Karen W.

I WANT to LOVE Cafe Bavaria, because it's new-ish and adorable and within walking distance of my house. Hands-down, it's one of the most charming spots in Wauwatosa, with its community tables and wood-beamed ceilings and giant steins of beer. I do love it and we go all the time. But if you're looking to experience real German/Bavarian food. This isn't the spot. Case in point - the spaetzle. What you get at Cafe Bavaria is fettuccine. There's just no excuse for this. Did they think we wouldn't notice? Ugh. That being said, the appetizers are awesome and the Rocket Salad is one of my favorite salads in all of Tosa.
(4)
Vanessa A.

Great service! Food was ok. Not a big menu like it's sister restaurants. I think this would be a great place to drink and eat appetizers.
(3)
Kevin M.

I have to rate a 4. First of all, it's July and the location was interesting. Small, pretty area in 'tosa. Lots of outdoor seating and weather cooperated. Personally I loved the interior decor. Started with The Big Plank for app. Shared the Schweinshaxe and Wiener Schnitzel for dinner. Plenty of food and very tasty. Loved the pork with the Schweinshaxe and the spatzel with the other dish, wish they could be combined if only had one choice. Our server was awesome.
(4)
Matthew Z.

Stopped in yesterday for lunch. Planned to get the braunschweiger sandwich which I have enjoyed here before. The server told me about the perch fish fry, since it was Friday, and I decided to go with that instead, as I've been looking for a great fish fry in the area. The dinner came with three large pieces of perch, which were firm, juicy, lightly battered, and very tasty. The tartar sauce was very good as well. The dinner came with steak fries, which could have been a little crispier, and red cabbage apple bacon slaw, which is much more sour than typical cole slaw. I like the beer selection here and like to try beers that I haven't had before. Today I had the Rogue Dead Guy's Ale and found it to be pleasant tasting with an unusual orange color. The fish was so good that I will probably have the perch fry again, maybe subbing another side for the cole slaw, and requesting crispier steak fries. I do wish to return and try some of the other unique items on the menu as well
(4)
Jon S.

Great atmosphere, excellent German beer list, really good burgers and managed better than most of the other Lowland Group establishments. If you want to be ignored for 30 minutes go next door to Cafe Hollander.
(4)
Phillip M.

GemÃ¼tlichkeit!!! Since I can't give this place 4.5 stars they'll have to settle for 5!! Where do I start??? Friendly service, great bar, the beer, community tables, and phenomenal food. 3 Reasons to come to Cafe Bavaria!! 1. Cheese curds...FANTASTIC!! 2. Brunch Menu Sammy...THIS IS WHAT HEAVEN TASTES LIKE IN BAVARIA!!! 3. The Meatloaf...IF JESUS WERE GERMAN AND HAD A SWEET SWEET HANDLEBAR MUSTACHE!!! Ok that last one was kinda odd. Nonetheless this is a great new addition to the East Tosa neighborhood. An Gaud'n!! (Bon AppÃ©tit in Bavarian)
(4)
Gina D.

I went with my family to Cafe Bavaria when we first moved to Tosa. Between us, we had some sandwiches (the weiner schnitzel & the cubano bavariano) and some burgers (the ludwig) and some beers. The food and the beer selection were both good, and the outdoor patio was a nice place to spend a summer evening.
(4)
Michael B.

I wish I could give this restaurant more stars, but given my experience I think 3 is fair. I will say that I do want to return and experience more of the menu. To start off, the place is really clean and and the atmosphere gives an authentic German vibe. I think it is smart to have a light system above the bathroom to let customers know when it is in use and free to use. I came here with some family on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. I had chosen a meal from the non brunch menu to find out I could only order off of the brunch menu since it was before 3pm. With that said, I was able to find an alternative, potato pancakes with jalapeno cheddar wurst and eggs. Prior to my meal, we all shared the fried cheese curds and giant pretzel. The curds were great, and the pretzel was ginormous. The mustard and cheese served with the pretzel was delicious. I ordered the Hofbrau Lager to wash my meal down, which I enjoyed. I received my potato pancake meal and immediately saw a hair on top. Great, this is not going to be fun. When the server came back I notified her of the issue. I am not one to expect a free meal, just to fix the issue and acknowledge it. Well, this establishment not only remade the order, which came back looking as though more food was on the plate, but my entire meal including beverage was compensated for. I insisted they did not need to pay for my beer since there was nothing wrong with it, but the manager insisted. I was very impressed with the professionalism and how concerned the staff and management was to ensure that my experience was not degradated. Given what could have turned into a horrible experience was handle very professionally and I will be sure to return as the food was really good. The portion sizes are large and I would recommend sharing or just take some left overs home if you want to experience more of the menu.
(3)
Lisa A.

meh, wavering between 3 and 4 stars but I'm generally of the mindset that lowlands restaurants get a raw deal in reviews(for reasons I have yet to understand) so we'll bump em up in the spirit of fairness. With their tables now out, sharing the patio with the restaurant across the way, this felt more like "cafe hollander part 2" than a truly separate restaurant. The good: the menus huge. Both for food and alcohol. The foods reliably good. We had great service - food came out super quick. We sat outside but the inside looked awesomely decorated in "modern German beer hall lite". I didn't partake in their beer but ended up getting a chai which I've actually also mysteriously had at cafe Hollander and its really good. (I always want to sit on patios and then complain about being cold - mystery solved.) I'm thinking reasons for some negative reviews are 1.) some stuff seems expensive for what it is ($10 for cheese curds) 2.) portions seem a wee bit small. I feel ridiculous saying that for the amount of other places I review that are clearly attempts at keeping my a$$ small, but come on, its Wisconsin and I think everyone at least subconsciously wants to feel like "there's no way i should be finishing that pile of fries." (I'll also probably review something about saving the environment and this is obviously a wasteful mindset but just play along with me here.) Fries can always be boxed up, anyhow. Overall especially in the nice weather, its hard to beat sitting out at their patio. Its just off the oak leaf trail by the bridge smack in the middle of Tosas little "village". Something tells me I'll return so we'll say four stars.
(4)
Dylani H.

Finally I had an excuse to try out this place. On a Sunday evening with nothing else to do we decided ot go here for dinner. My non adventurous husband who always wants to try his usual places wanted to go to Cafe Hollander but I was finally able to convince him to try this place out. What can i say other than i an torn in opinion here. As we walked in the ambiance is pretty cool...a cross between a medieval and modern German feel (whatever that is :)) The staff was really friendly attentive and excellent service my son had the Pizza from the kids menu which came with a side of vegies and dip (which was unexpected but was a nice touch ) the pizza was also pretty big. even a 10-12 year old would be filled with that I tried the Cubano Bavariano sandwich . It came with pickle and i opted for fried instead of kettle fries. i must say for $13 the sandwich was pretty lame. it was so small and mushed into a thin sandwich triangle like thingee(see picture). This would NOT be enough for a grown man. My husband tried the Schweinshaxe which was the bone in pork with cabbage and smash potatoes. the dish itself was pretty good and well presented. i would recommend trying that Other than the great service and the ambiance I did not care much for this place. Nothing super great and nothing bad either....I may returns for drinks in the patio and to try the well recommended Pretzel.
(3)
Krust N.

Delicious! My cousin and I stopped there for lunch today. Got a couple steins and some spatzle. The beer was fantastic, the food was totally yummy. We sat outside and people watched, great outdoor area. Great place, gotta go back!
(5)
Lauren M.

So much hateration for the Lowlands Group. So much so, it makes me doubt my foodie cred (what little there is) for even enjoying any of their establishments. I'd like to think I've been fair in my assessment of the others, so I shall be fair here as well. And here's the deal. I've been to Cafe Bavaria several times and willingly come back each time (thanks, City Tins!). Why? - Consistency. I know when I come here, I'm going to get good noms, good beer and good service. - The Noms. Not mind-blowingly delicious, no. But good - absolutely. This is one of the Lowland locations that I can't easily duplicate the meal at home. There is a fun fusion of German classics with American tastes. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. - The Beers and Liquids. Awesome variety at decent prices. Do yourself a favor and branch out a bit - try something new - live a little. - The Service. Friendly and efficient. I've never had less than half a glass of water or cup of coffee. These folks are on their game. - Family-friendly. Real talks. My fam is opposed to any "hipster" establishment (which, apparently, encompasses about 99.9% of Milwaukee eateries), but I've brought them here, and they've been happy. That reason alone makes me skip right on in the door.
(4)
Chris L.

Not overly impressed, slow service and the place wasn't anywhere near overwhelmed. The food was ok, but the beer cheese soup honestly wasn't very good and seriously filled with various vegetables for some reason (why?).... Sat at the bar and must have been invisible to the bar staff with our empty drinks as they walked by numerous times just chatting amongst each other and not paying any attention to the only two people at the bar (myself and guest)... Not sure we will return,, hopefully you have a better experience but it's getting two stars because we ended up food ,, eventually..
(2)
Kelly B.

