Rathskeller

Rathskeller is a small, casual dining spot featuring German food and a variety of cocktails and beer. The staff is very friendly, the food and drink are quite good (though I could quibble on a few things such as the fact that the black forest cupcake was served cold which really detracted from the flavors), but at its price point, I was pleased with the food quality. My biggest complaint/caution for those attending is that the entrance is poorly marked and down a flight of stairs. There must be some sort of ADA compliant option to get into the restaurant, but it was unclear to me what it might be. Still, this is a fun and lively spot. There's a good amount of whimsy (for instance, you can opt to buy a round for the staff to get everyone "schnitzel-faced"). This is a fun restaurant for rowdy friends- it does get very loud as it fills up.

The food was delicious and the portions were a good size. The spaetzel with cheddar sauce was so good! The pork schnitzel was crispy and not greasy, and the red cabbage was sweet and braised nicely.

Best restaurant I've been to in a long time. Great selection of wursts and schnitzels. We ordered a couple of fresh and everything was perfect. They gave us an extra worst because they made the wrong one, but THEY caught it before we did and corrected it. The pretzel was easily the best pretzel I've ever had. Huge, fluffy, buttery, melt in your mouth. They gave a perfect selection of sauces to compliment the meat. Service was fast, efficient, friendly and helpful. I was so happily surprised to find this place after the hotel staff told us the chain restaurants were the best options for food in the area.

I recommend this restaurant if you're a middle class white American with a 2.5 hour lunch break, so that you can come here and talk about nothing, and drink their vast selection of overpriced beer. This is one of those "two guys with a crazy dream" places that has just overpriced menu items, mediocre service, and random interior. I really, really disliked eating here. They do German dishes here, hence the name, and I hope they do them justice because they can't do a burger. The garbage, I mean food in my picture was some burger that was like $22 or something for 2 miniature undercooked patties on a bun that's too big. The potato wedges were literally just rings of fried potato. Impressive. My friend got something, and the fries were okay but it's not hard to do okay fries. He said he liked his food but I'm not sure why.

Amazing German food! Great vibe outside. Good beer and good schnitzel. Highly recommend.

We decided to try Rathskeller on a Friday evening, and now we’re only regretting not visiting sooner. We loved everything about it. The staff were incredibly friendly, the bartender was engaging, and the beer selection was solid. We ordered the potato pancakes and chicken schnitzel, and while the price of food was higher than I anticipated, the quality and flavor made it worth every penny. Everything was fantastic. We will be back and ordering the exact same thing. Highly recommend!

Excellent German food. Potato cakes, spaetzle, schnitzel, and pretzels were all great. Really nice server as well. Loved this place and will be back

We were a party of 6, so that may have contributed to our overall experience. We entered the restaurant downstairs, which had a good German gausthaus vibe. After checking in, we were taken outside and went to a small room upstairs where we were seated. The place upstairs is nothing like downstairs and is plain and undecorated like an after thought. We all ordered beers and cocktails that tasted good, but the amount of time it took them was long. They come from the actual restaurant downstairs and brought up. Our server was friendly but slow and sometimes absent. The next issue is that I was charged $4 for a very small cup (like a condiment cup) for the Rahm Sauce for the Schnitzel I ordered. When the food came, I questioned that the small cup was what I paid $4 for and was told yes. One of our Jager schnitzels was sent back because it was cold. The German potato salad is not traditional style. There was zero bacon and very little vinegar in the recipe. I may be biased, having lived in Germany for 9 years, but a few of us were disappointed after dinner. I guess for American German food, it is OK.

I absolutely adore this place and can't give it enough kudos! From the moment you walk in, you're hit with that authentic German charm. The atmosphere is always welcoming and cozy, making it the perfect spot for any occasion, whether you're here for a casual night out, happy hour, or a special celebration. The food? Amazing. Every dish is packed with flavor, and you can tell it's made with love and authenticity. And don't even get me started on the beer selection. It's as if you've been transported straight to Germany! What really makes this place stand out, though, is the staff. Every server, host, bartender, and kitchen staffer is unbelievably kind and genuine. It's clear that they care about providing the best experience possible, and that warmth is what keeps me coming back.

