food. Décor: really neat. Just one look at the menu would tell you that some very famous presidents and celebrities have dined at Mader's. That's not only because of their excellent food but the historic nature of the restaurant. There are stained glass murals on the walls and the whole place feels very cozy and very German. Cleanliness: good. The tables and carpets were being kept clean. Service: good. Our server was quick at taking and bringing our orders. Price: expensive. The sampler was around $40 and the beer price also seemed a bit high. They definitely can demand higher prices because of their well known restaurant status in Milwaukee. If you're up for some authentic albeit pricey German food then you must checkout Mader's.
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Elaine G.

Yelp
Always a fantastic time at Mader's! The food is delicious and authentic, drinks excellent, and all in an authentic atmosphere! The staff is helpful and welcoming, happy to answer any questions and make recommendations. The location is iconic and makes for a great time. Have been going since I was young and so glad it is still a wonderful institution! Cannot recommend enough!

Bart S.

Yelp
Stopped here on my way to a show and was immediately caught off guard because of the prices. There wasn't an entree for less than about $35. I'm cheap so I went with an appetizer - and I"m glad that's all I got because it filled me up. I got the Reuben Rolls and they were amazing. VERY hot - they didn't let them cool at all, but they were well worth it. The Oktoberfest beer they had was also yummy (go figure!). The bartender was a little slow but other than that, it was great. Look forward to going back when I have a bigger wallet and bigger appetite. Just know you're going to drop some cash here.
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Chun P.

Yelp
This 120+ year old German restaurant looks incredible inside and outside, we just had to check it out! I've been to Germany three times, and just got back from Munich's Oktoberfest! But some research we saw that the main dishes, however, were more on the upscale pricier level so we opted to just visit the bar area for appetizers and happy hour beers...though we learned the hard way that happy hour is only $2 off draft beers, no food specials...doh! At least they had some good German beers on draft, a 1 liter "Ein Mass" glass costing $14 after the $2 discount. The $14 Reuben rolls, with corned beef, sauerkraut, cheese, deep fried in a batter...tasty, meaty, and delicious! The $15 Giant Pretzel really is humungous! Bartender served with a genuine big smile, as well as the runners. The interior decor is amazing, definitely worth a look and great place for a German beer, and a dinner splurge.

Peggy S.

Yelp
My husband and I were celebrating our 54th wedding anniversary and had the best German meal of our lives. Everything was perfect from our special cocktail to our complimentary Apple strudel. I had the Sauerbraten and my husband had the Beef Rouladen. They were both excellent. We will be back.
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Scholastica G.

Yelp
This is the most perfect German theme restaurant I've ever experienced! The servers are dressed in German outfits and are a delightfully to be around. The murals are so captive and their architecture reminds me of a church that you would go to! What a wonderful experience
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David M.

Yelp
If you are looking for the authentic German cuisine experience Mader's is your place. The staff is dressed in old time German clothes and the service is great. The food was cooked and flavored just like a German grandma did it. Everything about this place gives you a positive vibe and family feeling.
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Grace D.

Yelp
This place was amazingly good! I've had German food before in other places around the county but this was exceptional! Now most of you will not agree with my trying the liver dumpling soup but I can tell you I felt I was growing strong by the minute as I ate this warm, tasty soup! The fried pickles were amazing and were cut like thin french fries instead of big wedges or slices. The pretzel we got on the appetizer was very fresh and warm. We ended up splitting a plate because that's just what we do and it was more than enough for both of us! The wait staff is dressed in traditional German garb so that adds to the experience. The restaurant immerses you in Germany with its beautiful wall, hangings and staining glass. Lots of famous people have eaten there, and they have their pictures running along one of the walls. I would definitely go back there, but make room for dessert this next time.
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Bradley D.

Yelp
My son and I ate here last night and and the place is extremely cool. Lots of old world decor and great German beer. Unfortunately, that was the best part. Got the Tour of Germany and it was HUGE, like 3-4 people huge, which is fine, except most of the food was very dry. You needed to smoother it in gravy or juice to avoid choking. The pork shanks was the best part and I would only order that in the future. Bill was 140...which was was..a lot. Go there once, but save your money after that and check out the nearby restaurants.

francis l.

Yelp
Service was good. The food was bad. I can't blame that it's German food because I had good German food before. Everything was bland and tasteless. Some of the food items, I am speaking of the sausages, were warm (not cold but definitely not hot!). I put salt and pepper on everything and it still did not help. I actually felt nauseated at one point and could not finish my meal. The reputation of it being one of the oldest restaurants in Milwaukee is the only thing that was interest but definitely not worth going for the food.

C S.

Yelp
Overall, the food was extremely bland and unappetizing. A table near us ordered fish and the smell was so pungent and fishy that it made us nauseous. The service was good and attentive, I would never come back.

Melissa S.

Yelp
Over priced, underwhelming. Meat was tough, dry and overcooked. Lacked seasoning. Spatzel was mushy. I make jagerschitzel at home and was excited to try theirs. At $40 a plate I would save my money and go somewhere else or make your meal at home. I gave it 2 stars only for the ambience and pleasant staff. Otherwise I would have given it one.
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Maronda H.

Yelp
I wish. I could give this place zero stars. I highly wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. The customer service is awful. Our server Menucha had the most unpleasant and rude attitude. From the moment we sat down she had a chip on her shoulder. I was actually ready to go but My Aunt wanted to stay and try the fried potatoes. I tried goulash at a restaurant in Chicago and loved it. Our food was a disaster the potatoes were hard and overcooked. We mentioned it to our server and she had an even more attitude with us. My goulash came with some type of sticky rice and raw peppers.The meat was so tender that it was hard to even chew it. I thought it was suppose to be more like a soup. Just a terrible experience at this establishment. I rank this place as the most unpleasant and awful place to dine in Milwaukee. Definitely Don't Recommend to come here and spend your money.
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Ed S.

Yelp
Ambiance is old German upscale restaurant/bar with swords and stained glass... so far so good. Lots of German beer and wine selections but most of the "by the glass" are small bottles so no way to try anything without buying. Service was hit and miss... mostly miss on a very quiet afternoon with only a few patrons. Lunch menu was very small with only a few options beyond sausages Portions big on starch but small on meat. Taste was unremarkable it then it is German so some of that is expected. If you are looking for old school tourist German then this is your place!