While I actually really enjoyed my visit last night to Cafe Bavaria, I just cannot bring myself to give any of the Lowland's group restaurants more than three starts - they just simply aren't any better than OK in my opinion. We went on Wednesday at 6:30, and there was a beer class (bierklasse) going on. Past that group of about ~10 people it was relatively silent and empty. Our server was manning his tables in the back, saw us standing up front and sat us himself. He promptly came back and asked for drink orders and answered our questions. I like that the taps are offered in .5 or 1 L options, and that they're served in traditional German steins. Joe and I both got a stein, and enjoyed our beers. While on Joanna T's State Street Discover My Neighborhood tour, we stopped here briefly and Mari split the chicken schnitzel with me. We both absolutely loved it - the exterior of the schnitzel was crispy, the homemade spaetzel was delightfully chewy and there were bright flavors in lemon sauce from the fresh lemon juice and brine of the capers. It was seriously awesome. When I saw a generic Lowland's City Tin in this years coaster pack, I knew I wanted to go back there and get that schnitzel again. Imagine my disappointment when our server mentioned they discontinued that item and replaced it with a pork duroc schnitzel instead. The beurre blanc sauce was still touted as lemon/caper, but (as he warned) the flavors were extremely muted in this version. They threw on three steamed and unseasoned asparagus and a fried egg. It was still good, but the chicken version was 10x better. I got the sausage platter that came with one extremely dried out jalapeno cheddarwurst, and one seasoned plain sausage, with smashed potatoes (which are as advertised, small spuds that were literally smashed down), sauerkraut and a cucumber salad. The cheddarwurst was not very good, but the plain one was very well seasoned and juicy. I LOVE sauerkraut, but theirs was simply not good. It was overseasoned and sweetened, not at all tangy as kraut should be. The potatoes were good, but the cucumber salad was just raw cucs with plain yogurt and some slivered red onions. Just not tasty. Our service was great, but for what would have originally rang up at a hefty $70+ meal for two, I just wouldn't jump at spending that for the quality. They are WAY to corporate, and it unfortunately shows in their inattention to detail in the food they put out, and the (last night's experience aside) incompetent stoners that they insist on hiring to keep with their "Hipster Ambiance".
(3)
Jessica O.

Update: this is the home of the most delicious burger EVER. The Ludwig: it has apple chutney, some kind of herby-wonderful cheese spread...and burger...and I think that's it. But it's fantastic. You have to have it. But downside...a lot of the seating now is the backless benches, and it turns out, I have a creaky, sore old lady back after sitting there for a while. So lately, internal debates on whether or not I should go to Cafe Bavaria are a struggle between how bad I WANT that burger...and how bad of hunchback I want to have the next day.
(4)
Benny B.

The building itself is on a beautiful little European-looking corner. I've been to Germany, I couldn't help but make the comparisons. Inside had the large timber, the flat-white walls, they nailed the look for sure. I ordered a sausage plate, with mashed potatoes, jalepeno and cheddar sausages, kraut, hot mustard, and a cucumber salad. I was very pleased. The sausages were home made, they had to add the cheddar cheese in spirit of the state. The beer selection was impressive, to say the least. And they prices were good considering how much effort goes into serving food, that is not the typical American cuisine. Despite our server having that trendy "man bun", the service was great. ;)
(4)
Emily Z.

BEST BRUNCH EVER! We stumbled across this place trying to get to Cafe Hollander next store, and I'm so glad we stepped in to look at the menu! Good beer, dog friendly outdoor seating, friendly staff, and amazing food. They offer a good combination of healthy and not-so-heathy things, so everyone will be happy :) I'll definitely be back!!
(5)
Sarah K.

I really want to love this place, but I think there is still work to be done. Interesting menu with a good mix of German fusion type items. I enjoy their veggie burger and chips. Being a vegetarian I haven't tried much else, but it all looks decent. Cute place but something is still missing.
(3)
Lori L.

My friend RAVED about this place and we had to meet for lunch. First, let me say that parking can be horrible in downtown Tosa so make sure you leave ample time to find a spot. On a Monday even the city lots were full which is great for Tosa but bad for the customer. I tried the ham and brie sandwich and it was pretty tasty but a little salty. The kettle chips were decent but not overly impressive. I thought that $11 for a glorified ham and cheese was pricey compared to other places I could have eaten (Le Reve). The decor attempted to be very Euro and cozy. The fireplace is a great touch. I will be back but I think it will be for beers to hang out. It just seems like more of a bar place vs. restaurant.
(3)
Mark A.

Some research on the Milwaukee Eater site led me to this restaurant. The menu seemed creative and interesting, so we gave it a try. Fried cheese curds were...well, fried cheese curds. I had the spatzle with cheese and wurst. It sounds amazing on the menu, but the spatzle was swimming in cheese sauce. It was like eating a cheese dip with a spoon. I tried the potato pancakes/eggs dish; the pancakes were thin and not seasoned very well. The environment was cute/charming, and the beer list was chock-full of German favorites, so I'd probably return for a drink if I were in the area ever. The food, however, left much to be desired.
(2)
Jennifer C.

My coworkers came here for lunch this past week as a going away lunch (for me). We had been here once before but this experience was worse than the first visit. We were promptly seated but we had to wait roughly 5 - 10 minutes before our waitress showed up and got our beverage order. We got our beverages several minutes later and because it took so long just to be greeted and get our beverages, we order our food when our waitress came back with our food. Our food took so long that we considered getting it to go. We ordered a lot of appetizers and 2 bowls of soup - and a coworker asked for our bill right away because everything else took so long. When we got all our food, we noticed that we didn't get the pretzel we ordered and my coworker noticed that it wasn't on our bill, even though I clearly heard my coworker order the pretzel. When we told our waitress, it was almost like she got an attitude because we asked for something we ordered - we eventually got out pretzel but she said it was because we had to wait so long that's why it wasn't on the bill....right... Anyways, the food was okay - there as nothing special about it. My coworkers picked up the tab (thanks! It's much appreciated) and our waitress took the bill. She gave us the bill back for us to sign but she ended up giving us someone else's receipt that was already signed and our bill was MIA. My coworker talked to our waitress and it was by the waitress stand that was right by the door...very smart because someone could have very easily walked off with mu coworkers credit card. I don't know what as up with the waitress because she seemed scatterbrained or something. If she was new and told us, it would have been fine & would have explained the service. If it was because they were understaffed, they need to look at their staffing patterns. I would hate to see what service would be like during the dinner hour on a Friday because there seemed to be one waitress, One bartender and one person running the food. I don't know - I probably won't be back because of the service and because it took so long just to have lunch during the weekend.
(2)
Andy K.

Pretzels! I've been here a few times now and Bavaria is definitely my fave of the Lowland's Group. Weekend brunch offerings provide heaping plates of egg, potatoes and veggies. Salads are generously sized with the freshest greens. Sandwiches like the wild boar and black forest chicken make for a great lunch option along with thick cut fries. I also highly suggest the Munich pretzel with spicy brown mustard - get the add-on cheese spread too, it does not disapppoint!
(4)
Megan R.

You better like German food if you go here because there are no alternatives on the menu if you don't! The kids menu here is terrible! There is nothing on the menu that my son would enjoy eating nor would any other kid looking for something to eat off a kids menu. This is not a family friendly environment, so don't choose this as a restaurant to go out to with your family.. Especially if you're bringing kids that would eat off of a kids menu.
(1)
Mary K.

The restaurant inside is very warm, inviting. Wait staff knows their beers ! Food is excellent, tater tot appetizer is incredible.
(5)
Lauren S.

Cafe Bavaria is alright. The only other Lowlands Group restaurant I've been to is Cafe Centraal. My impression of the group so far: Decent food and vast beer selections, but a few dollars too expensive when there are a million other viable (and competitively priced) restaurants in the greater Milwaukee area. (That said, the Milwaukeean Bloody Mary at Centraal is the bomb.com [....sorry], but that warrants another review). OK, Bavaria: We went around 5:30 for a happy hour, and some of us ate dinner. I immediately asked, "What specials do you have tonight?" and the waitress politely explained there are no specials, but there is a featured beer. Meh, fair enough. For $6.50, at least my Weiss was a half liter. It was too early for a full meal for me, so I ordered fries + lager cheese sauce. The fries were good, but I'd stay away from the cheese sauce. It seems like something that would be hard to screw up, right? But it was watery. The consistency of skim milk. Not my favorite. The rest of the group ordered burgers, a salad and a wrap. I can't speak to the quality of those entrees, and I'm admittedly slanted because I assume the food is at least somewhat similar to Centraal--meaning good enough, edible, but not worth the sticker price. All that said, the waitress was very friendly, attentive and patient with our group that came in slowly and ordered at different times. I dig the German theme, even if it's a little kitschy, and the outside of the restaurant is charming. Buuuuttt I'd rather save a few bucks and go to a bar with drink specials and cheaper appetizers for my next happy hour.
(3)
Celeste L.

Good business hours. Go to place when you're hungry late at night, morning, or lunch! Good customer service. Nice ambience. Good alcoholic drinks. They serve Colectivo coffee and other specialty drinks. Breakfast menu is average but you can modify it a little. For example, you can make white omelette regular omelette. Would like to see more veggies in their menu. Less potatoes. More healthy selection
(4)
Jeff A.