Got here before the rush, and sat at the bar... took a recommendation and chose the JagerSchnitzel... crispy, tasty, potatoes were great but the broccoli was the star! For desert I went with the Strudel... not overly sweet, but a great texture! If you've read any of my reviews you know I'm in it for the brews, and this joint has a Great German beer selection! Tried 2 new ones and liked them both. Ambiance is garden apartment, service was friendly and helpful at the bar, and prices were slightly above expectation but everything was good. I'm not out this way often, so I can't commit to an encore, but I recommend this joint!

Seriously great German food and beer! Cozy atmosphere and excellent service. Highly recommend the pretzel, potato cakes and brats.

German restaurants are always hit or miss. The food was not bad, but not great. We were seated immediately and service was great. The atmosphere is probably a step above casual, nice and cozy but I didn't feel like we were in a German restaurant. Snitzel was good, little tough, red cabbage a little too sweet for me, but it was yummy.

Must go!! We were in town on business and came in for dinner when we saw the name. German roots here, and I'm always on the hunt for amazing German food, drinks, vibes. This does not disappoint!!! LOVE that you head down to the "skeller" aka the basement for us non-German speakers. Felt like I was in Germany inside, minus the music lol, but the music was great too. Service was exceptional. Melissa was our server and she was so sweet, and super knowledgeable. Love that the menu is designed to help you share and try new things! We started with a German Riesling and Bitburger beer on draft. Holy country club pour on the wine . Enjoyed a light dinner of weisswurst with sauerkraut topping and spaetzle with cheese. Also got the debreziner with sauerkraut on top and German potato salad as a side. It was a bit pricey but worth every penny. Cannot express how fluffy, fresh, and incredible the weisswurst was! And the spices in the debreziner were unbelievable. 110/10 would get the potato salad again. Spatzle tasted like Germany. We may not be back in the area for months or years, but whenever it may be we will be back!!

Incredible German spot with a great selection of beers and unique food not normal to American cuisine. I'm not German, nor have I been to Germany, but this place is worth checking out for adventurous people. My server was awesome and super helpful with the menu which can get confusing for the weak. Inside has plenty of seating, plus they have seating outside, weather permitting.

We had a Wurst platter that included 5 Wurst and 2 large sides. For sides the red delicious cabbage and German potato salad. We ate wurst until we couldn't eat anymore. All 5 Wurst were delish! It's worth driving out of your way. We were in the area to catch a BWI flight but I'm willing now to make this my final destination. A bonus is the excellent service and no rush attitude. We ate inside, kind of a chilly day. There is also a 6 chair bar dining area.

Loved the way the restaurant is set up. A little taste of Germany without going over board. The staff was super super friendly. They were helpful and attentive and welcoming. They also had the perfect dish for a foodie like me - both a schnitzel and a bratwurst platter for a reasonable price. They even had very authentic Gluwein. I'm so glad I made the choice. Right around the corner from the airport so great to good before or after a flight. Recommend.

Overall: unique spot for German food and drinks, fun menu that includes high end cocktails and mocktails, late night happy hour, indoor/outdoor seating, single stall restrooms (no changing table), delicious food, but pretty high prices and okay service As I stated in my previous review, we love the food here. We love that they have seasonal offerings (shout out to the autumn bon fire cookie sandwich) and are inclusive with mocktails on the menu. We love their outdoor seating that feels very kid friendly. It's not a cheap night out. I sometimes think the prices are worth it, but last time we went it was hard to get service. The table next to us got 3 rounds of drinks before we were served our only round of drinks and we found it hard to get the servers attention to order dessert and get the check.

