Had a great time here before the UT-Bowling Green game. Place was packed with people wearing orange, which made it even better. They were slammed, but the bartender (Lucky?) was very good. Not very personable, but got the job done, which is the main thing. Don't know if it's still the case, but Gerst used to be affiliated with the Sportsman's Lodge people. Such interesting places, and I mean that in a good and bad way. But more good than bad. Not an expert on German food, but we enjoyed our sausage sampler with kraut and German potato salad. A good value, too. We were here once before and also enjoyed our offerings then.
(4)
Mark S.
This place was recommended by my friends. I found out that they have not been here for for some months. There are many reasons I will not return. The issues that come to mind are: 1. The food is too expensive. 2. The portions are too small. 3. The kraut had hot peppers blended into it. The taste was awful. Who does that? 4. The Server was just okay. I am saddened by my findings. Being German, I thought I found my new hangout. Additionally, I host many clients from out of town. I will never recommend this to anyone. I challenge the owner to read this and respond. I hope it was just a bad night. However, after paying $27.00 for one meal. I am hesitant to try again.
(1)
Christina D.
The food was amazing and the portions were crazy large. We also really enjoyed the live band! We will definitely be back!
(4)
Randall Y.
I was looking forward to this and ordered the bratwurst plate. Bratwurst was dry and bland. Did I say bland, yeah tasted like Vienna Sausage with a courser texture and less moisture. I came with Sour Kraut and 2 sides. I would have chosen a side of sour kraut which was tasty if I'd realized the portion served with the sausage was going to be so small. The Hot German Potato Salad was also bland. Hey folks The German food I ate in Germany was not Bland. Red cabbage ok but not great. I will not be back.
(1)
Darren M.
I love the traditional German fare, especially during Oktoberfest (late August - late September) they have imported Paulaner Oktoberfest Draft from Germany. If they don't have it just get the Gerst House house draft.
(4)
Margaret D.
Absolutely horrible!! Worst German food I have ever eaten. Burnt schnitzel, sausage had pieces of bone in it. The pumpernickel bread was a loaf from a grocery store. The späetzel was tough and the gravy was like from a jar. Do not order the Reuben balls appetizer. Fried balls of pink goop that looked like someone had regurgitated a Reuben sandwich and fried it. I sent all of mine back and didn't eat. Very disappointed.
(1)
Kristen S.
I loved the feel of this place. We came right before heading to LP Field for the CMA Fest nightly concerts and they worked with us to get us out just in time! I thought the food was pretty good, not exceptional, but good and satisfying. The beer was cold and they had a lengthy beer menu. The service wasn't wonderful, not very attentive, but we managed.
(4)
Nancy P.
I thought it really good. We had schnitzel. I thought it was a little heavy. I would have enjoyed a lighter breading. I had the Black Forest which was super tasty. My husband had the Berlin which was also good. The spaetzle was not as delicate as some I have had but it was yummy. I read a review that said their kraut had peppers but my husbands had apples. He said it was good but as a side it was too much. He likes it better on a dog. There were some things I didn't like at all. I did not like the exposed kitchen and pick up area. It was dismal overall. The band was a hoot. They were drinking beer from pitchers. Prost! But good food.
(4)
Danny N.
I have been a few times now and it always impresses. German food is mega heavy so this isn't an everyday place for me, but when in the mood this is the place to come. The pick three meats and two sides platter is awesome and can feed two. I like German beers and they have a huge variety of choices on draft. The quality is up with Sportman's as they share ownership which also means you can get fishbowl beers.
(4)
Beth F.
Hey, I'm part German, and the Wienerschnitzel is to DIE for! I suggest the German fries (rough cut hash browns w/onions) and spaetzle (little gnocchi-like dumplings in a yummy brown gravy), both delicious! My husband and I have been here before, so I'm going to save time and list all items we've had and how we felt about them! The baked beans are tasty. The red cabbage was very good BUT needs to be on a side plate because its juice bleeds into the meat. We had the gerst ham rolls and they ROCKED! Sausage sampler was also tasty! We liked the Gerst house beer. My husband liked the Bavarian Kraut balls. I don't suggest the pork (Schwein) schnitzel - it is boring and only taste like a shake'n bake pork chop. Also, their warm German potato salad is sweet (for some reason) not what most folks are used to (the vinegar type). The servers and the management are always wonderful and ready to cater to your requests. Prices here are seriously reasonable! Our biggest regret is that we're always too full to order any dessert!! They have 4 and it would be hard to choose anyway.
(5)
Hall W.
So the real story about this is that this is really not a full menu German place. This is more like a German fast casual place that is set up in a really fancy house like structure that makes it look like a trendy full service place. A real full service German/Austrian place would have fuller entrees for dinner than just lunch and snack options. Beyond the snackish items of sausages and pretzel appetizer, the food is only okay given the prices. It is rather good for beer there. This is the ultimate place for a beer with a friend, but not for a hearty Austrian/German dinner.
(3)
Chris H.
Man I love this place before Titans games and USA soccer at Nissan Stadium. The beer is good and food is good. They need to pay more attention to cleaning their bathrooms better and the service at the bar was a lil slow today. The beer needs to be colder from the tap. I had the Reubin which was good.
(3)
Rhonda H.
My husband and I visited here on his quarterly conference trip to Nashville; it's our second time here. We met while both stationed in Germany, and married while there, so it's particularly special on the rare occasions that we get to enjoy German food. He ordered the Veal schnitzel, spetziel, cucumber & onion salad, and pumpernickel bread with a German beer, and I ordered the (2) potato cakes appetizer with sour cream & applesauce (as a meal), and we split it all. It was delicious. My only complaints is slow service and under-cooked tater cakes. We will be back when visiting Nashville again - not every time, much as we love German food, but sometimes. If it improves a bit, it would definitely become a regular patronage.
(3)
Emily A.
Ate here the other night with my boyfriend and the whole experience was awkward. The host was by far the rudest host I've ever come into contact with by not greeting us or anyone else and just not saying anything and then was talking on her cell phone and gave us the worker's schedule instead of the drink special menu. Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgable I think her name was Caitlyn. The food was good and authentic but overpriced for the whole experience. Not to mention the air conditioning seemed to not be working and it was about 100 degrees in there, idk how the staff were working. If the host didn't work there probably would come back.
(3)
Jason B.
Gerst Haus is a nice change from the norm. Here's what I like... The pretzels and beer cheese appetizer The sausage platter (especially kielbasa and knockwurst) Pork Knuckles The Hungarian chicken paprika (as long as it is served warm) The beer selection Here's what I don't like... The beef stroganoff The goulash The prices, especially for lunch.
(3)
Laci W.
I love German food and understand you have to pay for specialty foods and the experience. But it seemed a little over priced for some items. It took forever to have someone get our drink order. Once we got our server she was very unfriendly and didn't say one word to us. Another server kindly helped us frequently when our server was no where to be found. Overall it was an okay experience but I wouldn't be in a hurry to come back.
(3)
Kay J.
What a delight! Our friends took us here and it was great! Located in an old hardware store, the owners have retained the bones and much of the original signage. We waited at the bar for our friends an perused the large beer list. Drafts come in 12, 16 and 18 ounce sizes. Lots of microbrew and German selections. The menu has many German choices. I had the sausage sampler appetizer and couldn't finish it. The restaurant was quiet enough on a Friday night for conversation. Gerst Haus is charming and I hope to return soon.
My husband and I went to dinner at the Gerst Haus, I was delighted to find a authentic German restaurant in the United States, that reminded me of home. The food was delicious, huge, and full of flavour. We had a lot of leftovers and what was best, is it all tasted 10x better the following day for lunch. I highly recommend this wonderful Bavarian/German gem.
(5)
Rachel H.
This place definitely lived up to its only 3 star rating. Upon entering, the place is almost empty but we still had to wait for a table to be cleaned off. After being seated it took about 15 minutes for anyone to take our drink order. For several different reasons, the service was slightly less than horrible. When the beers we ordered were brought to us they were in chipped glasses. Ouch. We also had to return our silverware due to most of it being covered in dry, old, crusty food. Gross. On a good note, the actual food and beers were pretty good! If we return, maybe we will do so on a day we don't have our daughter with us, and we'll opt for bar seating.
(3)
Michelle B.
Good German food. We ate here with a group of friends and had a good time. My only negative would be the live music, as it was VERY LOUD. This made it hard to visit with our friends. Other than that, I would recommend eating here.
(3)
Chris M.
Came in here on Saturday for a double date, having driven by it numerous times and and always wanting to check it out. I'm so glad we finally did! The live Oompa band was great, our server was wonderful -- very knowledgeable about the menu, her recommendations were spot on, and she was prompt was drink refills and food all night. Also -- you cannot beat the beer prices! The food was very good, albeit your unhealthy German food with lots of veal and sausage. The beef stroganoff was fantastic as well. This would definitely be a good family restaurant as well.
My Girlfriend and I were headed to the Titans game tonight. We decided that instead of paying for overpriced and not great stadium food, we would stop in for some authentic German cuisine. As soon as we walked in the hostess was incredibly rude (I'm sure it was stressful because it was game day). We were seated outside and our waiter greeted us (not the warmest of welcomes). He asked for our drinks and appetizer orders. We had the fried oyster basket, which was really the tiniest oysters surrounded by a ton of breading, a cornbread pancake, and some dull French fries. As for the entrees I ordered the schnitzel sandwich with a side of dull Mac and cheese. The sandwich was so much bread that I wouldn't have been able to fit the whole thing in my mouth. My girlfriend ordered the bratwurst with a side of spätzle (she got Mac and cheese). She seemed to enjoy her brat which is the only reason that they're getting a two star instead of one. We went there to avoid overpriced mediocre food at the stadium and that is exactly what we got. I wouldn't eat there again.
(2)
Laila S.
Not bad...now i come from an Austrian chef mother so they had a lot to live up to but I kept in mind that this Nashville so I wasn't expecting a lot. The sausages were ok more American than European but still ok. Hubs gad the goulash and loved it. My favorite was the cheese beer sauce for the pretzel and that sucker was good, covered in butter and hot with right amount of salt. Potato salad was ok and so was the sauerkraut was also ok, more traditional than American so that was cool. Beer selection was decent too. Willing to go back and explore more.
(3)
Julie K.
We were impressed with their food and service! Everything was quick, tasted good, and super friendly helpful waitress (Keyonna.). We had the combo platter and ordered: kielbasa, goulash, and pork schnitzel. Enough for 2-3 people! Then we had the Bavarian Apple strudel. Yum!!! They were busy when we arrived and I expected a long wait. I was thrilled to get seated right away, drinks arrive quickly, followed by the appetizer and then the meal.
(5)
Janette C.
Here for date night with my guy! We had both been here before but we were in the mood for some German beer and as authentic as we could get German food :) The beer was delicious! The food....well as good as it gets in the middle of a Southern state :) Charming animal carcasses all around the walls and a band playing front and center. Service was okay...nothing fantastic but the food arrived in time and the way we ordered it!
(4)
Kelly M.
We walked in and the hostess was playing on her phone and didn't look up at us until I said hello. We told her two and she just walked away we were unsure should we follow no communication was made..... Finally she looked at us like well... Finally seated nobody nobody nobody we waited ten mins .... Left. Food and beer might have been the best ... But I'm thinking probably not.
(1)
Sarah A.
Oh boy - hate to do this. But there were some seriously alarming things going on here this Saturday.... * The bathrooms were incredibly dirty. My husband described the mens room as smelling like "a festival port-a-potty". The woman's bathroom was in just as much disrepair. * We witnessed a waitress (not ours thankfully, but repulsive and concerning just the same) walk out of the kitchen with her pinky finger all the way up her nose. Wiped it right on the front of her shirt. Good god. * The food was horrible. You could tell it was coming out of a dirty kitchen, with no attention to quality. I would wager they have a vat of that mac'n'cheese that they just reheat once a week. Blech. The good! *Great iced beer mugs. *Good beer selection * Fun Oompa band (And other live performers I've heard) So if you want to stop in for a beer, you will survive. I wouldn't at all want someone eating here until it's been cleaned up. :(
(2)
Richard S.
Anybody that thinks that the food at the Gerst Haus is authentic will keel over dead in a blissful orgasm when you have the opportunity to eat REAL German food. The food here is AWFUL, greasy and just not even close to authentic. The sad part is, they don't even try. (Honestly... brown gravy on spaetzle?!!) I have quit eating the food here as it does not seem to get better over time. Go for the bier and more importantly go for the atmosphere when the (albeit American) German bands play on the weekend. It's so sad, the place has the feel of an authentic gasthof and just blows it big time. :(
(1)
Angel C.
I've been here twice now. Both times I got the Hungarian Chicken Paprika. Both times they were fast and friendly and the chicken was delicious. I knocked off a star for inconsistency. The chicken paprika was delicious both times, but the sauce wasn't quite as good as the first time I had it. Plus their German "Pizza" was tomato sauce and cheese on 2 slices of bread. Very soggy. If it were at least toasted bread it might have been appetizing, but no. If you get anything get the Hungarian Chicken Paprika. Even on a day that was not its best, it was still fantastic!!
(4)
Ute M.
I have been a couple times and each time the food was not good. I am German and know first hand that this is not authentic German cuisine. The Spatzle are way too doughy. the Schnitzel needs to be thinner and the gravy is too thick. For anyone who has not experienced anything German, the atmosphere is ok and the Bavarian music is fun. The food leaves a lot to be desired. I give it a 1 star!
(1)
Liz Y.
I waited at the front desk for about 3-5 minutes. a blond waitress came over and asked me if i needed help as if I walked in to a home depot. I'm walking into a restaurant waiting at the front desk. what do you think I need? before I even took my coat off or sat down she asked me if I knew what I wanted to drink. hold your horses lady! food was very pricey and tasted mediocre. the kraut balls were disgusting. I ordered the weiner Schnitzel which was at most edible. I'm sure there are better things to eat elsewhere. I wouldn't spend my money here.
(2)
Ali B.
The pork (not veal) schnitzel was a nice reminder of what my mom would cook for supper growing up. The GOOLASH was awesomely hearty, served on a bed of spaetzle (deliciously crispy noodle substance). They served a wonderful corned beef and cabbage dish which I thought was an Irish thing... but maybe it is really German since they served it at Gerst Haus. Well, who knew? The German restaurant serves up a damn good plate of it. One item that surprised me was the cornbread pancakes. They had killer flavor and came with most of the dishes. Prices are a little steep but it is a good hearty meal in a great atmosphere with good people. They have a polka band that plays on the weekend. And, I will admit, I did the chicken dance to authentic polka around the Gerst Haus :D Fun fun fun supper.
(4)
Kristin Marie S.
Oom-Pah! This place is a German extravaganza. It makes me kind of sad knowing it's owned by Sportsman Grille but I'll get over it. I haven't eaten at the Gerst Haus but I have drank there! Seriously, an awesome happy hour and regular beer prices. They give you a fishbowl of gerst for like $4.25. They also have a patio that overlooks Shoneys......and then beyond that Titans's stadium. Okay, not the best view but it is a covered outdoor area. On Friday and Saturdays they have a Oom-pah band. The place is what you make of it. Seeing as it's a German establishment....well you figure it out. My only request is that they add in a dance floor and some boots. Note: Familes do go eat there so it isn't totally crazy.