First try at this Lowlands restaurant, I have loved every one of their places and Cafe Hollander is my overall favorite but my first experience here was just good. Very cool looking place and the service was excellent. The tater tots were my favorite but the pretzel and pulled pork sandwich was ok but not great. I will give this one another chance and try something different next time.
(3)
Local P.

My new favorite place. Kid friendly, casual German food, Wisconsin style. Excellent bar selection. Great cheese curds. My favorite menu item? The pork ! It's so crispy and perfectly prepared. And the red cabbage is excellent. I always have good service here and love the ambiance.
(5)
Bob D.

Located in the heart of the bustling Wauwatosa Village, the people who brought you Belgium via Benelux, Hollander, Centraal, etc. are now getting into the German business with similar results. The decor is "authentic" looking, and cozy. The service is attentive and friendly, and the beer is, well, German---so therefore very good. I've heard stories from friends of the food being hit or miss here, but our night was a hit, with everything ordered being very tasty. Definitely worth a try, but beware, you will be waiting for a table any weekend night, and maybe even weekday nights in the later evening.
(4)
Eric W.

Dined here with my family on Sunday, from the brunch menu with limited dinner entrees but that's what we went for anyway. There were 5 of us and one baby, and only a short wait to be seated considering how busy the place was. Beer selection is impressive. Pretty reasonably priced with a selection for pretty much everyone's taste. Limited selection of IPAs but considering the theme of the restaurant it makes sense. Spicy bloody Mary's were pretty tasty as well. We ordered the bacon pecan roll and the donuts to start. Both were good. Not great, but exceptional. Strawberry jelly that comes with the donuts is definitely home made. We all ordered our entrees and they were really good as well. I had the pork shank with cabbage and spaetzle. It was actually spectacular. Perfectly cooked and the cabbage and spaetzle were some of the best I've ever had. We also had the spaetzle with shrimp which was pretty delicious as well. We ordered one of each of the desserts, but were shortly thereafter notified that the Nutella stuffed cookies were 86'd. Bummer. We did have the strudel, the chocolate cake and the bread pudding with ice cream. The cake was very rich with dark chocolate which made it a little too bitter for my palate, and the coconut icing was a little light which left something to be desired. The apple strudel and the bread pudding, however, were flawless. Sweet, salty, delicious. Overall, we had a good experience as a whole and I would definitely recommend this place as a destination for dining.
(4)
Jennifer C.

I went in for a graduation brunch for my sister on Sunday. We didn't arrive until 2, but we were told we could only order from the brunch menu until 3. I was planning on ordering brunch anyway so this was fine for me, but not everyone at my table was thrilled. I ordered the banana bread as an app (which was pretty good) and a ham and cheese omelette which came with smashed potatoes. The omelette was kind of weird because the ham wasn't diced and it was really just 4 large chunks of ham. The potatoes were ok, but again it was just 4 small potatoes partially mashed. The fresh-squeezed orange juice was good. My dad let me try one of his cheese curds and that was the best thing I tasted. Overall, this place is just ok. The service at my table was decent, but at the second table my family was at their food took FOREVER to come out. My table was almost finished eating and they didn't have any food yet.
(3)
Kira W.

Okay. This is the scoop.... Seating: We went this morning (Morning of Daylight Savings Time) hoping to beat people who forgot to change their clocks. When we arrived (10a), there was plenty of seating. When we left (~11:30), it was definitely picking up. It is rather small inside. Smaller than I expected, at least. I do understand what people mean by "picnic" tables, but upstairs, the five of us had our own corner booth with two tables - no sharing. Additionally, there was a reservation sign on a table for about 6. So, they will reserve tables for you. Drinks: Among the five of us we had 2 bloodies, 2 coffees, and a juice. They were all okay. You have to ask for water, this is standard here. I'm guessing it saves on glasses and water. Okay by my book. They came by and refilled coffee and water enough that I wasn't thirsty. Food: We ordered tater tots, banana bread, french toast x 2, a hamburger, an omelet, and the baden baden. Tater tots are basically a smashed potato deep fried with bacon served with a dipping sauce. These are standard across the Lowlands' group restaurants and they're pretty good. Banana Bread - will serve 4-5. Amazing. Drizzled with an icing and served with powdered sugar on top. Warm. Fresh. Wonderful. French Toast - Really good. Three heaping slices with strudel topping and syrup. We did ask for the butter on the side and it came on top, drenching all three pieces. It was a little annoying because it was so buttery, but it still tasted okay. Hamburger - Not quite done as we asked, but tasted okay. Came with heaping pile of fries. ......The issue here was that she was brought ketchup and asked for mustard. When the mustard came out there was no mention of it being an up charge. It's not that .75 is a HUGE deal, unless you don't have the chance to taste the mustard and you don't like it when you get it. You're stuck with mustard that you unknowingly are paying for and you don't even like it. Bottom line on up charges, it should be delineated on the menu and at time of order that mustard will cost you extra. Who knew mustard for a hamburger would be an up charge....also, we found out that all of their mustards are spicy. Baden Baden - vegetables (sweet potato, asparagus, onions, etc...) with two eggs on top. If you want meat, it's 4.95 extra! It was decent. I'm hoping it was one of the healthier things on the menu, but it certainly wasn't $9.95 worthy, especially with no meat. Omelet: Pretty good. It was a repeat meal. Service: Overall, our server was nice. Slightly more attentive than I've experienced at other Lowlands establishments. No real complaints other than server should disclose up charges when things are ordered and the bill was messed up at the end - she fixed it, no bigs, but still. We'd give them 3.5 stars if we could, but I'm kind of harsh on this franchise because I have had such hit or miss experiences across the family of restaurants. Would we go back? Probably will. Will we go here regularly? Not likely.
(3)
James K.

Went here for brunch yesterday morning. The service was good and the patio was nice, but the brunch food was overpriced for a baked potato, some eggs and a tough sausage patty. I would have rather cooked at home.
(2)
Carrie M.

I'd give Cafe Bavaria another star for food quality, but the prices are a bit high and on my last trip there I felt nickel-and-dimed to death, so that balances out to 3 stars in my book. We were starving when we chose to eat lunch there last week. We both ordered the Wisconsin beer cheese soup, which if I were to rate the place on that alone it would easily get 5 stars. The soup, piping hot, is just the right balance of cheesy-bacony goodness with just a touch of hot pepper to spice it up. At $6 for a nice sized bowl, it is a good value. We also ordered the same burger, which was topped with mushrooms, onions, thick bacon and a delightful cheese. The burgers came with nicely seasoned steak fries. We asked for pretzel rolls instead of the special bun that came with the burger and sides of mayo for our fries. Here's where we got nickel-and-dimed. The burgers were $12 each, not exactly a bargain, considering one of the best burgers I've ever had can be found for $5 right down the street at Leff's. When the bill arrived, I was surprised to find we were upcharged an extra $1 each for the pretzel rolls and $0.75 each for our sides of mayo. Now our burgers were each nearly $14.00, a hugely expensive burger in my opinion. Once you add in my 20% tip and our taxes, I just ate a $17 burger. I can get a nice steak dinner for less than that at my favorite little hole-in-the-wall downtown, The Swingin' Door Exchange. The decor is great, I love the little ingelnook by the fire and while some might like the prevalence of bar height tables, I don't care for them personally. I'd give Cafe Bavaria 4 stars for food taste, 5 stars for the soup, 4.5 for service but only a 2 for value. If you've got lots to spend, the food is very good, but you can definitely get more for less elsewhere.
(3)
Mariah M.

Between the friendly staff, short wait, indoor and outdoor dining, wide beverage selection, and a wide gamut of homemade authentic meals I could not tell what was my favorite part. Left feeling full and happy. The homemade chips were perfect and the .5 liter and liter bier options are an unexpected pleasant surprise.
(5)
Jesse D.

This is our favorite spot in Wauwatosa / Milwaukee. The bartenders are very knowledgeable - they always have a great suggestions for beers I've never tried. The food is definitely unique (and very tasty)., and they have something for everyone - including vegetarian plates. My favorites are the bacon-cheese tots and the Kaiser sandwich. It's easy to get surprised by price ($4.25 to add schnitzel - a small portion at that). The environment is unbeatable - beautiful interior with a view of a mill/stream and phenomenal TV screens - usually with soccer/FUT-ball. Great place - our favorite in Tosa
(4)
Sandra Z.

I've been here now a few times, have had a sampling of drinks, apps, and meals. Items in general have been pretty hit-or-miss for me. Things I loved: I still think about the tots with bleu cheese and bacon, and the beer cheese soup is really good as well. I also love the Dusseldorf Bloody Mary -- if you like mustard it's the way to go. The burger I most recently had, however, was underwhelming. Another Yelper recently wrote how they felt nickel-and-dimed, and that's absolutely true. Refer to the menu when choosing toppings and bun and you'll see what you're being charged for. A plain burger on a bun starts at $7.95, and if it was a great patty I'd not complain. But I wasn't excited about it. By the time you're done topping it off you will have a $15 burger. Want hot mustard? $.75. Cheese? $2-3 extra. Their profit on toppings and condiments could probably pay my rent. I was afraid to ask for ketchup without consulting the menu for a possible charge. (Luckily, there wasn't.) The last time I was there was with a large party. Our reserved table was ready about 20 minutes late. The service was ok -- polite and attentive enough, but things were regularly forgotten. Nobody complained about the food, but nobody raved about it either.
(3)
Max M.

perch fry was very good, even though it was only 3 decent sized pieces (or i was just really hungry). good food, great atmosphere and excellent beer.
(4)
Heather B.