summary: tucked away in kind of a residential area within Elkridge, Rathskeller delivers a solid menu of German food options and a fun ambiance to boot. Rathskeller is kind of hidden from sight at first glance, but the more you look, the more there seems to be. The main indoor dining area is located in a downstairs area within the main building where they do their events (looks like they host events like Trivia, stand up comedy, etc). They do have outdoor seating as well with both an outdoor patio and a deck situation. They have a mini-elevator for accessibility to both downstairs/upstairs. The service was kind throughout, but I do think you're more likely to get more attention if you were seated in the main dining area. The deck/patio tends to kind of be tucked away and it might become an "out of sight, out of mind" things at times. The food was the main star for me. Rathskeller specializes in schnitzels and wursts and their menu is designed so you can do a bit of an a-la-carte thing especially with their platters. Their sides are also very solid from what we ate and their specials are not to be ignored. We had the autumn bonfire smore Ice Cream sandwich and it was so good and perfect for the Fall season. I almost forgot to mention their drink selection is also fantastic. All in all, Rathskeller is a local spot in Elkridge that is doing a lot of things right. From ambiance, to drinks, and a great food menu to boot, Rathskeller is a must-try for anyone in the area.

Went here on a weeknight whim to meet some friends driving by the I-95 corridor! In the middle of a residential/industrial area but plenty of parking. Great service and I felt I was in Germany! Beers with matching beer glasses and legit German food! Friendly servers- made you feel like an old friend visiting. Basement/pub decor pretty basic

6.28.24 Trivia Fact: Rathskeller is a tavern below street level featuring beer; originally a German restaurant in the basement of city hall. My German sister-in-law's family came into town so we decided to stop in to have dinner. We shared our food and loved everything especially the schnitzel and wurst. However we thought the braised beef was dry. They also ordered some alcoholic beverages. My SIL liked the Schofferhofer grapefruit beer. Service is friendly, but on slower side. They have an outdoor patio and my hubby said today was the perfect weather due to a nice summer breeze for drinking outdoors.

I was invited to this restaurant for a St. Patty day get together with a small friend group. The restaurant is located in the basement with outside steps to enter. There is a small parking lot however, it was full so I was able to park across the street. I ordered the crab pretzel which was huge and delicious. I was able to share it with the table. The late Happy hour was perfect to order the golden pear. This place is a hidden gem if you enjoy German dishes. The server Anna was very attentive and I will likely return if in the area.

I came here with some friends to celebrate St Patty's Day. I was happy to see it was actually in the basement like the name means in German. We tried an array of dishes and everyone really liked their food with not really many complaints. When my food came out, my wurst was not hot in the middle. Our waitress Anna, who was very accommodating quickly took it back and they remade everything. The red cabbage was interesting. I didn't want it and asked for a substitution but was informed you can't substitute with the happy hour specials. I ordered the potato pancakes so I could try them anyway. They were hot and I was surprised because they weren't made with mashed potatoes like I'm accustomed to but instead with shredded potatoes so it was different but I enjoyed them. My weisswurst was really good. So much so I was tempted to order another. They have a lot of different menu options and I felt like I was missing out. I didn't get to try any schnitzel so I would definitely come back with a group just so bad I could try a lot of different options. Oh yeah, and they have a late night happy hour! How awesome is that?

We stopped by Rathskeller on the way back from a trip since it was close-ish to BWI airport. I've had many fond memories of the German restaurants I've been to around NYC or in the suburbs and wanted to give this place a try. The waitress was nice and service was ok. The restaurant has a cute patio outside but indoors is a bit plain so it's a more casual place. I ordered the crab pretzel as an appetizer and was salty and tough! It was kind of hard to eat so keep a glass of water close! My schnitzel was crispy but a little dry.