(3)
Matthew B.
I was little wary of this place at first. I had driven by countless times, but always avoided it because if all the mediocre reviews. I was however, very pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was authentic, the food was phenomenal and the service was excellent. We had our meal within 8 minutes if ordering and our server was extremely friendly and efficient. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Peter P.
Pretty sure there's no reason to go here. Yeah, they have beer but my service has never been noteworhy, nor has my food.
(1)
Adam H.
Great restaurant. The atmosphere was awesome. Just an all around great dining experience
(5)
Gator R.
Gross, gross, gross. We started with oyster rolls, their specialty appetizer. I can't even describe how disgusting these things were. 3 tennis-ball sized lumps of fried cracker crumbs with a cold slimy oyster in the middle--EW. The corn bread that came with our meal was hard, chewy, and seemed like it was a week old. Greasy, nothing special sausages, mediocre french fries...the only thing that was good was the cucumber salad. The waitress was very nice, but they were clearly short staffed and it took a LONG time to get our initial drink order taken and to get the check. In the women's bathroom, which was as hot as a sauna, 2 of the 3 stalls would not lock, and the handicapped stall had a LOT of some liquid all over the floor. We both had upset stomachs the rest of the day. I will NEVER go back and would not recommend it.
(1)
E O.
Went here for lunch and while the food was "ok" I found the service lacking. The hostess seemed not to careless as I was seated. No eye contact or smile. The waiter failed to tell me about the lunch specials and tossed the bill on the table. He was great with soda and water refills. I had the kielbasa Philly and the wife had the Philly cheese steak and both were very tasty! Then red cabbage side was very good. I wish they had a lunch menu as ordering lunch off a dinner menu means ordering a sandwich or going with a dinner sized portion/price. I will definitely come back for supper. To all HCP holders: no sign legal or otherwise observed.
(3)
Pete S.
Good beer good service horrible food and I mean horrible
(1)
Michael H.
I like the German decor in the restaurant. I thought the food at the Gerst Haus was very good. They have a really good hamburger I eat off the lunch menu. The German fries are great too, a little on the greasy side but good. Everything I have tried on the dinner menu has been good as well. My only complaint is it is a little expensive. Come hungry because the portion sizes are big.
(4)
Andie T.
There was nothing good about our experience at Gerst Haus. I am 1/2 German and love my grandmother's cooking. There are no German restaurants where I live, so when we visited Nashville and drove by Gerst Haus I was eager to give it a try. We arrived on a Sunday evening for dinner. The side entrance was blocked by two cars, so we had to circle around to access the entrance on the one-way Interstate Road. The large dining room was about 1/3 full. We were seated in the bar area and the bartender quickly took our drink order. My husband and I both ordered water - obviously unfiltered tap water (weird after taste). We both ordered jäger schnitzel, which was advertised to come with brown gravy, fresh rye bread and two sides. We both ordered cucumbers and onions in sour cream sauce, I ordered applesauce and the hubs ordered spaetzle. When our plates arrived we were both given pumpernickel bread, which was dry and tasted and looked like Pepperidge Farms. The brown gravy tasted like Heinz brown gravy from a jar. The veal was not pounded thin, was relatively tough and had no flavor. There was too much breading and it only tasted of salt and pepper. The applesauce was served room temperature and tasted cheap and over sweet. The cucumbers were over ripe (soft, not crisp). The only thing remotely decent was the spaetzle - and really, it should be since it's super easy to make. For this mediocre-at-best meal we paid $48. I felt like they should at least hold me after. Way over priced.
(1)
Kim M.
Friendly service. Generous portions Potato pancake was yummy Weiner schnitzel ok Red cabbage and spaezle homemade quality
GREAT atmosphere and beer. Food just doesnt cut it. Maybe it used to. I certainly wish that it would step it back up because I'd love to go back.
(2)
Jason S.
Ooh boy do I love German food. For some unexplained reason, I took German for 7 years, still not sure what the hell that was about, but hey, at least I know what I am ordering. I really want to love this place rather than like it. But it is kind of a let-down. For example, their spätzle. Homemade spätzle is supposed to be light and fluffy - full of love. Their spätzle is dense and full of hatred. It is supposed to soak up gravy, but here it is designed to damage dental work. Their sauerkraut and rotkohl (which is inexplicably labeled 'Roht Trohl' here) is passable. The kartoffelsalat (potato salad) is okay, just tart enough to get the job done. When it comes to the entrees, the Kasseler Rippchen or smoked pork chop, has been either tender and flavorful or dry and disappointing. They have some okay sauerbraten, although at times it has been too vinegary. The schnitzel of all varieties has been good and I have really enjoyed their sausage offerings. All in all, the main courses are okay, but not great. Go with the sampler platter; it's a good way to sample a few things if you aren't familiar with the cuisine. They do offer yummy beers to go along with the main courses, so for the stuff that isn't the greatest, you can at least wash it down properly. I'd give this place 2.5 stars if they'd let me - this is the German equivalent to Applebee's-grade German food, not the good stuff like momma used to make. It is probably better Nashville doesn't have a great German restaurant, lest I wouldn't be able to fit into my lederhosen.
(3)
Ben G.
When I pay over ten bucks for a meal I expect something good. When I pay considerably more than that I expect some effing lobster. Well, honestly I don't even like lobster...but it doesn't matter you won't get any here. All they have is sausage. you should have seen my vegetarian friend try to eat. (don't) She had to settle on some massively expensive bland grilled cheese sandwich. The rest of us had sausage. According to the menu we had different kinds. They all tasted the same though, bland, over priced, over cooked and lame! Let me give you a tip GO TO A GAS STATION. Thornton's for example has a great sausage, they even have sour kraut...and it costs a dollar! (about 1/12th the cost of this crap,and it will taste way better!) The location is probably the worst in town....unless you like junk yards and smog. The decor is dirty and boring. the service is nothing to write home about. yikes....and all this from many months ago when I went. I don't usually hold on to, much less write about bad experiences i am more of a positive person, but drove by this place today and it all came surging back. Do yourself a favor, don't go there!
(1)
Hailey D.
It was hard to get there due to all the stupid detours in Nashville. We walked in, and got seated right away. I happened to compare this place to a German restaurant in Colorado Springs that I adore, this place was half as German as the CO place was. But the food was good, portion was huge.
(3)
Brian S.
Having spent a little time in the cities of Frankfurt and Köln in Germany, I'm a little bit of a German food snob. While the Gerst Haus isn't a replacement for the amazing food I had across the pond, I nevertheless give high marks to all three of the times I've visited it in the past year. In terms of atmosphere, what you get at the Gerst Haus depends a lot on what night and what time you go. In our first trip there, we arrived late on a weeknight and were the only people in the joint. For our second trip, we went on a Friday just before 8 p.m. (the same day of the Nashville 5K race), and it was very bustling with people and the Oompa band. We even had a 20 minute wait for a table -- not a big deal, though, as it gave us a chance to go to the bar and grab a couple fishbowl beers before sitting down. A review of any German restaurant would be remiss without discussing the beer choices. Gerst Haus has well over a dozen different options on tap. Most of them are pretty mainstream, but a couple you should try that you might not find at other bars would be the 2012 (a rich black lager) and the Gerst Haus amber lager. One observation: while you might assume the 16 oz fishbowls are the better deal, it's worth looking at the menu. There are a few instances (like the house lager) where the 10 oz price per ounce is actually better. I don't think there's anything we've ordered there that we haven't liked. We usually start off with the sausage sampler ($10 on the appetizers menu) that easily could be a meal by itself. The plate is full of...yep, you guessed it, lots of different sausages. Accompanied by rye bread and a side (the menu has one listed, but they're happy to make substitutions), it's a lot of food. You can go a couple different directions for your entree. They offer combination platters where you can try three of their specialties, or if you want to dive into one item you know you love, you can do that too. We've had very good luck with the beef stroganoff, the wiener schnitzel (breaded veal), and the jäeger schnitzel (which tops the wiener schnitzel with a brown mushroom sauce). The sides are also excellent -- the red cabbage is sweet and flavorful, and you really can't go wrong with the spätzle. You get two sides with your entree; last time, I ordered a double of spätzle and ate it all. Entree prices aren't totally cheap (you're just under $20 for the combination platters, and most of the standalone entree plates seem to be in the $14-$18 range). However, the portions are generous, and the flavor's quite good. If you've been hankering German food -- or if you've never had it but have been interested in trying it -- I'd highly recommend stopping by the Gerst Haus.
(4)
Lindy B.
Ate there with the fam last week for the 2nd time. I like the Gerst Haus because it's something different. Granted, I've never been to Germany, but it looks all German-y inside and stuff. I had the patty melt this past time and it was pretty good. Don't really care for the fries though. They need more seasoning or something. Everyone else at my table was a little more adventurous and they all liked their food, too. The portions are pretty huge and everyone had leftovers. It's a fun place to go if you want something a little different or if you like German food. I wish the waiters wore lederhosen, but sadly they do not. :(
(3)
Nickie G.
I had a random foray into East Nashville this weekend and we decided to eat at Gerst Haus because...well...because it was there and convenient. I like big sausage as much as the next girl sooooo why not? We walked in and the chick seating us was super friendly and assured us that we could definitely get a table on the patio. Although it looked pack she certainly did find us a nice spot. Then we got menus and decided what to order. I was most excited to get a huge Diet Coke since I MAY have indulged in too many drinks the night before. So we waited. And waited. And waited. Finally our waiter came around at about the point I was starting to get despondent for some sort of beverage sustenance. He was apologetic about the wait so that was nice and mollified me somewhat. I got the bratwurst on a bun with hot German potato salad on the side and my bro got the clam chowder and the sausage sampler plate (which is listed on the appetizer section). The clam chowder was really surprisingly good. Full of clam meat and tasted good when the cornbread that it was served with was dipped into it. My brat was big and meaty and the bun was buttery and fresh and the special mustard (with spices in it) was awesome on it. The potato salad is the only type I like - non-mayo based (I hate white creamy stuff!!!). However, this might have been a tad too sweet for my tastes. At any rate, I ate it all so it must not have been bad. The sausage sampler came with huge slices of FOUR different sausages plus sauerkraut, potato salad, and dark bread. Surely this was not the appetizer plate? If it was, believe that you can share that between 4 people for an app or 2 people for freakin dinner! The patio was pretty rocking for a Saturday afternoon. There was a big group of older people getting their drink on and watching the game. Another older gentleman drove up in a 1955 BMW that looked like a scooter and he allowed everyone to admire it, take pictures with it, and even let the hostess get in it. Quite the jovial atmosphere! And although the service was spotty at the start, it greatly improved. My drink was never empty. Also, my bro initially ordered the beer cheese soup and a guy that I can only guess is one of the cooks (?) came out to tell him he was out of it and they could do clam chowder instead. He came out again to see how it was. That's cool! Apparently this place is owned by the same people as Sportsman's Grille (which I loved verrrry much) so it explains why there is a big section of food that you would see on that menu on THIS menu too. Overall I'd say the food was a 3.5 and the service recovery along with the festive patio atmosphere brings it up to a 4 star. I'll definitely be back when I'm craving huge sausages (ahem).
(4)
Jeremy T.
This place is really fun! The inside really feels like a German beer hall, and they have live music. The female vocalist even yodels!!! The portions are VERY large here, so make sure you come with a healthy appetite or consider ordering items off the appetizer menu. The beer list is nothing to sniff at either. I thought that my wurst was very delicious, but the schnitzel was dry. The hot German potato salad was kinda weird. The reason the place looses a star is because our apfel strudel was obviously microwaved. They forgot to take the paper off of the bottom of it before they stuck it in the nuker. Ignorance is bliss, people... I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Ian R.
It is extremely disappointing that this Nashville institution can't seem to keep up an reasonable level of quality. Gerst Haus has seen a pretty steep decline in quality over the past few years. It is owned by the same group that owns the Sportsman's Grills and the menus even shares a lot of similar items. Yet the difference between Sportsman's food and service and the Gerst Haus is startling. It has gotten to the point that I avoid going there even though it is only a couple miles from my house. Food preparation is sloppy and inconsistent. Cold items, some items flavorless, other way over seasoned, greasy limp fries, just not good. Service is lackluster at best. I hear the people saying it is the only German spot in town, but if you go to real German places up North then you realize that Gerst is not legit. If I had to pick out a reason that it has gone south (and not in the good way), I would say that the Gerst Haus simply doesn't seem to care. I don't know if this is from management or from being the red headed stepchild of the Sportsman chain, but you can feel it when you walk in. I hope they get their act back together, but I wouldn't bet on it. Spend your money and time on places that put some love into their product.
(2)
Joe F.
Great restaurant, awesome food. I don't know what people ordered to say there is bad food here but they are crazy/stupid.
(5)
Jeremy M.
Deutsch! I was born in Germany, so I go for the food of the Motherland whenever I get the chance. LOVED this place! First, it really feels authentic, decor is spot on, I'll come back when they do live music on the weekends and see if that's also authentic. Second, service and prices Our server was very friendly and I found the prices reasonable for the LARGE portions of tasty, unique, authentic dishes. Third, the food... Between the two of us, we had--- Potato Pancakes, not for everyone, but if you've ever had the real thing, or haven't and want to try em, these are VERY GOOD Bratwurst, EXCELLENT, but it's pretty hard to mess up a Brat... German French Fries, spot on and delicious! Sauerkraut---if you like it in general, you'll like it here, a nice accompaniement to the sausages SPAETZLE, One of my favorite dishes and they do a good authentic version here! Jaeger Schnitzel, the only disappointing dish of the bunch, I was pretty bummed that this wasn't as good as the other dishes, but I'm hopeful I just got a bad one since it was very busy and a Game Day. Speaking of Game day...one of the other great parts about this place is proximity to LP field, a great spot before, after, or even during the game! I'll be back...SEHR GUT!
(4)
T M.
Dreadful food. Tables have been dirty both times I've eaten there and the whole restaurant smells like a giant, 500-year-old ashtray. All the trucks and tooboxes in the parkinglot should have been a clue. (My dad has a truck and a toolbox, and I love him; but I don't let him choose restaurants. It's just common sense, people!) It's like Shoney's and Der Weinerschnitzel did it in a bathroom stall, and then popped out a really fugly baby. However, the people that own it are super nice, and straight guys have to have somewhere to eat. The world can't be all cloth napkins and wine spritzers. But I really wish they had warned me first.
(1)
Jon Anne D.
My 1st visit to the restaurant was great; but, the next 2 were sharp disappointments. I had not planned to return but a family celebration sent me back. And I'm glad it did! The food was MUCH better and more along the lines of what I had the first time. Rott kohl, gerkinsalat, pig knuckles, spaetzle, sauerbraten and schnitzel were all really good. Wait staff was stretched a bit thin; so, service was a little show. Overall, though, I'll have no hesitation about returning after this visit,
(4)
James J.