We came here for dinner on a Wednesday night with our 2 yr old and ate outside on the patio. Great atmosphere and very nice waitstaff. I forget the names of our dishes, but we had a Ginger Curry Wurst with ale braised onions and bier cheese on a pretzel roll. Holy Yumness was that good. We also had the Pork with Smashed Potatoes and Apple Cabbage Slaw. It was so tender and flavorful on its own and great mixed with the sides. Our son shared our plates and loved it all as well. I have to say I love all the Lowlands Restaurants and this one fits right in!
(5)
Meghan S.

I love cafe Bavaria! Their brunches are yummy! Their lunches/dinners are awesome! The beer selection is great too! The service is fast and friendly which adds to the great atmosphere!
(5)
Lisa J.

CafÃ© Bavaria is a fun environment...and it's even better when you randomly run into a huge group of fabulous Yelpers! Saturday night dinner at the bar. The bartender was great and recommended a very delicious AND strong beer. I enjoyed two them. The only downfall was being so deep in fabulous beer and good conversation with others at the bar that I can't tell you what the burger tasted like. Apparently it was REALLY good. Looking forward to going back!
(4)
Karlee P.

Loved this place! I knew I would after trying cafe Hollander and other restaurants managed by the same owner. We started at the bar with German beer and wine. We were seated shortly after next to fellow diners along a table and bench. The waitress was prompt and polite. We began with piping hot cheese curds, more wine of course and our entrees which included Rocket salads and schnitzel. We were there to celebrate my birthday so I couldn't pass up the German chocolate cake!
(5)
Jess S.

I can only speak for brunch, not dinner or weekday lunch. The location is super nice. I really like the industrial design concept. It wasn't super busy for Sunday brunch when we got there, but picked up before we left around 1pm. My husband and I don't do pork or alcohol, so were were slightly limited in our savory options since most included ham or wurst. How we end up in a German pub.... ? It's Wisconsin, options are limited. Most places, like those part of the Lowlands Group, still cater to special diets, yay! I just hope they'll add a few more non-porky options or at least substitutions in the future since this was more limited here then some of their sister restaurants. Food: Virgin Bloody Mary - SO FREAKING GOOD! 5 stars!! Cheese curds - Totally awesomesauce! 5 Stars!! French toast - the orange marmalade butter alone is totally worth 5 stars!! Egg White Omelet - one of the few non-piggy options. It was aight. Veggies were a little undercooked and I'm not sure I was a fan of the carrot in the omelet. The salad (Red Apples, Arugula, Slivered Almonds, Blue cheese in a light citrusy vinaigrette) that came with it the dish was the winner on that plate, 3.5 stars. Overall the staff & service were really pleasant. Food was pretty darn good. Location was awesome. I would totally return to the bar area on game-day as the TV's and tables were nicely situated and would be great for a group of friends. My only request, again, would be to have more non-porky/substitute options on the menu please! Once we go through your current available options, I don't want to leave and go back to your big sis Cafe Hollander across the way for brunch because she has more options!
(4)
Mari L.

I thought places like this only existed in my dreams. I'm not yet a world traveler but this is exactly the kind of place I would hope to stumble upon while traveling through Europe. Quaint and charming, Cafe Bavaria offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I went with a rather large group and they were perfectly accommodating. They have large, family style tables towards the back of the restaurant so big groups are welcome. They added some fantastic ambiance with some couches and a fireplace. This really made me feel at home. :) A friend and I split the chicken schnitzel. It was the perfect portion for two. It was the perfect mixture of creamy and salty, with a side of lemon. I would highly recommend it for your first trip. Not knowing how big it was going to be, I wish we would have ordered some appetizers in order to try some other things. But we'll keep that in mind for out next visit. :) The best part is that they have a green light and a red light above each bathroom. Green for when it's open, Red for when it's occupied. Best invention ever!!
(5)
Kyler O.

Lowlands group gets too much hate, this place kicks ass!! Granted I've only been here for lunch a couple times---servers are always good and attentive and I love the food, just don't count calories if you go here
(5)
Jane S.

Excellent food and drinks-hands down best veggie burger I have ever eaten. Holy mackeral do they pile on the flavor, from the toppings to the bun...wow! Great patio dining. We love this place!
(5)
Mike P.

WHY: Was in Tosa Village around 2:45PM on a Saturday, needed lunch EXPERIENCE: My wife and I were greeted and taken to our seat at the communal benches in the back of the space. There were dishcloth napkins containing our silverware waiting for us. The communal seating is fine if you don't mind the OCCASIONAL STRANGERS' ASS brushing against your back. ORDERING: The menu is designed with hip fonts. We found some burgers we wanted to order and realized on weekends brunch is served until 3PM, thus a limited lunch menu during this time. We opted for two burgers there was available. We started with tater tots. Water to drink. (The drinking here will commence at a later date sans wife.) TASTED: The tater tots were unusual. They reminded me of hush puppies from Long Johns Silvers. About the size of a golf ball and a dark crispy brown. There were served in a dish cloth in a wire basket on a white faux-vintage rectangular plate with a mustard seed mayo. These were in a word HEAVY. It tasted like mashed potatoes with bacon mashed up, breaded and fried. I don't know if they'll make you more German but they will make you fat. I ordered a Julie Andrews burger (grass-fed patty, Miller Bakery potato bun) - $9.95. It came with frites and a pickle. TASTED pretty darn good! I'd say it lived up to a ten dollar burger. Cooked medium well with the slight metallic taste of the grass-fed patty was discernible. The tomatoes were bright red and not the hot house tasteless kind. I ordered a side of Bavarian sauerkraut to alternate bites with. (I must be getting old or lacking some nutrient my body needs, I've craved and had sauerkraut two weekends in a row now.) The fries lacked seasoning and they tasted like fryer oil. SERVICE: Relaxed, hip, friendly. The staff have head sets so there's employees buzzing around everywhere. The water glasses and plates were cleared almost immediately. POST: I ordered a hamburger at a Bavarian place and didn't even have beer so take this review for what it's worth. It's a cool space. It's a Lowlands Group joint. It's a $40 for lunch for two kind of place. The food is heavy. I didn't have alcohol and I wanted to curl up in a ball and sleep post meal. DOES THE FLOOR SLANT TOWARDS THE DOOR? I was in a food coma when exiting but it felt like it. NOISE: I don't know what goes on upstairs but the sound of (I'm guessing) wooden benches being dragged across a wooden floor is annoying. The bathrooms situated a few feet from where I'm eating is also suspect. CHANCE OF RETURN: 4/10 - same reasons the Hollander isn't on my radar (heavy food, expensive drinking - I live a mile from Ray's.)
(3)
Joanna T.

CafÃ© Bavaria is my favorite of all of the Lowlands places, which isn't saying a whole lot. Atmosphere: B The interior is small, but nicely done. There's a great seating area near the fireplace which will be lovely in winter, and it looks like they'll have some patio seating too. Still, can anyone explain to me why they play festive German oompah music in the bathrooms but I had to listen to Starship in the dining room? "We Built This City" should be illegal. Service: A We've been here twice now and the service has been great (somewhat atypical for Lowlands). App: D+ Dear God, how does a restaurant in the state of WI f-up cheese curds? First, they're TEN freaking dollars...and it's a small portion. Nicely presented in a cute fryer basket, but a small portion nonetheless. I could forgive - except ours were delivered way, way, way undercooked. Not golden brown, not crispy or melty, just a greasy pile of sad. Soup: D- Hubs ordered the "3 Sausage Chili" which had the consistency of vegetable soup and no discernible sausage bits. He suggests renaming it "3 Pieces of Sausage in the Whole Batch" Chili. Entrees: D- I picked pork schnitzel and again, epic fail. I mean, come on, even I can make a decent schnitzel at home - and I'm a pretty bad cook. The breading was soggy, greasy and absolutely gross. The menu advertised that it came with spaetzle & "mushroom gravy" which was some sort of vile marsala-ish concoction. Not good. Hubs and Sis had the beef stroganoff - basically take the same spaetzle/vile gravy combo and add some chunks of very chewy beef. No sour cream detected. I've never been terribly impressed with the food at Lowlands, but nothing we had could be described as "good" or even "edible". Beer: A The beer list is comprehensive, well chosen and a bit overpriced, but that's to be expected. I like that they've got a good representation of German beer styles beyond lagers, pilsners and weissbiers. Overall - I'll be back for drinks but absolutely won't be ordering any food from here again. They did have some brotzeiteller boards that looked ok...they can't mess up cold cuts, right?
(3)
Andrew K.