The service here is great and all the staff here are friendly and helpful. However, the food was very underwhelming. We got the Flammkuchen as our appetizer and while it was good, I could've done without it. We got the combo platter to share between the 2 of us. This included 4 meats of your choice (we chose 2 chicken schnitzel, 2 weisswurst) with 2 sides (we got the spatzle and cheese and broccoli). The weisswurst was really good but we wished there was a little more consistency in the grill. The schnitzel lacked flavor and was really dry. The spatzle was our favorite and good with the cheese. The broccoli was also really great but a little too sweet and watery.

This establishment was a pretty cool spot to meet up w some YELP friends. Awesome location, free parking, and great table assistance by Anna. Collectively, we ordered the following. Pork Schnitzel Roasted Broccoli Crab Pretzel Potato Cakes Debreziner Vienna Fizz Oh Hot Dang! (Shot) Golden Pear Everything came out plated well, hot, and ready to devour. They had good happy hour specials during our visit as well. Food and beverage. This was my first visit to a German establishment, and I would certainly revisit again.

Adventure, Culture, and Experience! A few weekends ago my hubby and I took a cultural trip to Germany without even stepping foot on a plane. lol We stepped out of our comfort zone and tried something new for date night. And boy did we have a great time! Trying German cuisine for the first time was such a great experience. Major thanks to our amazing server Ashley , who was so sweet and explained every aspect of the menu to us and even taught us a few cool German words. The ambiance I believe had a traditional German flare and a beautiful quaint Bier Garden in the front of the property , with nice lighting if you visit at night. Great spot for summertime fun. Our favorite bite was the Weisswurst - a veal sausage blended with fresh garlic and parsley. It was so yummy. We paired the Weisswurst with the signature Onion and Tomato based gravy, thanks to Ashley's recommendation. I also enjoyed their famous potato cakes and even the broccoli tasted delicious. lol They even had a late night HH, which is really cool. If you are like us, and appreciate different cultural experiences , check out this spot for your next date night adventure. We will definitely be visiting again soon.

I was pleasantly surprised! Prior to coming I wasn't excited about the menu but once I got here our waitress was so accommodating answering all my questions explaining what each thing was because I didn't understand German food. And guess what? my food and drinks didn't miss. Everything was amazing! The parking lot attached is very small but if u keep going and turn left there's an additional parking lot. As I sat in the car and waited for my reservation time lots of people were coming in so I highly suggest making a reservation. I ordered a shot (OH HOT DANG) off the happy hour menu and a drink ( RÜGEN WINE MIXER ) they both were delicious. I decided on a wurst rather than a schnitzel.... That was the best spicy pork on a pretzel bun (hot dog) I've ever eaten. It was absolutely delicious. I didn't care for the German slaw. I did taste a friend's potato cakes and they were fluffy and delicious .... Reminds me of an elevated smiley face potato cake we ate as kids. I loved it in that basement! Cozy good food A staff full of great personalities I will be returning soon!

I ordered the Hank's Butter Pretzel and the bucket of schnitzel (2 crispy chicken and 2 crispy pork) with a large side of German fries and spatzle n' cheese. I shared this with my husband and we barely went through half of the crispy schnitzel and some of our sides and we were super full! The fries tasted great, but the spatzle tasted really bland to me. If you plan on ordering the bucket/combos for $55, I highly recommend not ordering an appetizer because I think the pretzel really filled us up! Overall, the food tastes great! I didn't drink so I can't comment on their drinks. Service was okay. My group had a reservation at 7pm, but we didn't get seated until 7:30pm because our table wasn't ready yet. The parking lot fills up easily especially during prime time for dinner. There is another lot that is at the end of the dead end that is a private lot, but Rathskeller customers can park there!

Came in for restaurant week after hearing some good things about this spot. It's a German themed restaurant that was built inside of an old jailhouse. The food and beverages are all traditional German fare. It's located in historic Elkridge on a small side street. The parking lot is not very large so be prepared. I would also recommend making a reservation in advance be issue the restaurant itself is also very small. Service was great. Waitress was friendly and explained the menu. She also recommended some of their more popular dishes. I went with an appetizer of the potato cakes. Nice and light with a crispy exterior. Then for my main I had the chicken schnitzel. Also very delicious. And to wash it all down I had a German Pilsner they had on draft. It was a great first experience and I will definitely return.