As part of an ongoing effort to sample a wider variety of food, my sister-in-law and I ventured downtown to The Gerst Haus. We went early and were seated quickly. Our server (whose name I cannot remember!) was fabulous and was genuinely excited about various menu selections. We got the combination platter with three entrees and two sides: Weiner schnitzel, Sauerbraten and kasseler ripchen (smoked pork chop) plus spaetzle and potato salad. The schnitzel was decent, as was the pork; the sauerbraten was, well, sour, but to the point of excess. The spaetzle was covered in brown gravy and tasted like dough covered in brown gravy. Meh. The potato salad had a sharp, almost vinegary taste, but was good. I had a fishbowl of the house brew, which was quite tasty. If the evening had ended there, I would have said it was a tick above mediocre and probably not worth a return visit. Then the Oompah band started playing. Three older folk in leiderhosen playing accordion, drums and trombone with some cowbell thrown in for good measure. They chugged beers in between songs and made me fall passionately in love with them. Don't get me wrong; the music was average at best. My love is purely in an ironic hipster douchebag manner, but love it is. They played Eidelwiess, and I called out for the Goatherd song. The singer challenged me to come up and sing it myself! So much love. I'll be back, but only for appetizers and beer, and only on Fridays when the band plays.
(3)
Holly A.
We went to eat with family on a Sunday at the Gerst Haus. We were looking for a fun atmosphere and good food and were not disappointed. We had 6 people and were seated in no time. Our waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and even took time to bring us samples of menu items we had questions about. Our food was great and they even had a fun band to listen to while we enjoyed our meal. Great family fun!!!!! Glad we went and we will be back soon :)
(5)
Janet S.
Stepping back in here for nostalgia sake and because it was a dark wet and almost wintery night we wanted a Christmas feel. Huge place good for large parties. Beer and wine, try and get a cocktail and it sends em into a frenzy. I only ever have the appetizer pig knuckle which is delicous porky meat falling off the bone. The sausage platter is Ok if you are not picky. Red cabbage and spaetzle is dry, flavorless and downright nasty. Our waitress on this particular occasion was German and abrupt with a hint of rudeness. "I'm too busy to talk" when we asked what city she was from. All in all a bad night at the Gersthaus and our once a year trip is done with.
(2)
Gretchenlreed ..
Not near as good as the Evansville Gerst Haus location used to be. The food tasted old, took a long time and was way overpriced!
(3)
Jeremy R.
This is the worst "German" food I've ever eaten. Nothing on the plate was remotely German. The potato salad was too sweet, the veal schnitzel was soggy and tasteless, the gravy was something one would put on country fried steak, the fries were thin cut and soggy. The food was also drastically overpriced at $24. The wait staff was also horrible!
(1)
Bryan L.
Come here for the live music and delicious beer!!! They have some nightly specials that I suspect have been the same for 20+ years. The band is the same anyways. It's a lot of fun coming and watching the band perform. It's even more fun when people that haven't seen them before start dancing and having fun along with them! Your best bet is to get there a little after the dinner rush on a weekend night. Order several different German beers, order some apps, and enjoy the show. By then it would be too late to order a heavy dinner, so just enjoy a liquid diet for one night. :)
(3)
Dave T.
A little tired but the food was good and ample. This place has been here a long time. Schnitzel was delicious, good sauces, authentic warm potato salad. Red cabbage was cut rather large but decent flavor. Friendly service.
(4)
T.A. H.
Great food.
(5)
Amber J.
Delicious.. Great German decor. Loads of beer choices. Great food. What else needs to be said?
(5)
J P.
Been a fan for many years. However the last 2 times were a disappointment. . I may give it one more visit because the other reviews were good.
(2)
Alex S.
This place would be open for about two weeks north of Illinois, before being laughed out of existence. Their food is shipped in. I doubt any of it is fresh. The prices are steep considering the portions. At best i would call this a German/ American Sports Bar, that doesn't fulfill either role. Kind of sad when you consider the rich German heritage Nashville was built upon. Move this place one mile away from the stadium and it's out of business within six months. Maybe they can correct these glaringly obvious issues at their next board meeting. Because a restaurant this pathetic can only be governed by a bunch of disaffected Cubicle Whales! Also everyone loves being rushed out the door at 8:45 by some blonde waitress pass around. WTF, German Bar FAIL!
(1)
Sharon K.
The Gerst Haus is a German themed restaurant and pub very close to the football stadium and the interstate. The Gerst Haus is one of the few German style restaurants in the city, so if you want some authentic schnitzel and German beers this is your place. I don't particularly like the location because at night it can be kinda shady, and every time I've been, I have been harassed in the parking lot by bums asking for money... not fun for a girl walking to her car alone. But for a few after work get-togethers this was a fun place. We always ordered up large quantities of sausage and saurkraut which was always really tasty. This place is good for groups, because there is ample seating throughout the whole restaurant. The tables and chairs are wooden as you would expect. I think the Gerst Haus is a good place to eat and drink, but I think they suffer some because of their location.
(3)
Flinch B.
Throughout my travels, I always try and eat a Wienershnitzel at a german restaurant. A schnitzel is easy to make yet it can also be easily screwed up. So on a recent visit to Nashville, I ordered the Wienerschnitzel with sides of Spaetzle and Red Cabbage (inexplicably listed as Rott Trohl). The food arrived in a timely manner and the Wienerschnitzel was a good but not great schnitzel. It was crispy and not at all greasy. The downsides were that the breading separated from the veal a tad too easily and that the breading didn't add much flavor. I would order this again. The real shame was in the overcooked, mealy spaetzle and probably the worst red cabbage I've ever eaten. The cabbage was not prperly chopped leaving for long, spaghetti-length pieces. It also didn't have any of the nice tangy flavor that a good red cabbage should have. I could only get through half my serving before just giving up trying to eat it. Finally, this was a rather pricey meal, at $22 (including a pepsi). A price a tad too high, poor sides, and an average Schnitzel cause me to give only a 2 star rating. My lunch companion (who doesn't know german fare wall)had a Knockwurst with Spaetzle. He reported that the wurst was good but that he's had better ones.
(2)
Peter S.
Have always had great food and service. The atmosphere and beer are great too.
(4)
Curtis S.
The business is in a funny location off the highway. Very authentic decor. Is was stationed in Germany in the 70's and the food at this place was as good as any overseas. Large portions and cooked awesome. Beer came with an ice cold mug and went down way too easy. The actor Tom Arnold was sitting next to us when we went for lunch. That was pretty cool. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Jane C.
People who give this place less than 5 starts simply do not get it. There's something special about a place that has existed so long, offering safe harbor for social misfits on Saturday nights and keeping them warm with schnitzel, beer and polka music. When I walked in the room, I was welcomed with the sound of happy birthday chorus celebrating a 93 year old woman who had obviously been coming there for decades. As a special treat, the trombone player pulled out his 10-foot long elk horn just for her. The food hits the spot. Meat & potatoes in the best sense. The decor is so bad it's the most charming thing you've ever seen. I didn't feel like I was in Germany, but I certainly felt millions of miles away from Nashville.
(5)
Misty M.
Not super impressed but not the worst either. Pretzels and mustard were fabulous but the sauerbraten was not the greatest. The flavor was a bit much for me and I like strong flavors. It was a bit too vinegary for me. My husband had the three sausage meal and it was excellent. The cold German potato salad was disappointing as well.
Aren't a lot of German places in Nashville Gert Hause isn't as authentic as they come but it's still good food. The kraut balls are pretty awesome, nice beer selection. They carry a few German beers that you can't normally find elsewhere in Nashville. Service is pretty solid. Not sure when they are there or not there but last time I went the a polka band was playing helped set the mood. Worth trying out, I think you will definitely mind something you'll like. If nothing else they have a great beer selection.
(4)
Brian C.
Gerst Haus is a fun dining experience and has tasty food, if you like German fare. However, the Gerst Haus is less about the food and more about the atmosphere. The atmosphere was fun with a tuba, drum and accordion trio which doled out some fun musical ditties and sang happy birthday twice. Watch out for the forced chicken dance. It can be irritating. The staff, from the front door to our server, was aloof and seemed very disinterested in us. Our server didn't want to offer suggestions or even explain what the different items were. Perhaps it fit with the "German experience". Vee don't care vat you like. Just order somesing. So authentically German, that I felt like I was in the motherland.
(4)
Melissa N.
This place is just okay. I come from a German and Austrian family, so I am very familiar with great German cooking. I'm also from Chicago, so I know what good food is. I haven't been super impressed with the food in Nashville as a whole, and this was one of the better meals I've had here, which isn't really saying much. Our table ordered a pitcher of cider, which was the highlight of the meal: I believe it was called Woodchuck. I ordered the wienerschnitzel for dinner, because to me that's the way to judge any German restaurant. The portion size was hefty, but I wasn't very impressed with the schnitzel itself. The meat was very thin and was 85% breading. It was also extremely dry. For the two sides, I chose applesauce and German potatoes. Both were just okay. The ambience of the place itself is kind of rickety and not particularly German. Service was attentive and friendly all night. Still, I probably wouldn't come back here.
(2)
John M.
Visited this eatery while on vacation. Folks in the south sure are serious about their sweet tea, a good thing nonetheless. Service was prompt and courteous, always with a smile. The food itself was tasteful, not out of the park, but it definitely satisfied. They do actually serve German entrees and plentiful portions at that. The only downside is ultimately the neighborhood. On our two-block walk back to the hotel we were approached for handouts, including a man who said he had a pocket knife. Despite this, this establishment served southern hospitality to a couple of Midwestern folks. If I ever return to Tennessee's capital city, I shall be back. More sweet tea, please.
(4)
elizabeth s.
The beer was good. Other than that this place was very disappointing. The waitress was an idiot, really bad timing (late for ordering, asked about dessert and clearing the table while i was still eating, etc.). the pretzel was ok, the potato pancakes were just mushy and the weiner schnitzle (sp?) was just not good. the beef gravy was nasty and the spaetzel was flavorless. don't go unless you're just drinking!
(1)
Robert K.
Being that Gerst Haus is the only authentic German restaurant in Nashville, I give it four stars. It is nothing fancy, but it has some great brats and sauerkraut. The beef stroganoff is good too. Also Gerst Haus is one of the best places in Nashville to go for beers because the have some great beers on tap and they serve them in fish bowls! Perfect for a post game drinks and dinner since it is right near the stadium. Be prepared because German food can be a bit greasy and is definitely hard on the stomach
(4)
Susan W.
Do not go on game day!!! We have been going to gerst haus for years. One of the more unique aspects is their ice cold fishbowls. On game day they serve your beer in a plastic cup for safety reasons. There were only about 15 people there at the time and no one was rowdy. Seriously I just spend 5 for a beer in a plastic cup. It tasted horrible. The first pig knuckle we were served had so much hair on it it needed a shave. We sent it back because it was so gross. The second one was so small and was all fat. The sausages were dry and tasted old. The strogonoff was lukewarm. We drove an hour to drink from a plastic cup , eat mediocre food and basically spend a lot of money. Major disappointment!!!! Your prices are too high for your substandard food and plastic cups.
(2)
Michael H.
Meh. I'm going to give them another try when there isn't a game going on. The food was pretty good, just slow. Pig knuckles were good.
(2)
Nick C.
I enjoyed the food, the friendly server, live oompah band, and house beer. All around it was a good time.
(4)
Franklin B.
Great again. Got the fried Bologna sandwich today. Delicious. Not your hobo fried Bologna by a thick cut of German bologna w melted cheese, onions on a toasted bun. Finished w apple strudel.
(5)
Sarah K.
I went in on a Wednesday night about 2 hours before close so naturally business was slow. When we walked in the door the hostess just stared at us over her glasses and said "2?" First impression was less than pleasing. Our server was great, informative and had a good knowledge of the food. Entrees came out fast and we're delicious. Dessert was a little too "Ryan's" for my liking but overall a great place.
(3)
Scott B.
I love going to authentic German restaurants, so I was excited about this place. While this place turned out to not exactly "authentic", it did have a nice mix of German and American food with extremely large portions. They sat us next to the band, so talking with others at the table was out of the question and our waiter would disappear for long periods of time. But I would go again when I am not in such a hurry.
(3)
Benjamin S.
Excellent German restaurant! Always satisfied when we visit this establishment. All the food taste great. We've gone there with people who have lived in German and Switzerland, and they all say it's fantastic!
(5)
Paul J.
Was hoping to try the food, but when we arrived at 830, we were promptly ignored by the hostess, who was very busy talking with her friends. When she finally realized we were not just going to walk away, she looked at my wife and simply said "yes?". After explaining that we would like a table and to eat, we were informed that, contrary to the hours posted on the website, and the building, they were "closing in about 15 minutes", but if we hurried she supposed she could get us taken care of. At this point we left, as receiving subpar service like this for the rest of the evening was not an attractive option.
(1)
Jermaine D.
I must say that walking through the door there is sort of a water like stench in the air and moisture. We were seated right away and the wait staff was very nice and professional. We sat down and were excited to see that there was a variety of food to eat. We ordered the pick three and got the. Kielbasa, pan fried veal and smoked pork chop. Our sides were German potatoes salad, baked beans and we Added the gravy covered potato balls. When we got our food it was amazing! Blew me away. I gave this three stars because of the ambiance. Just needs to be kept up better.
(3)
Brad G.
Do NOT go here for German food! I moved to Nashville several months ago. I have been craving German food for the past few weeks. This morning I found Gerst Haus on my phone and read the history of the place on their website. At the turn of the century William Gerst owned a successful local brewery and was the president of the U.S. Brewmaster's Association. I am guessing this guy made world class beer back then. He would roll in his grave if he knew the crap this placed served in his name. I ordered the Knackwurst Dinner with sides of Hot German Potato Salad, Spaetzle and Red Cabbage. The Knackwurst was acceptable but the side dishes were inedible. Clearly there are no Germans in the kitchen. In fact, I doubt anyone in the kitchen really knows what German food tastes like. I don't blame the guys in the kitchen - this place is owed by a local restaurant group that clearly doesn't care about the food. The best thing that could happen would be to remove the German food from the menu and be honest - this place serves bar food by the stadium to the sounds of live German music. My daughter ordered a hot dog with fries and both were excellent.
(1)
Al S.
We took a chance and we are glad that we did. The fish bowl beer were $1 off and the prices were reasonable. We ordered the 3 item sampler and the corned beef and the soft pretzels for 4 people. The food was great and they were good size portions. We had Jana as a server and she was great. I would definatly recommend this place.
(5)
Paul H.
The Gerst Haus is a pretty decent place to go for happy hour - my 4-star rating doesn't apply to the menu, which I haven't widely sampled. Cheap, big fishbowls of beer, half-price appetizers, "authentic" German atmosphere. Plus, if you live in East Nashville, it's right on your way home. The food is nothing special. But, if you're up for a cheap beer in a place that's not too crowded, the Gerst Haus fits the bill.