I've been here a few times with 2, 3, and 8 people. Every time the staff was accommodating, friendly, and responsive. I've never had bad food here and while that has always been good the hangovers have not! Haha but that's good right? Don't let someone's bad night distract from this 'authentic' German Beerhall! Get a pint with friends or get a good meal.
(4)
Beth P.

The food is ok. The beer selection is awesome. My date and I tried the burger with fries and beer cheese soup (alright). I really miss the frites. I think that's the main thing that keeps me coming back the Lowlands cafes. I know frites are not a German thing so I understand why they are not on the menu, but it made me sad. For being a new place, I could definitely see bumping up their rating in the future, but for now they get 3.5 stars. Service was stellar.
(3)
Megan B.

The Smashed Burgers are out of this world insanely delicious. So many toppings, burger comes out cooked exactly the way you ask! Beef, cheese, fried egg, aioli, pretzel bun, nice and messy, I think I finished mine in 3 minutes. The fries are insanely good as well! Free stickers on the way out and this Low Lands Group restaurant has my vote!
(5)
Joe P.

Descriptive phrase: a German-Cafe Hollander. Lowlands Group has a defined style in their restaurants in Milwaukee, and Cafe Bavaria ain't breakin' no molds. Three of us stopped in for a quick after-work drink on a Monday and there was already a sizable crowd at the bar by 4:30. It's faux-rustic, like Hollander across the way in downtown Tosa, but I think it felt more communal. This theme continues with a number of long communal tables around the first floor. We didn't go to the loft upstairs. The bar itself is nice, with seating around it as well as some interesting(ly small) detached bar-height tables and chairs nearby. I ordered a .5L of Hofbrau Maibock ($6.50), which is one of my favorite styles of beer and I had yet to see it in Milwaukee. Absolutely delicious. Katie K. got a .5L of their Stiegl Radler ($6.50), which she loved but I thought should've been priced differently at a third the alcohol content of mine (I also don't like radlers aka shandys). Cafe Bavaria offers a fantastic beer selection for just a little higher prices, along with a comfortable atmosphere, like all of the Lowlands Group. But my experience with their other restaurants means I won't be back to try their food, especially with so many other legitimate German places around town.
(3)
Jay B.

My partner in crime and I were looking for a nice quiet weekday lunch next to the river in Tosa when we decided to try Cafe Bavaria next door to Cafe Hollander. We were given a table (by a server not a host) on the patio and waited at least ten minutes for our server to come introduce herself because she "couldn't see" our table. After a brief discussion where it was implied that my partner and I had poor taste in drinks, we waited an additional 5 minutes for one beer and one water which was brought out by our "host." We promptly placed our order with this server since ours was nowhere to be seen. After a rather long wait for food, we were brought our food by the MOD (who actually brought it to the only other guests outside). I asked the manager for a water for myself and silverware for the table since neither were provided by our server. I ordered the schnitzel sandwich and my girlfriend ordered a burger. Neither of the sandwiches were very good and we were given a cheese soup instead of the cheese sauce that we ordered. After never receiving a water, a good 15 minutes of hurried eating, and a few more confused interactions with the table next door, we were greeted again by our server from whom I asked for the bill to avoid waiting. In all this experience was tarnished by poor communication on the staff's part and a complete lack of regard for our patronage. Two interactions with a "server" in a 45 minute period is impressively bad. The food was disappointing and would not bring me back for a second time. For the prices being asked, food should be even a little bit better than anyone can make themselves and with service this disheveled we would have been better off at home.
(2)
Beki L.

Didn't actually get to eat here. Hostess told us it was a few minute wait. 15 minutes later I checked in and she said 10 more minutes. Would not have stayed if she had told me it would be that long. Went next door to Hollander where we were seated right away. Received text from Bavaria 15 minutes later that our table was ready. Too bad- the food looked good.
(2)
Bill K.

I've been here two times now and I am not very impressed. The last time I was there I got a sausage platter which was good, but how could you screw up a brat? The spaetzel is a joke! I think that all they use are noodles. Not very authentic. The pretzel that I had was very good with the beer cheese dip, again, how hard is it to make a pretzel? My wife had the Wiener schnitzel. She said it was average, but my wife does make the best schnitzel on earth so her standards are high. As someone who grew up in a very German family and eating a lot of German food through the years, I can say that this place is just average, considering how high the prices are I expected way more! I do need to say how awesome and knowledgeable our waiter was, I wish every waiter was as good as him
(3)
Brian M.

My first impression here was that no one in the entire Lowlands group has ever been to Germany. That doesn't mean it was bad in any way, quite to the contrary in fact. I was expecting far less from "CafÃ© Hanover", but was pleasantly surprised. This will become my favorite mediocre Lowlands restaurant. I see myself ending many a bike ride here in summer. I just can't see where they will put there trademark patio space, but I'm sure it will be worthy of the franchise. Me and the sis came here about 5:30 on the first Friday it was open. We got the last table and were treated to uncharacteristically attentive service. Our server gets a 10 for getting every thing right and getting our food out quickly. I had the fish fry and sis had the pork schnitzel. There was nothing spectacular about my fish fry, but it was not bad. For $13.95, I just wish there was more. The pork schnitzel was just OK, not very tender, but the spatzel spaghetti side with mushroom gravy was spot on. Overall, the menu was extensive, but not authentically Bavarian enough for me and about 25% more expensive than it should be. I look forward to trying the Schwinehaxen upon a return visit, but at Mader's prices, I might just go there instead. I was impressed with the beer list. There were plenty of braÃ¼s that you just don't see anywhere else. I give them credit for investing the same effort in their German selection here that they do with their Belgian selections at their other locations. I have high hopes for this place. It's well within stumbling distance to my haus. I just wish it was more "Bavarian." I didn't see a single picture of King Ludwig II anywhere.
(3)
Audrey S.

Very German, clean, friendly and hoppin. They have shotskis and lots of beer. I ordered a Schnitzengiggles because it's fun to say. It's a tasty mix of Barenjager, brandy, orange and lemonade. The mojitos are typical, although the bartender used vinegar instead of vodka the first time around. He realized his mistake when he was re-making it. Ah well, it happens.... Not bad, I'd go back. The outdoor seating looks like a good spot for people watching in the summer.
(3)
Peter B.

Great atmosphere for the tiny building next to the river- great fireplace! Decent first meal for opening only two days ago, but the wild boar sandwich is on the dry side and missing something- a sauce perhaps; the manager addressed me and my mother as 'gentlemen;' and they charged $0.75 when I asked for mustard (for the sandwich). I'll try it again in a couple weeks- maybe.
(3)
Michael D.

A pretty big miss on a Sunday morning. The food spent too much time waiting on the warmer. Probably because our service was abysmal.
(2)
W S.

Oh I had high hopes for Cafe Bavaria. And I don't like writing about bad experiences. But, I could have had a better experience at this restaurant. Stopped in for brunch at 10am. What grabbed my attention was that the Benelux themed restaurant 20 feet away was jammed. Cafe Bavaria had quite a few outdoor tables open. Ordered the Alpine breakfast w/two scrambled eggs, "smashed" potatoes and jalapeÃ±o cheddar bratwurst. What came was two eggs over-easy. Sent back, order corrected. To drink, Diet Coke, regular coke came. Order correction again. The food was ok. Wasn't off the charts, but it's breakfast. The smashed potatoes, didn't quite get. I think they are trying for some type of fusion style. But it seemed it was just a potato that was bashed with a hammer. Not really inventive or fusion. Service was average after two order screw ups I would have liked to have seen the restaurant be proactive and want to say sorry, please come back-here is a coupon or we took your drinks off the bill. No just a "sorry" from the waitress and move on. No wi-fi. Although many restaurants in the area do have wi-fi. Final verdict: Move along, nothing to see here.
(1)
Lauren S.

Saw this place during Tosa Fest and thought I'd have to come back; nice interior, seasonal beers on tap, and overall good vibe. And that's all true, so go for those reasons alone, because the food is not so good. We started with the mushroom appetizer which was fairly tasteless until we added some pepper and salt. The amount of food got lost on the little iron kettle they serve it in; the crostini was okay. Pretty nondescript app, but not terrible. We ordered the cheese soup, the salmon, a side of asparagus, and a small salad for dinner. Let's just say that I'm not afraid of salt and have been known to salt the heck out of my food, but the cheese soup was so salty, it was inedible. I tried to really, really like it because the overall flavor was good, but just couldn't do it. We did tell the waitress and she apologized and said she wouldn't charge us, which was great because, uh, we couldn't eat it. She said she had another complaint as well. My question is why doesn't the chef taste the food before it's served? The side of asparagus had 5 spears, and I don't recall the exact price but it was more than $2. You do the math. It was passable, but did have woody tips. I ate around them. The salad was okay, and the salmon was tasty. The potato pancakes (I think that's what they were supposed to be) were hard and reminded me of hockey pucks. The hash browns at McDonalds are better than these. I don't know why, but I ordered the strudel. (I should have known better considering the quality of the previous items.) The waitress said it was made on site. Not hard to make strudel with ready-made filo dough, so I thought it'd be okay. Let's just say that that was optimistic. I don't know how to describe it; instead of flaky pastry, I was served a doughy, gluey amalgamation with a passable rhubarb-strawberry filling on top of, what I think was supposed to be a creme anglaise. To top it off, my husband got the credit-card slip to sign and was handed a broken pen, which leaked all over his hand and receipt. The interior itself was fun and "Germany." The tables are family style with benches so it can be kind of hard to get out of your seat. It's loud, but it is all hard objects with no sound buffering. The music was a cross between current German hip hop and classic German-oompah-band music. I don't know what this restaurant is trying to be? A sports bar catering to the younger crowd or a "Bier" hall. I might go back, but it would be for the beer and MAYBE a pretzel. But that's a big maybe.
(2)
Merete M.