Food and service can't be beat!!! We tried several local places while in town and hands down this was the best.

I read about The Rathskeller on a FB Howard County page. Yelp gave it a 4.5 out of 5. The menu had lots of suggestions for my Vegitarian wife, and plenty of options for the 3 carnivores. I'm glad we made a reservation because it was packed. And loud. And smelled delicious. The Vegitarian ordered an eggplant schnitzel with sides of spaetvle and broccoli. This is a girl that usually takes half of her dinner home. But she loved her food so much, she joined the clean plate club! I had the pork schnitzel with mushroom gravy. My sides were German Cole slaw and German potato salad. In true German style, neither sides had mayo. MAJOR PLUS! The other 2 diners had a chicken schnitzel and a cordon blue. Schnitzel. Oh, I forgot - we started with a hot pretzel served with mustard, and a cheese sauce. We finished with a strudel. Nothing special about that, but we were too full to order their very interesting other dessert. Advice 1) make a reservation 2) this is not cheap- but worth it. 3) it is loud. But we are looking forward to returning!

I had been meaning to come here for some time now and had not realized just how close it was. I was heading home after being out all day and had decided to grab a bite to eat. I then remembered this place and quickly headed there. There was plenty of parking available and I was warmly greeted upon entering. Since I was solo I decided to grab the last seat at the end of the bar. After looking intently over the menu, I decided on a combo w potato cakes w added bacon, and slaw. Out of the sides the potato cakes were the star of the show. I had the pork schnitzel and debreziner wursts. They both were very flavorful. I then also added on a pretzel roll. My two cocktails were expertly made and delicious. Oh, I cannot forget to mention the apple strudel. OMG, It was so good that I may order two the next day. .

Got off the plane from Germany and went straight here cause I was homesick already. Pretty good honestly, but priced like novelty for some reason. Just too expensive, my german husband was disappointed. For me, Food was good, the drink special was delicious. Ambience is super cute and kitschy. I do feel like the table and floor were too sticky feeling. Our waitress was really lovely and nice but the employees overall where chatting up a storm and quite loud.

The food, service, and Germany drinks were amazing. I really enjoyed the Bauernwurst Sausage made from Veal and herbs. My tastebuds were on fire! Where has this place been all my life. International Beer and international cuisine. It doesn't get any better than that. This is the perfect date night spot for a quick bite and chill atmosphere. The hosts and waiters are nice, evens the cooks are nice. I enjoyed the old German, rustic feel and the outside garden area. I can even see myself relaxing here with the guys. Its nice to be able to experience all different kinds of cultures, right here in the comfort of your own back yard, so to speak. And the area was really nice. I will definitely be back to experience some more German delights.

To preface this, I was raised by my German grandmother so I am somewhat picky when it comes to German food but this was the best food I have had in a LONG time. We were returning our car before our flight and we're early so we decided to check out what was near. Less than ten minutes up the road on a very scenic route. Love the atmosphere, the patio is gorgeous. We were seated quickly outside and had prompt service. Everything was delicious from the buttery pretzel which you must order to the jaegerschnitzel. The German potato salad is phenomenal as is the German Cole slaw. Incredible flavor in every bite. Definitely check this place out!

This is a cute, unassuming restaurant that has plenty of outdoor seating and dining downstairs in the basement. We opted for outdoor seating and it took a very long time for us to get seated and get serviced - I believe they may have been shortstaffed. We definitely tried to be understanding, but it did at times seem forever for us to get our food and drinks. Took us about 30 minutes to get seated and probably another 45 minutes for everything to come out. The food, however, was very good. They have a small happy hour menu that we ordered from and they were all well priced with good portions. The drinks I thought were also excellent. I'll definitely be back, but I'm hoping the service will be a bit faster next time to bring this rating up.