(4)
Abby A.
My boyfriend and I love this place! He loves the beer selection! We usually get the goulash, bologna sandwich, and sauerkraut. Every time we have went, the food and atmosphere have been splendid! However, we went on Cinco de Mayo for my birthday because it is one of my favorite restaurants. The service was awful. The waiter threw a straw at me. The food luke warm and literally came out less than 5 minutes after we ordered it. I'm going to chalk it up to the fact that the waiter wanted to be celebrating Cinco de Mayo and it was a Tuesday. Nevertheless, this is a wonderful place, just don't go in the middle of the week.
(4)
Anna A.
This place has improved vastly since they changed the smoking laws in Nashville and there are no longer webs of smoke and dust hanging from the ceiling. As far as German food, they have it! I get why you have to burp in German culture if that is true because all this food will definitely come back to haunt you. Sometimes before you have gotten it fully chewed. As far as the beer, it's the only place in town that I know of where they serve it in a fish bowl. It's not really a fish bowl but it is big. In order for you to fully understand the the fish bowl significance, you have to be able to order it like this "I'd like me a feeyish bowal of bud" . If you order beer like this then I swear you will love this place.
(3)
Steve S.
I wanted to like Gerst Haus. I really hate giving it such a low rating, but I have to be honest. It lacks in so many areas, that I just won't go back. I stopped in with my wife and our son for an early dinner. It looks pretty decent from the outside. Inside, it's dimly lit and crowded. There is a stage to the right in the front corner. Wafting from the stage were the yodels of an older blonde woman along with a band that included an accordion. It seemed a little fun to me, but it's not my wife's cup of tea, so we chose to sit outside. There is a bar that spans the left side of the restaurant. It appeared as though the place hadn't been dusted in a long time. It smelt somewhat musty. I didn't want to touch anything. Outside it was no different. Old rickety tables and chairs didn't make me feel any better. The menus were dirty. Maybe I'm just being very finicky, but like I said: I did want to like this place. The service was okay. The food on the other hand, was pretty awful. It was overcooked and looked like the grease hadn't been changed in several months. The bread on my wife's sandwich was soggy. I was very disappointed and needless to say, I won't be returning.
(2)
John L.
Had some good German food here tonight. It's a slow Tuesday and not many people here. Excellent selection of German beers. I tried the pork knuckle - excellent, the sauerkraut balls - not special, the pretzels with beer cheese - pretzels awesome - beer cheese had better, the jäger schnitzel - eh ok gravy not so great, the goulash & spätzel - awesome!, braised red cabbage - awesome!, sauerkraut - awesome!
(4)
Jerry H.
Excellent German Food and Beer, this is my third time here in Nashville and the food as well as the service is always great. Lived in Germany for 8 years in Goeppingen and visited relatives in different regions, the types of German food seems to encompass the entire country and not just any one state. Love it eat here every time I'm close.
(5)
Robert B.
I went here for lunch, and the place was pretty dead except for a couple of tables where it looked like some shady political deals were going down. It surprised me that so few people were there. I think the atmosphere has the potential to make it a hoppin' place. Perhaps it was popular at one point, but apparently not so anymore. Once my food arrived, I began to understand why there are no crowds. Just to be clear, I lived in Germany for a short while, and I love my German food; but Gerst Haus is clearly lacking in the food department. The food is just bland and not quite right. I don't know who is cooking the food back in the kitchen, but they should possibly think about changing vocations. The lack of effort would be disturbing even at a fast food restaurant. I guess I just expected better from a restaurant that has a corner on the German food market. They are literally the only German restaurant (that I am aware of) in Nashville. If they get some new management and get their act together, I would consider coming back in the future. Until that happens, I am staying far away.
(2)
Dan R.
Maybe the mediocre and poor reviews lowered my expectations, but I really enjoyed the food here. They brought my wife out a sample of their sauerbraten, and it was good enough to order. I got the weinershnitzel, which was also good, though it's tough to mess up fried food. Our friend's Reuben was soggy, though, and she returned it and exchanged it for the beer cheese soup, which was delicious. Overall, a decent experience, but slow service (not a crowded night) was at least very friendly combined with the soggy Reuben makes for only three stars for me.
(3)
Chad R.
My ancestors were British but I love German food. This is the premier place to get your fix of German cuisine. The food is always served hot and fresh and is always delicious. If you are in the mood for a sandwich, the Ruebens and Bratwurst sandwiches are a good choice. I often go for the more traditional German plate dinners with brats and kraut and red cabbage. Of course, they serve a variety of German beer but I do not drink alchohol anyway so I have never tried any of it. If you prefer your beer to be domestic, then they have that too. The decor is in the style of a German beer hall and the restaurant is quite spacious. They have a large bar along one wall and on the other side of the restaurant is the band that plays polka-style music. Its fun when they play the "Chicken Song" and patrons get up and do the Chicken Dance in the middle of the restaurant. If you prefer to eat outside, they have a patio available as well. There is plenty of seating available so even when there is a big crowd you probably have a good chance to grab a table. Unless, of course, the Titans are playing right down the street on the day you go. I hear that Gerst Haus is a very popular watering hole for Titans fans on Game Day. So you may have a difficult time finding an available seat then. The service has always been great for me when I go there and I have been there a lot. The servers are always friendly, prompt, and attentive to my needs. The Gerst Haus has been a Nashville institution for a very long time and when you go you will learn why it has stayed in business for so long.
(5)
John I.
Delicious food. Absolutely horrible service. No hostess was waiting when we arrived. We had to seat ourselves. We sat at the bar and no one was working behind the bar. When someone finally came to the bar they did not greet us and we had to ask them to show us the menu. Repeatedly people came to the bar but did not talk to us. When our drinks ran out we had to ask for them to get refilled. When we were ready to go we had to ask for someone to bring us the bill (after we finally were able to grab someone's attention). At one point I wanted to try a different beer and the bartender brought me another of the one I was drinking without even asking me if I wanted to try something different. It's unfortunate because the food was really good. If the service changed, we would go back because the food was great.
(2)
Caitlin D.
I have had lunch and dinner here a couple of times. It's greasy, but when you're craving bratwurst and beer, it's the place to go. It definitely strives for the German flare. Nothing fancy, just casual. It would be fun for a group I think. BIG beers!
(3)
Brian Y.
Oompa band. Gerst sampler (ham balls and saurkraut). Corned beef & cabbage. Goulash. Gerst beer in a giant fishbowl glass! Was in Nashville for four days with a friend and a local, ended up coming here twice! Incredibly inviting and left full for an entire day. Not an easy feat. Great prices too!
(5)
Clif L.
Overpriced and food is not that great. Don't order the Crab Cakes...you only get 1, for the low price of $10!! What a rip off! The brats were over cooked, how can you mess that up! Total cost for 3 people = $67 (only 2 beers). Don't waste your time or money.
(1)
David S.
The Gerst Haus is a different dining experience for you. It has lots of German classics on the menu including all the schnitzels you could want. The Gerst Haus is right by the football stadium off of the interstate and across from Shoney's. There were several guys I used to work with who enjoyed coming here for lunch. I thought it was a bit much in terms of what I usually eat for lunch (a little heavier, I mean), but it was tasty. I've been back a few times and enjoyed it. The rugby team ate their for Dining Out for Life this year and we all had a great time -- especially with all the great beers on tap served in huge fishbowls. I can recommend the beef stroganoff which was very good except it did not come with egg noodles. I think it came with ziti for some reason which was odd, but it tasted great. In fact I think it was even better the next day when I had my leftovers. I also enjoyed a chicken and paprika dish which was also very filling, and I was able to take some of it home as well. I can't swear to the authenticity of the taste, but I think the atmosphere is good and so is the food. It gets knocked a few times for some problematic service I've had plus my beer glass was chipped so watch out.
(3)
Katherine M.
The Gerst Haus is a Nashville must. I am not particularly wild about German food, but this place has the best I have ever eaten. All of the sausages are freshly prepared right in the restaurant. If you like bratwurst and kielbasa, you are in for a real treat. They also have great veal dishes. I actually ordered the fried catfish (yes, in a German restaurant) and it was very good. Lightly battered and not at all greasy. The atmosphere is really fun! A band, typical to German beer gardens, plays on Friday and Saturday nights. They really get the crowd into it. When I was there people even got up and danced! The band is quite loud, but hey - join in and sing along. You don't have to know the words! Most people go for the beer! The have authentic German beers brewed right in the place. The guy I was with ordered a Gerst, the most popular beer, and said that is what he always gets. For those of us not wiling to go that route, they have a normal variety of domestic beer. And wine. The location is great. Fabulous views of the Cumberland River, Titans Stadium, and Nashville Skyline. From here it's easy to trek to the downtown bars and music venues. Make a fun night of it!
(4)
Patrick R.
Dining at this place makes me yearn so hard to speak in an exaggerated German accent. In fact, I do so when reading menu items aloud to myself to the chagrin of my fellow diners. Regardless of my own idiosyncrasies, this place has plenty of its own. The walls are cluttered with the massive heads of regal dead animals from elk to goose to what I think may have been a wildebeest. The speakers pump out the incessant oompa beat of polka, and the ceiling is about thirty feet high. Despite how strange all of that may sound, I generally like the vibe of the Gerst Haus. It's easy enough to drown out the polka, and the high ceiling makes it seem like an authentic German lodge with massive steins of ale just waiting to be imbibed. There are a few flaws, however, that just can't be ignored. The beer selection is extremely diverse and impressive--I was excited to see how many choices they had. However, after my friend ordered a Pilsener and I selected the Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale, we were told that the bartender was out of both! Seems to me that a restaurant that prides itself on its beer selection shouldn't bat 0 for 2 right out of the gate. Anyhow, we got our back-up selection beers and ordered our food. The bratwurst was, of course, very authentic and extremely filling. I'd never had German fries before, but they were quite tasty. As is the case with all the German food I've ever had, it tasted good but not great and sat in my stomach like a starchy European brick. The service was a bit slow and, while I'd love to award the place with four stars, they just didn't earn it.
(3)
Brintha V.
Really good combo platters so you get some of the best!
(4)
Rachel W.
Nice ambiance, the food was very good (I greatly enjoyed the pig knuckle I ate) and the waitress was attentive. If they had rollmops, I would have been most impressed. Unfortunately, they did not have rollmops, thus my quest for a German restaurant outside of NYC that has rollmops continues. :-)
(4)
George T.
My son and I went for an early dinner, it was a Sunday. The first thing that I noticed were the holes in the plastic table cloths. The waitress was pleasant enough but was not very knowledgeable about the menu. We ordered an appetizer that never came. For dinner, I ordered the German sample (3) plate with Goulash, Beef Stroganoff, and Sauerbraten. For sides I ordered Hot German potato salad and Red Cabbage. My son ordered Schnitzel with Hot German potato salad and mac & cheese. Our dinner was delivered with an apology for no appetizer. First off, the sides were cold. We sent them back to be heated. After we were about half way through our meal, we finally flagged down a manager to get our sides. They finally arrived fresh out of the microwave. In hind site, we should have ignored them because hot or cold they were not very good. I cannot speak as to their authenticity but the entrees were pretty good and if it were not for the abysmal service, it would have been a decent experience.
(2)
Tony W.
I love the Gerst Haus! Great beer selection and the Fishbowl size is a must here. I have eaten the sampler plate which I always enjoyed. Today I went for lunch and got the Fried German Bologna sandwich. The piece of bologna was thick and covered with pepper jack cheese which was melted and the waiter suggested adding a fried egg, it was delicious. I will definitely order it again. If you like German food it is a pretty good place. If you have never eaten German food you may or may not like. My wife is not a fan of German food, so it is usually a guy's night when I come here. Friday and Saturday nights are packed, so either come earlier or arrive a little later. The oompah band is great touch on the weekend, but I recommend sitting away from the band.
(4)
Cindy D.
Very slow service so far. I am hungry! Terrible service and the food not worth the wait.
(1)
Capi O.
Had an amazing time at the Gerst Haus... great Beer and Service!!!! Ask for Capi he is amaze balls! !!
(5)
Eric N.
The food is good, but it's not authentic german, at least not what I ordered. I honestly don't think I'll be coming back. As a native German (born and raised in Bavaria), I was very excited when I saw this place and walked in for lunch. The decorations and atmosphere felt great, and the menu seemed authentic. That's where the authenticity ended. When my food came out, although it tasted good, it was not German, which was a big shame for me. Bottom line, if you're looking for good, different food, then come here. If you're looking for good, authentic German food, look elsewhere.
(2)
Matt M.
Is it possible to fill up just by looking at the menu? That was pretty much the case for my first trip to Gerst Haus. They offer a wide variety of German specialties (bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerbraten, and the like) as well as sides like spaetzle, German fries (which were similar to home fries) and a multitude of other side items. In addition to the standard fare, they also have eats for those who don't wish to journey into Deutschland territory. The beer selection is equally impressive where you can enjoy either a mug, a fishbowl or a pitcher of their tasty hopped treats. On this visit, I tried their knockwurst platter with the spaetzle and German fries for the side (I'd usually throw a non-starch in, but I was curious about those two items that night). The knockwurst was excellent--like a delicious smoked sausage, but not as dense. There was plenty to fill me up there, but I ended up with leftovers that were just as tasty. The German fries were pretty good as well, but I wasn't impressed by the spaetzle. I expected it to be lighter and fluffier than it actually was, but it almost had the taste of flour that hadn't been cooked out completely. If for nothing else, I would go back here for a beer and for the environment. The house polka band kept things lively, and thankfully they took a break every now and then so you could actually hear the conversation going on at your own table. It's a very festive atmosphere that reminds me of the German scenes in National Lampoon's European Vacation (and I mean that in a good way). Could there be more lederhosen? Of course! Take note, Gerst Haus!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Bill P.
Had a great time here before the UT-Bowling Green game. Place was packed with people wearing orange, which made it even better. They were slammed, but the bartender (Lucky?) was very good. Not very personable, but got the job done, which is the main thing. Don't know if it's still the case, but Gerst used to be affiliated with the Sportsman's Lodge people. Such interesting places, and I mean that in a good and bad way. But more good than bad. Not an expert on German food, but we enjoyed our sausage sampler with kraut and German potato salad. A good value, too. We were here once before and also enjoyed our offerings then.
(4)Mark S.
This place was recommended by my friends. I found out that they have not been here for for some months. There are many reasons I will not return. The issues that come to mind are: 1. The food is too expensive. 2. The portions are too small. 3. The kraut had hot peppers blended into it. The taste was awful. Who does that? 4. The Server was just okay. I am saddened by my findings. Being German, I thought I found my new hangout. Additionally, I host many clients from out of town. I will never recommend this to anyone. I challenge the owner to read this and respond. I hope it was just a bad night. However, after paying $27.00 for one meal. I am hesitant to try again.
(1)Christina D.
The food was amazing and the portions were crazy large. We also really enjoyed the live band! We will definitely be back!