Food/menu: 4 stars Service: 2 stars Decor: 4 stars Having only one single-occupant ladies room on the main floor: 1 star We stopped in with some friends from out of state for dinner. Our timing was terrible, because it was a busy Saturday night, and we knew there'd be a wait for a table. We got seated outside after a reasonable wait, and it was beautiful, but we knew once the sun went down, we'd be freezing. (entirely our problem, not the restaurants) Our server promptly takes our drink orders and our appetizer orders. Drinks come quickly, veggie platter and cheese curds come out hot and delicious! Then the wait for our entrees begin. You guys, we were a table of 5. We waited about an hour for our entrees to come out after our appetizers arrived. That is ridiculous, even for a busy restaurant. By the time our food did come out, my husband's medium burger was cooked to a dried-up well done, but the rest of the food was delicious. Our server was quick to realize we weren't happy with waiting and getting colder while our food dallied in the kitchen, and we were given a free dessert. A nice, and appreciated gesture, but we had plans to go across the street to La Reve for our post-meal treat. When the bill arrived, it included the dessert. Once we mentioned it, the server quickly said a manager was going to remove it, but hadn't yet. Also, drinks that had been paid for at the bar before we were even sat were on our bill. She removed those, too. I feel like this place has such potential, but it's focus is too much on filling seats, and not the little details. I guess I'd go back, but never on a busy weekend.
(3)
Jay B.

Part of the Hollander/Benelux/Centraal chain, Cafe Bavaria lives up to its German-based platform and serves awesome beer selections, huge food portions, and a well designed Deutschland environment. In Tosa Village, Bavaria is right across the path from its sister restaurant, Cafe Hollander. You can't go wrong with either restaurant, but if you want big portion foods, Cafe Bavaria is your choice! Order the meatloaf!!!
(4)
Christina C.

Love the restaurant's atmosphere as the architects modeled the place after a German beer hall. Fantastic beer selection. For those who are just learning to like beer or who are looking for a beer with low alcohol content - I highly recommend the grapefruit beer on the menu- it is delicious. The service was excellent- our waitress was lovely and patient. As the weather gets warmer (someday) eating outside is a real treat- it's a bustling little area.
(4)
Chris S.

Great beer and a fun menu. The food was pretty good. I had the half chicken with spaetzel and carmalized carrots. My wife had the Rocket Salad (arugula,pears, bleu). Good. BUT, we ordered an app that never arrived (and comped a dessert for this). Food arrived in one at a time and mine was luke warm. The dining hall was cold and drafty. The chicken was $15 and was just OK. The dessert was Nutella cookie but there was no Nutella in this and it was terrible. Coffee arrived barely warm. Overpriced and logistics for the service was awful. They could turn it around by fixing the food expedition, fixing the HVAC and lowering the prices. Beer selection is fantastic.
(2)
Kayla T.

I love the Tosa Village, so without a doubt my husband and I wanted to check out this new establishment. We went within the first two weeks it had opened up, so I think everyone was still trying to work out all the kinks - which is totally understandable. My mother accompanied us and we decided to try a few different appetizers. 1) The smoked seafood stack, fresh tasting and definitely had the smoky flavor. Nice presentation. Wasn't too heavy on the stomach. 2) Tater Tots, they were good...but SUPER heavy on the stomach, I could really only finish one. If you are in the mood for something decadent and rich, then I recommend these. Also, if you are a bleu cheese lover - then these are good choice. 3) Cheese curds, yummy. My only grief with these is that the batter wasn't very crispy, almost like they were taken out a little too soon. The buttermilk dipping sauce that accompanied these was super delish. My mom chose to drink wine. The house wine is very pricy for the amount they pour per glass - that was a little disappointing. The beer selection is very extensive and on point to German bier - as it is all imported. Needless to say if you are a fan of German bier (or beer in general) you will be pleased their selection. The Lowlands group does a good job with atmosphere. It was comfortable, dim, and casual. It got crowded fast when we went so if you're wanting to be seated right away try to plan on going when it isn't their peak hours. Overall it was nice and I am sure we will be back again, at least for a bier!
(4)
Gregory S.

We stopped for lunch but for some odd reason they were serving brunch on a Sat. I tried a burger and my wife had an omelette. We were not impressed by the service. The place was empty and the service slowwwww. How is it that service can't be prompt when the place is empty? My burger was average. The touted German cheese was flavorless. It was cooked correctly and the chips were very good. My wife's omelette was prepared well but lack flavor. The smashed potatoes were heavy with garlic. I would not want to eat here again.
(3)
Lisa E.

I was really disappointed with my experience here. I was expecting really good German food but that was not case. I ordered the schnitzel and it was ok. I know German food can be bland but this didn't taste like much. I've had better schnitzel from the German Festival.
(2)
Sue W.

Have been here 4 times. Dinner, Brunch twice and just for Bloody Mary's once. Food and drinks were exceptional. Nice choices and price ranges across the menu. We love the atmosphere the renovation seems to have been done very well with quality materials and style. Recommendations, Veal Schnitzel, Apple Strudel, Eggs Benedict on the pretzel bun. Great Bloody Mary's , specialty drinks and of course German Beer. Service was friendly but a little slow but worth the wait or this would have been 5 stars.
(4)
Amy S.

I have now been to this restaurant several times and have been especially impressed with the service. The bartenders and servers are knowledgeable and friendly. Drinks: Try samples of draft beers before committing to a pick. We asked the bartender for suggestions and haven't been disappointed. Food: We ordered the Yodeler and the wild boar sandwiches. If given an option, pick the pretzel bun. Delicious! We opted out of the fries (their fries aren't the frites you find at other Lowland group restaurants) and ordered soup and salads instead. The bier cheese soup is excellent! Atmosphere: We were worried at first about the long tables but weren't distracted by other groups and thought the experience was unique and enjoyable!
(4)
Katie C.

The waitress cautioned us away from everything we said we wanted to try because of her personal opinions - ended up ordering the mushroom dip (which she warned us was REALLY spicy) and it was pretty bland. But, after enjoying a couple of delicious beers it got better and better! However, there were only a handful of chips so we had the age old dilemma of a full bowl of dip, a full beer and no more chips! When we asked for a few more so we could finish our fun...the CHEF told us that he would have to charge us another dollar. Another dollar??? Seriously?? In short, go to Bavaria for a great atmosphere and delicious beer....but don't get your hopes up too high about the food and sit at the bar where the bartenders are AWESOME.
(2)
Paul M.

I've been here twice in the past two weeks. Each time, I had fast service and tasty food. Sadly, I have not had occasion to sample their beer selection yet, but it looks appealing.
(4)
Brie R.

Brunch and bloodies. My favorite brunch item is the Pretzel Eggs Benedict. But the doughnuts with nutella are life altering. The atmosphere is great and the wait staff are all very friendly and knowledgeable.
(4)
Adam R.

Excellent German beer selection. Great atmosphere! Went on a Saturday night and it was a good sized crowd. I enjoy Hacker-Pschorr, consider it one of my favorite beers so I was in heaven with the many different styles of German's finest beers. Appetizers was fantastic. The pretzel was delish along with the spicy dipping sauce provided. I will be going back.
(5)
C W.

We had a great time there today. The waiter Derek was such a cheerful person and he really made a lovely day even better. We ordered Black Forest Chicken sandwich and Rushing Waters Rainbow Trout. Both of them are great. The black currant in the sandwich is a delightful surprise. The trout is perfectly prepared and tastes great with roasted veggies. We give it two thumbs up!
(5)
Christina K.

I've visited for brunch, lunch, and happy hour and feel qualified to say, oh mein Gott, lecker (which I hope means, Oh my God, delicious)! Bavaria has found a fantastic balance of unique, European-inspired food and drink that is super satisfying. Add their extensive drink options to the meal, and you really can't miss. Great for groups too!
(4)
Marcie A.

Had lunch at Bavaria today. Ate outside as the weather was perfect. I can only give three stars due to the fact that this is a restaurant I assume is trying to make its name in their beers ( biers). I asked the server if there was some kind if beer sampler ( which usually includes 5 or more samples) and was met by a blank stare. They have no such thing but she informed me I could get a sample of any beer before I ordered a full size. I thought this was weird but whatever. I went with the Spaten and hubby went with the Hacker pschorr. Only got the half liters because it was so hot out I didn't want it to get warm. Food - we were just checking the place out so we weren't that hungry. We just shared a large romaine salad with extra chicken. One of the nicest things, we told the server we were just going to split a meal and the kitchen divided it onto two plates (no charge) There was just a limited menu because it was brunch but looking forward to coming back for schnitzel
(3)
Yuliya M.