In town for a convention and saw this place! We love German food, especially schnitzel! Unfortunately, they were out of the pork schnitzel, but the chicken schnitzel was delightful! I really enjoyed the spatzle we had with it! The potatoes cakes were okay, a little plain. Definitely recommend this place though!

Very nice place will definitely go back very good service we were celebrating my friend's b-day and were there 4 hours lol we had a good time trying a lot of different things off that menu the only thing we didn't care for was the chickpeas Balls! We ate them but wouldn't order those again... but we loved every thing else Hanks butter pretzel,potato cakes , German potato salad,cucumber salad, original wurst and some pork thing that was fried it's was amazing and omg Apple Strudel was best I have ever had! We were stuffed when we left there! Service great Food awesome and atmosphere was really nice in a basement really fun place! I tried to send pics but Yelp won't let me not sure why I keep trying but hopefully review will go through cause this restaurant is awesome if you never been GO outside sitting is beautiful too! But it was humid and rainy when we went!

4.5 stars! We got the Wurst Platter with potato cakes and spaetzle and the Combo Platter with sauerkraut and potato salad. Every sausage was better than the last - my personal fave was the spicy pork sausage dipped in brown mustard. The sides were amazing; if I could only pick two, I would absolutely order the potato salad and sauerkraut again. Our least favorite was the pork schnitzel, which was still really good but needed to be just a bit more crispy and some extra salt. All in all, we would absolutely come again and recommend to anyone in the Baltimore area!!

Came here for Baltimore County Restaurant week and was not disappointed! The outside of the restaurant is super cute with big flowers and outdoor seating, we sat downstairs and there was live music. It was $25 for a starter, schnitzel or wurst, and two sides. I got the potato cakes and my fiancé got the flammkuchen as our starters. The potato cakes were incredible! For entrees, we got chicken schnitzel and Debreziner wurst with german fries, roasted broccoli, spatzle n cheese, and german potato salad. Everything was delicious and there was so much food, we had enough for lunch the next day. We can't wait to go back again.

Came to celebrate my step-son's birthday. We had a small table for the entire family. Two under 2 included. If you've ever been to an authentic German restaurant, this is a little different. They have a definite updated vibe - this ain't your grandmas hofbrau haus. I didn't take pics of our starters but hubs had the onion potato cakes and i went with the RK salad with bacon and the lemon vinaigrette. Hubs said the potato cakes were great. Had great flavor and nice crunch. The little ones loved them too. My salad was quite large for a "small". The bacon was nice and crunchy- and plenty of it. I loved the pretzel croutons. The flavor complimented the salad. The lemon vinaigrette was perfect. I had the Jaegerschnitzel. You can chose the type of meat you want for your schnitzel, no veal :(. I went with pork. They also have chicken and a vegan option. You can have it either fried crispy or grilled. Again not your grandma's German restaurant. I went with the crispy. The pork was extremely thin tender and very crispy. Quite flavorful. The mushroom gravy was perfect. The red cabbage was good as was a German potato salad, although both were a little sweeter than I like. Husband had the Rahmschnitzel with a creamy garlic sauce. He said it wasn't too bad. He really enjoyed the broccoli it was roasted with caramelized onions and apple cider vinegar. He found it tasty, and then the German potato salad as well. My daughter-in-law and her mom shared a flight of bratwurst, which was quite tasty. And the kiddos enjoyed the cheese spaetzel and soft pretzel with cheese dip. Service was quite quick for our party of 10. It's not a very fancy decor. You can come very casual. Staff was friendly and helpful. They did have high chairs for the kids. It is a little noisy so conversations can be a little hard. Nice selection of drinks. Everything was pretty decently priced. They did also have some desserts but as we were going to have cake at home, we did not partake of any. I would definitely like to come back. Does have offstreet parking. It was a nice little place. You should give it a try.