(4)Randall Y.
I was looking forward to this and ordered the bratwurst plate. Bratwurst was dry and bland. Did I say bland, yeah tasted like Vienna Sausage with a courser texture and less moisture. I came with Sour Kraut and 2 sides. I would have chosen a side of sour kraut which was tasty if I'd realized the portion served with the sausage was going to be so small. The Hot German Potato Salad was also bland. Hey folks The German food I ate in Germany was not Bland. Red cabbage ok but not great. I will not be back.
(1)Darren M.
I love the traditional German fare, especially during Oktoberfest (late August - late September) they have imported Paulaner Oktoberfest Draft from Germany. If they don't have it just get the Gerst House house draft.
(4)Margaret D.
Absolutely horrible!! Worst German food I have ever eaten. Burnt schnitzel, sausage had pieces of bone in it. The pumpernickel bread was a loaf from a grocery store. The späetzel was tough and the gravy was like from a jar. Do not order the Reuben balls appetizer. Fried balls of pink goop that looked like someone had regurgitated a Reuben sandwich and fried it. I sent all of mine back and didn't eat. Very disappointed.
(1)Kristen S.
I loved the feel of this place. We came right before heading to LP Field for the CMA Fest nightly concerts and they worked with us to get us out just in time! I thought the food was pretty good, not exceptional, but good and satisfying. The beer was cold and they had a lengthy beer menu. The service wasn't wonderful, not very attentive, but we managed.
(4)Nancy P.
I thought it really good. We had schnitzel. I thought it was a little heavy. I would have enjoyed a lighter breading. I had the Black Forest which was super tasty. My husband had the Berlin which was also good. The spaetzle was not as delicate as some I have had but it was yummy. I read a review that said their kraut had peppers but my husbands had apples. He said it was good but as a side it was too much. He likes it better on a dog. There were some things I didn't like at all. I did not like the exposed kitchen and pick up area. It was dismal overall. The band was a hoot. They were drinking beer from pitchers. Prost! But good food.
(4)Danny N.
I have been a few times now and it always impresses. German food is mega heavy so this isn't an everyday place for me, but when in the mood this is the place to come. The pick three meats and two sides platter is awesome and can feed two. I like German beers and they have a huge variety of choices on draft. The quality is up with Sportman's as they share ownership which also means you can get fishbowl beers.
(4)Beth F.
Hey, I'm part German, and the Wienerschnitzel is to DIE for! I suggest the German fries (rough cut hash browns w/onions) and spaetzle (little gnocchi-like dumplings in a yummy brown gravy), both delicious! My husband and I have been here before, so I'm going to save time and list all items we've had and how we felt about them! The baked beans are tasty. The red cabbage was very good BUT needs to be on a side plate because its juice bleeds into the meat. We had the gerst ham rolls and they ROCKED! Sausage sampler was also tasty! We liked the Gerst house beer. My husband liked the Bavarian Kraut balls. I don't suggest the pork (Schwein) schnitzel - it is boring and only taste like a shake'n bake pork chop. Also, their warm German potato salad is sweet (for some reason) not what most folks are used to (the vinegar type). The servers and the management are always wonderful and ready to cater to your requests. Prices here are seriously reasonable! Our biggest regret is that we're always too full to order any dessert!! They have 4 and it would be hard to choose anyway.
(5)Hall W.
So the real story about this is that this is really not a full menu German place. This is more like a German fast casual place that is set up in a really fancy house like structure that makes it look like a trendy full service place. A real full service German/Austrian place would have fuller entrees for dinner than just lunch and snack options. Beyond the snackish items of sausages and pretzel appetizer, the food is only okay given the prices. It is rather good for beer there. This is the ultimate place for a beer with a friend, but not for a hearty Austrian/German dinner.
(3)Chris H.
Man I love this place before Titans games and USA soccer at Nissan Stadium. The beer is good and food is good. They need to pay more attention to cleaning their bathrooms better and the service at the bar was a lil slow today. The beer needs to be colder from the tap. I had the Reubin which was good.
(3)Rhonda H.
My husband and I visited here on his quarterly conference trip to Nashville; it's our second time here. We met while both stationed in Germany, and married while there, so it's particularly special on the rare occasions that we get to enjoy German food. He ordered the Veal schnitzel, spetziel, cucumber & onion salad, and pumpernickel bread with a German beer, and I ordered the (2) potato cakes appetizer with sour cream & applesauce (as a meal), and we split it all. It was delicious. My only complaints is slow service and under-cooked tater cakes. We will be back when visiting Nashville again - not every time, much as we love German food, but sometimes. If it improves a bit, it would definitely become a regular patronage.
(3)Emily A.
Ate here the other night with my boyfriend and the whole experience was awkward. The host was by far the rudest host I've ever come into contact with by not greeting us or anyone else and just not saying anything and then was talking on her cell phone and gave us the worker's schedule instead of the drink special menu. Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgable I think her name was Caitlyn. The food was good and authentic but overpriced for the whole experience. Not to mention the air conditioning seemed to not be working and it was about 100 degrees in there, idk how the staff were working. If the host didn't work there probably would come back.
(3)Jason B.
Gerst Haus is a nice change from the norm. Here's what I like... The pretzels and beer cheese appetizer The sausage platter (especially kielbasa and knockwurst) Pork Knuckles The Hungarian chicken paprika (as long as it is served warm) The beer selection Here's what I don't like... The beef stroganoff The goulash The prices, especially for lunch.
(3)Laci W.
I love German food and understand you have to pay for specialty foods and the experience. But it seemed a little over priced for some items. It took forever to have someone get our drink order. Once we got our server she was very unfriendly and didn't say one word to us. Another server kindly helped us frequently when our server was no where to be found. Overall it was an okay experience but I wouldn't be in a hurry to come back.
(3)Kay J.
What a delight! Our friends took us here and it was great! Located in an old hardware store, the owners have retained the bones and much of the original signage. We waited at the bar for our friends an perused the large beer list. Drafts come in 12, 16 and 18 ounce sizes. Lots of microbrew and German selections. The menu has many German choices. I had the sausage sampler appetizer and couldn't finish it. The restaurant was quiet enough on a Friday night for conversation. Gerst Haus is charming and I hope to return soon.
(5)Amiélle B.
My husband and I went to dinner at the Gerst Haus, I was delighted to find a authentic German restaurant in the United States, that reminded me of home. The food was delicious, huge, and full of flavour. We had a lot of leftovers and what was best, is it all tasted 10x better the following day for lunch. I highly recommend this wonderful Bavarian/German gem.
(5)Rachel H.
This place definitely lived up to its only 3 star rating. Upon entering, the place is almost empty but we still had to wait for a table to be cleaned off. After being seated it took about 15 minutes for anyone to take our drink order. For several different reasons, the service was slightly less than horrible. When the beers we ordered were brought to us they were in chipped glasses. Ouch. We also had to return our silverware due to most of it being covered in dry, old, crusty food. Gross. On a good note, the actual food and beers were pretty good! If we return, maybe we will do so on a day we don't have our daughter with us, and we'll opt for bar seating.
(3)Michelle B.
Good German food. We ate here with a group of friends and had a good time. My only negative would be the live music, as it was VERY LOUD. This made it hard to visit with our friends. Other than that, I would recommend eating here.
(3)Chris M.
Came in here on Saturday for a double date, having driven by it numerous times and and always wanting to check it out. I'm so glad we finally did! The live Oompa band was great, our server was wonderful -- very knowledgeable about the menu, her recommendations were spot on, and she was prompt was drink refills and food all night. Also -- you cannot beat the beer prices! The food was very good, albeit your unhealthy German food with lots of veal and sausage. The beef stroganoff was fantastic as well. This would definitely be a good family restaurant as well.
(4)Terri H.
Great German Food! I try to make it here at least once a year. This German restaurant is very festive with its German musicians and the occasional Chicken Dance in which the diners participate in a single file line around the place. The service has always been good and the staff is always friendly. If you like sausage they have Bratwurst, Knackwurst, and Kielbase. All three are good. The Kasseler rippchen which is a slow roasted pork chop is also good. My favorite dish here is the Schweine Schnitzel and although I want to try different things from the menu it is difficult for me not to order this because it is great. I also highly recommend the Spaetzle as one of your sides. Spaetzle is a German dumpling with brown gravy. They have a Gerst Haus German beer to go with your entrée that is great.
(4)Thomas G.
My Girlfriend and I were headed to the Titans game tonight. We decided that instead of paying for overpriced and not great stadium food, we would stop in for some authentic German cuisine. As soon as we walked in the hostess was incredibly rude (I'm sure it was stressful because it was game day). We were seated outside and our waiter greeted us (not the warmest of welcomes). He asked for our drinks and appetizer orders. We had the fried oyster basket, which was really the tiniest oysters surrounded by a ton of breading, a cornbread pancake, and some dull French fries. As for the entrees I ordered the schnitzel sandwich with a side of dull Mac and cheese. The sandwich was so much bread that I wouldn't have been able to fit the whole thing in my mouth. My girlfriend ordered the bratwurst with a side of spätzle (she got Mac and cheese). She seemed to enjoy her brat which is the only reason that they're getting a two star instead of one. We went there to avoid overpriced mediocre food at the stadium and that is exactly what we got. I wouldn't eat there again.
(2)Laila S.
Not bad...now i come from an Austrian chef mother so they had a lot to live up to but I kept in mind that this Nashville so I wasn't expecting a lot. The sausages were ok more American than European but still ok. Hubs gad the goulash and loved it. My favorite was the cheese beer sauce for the pretzel and that sucker was good, covered in butter and hot with right amount of salt. Potato salad was ok and so was the sauerkraut was also ok, more traditional than American so that was cool. Beer selection was decent too. Willing to go back and explore more.
(3)Julie K.
We were impressed with their food and service! Everything was quick, tasted good, and super friendly helpful waitress (Keyonna.). We had the combo platter and ordered: kielbasa, goulash, and pork schnitzel. Enough for 2-3 people! Then we had the Bavarian Apple strudel. Yum!!! They were busy when we arrived and I expected a long wait. I was thrilled to get seated right away, drinks arrive quickly, followed by the appetizer and then the meal.
(5)Janette C.
Here for date night with my guy! We had both been here before but we were in the mood for some German beer and as authentic as we could get German food :) The beer was delicious! The food....well as good as it gets in the middle of a Southern state :) Charming animal carcasses all around the walls and a band playing front and center. Service was okay...nothing fantastic but the food arrived in time and the way we ordered it!
(4)Kelly M.
We walked in and the hostess was playing on her phone and didn't look up at us until I said hello. We told her two and she just walked away we were unsure should we follow no communication was made..... Finally she looked at us like well... Finally seated nobody nobody nobody we waited ten mins .... Left. Food and beer might have been the best ... But I'm thinking probably not.
(1)Sarah A.
Oh boy - hate to do this. But there were some seriously alarming things going on here this Saturday.... * The bathrooms were incredibly dirty. My husband described the mens room as smelling like "a festival port-a-potty". The woman's bathroom was in just as much disrepair. * We witnessed a waitress (not ours thankfully, but repulsive and concerning just the same) walk out of the kitchen with her pinky finger all the way up her nose. Wiped it right on the front of her shirt. Good god. * The food was horrible. You could tell it was coming out of a dirty kitchen, with no attention to quality. I would wager they have a vat of that mac'n'cheese that they just reheat once a week. Blech. The good! *Great iced beer mugs. *Good beer selection * Fun Oompa band (And other live performers I've heard) So if you want to stop in for a beer, you will survive. I wouldn't at all want someone eating here until it's been cleaned up. :(
(2)Richard S.
Anybody that thinks that the food at the Gerst Haus is authentic will keel over dead in a blissful orgasm when you have the opportunity to eat REAL German food. The food here is AWFUL, greasy and just not even close to authentic. The sad part is, they don't even try. (Honestly... brown gravy on spaetzle?!!) I have quit eating the food here as it does not seem to get better over time. Go for the bier and more importantly go for the atmosphere when the (albeit American) German bands play on the weekend. It's so sad, the place has the feel of an authentic gasthof and just blows it big time. :(
(1)Angel C.
I've been here twice now. Both times I got the Hungarian Chicken Paprika. Both times they were fast and friendly and the chicken was delicious. I knocked off a star for inconsistency. The chicken paprika was delicious both times, but the sauce wasn't quite as good as the first time I had it. Plus their German "Pizza" was tomato sauce and cheese on 2 slices of bread. Very soggy. If it were at least toasted bread it might have been appetizing, but no. If you get anything get the Hungarian Chicken Paprika. Even on a day that was not its best, it was still fantastic!!
(4)Ute M.
I have been a couple times and each time the food was not good. I am German and know first hand that this is not authentic German cuisine. The Spatzle are way too doughy. the Schnitzel needs to be thinner and the gravy is too thick. For anyone who has not experienced anything German, the atmosphere is ok and the Bavarian music is fun. The food leaves a lot to be desired. I give it a 1 star!
(1)Liz Y.
I waited at the front desk for about 3-5 minutes. a blond waitress came over and asked me if i needed help as if I walked in to a home depot. I'm walking into a restaurant waiting at the front desk. what do you think I need? before I even took my coat off or sat down she asked me if I knew what I wanted to drink. hold your horses lady! food was very pricey and tasted mediocre. the kraut balls were disgusting. I ordered the weiner Schnitzel which was at most edible. I'm sure there are better things to eat elsewhere. I wouldn't spend my money here.
(2)Ali B.
The pork (not veal) schnitzel was a nice reminder of what my mom would cook for supper growing up. The GOOLASH was awesomely hearty, served on a bed of spaetzle (deliciously crispy noodle substance). They served a wonderful corned beef and cabbage dish which I thought was an Irish thing... but maybe it is really German since they served it at Gerst Haus. Well, who knew? The German restaurant serves up a damn good plate of it. One item that surprised me was the cornbread pancakes. They had killer flavor and came with most of the dishes. Prices are a little steep but it is a good hearty meal in a great atmosphere with good people. They have a polka band that plays on the weekend. And, I will admit, I did the chicken dance to authentic polka around the Gerst Haus :D Fun fun fun supper.
(4)Kristin Marie S.
Oom-Pah! This place is a German extravaganza. It makes me kind of sad knowing it's owned by Sportsman Grille but I'll get over it. I haven't eaten at the Gerst Haus but I have drank there! Seriously, an awesome happy hour and regular beer prices. They give you a fishbowl of gerst for like $4.25. They also have a patio that overlooks Shoneys......and then beyond that Titans's stadium. Okay, not the best view but it is a covered outdoor area. On Friday and Saturdays they have a Oom-pah band. The place is what you make of it. Seeing as it's a German establishment....well you figure it out. My only request is that they add in a dance floor and some boots. Note: Familes do go eat there so it isn't totally crazy.
(3)Matthew B.
I was little wary of this place at first. I had driven by countless times, but always avoided it because if all the mediocre reviews. I was however, very pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was authentic, the food was phenomenal and the service was excellent. We had our meal within 8 minutes if ordering and our server was extremely friendly and efficient. I will definitely be back!