Pretty good place!! Service was great!!! We sat at the bar to watch a soccer game but as soon as we got drinks, it got switched over to something else. When I asked the hostess if it is possible to get it back on, she got the manager and switched it for us right away. We got a seafood appetizer, which was very tasty! I am not a big beer drinker but the bartender suggested a grapefruit beer that was DELICIOUS!! Overall, I felt like I was back in Germany but getting there was so much cheaper ;) I would for sure come back!
(5)
Sarah B.

Tom's lucky I like him more than bloody Marys because this Wurst bloody is the best bloody I've ever had in my life. I would stay in Wisconsin if I could drink this regularly. This is German beer hall style seating, so practice getting friendly. None of this elitist "table to myself" crap. They opened like 3 days ago and are still getting the servers trained so no brunch until next week. I've got a reason to come back. The food we ordered (Ludwig burger and the Yodeler's choice sandwich) were fantastic. I want to eat bacon apple chutney every day for the rest of my life. I'm really looking forward to trying out the brunch menu. This is not an "in and out" restaurant, for those reviewers complaining about that. This is how sit down restaurants work. It's not Culver's. Not that there's anything wrong with Culver's, but the point of a sit down restaurant with higher quality food is to enjoy your time at the restaurant, and enjoy a meal that had actual cooking of fresh ingredients. And if you feel the need to complain about paying for extra condiments never go to Europe because you are going to be pissed. I didn't notice any pipes dripping water on me. I feel like that's probably not a thing that actually happens here. I'm wondering if, for the reviewer that seems to have had this issue, did the wait staff bring out a ladder to wipe the pipes down with? I mean, the ceiling is kind of high. I feel like that would have been kind of a fun thing to watch happen. Or, you know, the tables move. I'm sure there wouldn't have been an issue moving the table 2 inches to the side to alleviate the downpour. If there was one. I'm sorry you didn't get free drinks to make up for the horrors of your experience. Tragic.
(5)
Liz G.

We ate at Cafe Bavaria each of the first two weekends they were open. Having fond memories of a visit to Germany, we hoped this place would take us back. It did, but our experience wasn't consistent. On our first visit (the second night they were open), we were told there would be a 45 minute wait (which was fine), but were pleasantly surprised when we were seated just as we got our beers from the bar. We sat in the back area that has the communal seating. It felt similar to a beer hall in Munich (just much smaller). We were very happy with the beer selections. We had the Munich pretzel, which was excellent, and we each tried one of the sausages (curry for me, bratwurst for my husband). We couldn't finish them, because we wanted to save room for more beer. Our waitress was attentive, a manager checked on us...we were in love with the place. We returned again the next weekend and again were expecting a 45 minute wait. We each finished one beer before we were seated at one of the communal tables right next to the bar - maybe after 30 minutes? Our server, while nice, was very slow. We received our food after 20-30 minutes, but our appetizer had never arrived, so we cancelled it. The food was excellent again, but my husband was fairly certain he got another brat, not the curry wurst he ordered. I had the veal schnitzel, and it was delicious. We also had the giant chocolate chip cookie for dessert, which cured our sweet tooth. Our waitress seemed completely in the weeds and was making errors on our table-mate's order as well. It dampened our experience at an otherwise excellent restaurant. We'll be back...but we'll try to sit in the back of the restaurant again. We preferred the atmosphere there.
(4)
Jen G.

For a new restaurant, I was really surprised at the food, service and how smoothly everything went. This just goes to show that the Lowlands Group really has their stuff together. A friend and I were meeting for brunch at Hollander but I noticed Cafe Bavaria was open so we decided to switch it up and come here. I'm glad we did! We were seated promptly after walking through the door and service was spot on. The waiter asked if we would like water (I think it's nice to be asked if we would like some rather than the restaurant pooring it and wasting it if it's not consumed). Then he asked what we would like to drink. I was in a bloody mood so I got the Wurst Bloody and it was the best bloody I've had! Flavor was great, wasn't too spicey and it had a great presentation. My friend ordered a mimosa and enjoyed it. She also ordered a skillet that was larger than her head. Apparently, it was very good. I ordered eggs benedict with potatoes. It was great! We ran into old friends who ordered the same thing because mine looked so good! The food is really just your typical Lowlands Group food - nothing special about it. Now on to the ambiance and scene of the restaurant: They have a nice, large fireplace that would be great to sip hot chocolate by on a cold day. There are a few long picnic tables that were hand-crafted and hand stained with what looked to be custom brackets to hold the legs onto the table. The tables had bench seating which really gave off a German vibe. Only few tables had real chairs, as most of the seating was family style. The place gave off a "Man's man" type of vibe - great for a morning after a bachelor party or something. It was very masculine throughout and obviously had a lot of meat (it is rather German, after all). I wouldn't bring the girls here for brunch but definitely would bring a bunch of guy friends. I also wouldn't bring small kids due to the picnic tables and probable lack of high chairs or kid-friendly seats. Also, the seating did not seem the most wheelchair friendly. I like to keep this in mind due to my line of work. If you use a power chair or have someone in your party who uses one, you might want to call ahead and warn the hostess. It might be a little tight when turning around, sitting at a table or backing up. I'm surprised this wasn't addressed when arranging seating in the first place. For that reason, it's getting 4 stars.
(4)
Corey R.

I'm surprised the ratings are not higher. This place has some of the best breakfast you can get, anywhere. It's consistent, unique, and wrapped in a cozy environment with great service. There was a 3-4 week stretch where I went there every Saturday for brunch and ordered the same thing. It's that good.
(4)
Tim D.

Yet another Mike Eitel and Eric Wagner restaurant. Same shtick as the rest and really what's not to like about the shtick? These guys found a recipe that works for Milwaukee demographics and they keep serving it with a different name and why wouldn't they, we keep eating up. Welcomed edition to Tosa and obviously compliments Cafe Hollander. 4 stars rather than 5 because whenever I walk into a restaurant owned by Lowlands Group I forget which one I'm in ;-)
(4)
Josh S.

We were excited to hear this place opened. Most of the German restaurants in town seem to target the supper club crowd. And I can get into that sometimes, but only sometimes. The German beer hall concept is very cool. Long tables with multiple parties, like the fish fry tables at Lakefront Brewery. Definitely something to be aware of beforehand, though. If you aren't cool with sitting next to strangers, maybe go next door to Cafe Hollander. We tried the brunch today. Our waiter was funny. He reminded my wife of Andy from Parks & Rec. He seemed a bit inexperienced, but was extremely friendly and helpful. We were pleased with the gluten free brunch menu. Lots of options. My wife got a couple eggs, bacon and smashed potatoes. I got the plate with three scrambled eggs, bacon, a piece of the house-made jalapeÃ±o cheddarwurst (one of three kinds of house made sausage), and smashed potatoes. The food was decent. The cheddarwurst was really, really good. The eggs were well prepared. The smashed potatoes were tasty, but needed salt. The coffee was good, too. The one big disappointment: It's ridiculous how the menu says "thick-cut" bacon. This was some of the thinnest bacon I've ever had in a restaurant.
(3)
Meagan C.

I'm partial to German... everything. But, this restaurant blows it out of the water. The decor, the building, the food, the beer. All on point! It's a little far from our house, but we'd drive there any time for a great meal and atmosphere. The fireplace is a great extra touch, too!
(5)
Kev F.

Beer selection is phenomenal but all apps and meals are very heavy. No apparent light options. Service is always outstanding. Great spot for people watching!
(4)
Beth Z.

Good beer, apps were very tasty. We opted for wurst plate with 2 biers. The ginger curry wurst and bier wurst were the favorites, served with a tasty hot mustard and pickled cucumbers. The atmosphere was German, as you would expect, a pleasant deviation from the other Lowlander establishments. In all, similar feel but with a twist. We will be going back, if for nothing but the bier and sunny patio area.
(3)
Sally M.

Just wanted to say that I wouldn't order the rocket salad again. There was supposed to be apples and walnuts, etc on it but mostly all I got was a plate full of lettuce with two tiny slices a apples and a smidgen of nuts. $10 for that?
(2)
Al B.

We came in on Saturday at 1:30 looking to get lunch, not realizing that they only serve from the brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays until 3PM. Nobody mentioned anything to us until it was time to order. On the kids menu, several items are marked indicating that they serve them all the time, including the bologna sandwich. We tried to order that for the 5 year old, but the waitress said they are not serving that. I mean, how complicated is it to make a bologna sandwich??? Never mind that the menu stated that it is served all the time. We just finished our drinks and left. The waitress was very nice. Atmosphere was extremely loud, which was pretty distracting. Not sure if I will be back. I'd like to try some things on the menu, but if we go during the day on the weekend, we'd be forced to eat brunch. I'm not anti-brunch, but I'd like to also be able to eat lunch or one of the entrees.
(2)
Scott C.