I love Rathskeller! It's my fave place to go when I'm missing German food. The schnitzel is always good! I get jaeger sauce on the side. The drinks are perfection and there's a decent beer selection too. There's always a host at the door to greet you and the bartenders are very friendly and attentive. Good atmosphere, family friendly.

Our first visit to this establishment and the service was perfect. Our waitress continually checked in and others quickly cleared the table as needed. The food was very well cooked and was hot and tasty. The schnitzel was really good and I had second thoughts about a vegan gravy, but it all worked together. The apple strudel was delicious. We had an enjoyable night, easy parking and overall the service was 10 stars.

Have been a couple of times now and each time it gets better. Good food in an authentic German/Austrian setting along with a strong beer and cocktail selection. What puts this over the top is the excellent staff. Very attentive, helpful and fun.

Delicious! Stopped in for a late lunch, just off US-1 just outside of I-895. Plenty of on-site parking. Ate on the patio which has four picnic tables and some chairs with backs. Service was quick and friendly. Our server was happy to explain a few menu items and answer our questions about this wurst or that sauce. We both got a lightly-spiced smoked pork-wurst, the Debreziner (named for a Hungarian town), well-done at our request, on a pretzel roll, with sautéed sauerkraut and a side of brown mustard. Cooked perfectly as we requested, obviously fresh and not frozen, juicy with some bite to the skin. Tasty lightly grilled kraut, savory mustard. An excellent obviously freshly-house-made pretzel roll, pillowy-soft with a crispy not-hard crust. I would have liked a somewhat lower price, $16 the way I ordered it, ah the cost of quality ingredients. Now, they very nearly lost a star by charging for sauerkraut at a German restaurant! But they earned it back with a wonderful flavor experience! Gotta come back for the after-7pm weekday happy hour, or the Saturday brunch!

Cannot recommend for parties of four or more; poor managerial service. Came here Saturday night on a reso for 14 people, and by night, it was really 5:30pm. We were seated upstairs and attended to promptly. The restaurant is in a large house that was renovated for this purpose, an interesting concept, along with some outdoor tables. Husband was very happy with the beer selection, and we had the presence of mind to put in the little's order first, along with an appetizer. Then came the long wait, about 90 minutes, for the entrees. During this time I noticed that the wait staff did not check in on us often, or not at all, at least for not my five of the party. As we waited, a party of four was seated, ordered, and gone before my friend called the manager. When she inquired, his response is that we were the party of 14... this is a totally inappropriate response. An experienced manager in the food service industry would never treat a patron this way. He later goes on to say he cannot attend to this matter and would come 15-20 minutes later. Of course he never came. I ordered the mushroom schnitzel. For a special order, it's about $15 more than the regular schnitzel and includes smaller portions of two side choices. Most that I spoke to did enjoy the food, but at what cost? The children were growing tired of sitting. Everyone was hungry, and we all just wanted to pay the bill and leave right after. For a $27 entree and $12 cocktail, you wouldn't expect to be served water in a red plastic cup, food to be slow, and managerial service to be rude. When my friend notified the restaurant, his solution was to workshop this into their next meeting. If you're reading this review and wondering if you should go, be aware.

If German food and beer are of interest to you or yours, this place really hits the spot. I enjoy German dishes and flavors and, let's be honest, sometimes brown/tan foods (schnitzels, potato pancakes, sausages, etc.) pack the flavors we crave. If you need a beer and hearty food fix, this is the place. We usually order the party platter and it is generously served with crisp but not oily schnitzel, snappy sausages, and a pillowy yet appropriately chewy mega pretzel. Rinse it all down with one of their refreshing, crisp German brews,and repeat. We ordered spaetzel on a whim and it was buttery deliciousness. The Black Forest cake we tried for dessert was a very nice end to the meal. The service here has always been friendly and easygoing. We feel at ease bringing the kids here for lunch and have also enjoyed nice family dinners as well. I can't think of a local spot that nails German classics as well as Rathskeller. If you're on the fence, take your cue from Nike and just do it.