(5)Peter P.
Pretty sure there's no reason to go here. Yeah, they have beer but my service has never been noteworhy, nor has my food.
(1)Adam H.
Great restaurant. The atmosphere was awesome. Just an all around great dining experience
(5)Gator R.
Gross, gross, gross. We started with oyster rolls, their specialty appetizer. I can't even describe how disgusting these things were. 3 tennis-ball sized lumps of fried cracker crumbs with a cold slimy oyster in the middle--EW. The corn bread that came with our meal was hard, chewy, and seemed like it was a week old. Greasy, nothing special sausages, mediocre french fries...the only thing that was good was the cucumber salad. The waitress was very nice, but they were clearly short staffed and it took a LONG time to get our initial drink order taken and to get the check. In the women's bathroom, which was as hot as a sauna, 2 of the 3 stalls would not lock, and the handicapped stall had a LOT of some liquid all over the floor. We both had upset stomachs the rest of the day. I will NEVER go back and would not recommend it.
(1)E O.
Went here for lunch and while the food was "ok" I found the service lacking. The hostess seemed not to careless as I was seated. No eye contact or smile. The waiter failed to tell me about the lunch specials and tossed the bill on the table. He was great with soda and water refills. I had the kielbasa Philly and the wife had the Philly cheese steak and both were very tasty! Then red cabbage side was very good. I wish they had a lunch menu as ordering lunch off a dinner menu means ordering a sandwich or going with a dinner sized portion/price. I will definitely come back for supper. To all HCP holders: no sign legal or otherwise observed.
(3)Pete S.
Good beer good service horrible food and I mean horrible
(1)Michael H.
I like the German decor in the restaurant. I thought the food at the Gerst Haus was very good. They have a really good hamburger I eat off the lunch menu. The German fries are great too, a little on the greasy side but good. Everything I have tried on the dinner menu has been good as well. My only complaint is it is a little expensive. Come hungry because the portion sizes are big.
(4)Andie T.
There was nothing good about our experience at Gerst Haus. I am 1/2 German and love my grandmother's cooking. There are no German restaurants where I live, so when we visited Nashville and drove by Gerst Haus I was eager to give it a try. We arrived on a Sunday evening for dinner. The side entrance was blocked by two cars, so we had to circle around to access the entrance on the one-way Interstate Road. The large dining room was about 1/3 full. We were seated in the bar area and the bartender quickly took our drink order. My husband and I both ordered water - obviously unfiltered tap water (weird after taste). We both ordered jäger schnitzel, which was advertised to come with brown gravy, fresh rye bread and two sides. We both ordered cucumbers and onions in sour cream sauce, I ordered applesauce and the hubs ordered spaetzle. When our plates arrived we were both given pumpernickel bread, which was dry and tasted and looked like Pepperidge Farms. The brown gravy tasted like Heinz brown gravy from a jar. The veal was not pounded thin, was relatively tough and had no flavor. There was too much breading and it only tasted of salt and pepper. The applesauce was served room temperature and tasted cheap and over sweet. The cucumbers were over ripe (soft, not crisp). The only thing remotely decent was the spaetzle - and really, it should be since it's super easy to make. For this mediocre-at-best meal we paid $48. I felt like they should at least hold me after. Way over priced.
(1)Kim M.
Friendly service. Generous portions Potato pancake was yummy Weiner schnitzel ok Red cabbage and spaezle homemade quality
(3)Bob F.
The beer (Spaten) was good. Everything else left much to be desired. Fried jäger schnitzel even though the menu claims it's sautéed. Mushy spaetzle drowned in some generic brown gravy and soggy microwaved apple strudel. Top it a off with a waitress that hasn't a clue and you've got the picture.
(2)Kati H.
My fiancé is German and although this isn't as good as mom used to make, it's as close as you can get in Nashville. Jäger schnitzel, goulash, and spaetzle are the best things we've had here. Portions are huge. They have great beer and a polka band!
(4)Crystal B.
GREAT atmosphere and beer. Food just doesnt cut it. Maybe it used to. I certainly wish that it would step it back up because I'd love to go back.
(2)Jason S.
Ooh boy do I love German food. For some unexplained reason, I took German for 7 years, still not sure what the hell that was about, but hey, at least I know what I am ordering. I really want to love this place rather than like it. But it is kind of a let-down. For example, their spätzle. Homemade spätzle is supposed to be light and fluffy - full of love. Their spätzle is dense and full of hatred. It is supposed to soak up gravy, but here it is designed to damage dental work. Their sauerkraut and rotkohl (which is inexplicably labeled 'Roht Trohl' here) is passable. The kartoffelsalat (potato salad) is okay, just tart enough to get the job done. When it comes to the entrees, the Kasseler Rippchen or smoked pork chop, has been either tender and flavorful or dry and disappointing. They have some okay sauerbraten, although at times it has been too vinegary. The schnitzel of all varieties has been good and I have really enjoyed their sausage offerings. All in all, the main courses are okay, but not great. Go with the sampler platter; it's a good way to sample a few things if you aren't familiar with the cuisine. They do offer yummy beers to go along with the main courses, so for the stuff that isn't the greatest, you can at least wash it down properly. I'd give this place 2.5 stars if they'd let me - this is the German equivalent to Applebee's-grade German food, not the good stuff like momma used to make. It is probably better Nashville doesn't have a great German restaurant, lest I wouldn't be able to fit into my lederhosen.
(3)Ben G.
When I pay over ten bucks for a meal I expect something good. When I pay considerably more than that I expect some effing lobster. Well, honestly I don't even like lobster...but it doesn't matter you won't get any here. All they have is sausage. you should have seen my vegetarian friend try to eat. (don't) She had to settle on some massively expensive bland grilled cheese sandwich. The rest of us had sausage. According to the menu we had different kinds. They all tasted the same though, bland, over priced, over cooked and lame! Let me give you a tip GO TO A GAS STATION. Thornton's for example has a great sausage, they even have sour kraut...and it costs a dollar! (about 1/12th the cost of this crap,and it will taste way better!) The location is probably the worst in town....unless you like junk yards and smog. The decor is dirty and boring. the service is nothing to write home about. yikes....and all this from many months ago when I went. I don't usually hold on to, much less write about bad experiences i am more of a positive person, but drove by this place today and it all came surging back. Do yourself a favor, don't go there!
(1)Hailey D.
It was hard to get there due to all the stupid detours in Nashville. We walked in, and got seated right away. I happened to compare this place to a German restaurant in Colorado Springs that I adore, this place was half as German as the CO place was. But the food was good, portion was huge.
(3)Brian S.
Having spent a little time in the cities of Frankfurt and Köln in Germany, I'm a little bit of a German food snob. While the Gerst Haus isn't a replacement for the amazing food I had across the pond, I nevertheless give high marks to all three of the times I've visited it in the past year. In terms of atmosphere, what you get at the Gerst Haus depends a lot on what night and what time you go. In our first trip there, we arrived late on a weeknight and were the only people in the joint. For our second trip, we went on a Friday just before 8 p.m. (the same day of the Nashville 5K race), and it was very bustling with people and the Oompa band. We even had a 20 minute wait for a table -- not a big deal, though, as it gave us a chance to go to the bar and grab a couple fishbowl beers before sitting down. A review of any German restaurant would be remiss without discussing the beer choices. Gerst Haus has well over a dozen different options on tap. Most of them are pretty mainstream, but a couple you should try that you might not find at other bars would be the 2012 (a rich black lager) and the Gerst Haus amber lager. One observation: while you might assume the 16 oz fishbowls are the better deal, it's worth looking at the menu. There are a few instances (like the house lager) where the 10 oz price per ounce is actually better. I don't think there's anything we've ordered there that we haven't liked. We usually start off with the sausage sampler ($10 on the appetizers menu) that easily could be a meal by itself. The plate is full of...yep, you guessed it, lots of different sausages. Accompanied by rye bread and a side (the menu has one listed, but they're happy to make substitutions), it's a lot of food. You can go a couple different directions for your entree. They offer combination platters where you can try three of their specialties, or if you want to dive into one item you know you love, you can do that too. We've had very good luck with the beef stroganoff, the wiener schnitzel (breaded veal), and the jäeger schnitzel (which tops the wiener schnitzel with a brown mushroom sauce). The sides are also excellent -- the red cabbage is sweet and flavorful, and you really can't go wrong with the spätzle. You get two sides with your entree; last time, I ordered a double of spätzle and ate it all. Entree prices aren't totally cheap (you're just under $20 for the combination platters, and most of the standalone entree plates seem to be in the $14-$18 range). However, the portions are generous, and the flavor's quite good. If you've been hankering German food -- or if you've never had it but have been interested in trying it -- I'd highly recommend stopping by the Gerst Haus.
(4)Lindy B.
Ate there with the fam last week for the 2nd time. I like the Gerst Haus because it's something different. Granted, I've never been to Germany, but it looks all German-y inside and stuff. I had the patty melt this past time and it was pretty good. Don't really care for the fries though. They need more seasoning or something. Everyone else at my table was a little more adventurous and they all liked their food, too. The portions are pretty huge and everyone had leftovers. It's a fun place to go if you want something a little different or if you like German food. I wish the waiters wore lederhosen, but sadly they do not. :(
(3)Nickie G.
I had a random foray into East Nashville this weekend and we decided to eat at Gerst Haus because...well...because it was there and convenient. I like big sausage as much as the next girl sooooo why not? We walked in and the chick seating us was super friendly and assured us that we could definitely get a table on the patio. Although it looked pack she certainly did find us a nice spot. Then we got menus and decided what to order. I was most excited to get a huge Diet Coke since I MAY have indulged in too many drinks the night before. So we waited. And waited. And waited. Finally our waiter came around at about the point I was starting to get despondent for some sort of beverage sustenance. He was apologetic about the wait so that was nice and mollified me somewhat. I got the bratwurst on a bun with hot German potato salad on the side and my bro got the clam chowder and the sausage sampler plate (which is listed on the appetizer section). The clam chowder was really surprisingly good. Full of clam meat and tasted good when the cornbread that it was served with was dipped into it. My brat was big and meaty and the bun was buttery and fresh and the special mustard (with spices in it) was awesome on it. The potato salad is the only type I like - non-mayo based (I hate white creamy stuff!!!). However, this might have been a tad too sweet for my tastes. At any rate, I ate it all so it must not have been bad. The sausage sampler came with huge slices of FOUR different sausages plus sauerkraut, potato salad, and dark bread. Surely this was not the appetizer plate? If it was, believe that you can share that between 4 people for an app or 2 people for freakin dinner! The patio was pretty rocking for a Saturday afternoon. There was a big group of older people getting their drink on and watching the game. Another older gentleman drove up in a 1955 BMW that looked like a scooter and he allowed everyone to admire it, take pictures with it, and even let the hostess get in it. Quite the jovial atmosphere! And although the service was spotty at the start, it greatly improved. My drink was never empty. Also, my bro initially ordered the beer cheese soup and a guy that I can only guess is one of the cooks (?) came out to tell him he was out of it and they could do clam chowder instead. He came out again to see how it was. That's cool! Apparently this place is owned by the same people as Sportsman's Grille (which I loved verrrry much) so it explains why there is a big section of food that you would see on that menu on THIS menu too. Overall I'd say the food was a 3.5 and the service recovery along with the festive patio atmosphere brings it up to a 4 star. I'll definitely be back when I'm craving huge sausages (ahem).
(4)Jeremy T.
This place is really fun! The inside really feels like a German beer hall, and they have live music. The female vocalist even yodels!!! The portions are VERY large here, so make sure you come with a healthy appetite or consider ordering items off the appetizer menu. The beer list is nothing to sniff at either. I thought that my wurst was very delicious, but the schnitzel was dry. The hot German potato salad was kinda weird. The reason the place looses a star is because our apfel strudel was obviously microwaved. They forgot to take the paper off of the bottom of it before they stuck it in the nuker. Ignorance is bliss, people... I'd definitely go back.
(4)Ian R.
It is extremely disappointing that this Nashville institution can't seem to keep up an reasonable level of quality. Gerst Haus has seen a pretty steep decline in quality over the past few years. It is owned by the same group that owns the Sportsman's Grills and the menus even shares a lot of similar items. Yet the difference between Sportsman's food and service and the Gerst Haus is startling. It has gotten to the point that I avoid going there even though it is only a couple miles from my house. Food preparation is sloppy and inconsistent. Cold items, some items flavorless, other way over seasoned, greasy limp fries, just not good. Service is lackluster at best. I hear the people saying it is the only German spot in town, but if you go to real German places up North then you realize that Gerst is not legit. If I had to pick out a reason that it has gone south (and not in the good way), I would say that the Gerst Haus simply doesn't seem to care. I don't know if this is from management or from being the red headed stepchild of the Sportsman chain, but you can feel it when you walk in. I hope they get their act back together, but I wouldn't bet on it. Spend your money and time on places that put some love into their product.
(2)Joe F.
Great restaurant, awesome food. I don't know what people ordered to say there is bad food here but they are crazy/stupid.
(5)Jeremy M.
Deutsch! I was born in Germany, so I go for the food of the Motherland whenever I get the chance. LOVED this place! First, it really feels authentic, decor is spot on, I'll come back when they do live music on the weekends and see if that's also authentic. Second, service and prices Our server was very friendly and I found the prices reasonable for the LARGE portions of tasty, unique, authentic dishes. Third, the food... Between the two of us, we had--- Potato Pancakes, not for everyone, but if you've ever had the real thing, or haven't and want to try em, these are VERY GOOD Bratwurst, EXCELLENT, but it's pretty hard to mess up a Brat... German French Fries, spot on and delicious! Sauerkraut---if you like it in general, you'll like it here, a nice accompaniement to the sausages SPAETZLE, One of my favorite dishes and they do a good authentic version here! Jaeger Schnitzel, the only disappointing dish of the bunch, I was pretty bummed that this wasn't as good as the other dishes, but I'm hopeful I just got a bad one since it was very busy and a Game Day. Speaking of Game day...one of the other great parts about this place is proximity to LP field, a great spot before, after, or even during the game! I'll be back...SEHR GUT!
(4)T M.
Dreadful food. Tables have been dirty both times I've eaten there and the whole restaurant smells like a giant, 500-year-old ashtray. All the trucks and tooboxes in the parkinglot should have been a clue. (My dad has a truck and a toolbox, and I love him; but I don't let him choose restaurants. It's just common sense, people!) It's like Shoney's and Der Weinerschnitzel did it in a bathroom stall, and then popped out a really fugly baby. However, the people that own it are super nice, and straight guys have to have somewhere to eat. The world can't be all cloth napkins and wine spritzers. But I really wish they had warned me first.
(1)Jon Anne D.