We stopped in for lunch here on our way to Baltimore and we loved this place!! We had the Debreziner wurst on a pretzel roll, the pork schnitzel, and a few of the sides. HIGHLY recommend trying as many sides as you can. The German potato salad is incredible. The restaurant is in the basement, hence the name, and the service was super attentive! We came during lunch so the noise wasn't too loud, but I imagine at night this place gets crowded. We will definitely be back!

I got a little lost - even with GPS trying to find this place. Main Street is not very "main" - more like a side street. That said, the Rathskeller has it's own parking lot and wonderful service by Anna. We came on a slow Tuesday night but I bet this place can get busy. Very filling German-style food. The spaetzle is simply perfect and I enjoyed the eggplant schnitzel. Pretzel bun was very heavy. Almost 5 stars.

Excellent food. Even though they were down two servers - we would have never known. Going back to try another dish in the menu very soon.

We went here after hiking at Patapsco State Park for a birthday celebration. We arrived shortly after 11am and was seated right away. The staff were attentive and friendly and the food was delicious. We ordered the wurst platter and BUCKET of SCHNITZEL We wanted to try a little of everything and it did not disappoint! The only drawback, not sure if this would be a good spot for families with small children. Restrooms are single use and did not have a diaper changing station in either restroom. However, very nice for happy hour and adults.

Excellent service, nice space and delicious food. My group of 12 had a great time. And the service was quick!

We went last night for my birthday; highly recommend reservations as it is a small space! We both did the kolsch hour: $14 and you can have as many kolsch beers as you want until they run out or you're done. The beer was very good, served in a tiny glass. Could see this being a great thing in the summer on the patio; only happens during late night happy hour FYI. We then did the party platter. You can pick your schnitzels and/or wursts. We did the bratwurst and the veal wurst as well as chicken/pork schnitzel. It comes with the potato cakes and a pretzel as well as various dips. Both wursts were beyond delicious on their own and with the dips. The potato cakes were so good and the homemade sour cream was to die for. The pretzel was a little greasy but still tasty. The beer cheese was excellent. We had never had schnitzel before so we weren't sure what to expect. The chicken was a little dry but the pork was definitely worth it. All the dips paired well with everything. We also got an ice cream sandwich and sorbet for dessert. Both the perfect size! The live music was a great addition and we are so glad we gave this place a try!

Had lunch here last weekend. Service was friendly and the outdoor dining area was great. I only tried one of the beers. It was fine, nothing special but good. The highlight for me was my falafel sandwich. Strange order for a German place, but I wasn't in the mood for meat, so I figured I would give it a shot. It was so freaking good. Not your typical falafel, more moist than I was expecting, but super tasty. My friends ordered sausages and really enjoyed them, but I would be hard pressed not to order the falafel again next time.

Cool setting in the basement of a residence. Has a goods vibe with great food at reasonable prices. Portions are generous.

The staff, food and the selection of beir's are excellent. The atmosphere is also wonderful once you walk through the doors in the basement feel like you're at home. I give it a 12 out of 10 stars!!!! -Javier and Rachel- Houston,TX

Very nice place. German food selection is great. We got a variety of schnitzels and wursts. They were all great, as were the huge hot soft pretzels we got as our apps. And the variety of sauces they give you with your meal is great as well: different mustards and such. The waitstaff was very attentive. Minor wait though we had reservations, but we got the impression that, like every restaurant now, they were a bit in the weeds: less staff and more customers than they could handle. It was only a 5 minute wait so no big deal for us. The basement indoor area was really loud but that's because it's on a cement floor with no floor covers and open ceilings. We were really happy with our dinner. We'll definitely be back.