My 1st visit to the restaurant was great; but, the next 2 were sharp disappointments. I had not planned to return but a family celebration sent me back. And I'm glad it did! The food was MUCH better and more along the lines of what I had the first time. Rott kohl, gerkinsalat, pig knuckles, spaetzle, sauerbraten and schnitzel were all really good. Wait staff was stretched a bit thin; so, service was a little show. Overall, though, I'll have no hesitation about returning after this visit,
(4)James J.
As part of an ongoing effort to sample a wider variety of food, my sister-in-law and I ventured downtown to The Gerst Haus. We went early and were seated quickly. Our server (whose name I cannot remember!) was fabulous and was genuinely excited about various menu selections. We got the combination platter with three entrees and two sides: Weiner schnitzel, Sauerbraten and kasseler ripchen (smoked pork chop) plus spaetzle and potato salad. The schnitzel was decent, as was the pork; the sauerbraten was, well, sour, but to the point of excess. The spaetzle was covered in brown gravy and tasted like dough covered in brown gravy. Meh. The potato salad had a sharp, almost vinegary taste, but was good. I had a fishbowl of the house brew, which was quite tasty. If the evening had ended there, I would have said it was a tick above mediocre and probably not worth a return visit. Then the Oompah band started playing. Three older folk in leiderhosen playing accordion, drums and trombone with some cowbell thrown in for good measure. They chugged beers in between songs and made me fall passionately in love with them. Don't get me wrong; the music was average at best. My love is purely in an ironic hipster douchebag manner, but love it is. They played Eidelwiess, and I called out for the Goatherd song. The singer challenged me to come up and sing it myself! So much love. I'll be back, but only for appetizers and beer, and only on Fridays when the band plays.
(3)Holly A.
We went to eat with family on a Sunday at the Gerst Haus. We were looking for a fun atmosphere and good food and were not disappointed. We had 6 people and were seated in no time. Our waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and even took time to bring us samples of menu items we had questions about. Our food was great and they even had a fun band to listen to while we enjoyed our meal. Great family fun!!!!! Glad we went and we will be back soon :)
(5)Janet S.
Stepping back in here for nostalgia sake and because it was a dark wet and almost wintery night we wanted a Christmas feel. Huge place good for large parties. Beer and wine, try and get a cocktail and it sends em into a frenzy. I only ever have the appetizer pig knuckle which is delicous porky meat falling off the bone. The sausage platter is Ok if you are not picky. Red cabbage and spaetzle is dry, flavorless and downright nasty. Our waitress on this particular occasion was German and abrupt with a hint of rudeness. "I'm too busy to talk" when we asked what city she was from. All in all a bad night at the Gersthaus and our once a year trip is done with.
(2)Gretchenlreed ..
Not near as good as the Evansville Gerst Haus location used to be. The food tasted old, took a long time and was way overpriced!
(3)Jeremy R.
This is the worst "German" food I've ever eaten. Nothing on the plate was remotely German. The potato salad was too sweet, the veal schnitzel was soggy and tasteless, the gravy was something one would put on country fried steak, the fries were thin cut and soggy. The food was also drastically overpriced at $24. The wait staff was also horrible!
(1)Bryan L.
Come here for the live music and delicious beer!!! They have some nightly specials that I suspect have been the same for 20+ years. The band is the same anyways. It's a lot of fun coming and watching the band perform. It's even more fun when people that haven't seen them before start dancing and having fun along with them! Your best bet is to get there a little after the dinner rush on a weekend night. Order several different German beers, order some apps, and enjoy the show. By then it would be too late to order a heavy dinner, so just enjoy a liquid diet for one night. :)
(3)Dave T.
A little tired but the food was good and ample. This place has been here a long time. Schnitzel was delicious, good sauces, authentic warm potato salad. Red cabbage was cut rather large but decent flavor. Friendly service.
(4)T.A. H.
Great food.
(5)Amber J.
Delicious.. Great German decor. Loads of beer choices. Great food. What else needs to be said?
(5)J P.
Been a fan for many years. However the last 2 times were a disappointment. . I may give it one more visit because the other reviews were good.
(2)Alex S.
This place would be open for about two weeks north of Illinois, before being laughed out of existence. Their food is shipped in. I doubt any of it is fresh. The prices are steep considering the portions. At best i would call this a German/ American Sports Bar, that doesn't fulfill either role. Kind of sad when you consider the rich German heritage Nashville was built upon. Move this place one mile away from the stadium and it's out of business within six months. Maybe they can correct these glaringly obvious issues at their next board meeting. Because a restaurant this pathetic can only be governed by a bunch of disaffected Cubicle Whales! Also everyone loves being rushed out the door at 8:45 by some blonde waitress pass around. WTF, German Bar FAIL!
(1)Sharon K.
The Gerst Haus is a German themed restaurant and pub very close to the football stadium and the interstate. The Gerst Haus is one of the few German style restaurants in the city, so if you want some authentic schnitzel and German beers this is your place. I don't particularly like the location because at night it can be kinda shady, and every time I've been, I have been harassed in the parking lot by bums asking for money... not fun for a girl walking to her car alone. But for a few after work get-togethers this was a fun place. We always ordered up large quantities of sausage and saurkraut which was always really tasty. This place is good for groups, because there is ample seating throughout the whole restaurant. The tables and chairs are wooden as you would expect. I think the Gerst Haus is a good place to eat and drink, but I think they suffer some because of their location.
(3)Flinch B.
Throughout my travels, I always try and eat a Wienershnitzel at a german restaurant. A schnitzel is easy to make yet it can also be easily screwed up. So on a recent visit to Nashville, I ordered the Wienerschnitzel with sides of Spaetzle and Red Cabbage (inexplicably listed as Rott Trohl). The food arrived in a timely manner and the Wienerschnitzel was a good but not great schnitzel. It was crispy and not at all greasy. The downsides were that the breading separated from the veal a tad too easily and that the breading didn't add much flavor. I would order this again. The real shame was in the overcooked, mealy spaetzle and probably the worst red cabbage I've ever eaten. The cabbage was not prperly chopped leaving for long, spaghetti-length pieces. It also didn't have any of the nice tangy flavor that a good red cabbage should have. I could only get through half my serving before just giving up trying to eat it. Finally, this was a rather pricey meal, at $22 (including a pepsi). A price a tad too high, poor sides, and an average Schnitzel cause me to give only a 2 star rating. My lunch companion (who doesn't know german fare wall)had a Knockwurst with Spaetzle. He reported that the wurst was good but that he's had better ones.
(2)Peter S.
Have always had great food and service. The atmosphere and beer are great too.
(4)Curtis S.
The business is in a funny location off the highway. Very authentic decor. Is was stationed in Germany in the 70's and the food at this place was as good as any overseas. Large portions and cooked awesome. Beer came with an ice cold mug and went down way too easy. The actor Tom Arnold was sitting next to us when we went for lunch. That was pretty cool. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)Jane C.
People who give this place less than 5 starts simply do not get it. There's something special about a place that has existed so long, offering safe harbor for social misfits on Saturday nights and keeping them warm with schnitzel, beer and polka music. When I walked in the room, I was welcomed with the sound of happy birthday chorus celebrating a 93 year old woman who had obviously been coming there for decades. As a special treat, the trombone player pulled out his 10-foot long elk horn just for her. The food hits the spot. Meat & potatoes in the best sense. The decor is so bad it's the most charming thing you've ever seen. I didn't feel like I was in Germany, but I certainly felt millions of miles away from Nashville.
(5)Misty M.
Not super impressed but not the worst either. Pretzels and mustard were fabulous but the sauerbraten was not the greatest. The flavor was a bit much for me and I like strong flavors. It was a bit too vinegary for me. My husband had the three sausage meal and it was excellent. The cold German potato salad was disappointing as well.
(3)Zee M.
Several years back, I visited here, had Hasenpfeffer and was delighted! It was evening, and the band playing was reminiscent of old days overseas. Some time later, I talked my family into dropping in for lunch during the return trip of our vacation. The service was abysmal, and the food not quite on par with the service. I've never seen nor heard of a Schnitzel made with the type of coating one finds on Long John Silver's fish...and burnt, to boot. The waiter, whom I longed to smack, did at least warn me not to expect much if I ordered German. I thought, well, it might still be OKAY. I thought WRONG, and "smackable waitguy" was understating. Fortunately, I substituted a somewhat-less-burnt, better-than-nothing Wurst. Those bestowing multiple stars for this joint are either relatives, awed by décor, or have never tasted authentic German cooking. Once leaving here, they STILL haven't. I've since warned others away, and won't return. They may have improved since, but I'm going to try all of the other Nashville German restaurants, instead. I've had better German food in Chicago, New York, Alabama, Georgia, St. Louis, Santa Barbara, and on and on and on. And it doesn't come near anything in Europe, not even remotely. So I guess, in retrospect, I've had better German food everywhere, including that I cook myself, which I'd rather. What are people thinking? It's the Werst Haus.
(1)Corey W.
Aren't a lot of German places in Nashville Gert Hause isn't as authentic as they come but it's still good food. The kraut balls are pretty awesome, nice beer selection. They carry a few German beers that you can't normally find elsewhere in Nashville. Service is pretty solid. Not sure when they are there or not there but last time I went the a polka band was playing helped set the mood. Worth trying out, I think you will definitely mind something you'll like. If nothing else they have a great beer selection.
(4)Brian C.
Gerst Haus is a fun dining experience and has tasty food, if you like German fare. However, the Gerst Haus is less about the food and more about the atmosphere. The atmosphere was fun with a tuba, drum and accordion trio which doled out some fun musical ditties and sang happy birthday twice. Watch out for the forced chicken dance. It can be irritating. The staff, from the front door to our server, was aloof and seemed very disinterested in us. Our server didn't want to offer suggestions or even explain what the different items were. Perhaps it fit with the "German experience". Vee don't care vat you like. Just order somesing. So authentically German, that I felt like I was in the motherland.
(4)Melissa N.
This place is just okay. I come from a German and Austrian family, so I am very familiar with great German cooking. I'm also from Chicago, so I know what good food is. I haven't been super impressed with the food in Nashville as a whole, and this was one of the better meals I've had here, which isn't really saying much. Our table ordered a pitcher of cider, which was the highlight of the meal: I believe it was called Woodchuck. I ordered the wienerschnitzel for dinner, because to me that's the way to judge any German restaurant. The portion size was hefty, but I wasn't very impressed with the schnitzel itself. The meat was very thin and was 85% breading. It was also extremely dry. For the two sides, I chose applesauce and German potatoes. Both were just okay. The ambience of the place itself is kind of rickety and not particularly German. Service was attentive and friendly all night. Still, I probably wouldn't come back here.
(2)John M.
Visited this eatery while on vacation. Folks in the south sure are serious about their sweet tea, a good thing nonetheless. Service was prompt and courteous, always with a smile. The food itself was tasteful, not out of the park, but it definitely satisfied. They do actually serve German entrees and plentiful portions at that. The only downside is ultimately the neighborhood. On our two-block walk back to the hotel we were approached for handouts, including a man who said he had a pocket knife. Despite this, this establishment served southern hospitality to a couple of Midwestern folks. If I ever return to Tennessee's capital city, I shall be back. More sweet tea, please.
(4)elizabeth s.
The beer was good. Other than that this place was very disappointing. The waitress was an idiot, really bad timing (late for ordering, asked about dessert and clearing the table while i was still eating, etc.). the pretzel was ok, the potato pancakes were just mushy and the weiner schnitzle (sp?) was just not good. the beef gravy was nasty and the spaetzel was flavorless. don't go unless you're just drinking!
(1)Robert K.
Being that Gerst Haus is the only authentic German restaurant in Nashville, I give it four stars. It is nothing fancy, but it has some great brats and sauerkraut. The beef stroganoff is good too. Also Gerst Haus is one of the best places in Nashville to go for beers because the have some great beers on tap and they serve them in fish bowls! Perfect for a post game drinks and dinner since it is right near the stadium. Be prepared because German food can be a bit greasy and is definitely hard on the stomach
(4)Susan W.
Do not go on game day!!! We have been going to gerst haus for years. One of the more unique aspects is their ice cold fishbowls. On game day they serve your beer in a plastic cup for safety reasons. There were only about 15 people there at the time and no one was rowdy. Seriously I just spend 5 for a beer in a plastic cup. It tasted horrible. The first pig knuckle we were served had so much hair on it it needed a shave. We sent it back because it was so gross. The second one was so small and was all fat. The sausages were dry and tasted old. The strogonoff was lukewarm. We drove an hour to drink from a plastic cup , eat mediocre food and basically spend a lot of money. Major disappointment!!!! Your prices are too high for your substandard food and plastic cups.
(2)Michael H.
Meh. I'm going to give them another try when there isn't a game going on. The food was pretty good, just slow. Pig knuckles were good.
(2)Nick C.
I enjoyed the food, the friendly server, live oompah band, and house beer. All around it was a good time.
(4)Franklin B.
Great again. Got the fried Bologna sandwich today. Delicious. Not your hobo fried Bologna by a thick cut of German bologna w melted cheese, onions on a toasted bun. Finished w apple strudel.
(5)Sarah K.
I went in on a Wednesday night about 2 hours before close so naturally business was slow. When we walked in the door the hostess just stared at us over her glasses and said "2?" First impression was less than pleasing. Our server was great, informative and had a good knowledge of the food. Entrees came out fast and we're delicious. Dessert was a little too "Ryan's" for my liking but overall a great place.
(3)Scott B.
I love going to authentic German restaurants, so I was excited about this place. While this place turned out to not exactly "authentic", it did have a nice mix of German and American food with extremely large portions. They sat us next to the band, so talking with others at the table was out of the question and our waiter would disappear for long periods of time. But I would go again when I am not in such a hurry.
(3)Benjamin S.
Excellent German restaurant! Always satisfied when we visit this establishment. All the food taste great. We've gone there with people who have lived in German and Switzerland, and they all say it's fantastic!
(5)Paul J.
Was hoping to try the food, but when we arrived at 830, we were promptly ignored by the hostess, who was very busy talking with her friends. When she finally realized we were not just going to walk away, she looked at my wife and simply said "yes?". After explaining that we would like a table and to eat, we were informed that, contrary to the hours posted on the website, and the building, they were "closing in about 15 minutes", but if we hurried she supposed she could get us taken care of. At this point we left, as receiving subpar service like this for the rest of the evening was not an attractive option.
(1)Jermaine D.
I must say that walking through the door there is sort of a water like stench in the air and moisture. We were seated right away and the wait staff was very nice and professional. We sat down and were excited to see that there was a variety of food to eat. We ordered the pick three and got the. Kielbasa, pan fried veal and smoked pork chop. Our sides were German potatoes salad, baked beans and we Added the gravy covered potato balls. When we got our food it was amazing! Blew me away. I gave this three stars because of the ambiance. Just needs to be kept up better.
(3)Brad G.
Do NOT go here for German food! I moved to Nashville several months ago. I have been craving German food for the past few weeks. This morning I found Gerst Haus on my phone and read the history of the place on their website. At the turn of the century William Gerst owned a successful local brewery and was the president of the U.S. Brewmaster's Association. I am guessing this guy made world class beer back then. He would roll in his grave if he knew the crap this placed served in his name. I ordered the Knackwurst Dinner with sides of Hot German Potato Salad, Spaetzle and Red Cabbage. The Knackwurst was acceptable but the side dishes were inedible. Clearly there are no Germans in the kitchen. In fact, I doubt anyone in the kitchen really knows what German food tastes like. I don't blame the guys in the kitchen - this place is owed by a local restaurant group that clearly doesn't care about the food. The best thing that could happen would be to remove the German food from the menu and be honest - this place serves bar food by the stadium to the sounds of live German music. My daughter ordered a hot dog with fries and both were excellent.
(1)Al S.
We took a chance and we are glad that we did. The fish bowl beer were $1 off and the prices were reasonable. We ordered the 3 item sampler and the corned beef and the soft pretzels for 4 people. The food was great and they were good size portions. We had Jana as a server and she was great. I would definatly recommend this place.
(5)Paul H.
The Gerst Haus is a pretty decent place to go for happy hour - my 4-star rating doesn't apply to the menu, which I haven't widely sampled. Cheap, big fishbowls of beer, half-price appetizers, "authentic" German atmosphere. Plus, if you live in East Nashville, it's right on your way home. The food is nothing special. But, if you're up for a cheap beer in a place that's not too crowded, the Gerst Haus fits the bill.
(4)Abby A.
My boyfriend and I love this place! He loves the beer selection! We usually get the goulash, bologna sandwich, and sauerkraut. Every time we have went, the food and atmosphere have been splendid! However, we went on Cinco de Mayo for my birthday because it is one of my favorite restaurants. The service was awful. The waiter threw a straw at me. The food luke warm and literally came out less than 5 minutes after we ordered it. I'm going to chalk it up to the fact that the waiter wanted to be celebrating Cinco de Mayo and it was a Tuesday. Nevertheless, this is a wonderful place, just don't go in the middle of the week.
(4)Anna A.
This place has improved vastly since they changed the smoking laws in Nashville and there are no longer webs of smoke and dust hanging from the ceiling. As far as German food, they have it! I get why you have to burp in German culture if that is true because all this food will definitely come back to haunt you. Sometimes before you have gotten it fully chewed. As far as the beer, it's the only place in town that I know of where they serve it in a fish bowl. It's not really a fish bowl but it is big. In order for you to fully understand the the fish bowl significance, you have to be able to order it like this "I'd like me a feeyish bowal of bud" . If you order beer like this then I swear you will love this place.
(3)Steve S.
I wanted to like Gerst Haus. I really hate giving it such a low rating, but I have to be honest. It lacks in so many areas, that I just won't go back. I stopped in with my wife and our son for an early dinner. It looks pretty decent from the outside. Inside, it's dimly lit and crowded. There is a stage to the right in the front corner. Wafting from the stage were the yodels of an older blonde woman along with a band that included an accordion. It seemed a little fun to me, but it's not my wife's cup of tea, so we chose to sit outside. There is a bar that spans the left side of the restaurant. It appeared as though the place hadn't been dusted in a long time. It smelt somewhat musty. I didn't want to touch anything. Outside it was no different. Old rickety tables and chairs didn't make me feel any better. The menus were dirty. Maybe I'm just being very finicky, but like I said: I did want to like this place. The service was okay. The food on the other hand, was pretty awful. It was overcooked and looked like the grease hadn't been changed in several months. The bread on my wife's sandwich was soggy. I was very disappointed and needless to say, I won't be returning.
(2)John L.
Had some good German food here tonight. It's a slow Tuesday and not many people here. Excellent selection of German beers. I tried the pork knuckle - excellent, the sauerkraut balls - not special, the pretzels with beer cheese - pretzels awesome - beer cheese had better, the jäger schnitzel - eh ok gravy not so great, the goulash & spätzel - awesome!, braised red cabbage - awesome!, sauerkraut - awesome!
(4)Jerry H.
Excellent German Food and Beer, this is my third time here in Nashville and the food as well as the service is always great. Lived in Germany for 8 years in Goeppingen and visited relatives in different regions, the types of German food seems to encompass the entire country and not just any one state. Love it eat here every time I'm close.
(5)Robert B.
I went here for lunch, and the place was pretty dead except for a couple of tables where it looked like some shady political deals were going down. It surprised me that so few people were there. I think the atmosphere has the potential to make it a hoppin' place. Perhaps it was popular at one point, but apparently not so anymore. Once my food arrived, I began to understand why there are no crowds. Just to be clear, I lived in Germany for a short while, and I love my German food; but Gerst Haus is clearly lacking in the food department. The food is just bland and not quite right. I don't know who is cooking the food back in the kitchen, but they should possibly think about changing vocations. The lack of effort would be disturbing even at a fast food restaurant. I guess I just expected better from a restaurant that has a corner on the German food market. They are literally the only German restaurant (that I am aware of) in Nashville. If they get some new management and get their act together, I would consider coming back in the future. Until that happens, I am staying far away.
(2)Dan R.
Maybe the mediocre and poor reviews lowered my expectations, but I really enjoyed the food here. They brought my wife out a sample of their sauerbraten, and it was good enough to order. I got the weinershnitzel, which was also good, though it's tough to mess up fried food. Our friend's Reuben was soggy, though, and she returned it and exchanged it for the beer cheese soup, which was delicious. Overall, a decent experience, but slow service (not a crowded night) was at least very friendly combined with the soggy Reuben makes for only three stars for me.
(3)Chad R.
My ancestors were British but I love German food. This is the premier place to get your fix of German cuisine. The food is always served hot and fresh and is always delicious. If you are in the mood for a sandwich, the Ruebens and Bratwurst sandwiches are a good choice. I often go for the more traditional German plate dinners with brats and kraut and red cabbage. Of course, they serve a variety of German beer but I do not drink alchohol anyway so I have never tried any of it. If you prefer your beer to be domestic, then they have that too. The decor is in the style of a German beer hall and the restaurant is quite spacious. They have a large bar along one wall and on the other side of the restaurant is the band that plays polka-style music. Its fun when they play the "Chicken Song" and patrons get up and do the Chicken Dance in the middle of the restaurant. If you prefer to eat outside, they have a patio available as well. There is plenty of seating available so even when there is a big crowd you probably have a good chance to grab a table. Unless, of course, the Titans are playing right down the street on the day you go. I hear that Gerst Haus is a very popular watering hole for Titans fans on Game Day. So you may have a difficult time finding an available seat then. The service has always been great for me when I go there and I have been there a lot. The servers are always friendly, prompt, and attentive to my needs. The Gerst Haus has been a Nashville institution for a very long time and when you go you will learn why it has stayed in business for so long.
(5)John I.
Delicious food. Absolutely horrible service. No hostess was waiting when we arrived. We had to seat ourselves. We sat at the bar and no one was working behind the bar. When someone finally came to the bar they did not greet us and we had to ask them to show us the menu. Repeatedly people came to the bar but did not talk to us. When our drinks ran out we had to ask for them to get refilled. When we were ready to go we had to ask for someone to bring us the bill (after we finally were able to grab someone's attention). At one point I wanted to try a different beer and the bartender brought me another of the one I was drinking without even asking me if I wanted to try something different. It's unfortunate because the food was really good. If the service changed, we would go back because the food was great.
(2)Caitlin D.
I have had lunch and dinner here a couple of times. It's greasy, but when you're craving bratwurst and beer, it's the place to go. It definitely strives for the German flare. Nothing fancy, just casual. It would be fun for a group I think. BIG beers!
(3)Brian Y.
Oompa band. Gerst sampler (ham balls and saurkraut). Corned beef & cabbage. Goulash. Gerst beer in a giant fishbowl glass! Was in Nashville for four days with a friend and a local, ended up coming here twice! Incredibly inviting and left full for an entire day. Not an easy feat. Great prices too!
(5)Clif L.
Overpriced and food is not that great. Don't order the Crab Cakes...you only get 1, for the low price of $10!! What a rip off! The brats were over cooked, how can you mess that up! Total cost for 3 people = $67 (only 2 beers). Don't waste your time or money.
(1)David S.
The Gerst Haus is a different dining experience for you. It has lots of German classics on the menu including all the schnitzels you could want. The Gerst Haus is right by the football stadium off of the interstate and across from Shoney's. There were several guys I used to work with who enjoyed coming here for lunch. I thought it was a bit much in terms of what I usually eat for lunch (a little heavier, I mean), but it was tasty. I've been back a few times and enjoyed it. The rugby team ate their for Dining Out for Life this year and we all had a great time -- especially with all the great beers on tap served in huge fishbowls. I can recommend the beef stroganoff which was very good except it did not come with egg noodles. I think it came with ziti for some reason which was odd, but it tasted great. In fact I think it was even better the next day when I had my leftovers. I also enjoyed a chicken and paprika dish which was also very filling, and I was able to take some of it home as well. I can't swear to the authenticity of the taste, but I think the atmosphere is good and so is the food. It gets knocked a few times for some problematic service I've had plus my beer glass was chipped so watch out.
(3)Katherine M.
The Gerst Haus is a Nashville must. I am not particularly wild about German food, but this place has the best I have ever eaten. All of the sausages are freshly prepared right in the restaurant. If you like bratwurst and kielbasa, you are in for a real treat. They also have great veal dishes. I actually ordered the fried catfish (yes, in a German restaurant) and it was very good. Lightly battered and not at all greasy. The atmosphere is really fun! A band, typical to German beer gardens, plays on Friday and Saturday nights. They really get the crowd into it. When I was there people even got up and danced! The band is quite loud, but hey - join in and sing along. You don't have to know the words! Most people go for the beer! The have authentic German beers brewed right in the place. The guy I was with ordered a Gerst, the most popular beer, and said that is what he always gets. For those of us not wiling to go that route, they have a normal variety of domestic beer. And wine. The location is great. Fabulous views of the Cumberland River, Titans Stadium, and Nashville Skyline. From here it's easy to trek to the downtown bars and music venues. Make a fun night of it!
(4)Patrick R.
Dining at this place makes me yearn so hard to speak in an exaggerated German accent. In fact, I do so when reading menu items aloud to myself to the chagrin of my fellow diners. Regardless of my own idiosyncrasies, this place has plenty of its own. The walls are cluttered with the massive heads of regal dead animals from elk to goose to what I think may have been a wildebeest. The speakers pump out the incessant oompa beat of polka, and the ceiling is about thirty feet high. Despite how strange all of that may sound, I generally like the vibe of the Gerst Haus. It's easy enough to drown out the polka, and the high ceiling makes it seem like an authentic German lodge with massive steins of ale just waiting to be imbibed. There are a few flaws, however, that just can't be ignored. The beer selection is extremely diverse and impressive--I was excited to see how many choices they had. However, after my friend ordered a Pilsener and I selected the Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale, we were told that the bartender was out of both! Seems to me that a restaurant that prides itself on its beer selection shouldn't bat 0 for 2 right out of the gate. Anyhow, we got our back-up selection beers and ordered our food. The bratwurst was, of course, very authentic and extremely filling. I'd never had German fries before, but they were quite tasty. As is the case with all the German food I've ever had, it tasted good but not great and sat in my stomach like a starchy European brick. The service was a bit slow and, while I'd love to award the place with four stars, they just didn't earn it.
(3)Brintha V.
Really good combo platters so you get some of the best!
(4)Rachel W.
Nice ambiance, the food was very good (I greatly enjoyed the pig knuckle I ate) and the waitress was attentive. If they had rollmops, I would have been most impressed. Unfortunately, they did not have rollmops, thus my quest for a German restaurant outside of NYC that has rollmops continues. :-)
(4)George T.
My son and I went for an early dinner, it was a Sunday. The first thing that I noticed were the holes in the plastic table cloths. The waitress was pleasant enough but was not very knowledgeable about the menu. We ordered an appetizer that never came. For dinner, I ordered the German sample (3) plate with Goulash, Beef Stroganoff, and Sauerbraten. For sides I ordered Hot German potato salad and Red Cabbage. My son ordered Schnitzel with Hot German potato salad and mac & cheese. Our dinner was delivered with an apology for no appetizer. First off, the sides were cold. We sent them back to be heated. After we were about half way through our meal, we finally flagged down a manager to get our sides. They finally arrived fresh out of the microwave. In hind site, we should have ignored them because hot or cold they were not very good. I cannot speak as to their authenticity but the entrees were pretty good and if it were not for the abysmal service, it would have been a decent experience.
(2)Tony W.
I love the Gerst Haus! Great beer selection and the Fishbowl size is a must here. I have eaten the sampler plate which I always enjoyed. Today I went for lunch and got the Fried German Bologna sandwich. The piece of bologna was thick and covered with pepper jack cheese which was melted and the waiter suggested adding a fried egg, it was delicious. I will definitely order it again. If you like German food it is a pretty good place. If you have never eaten German food you may or may not like. My wife is not a fan of German food, so it is usually a guy's night when I come here. Friday and Saturday nights are packed, so either come earlier or arrive a little later. The oompah band is great touch on the weekend, but I recommend sitting away from the band.
(4)Cindy D.
Very slow service so far. I am hungry! Terrible service and the food not worth the wait.
(1)Capi O.
Had an amazing time at the Gerst Haus... great Beer and Service!!!! Ask for Capi he is amaze balls! !!
(5)Eric N.
The food is good, but it's not authentic german, at least not what I ordered. I honestly don't think I'll be coming back. As a native German (born and raised in Bavaria), I was very excited when I saw this place and walked in for lunch. The decorations and atmosphere felt great, and the menu seemed authentic. That's where the authenticity ended. When my food came out, although it tasted good, it was not German, which was a big shame for me. Bottom line, if you're looking for good, different food, then come here. If you're looking for good, authentic German food, look elsewhere.
(2)Matt M.
Is it possible to fill up just by looking at the menu? That was pretty much the case for my first trip to Gerst Haus. They offer a wide variety of German specialties (bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerbraten, and the like) as well as sides like spaetzle, German fries (which were similar to home fries) and a multitude of other side items. In addition to the standard fare, they also have eats for those who don't wish to journey into Deutschland territory. The beer selection is equally impressive where you can enjoy either a mug, a fishbowl or a pitcher of their tasty hopped treats. On this visit, I tried their knockwurst platter with the spaetzle and German fries for the side (I'd usually throw a non-starch in, but I was curious about those two items that night). The knockwurst was excellent--like a delicious smoked sausage, but not as dense. There was plenty to fill me up there, but I ended up with leftovers that were just as tasty. The German fries were pretty good as well, but I wasn't impressed by the spaetzle. I expected it to be lighter and fluffier than it actually was, but it almost had the taste of flour that hadn't been cooked out completely. If for nothing else, I would go back here for a beer and for the environment. The house polka band kept things lively, and thankfully they took a break every now and then so you could actually hear the conversation going on at your own table. It's a very festive atmosphere that reminds me of the German scenes in National Lampoon's European Vacation (and I mean that in a good way). Could there be more lederhosen? Of course! Take note, Gerst Haus!
(3)