Just opened this week and I'm always a little hesitant to try new places right after they open, but since we were having linner I knew we'd miss the rush. The place is smaller than I expected, but since they have no basement they had to get inventive with space. The kitchen is on the 2nd floor, but they also have seating up there too. Most of the tables are either 2 person or communal long tables and we opted for the 2 seater since I didn't feel like sitting next to other people since I hate people. Like other Lowlands the bloody Mary's are great! The menu is larger than their other places and seem to stress more natural food (grass fed beef, etc). The burgers are good, but I prefer the fries at Hollander. The tater tots are awesome and not your run of the mill tots. The service was good and friendly too. Also, if you're looking to make a donation please consider the Steadfast Foundation sot.ag/2p32G
(4)
Tayla L.

Awesome service, grass fed beef in a bar, and a great selection of beer...all that you can ask for in Tosa!
(5)
Jalaine M.

2nd time there. Had a better time than the first. We had 6 in our party so we could make reservations(they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more). We were seated early on a Sat night. Shane our server was great! He had good bier recommendations. Even when a mistake was made, he owned up to it and had it fixed right away. I was impressed by his honesty. Our 4 friends have committed to come back and dine with their families. I recommend the pretzel and the burgers were awesome. Veal Schnitzel 2 in our party had and they loved it. I also highly recommend a side of vegetables. You may pay extra for them but I found it worth it. Than came dessert. I loved the apple strudel. I was told the giant Nutella stuffed cookie was great. Both were enough to share with someone.
(5)
Sheldon T.

Great Beer selection, great food. I wish the service was a little faster, but it's always packed so that it probably why it is so slow. If you have ever been to Germany, the food comes pretty close.
(4)
Stephanie L.

It is amazing how a delicious beer really can drown your sorrows. Try the Celebrator, because it sure makes you forget about the crappy day you had. Maybe, because it's so sweet and yummy on a warm day. Although, the beer could have been that much better because my lovely server Bradley poured it. He made me feel like a Bavarian princess. The service was superb! Food was delivered timely and not all at once. The order of cheese curds came with this delicious buttermilk dipping sauce. The curds themselves had this light and crispy batter. However, they were my only disappointment. They were so micro-mini that I had to use a fork to dip them in the sauce. CafÃ© Bavaria isn't the only guilty party on the diminutive cheese curd front. Almost every place has a flaw. It may be something they want to work on. I guess, the last time I ate a regular, old cheese curd, it was bigger. Way bigger. Does anyone else know too if fried cheese curds squeak or should they? Maybe that is the true test of a good fried cheese curd. I'm still on my quest for the best. Besides the mini curds, my entrÃ©e was delightful. I will definitely order it again...and again. I went with the roasted vegetable wrap. It had some great root veggies and tubers, like parsnips and sweet potatoes. There were even large pieces of mushroom. It also had greens and the yummy buttermilk dip used as a spread this time. There was cheese, but you could easily do without that. All of this goodness was rolled up in a spinach wrap. A nice change was the side rocket salad. Yum. Oh my gosh. Apples, goat cheese, bacon, arugula. All superior quality and taste. It was a refreshing change from chips or fries. I would say that CafÃ© Bavaria has taken the throne away from its sister spots, even though that is not hard to do (since the quality seems to lack at the other locations). I am hoping that they keep up the good work and food, because I am looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Keri B.

Save your $$. If you want good german food, don't waste your time at Cafe Bavaria. The service was just ok; we were seated right away, but it took quite awhile for our server to come acknowledge us. The beer cheese soup was decent, I have had way better though and it's definitely not going to be their calling card. We ordered a burger and the wild boar on a pretzel bun. The burger was definitely mediocre at best; not cooked at all how I ordered it. Do you want bacon and cheese on it? That's extra. LETTUCE, TOMATO or ONION??? That will be an extra charge for each. Basically, if you want anything other than a slab of so-so ground beef on a "trendy" bun, expect to pay over $12 for it. Apparently Bavaria isn't aware that the pretzel bun fad has already come and gone (Stacked downtown circa 2008 anyone?) The wild boar was "meh". The meat was very dry, the slaw didn't have any flavor, and it was hard to get through the first half of it without having any beer to flush it down. The fries were basic thick cut fries; almost seemed they were trying to follow Red Robins recipe with their seasoning. To sum it up; wayyyy overpriced for what you get. I don't appreciate seeing cheese curds for $9 a pop. Save your coin Milwaukee and don't bother stopping at Cafe Bavaria.
(2)
Ashley R.

cool atmosphere and cool concept but............... It didn't work. Went on a saturday night and were told the wait was 1 - 1 1/2 hours. So we thought we could post up and drink a bit. No big deal. We did get seated after 2 hours. The food was not good. Pork schnitzle (which I think they gave us chicken) was dry and no where close to being worth $14. Other sandwiches were just not good. Dry bread and overpriced. Our waiter actually asked us why we would wait 2 hours and then told us he would talk to his manager and take care of us. He did nothing. Overall, this place needs to be a drinking lounge with maybe a few appetizers. It was really loud, overpriced, and just not good. It would do better as a place to drink and socialize over sausage and cheese platters. It was also really difficult to get a drink while waiting for our table. I understand it was a saturday night, but there needs to be a better flow of traffic. I left disappointed and knowing that I would not return here.
(2)
Lauren M.

We were seated at a table with a pipe dripping on two out of our party of five. We told them about the pipe and they told us that it was too busy for us to move to another table. Instead they took out a towel and wiped the pipes off but that did not stop the dripping from falling in our drinks and on us. The people next to us kindly gave us their seats as they were leaving. The staff apologized but did not offer us a free drink or appetizer or a free meal. Only after my friend asked for a free drink did the manager bring one glass of wine an hour later when we were about to leave. I know they just opened but I feel like dripping water is a health code violation and should have been handled with a little more care. Hopefully they learn how to run a restaurant a little better. The food overall was delicious. But do not go if you expect to get in and get out, the kitchen is slow and its more the atmosphere. And hopefully no pipes drip on you.
(2)
Scott J.

I got sick after eating here. I had a grass fed burger, which ended up being nothing special. The service took longer than expected and the place was not even busy. The salad that came with the burger was paltry and terrible and the apple slices were too thin.
(2)
Ashley H.

It is definitely just German inspired and not authentic at all. The pretzel tasted like it was microwaved and the schnitzel was mediocre at best. The atmosphere is great but the service was below par and took us over 10 minutes for a server to come over and greet us. I'm hoping once this place has been open for a while that it will get better but for now, I'll stick with the more traditional places!
(2)
David F.

This seems like a nice place. Plenty of beer choices and you can order a full liter or even a boot if that's your thing. I can't rate on the food because I've only drank here and didn't eat
(4)
Kossa V.

Went with a group of 6. Simply put this place is over priced,and over rated. Forget the imported beer and the cool decor that's worth one trip...... A mixed captain and diet was almost $10 bucks!!!! Are you kidding me. Chicken schnitzel was good just not $14 dollars good. Awesome service, bad seating in German style picnic tables unless you stay in bar and it's really really loud. And my biggest complaint..... A one stall men's room with a line like a July Brewer game in the 9th inning!!!!! Worth checking out once. The hype will clear and everyone will be back to Harts and Leff's.
(2)
Sam A.

Outstanding beer selection. Went here for dinner with a date. Started with the chili and beer cheese soup. Both were fantastic. We split the sausage sampler dish. Fantastic food. Very rich and stick to your ribs good. Was too full for dessert which is a shame. All of there desserts looked amazing. Definitely going back just for dessert.
(4)
Noabeth S.

We came here for Mother's Day brunch this Sunday. We unfortunately could not get reservations, they only reserve for 8+ guests, so we did have an hour wait which was obviously expected. We had quick service at the bar - we got mimosas and a fantastic wurst Bloody Mary. The beer chaser was a good light German beer. For our meals, I got the pretzel bread eggs Benedict - it was the first thing that caught my eye on the menu and was a great choice. My boyfriend got the alpine breakfast, this was eggs, toast, and German ham. It was a simple but was good and filling. Overall this was a good brunch experience.
(4)
Angelica D.

I have no need to go back. I had to check with the flashlight on my phone to see if my chicken was done. It was like rubber and cold. The asparagus that came with it was overcooked but the sauce was good. The pretzel was good. The cheese curds were under portioned and over cooked. The beer selection was good. But I will never eat there again... The service however was good, I did not tell him about my meal cause he was too nice.
(1)
Aaron F.

Cafe Bavaria certainly met my expectations. I was a little worried the menu would be too similar to it's neighbor across the patio but that's not the case. I tried the roasted wild boar and black forest chicken sandwiches and both were excellent. The big bar, extensive beer list, and knowledgeable bartenders complimented the tasty food and I'll certainly be back in the summer for some patio relaxation.
(4)
Pam T.

Since we're not from area,just needed a quick bite before our meeting. Cafe Bavaria fit the bill. Appetizers and Bloody Mary's were good. Would like to go back for main meal.
(3)
Bob D.

Located in the heart of the bustling Wauwatosa Village, the people who brought you Belgium via Benelux, Hollander, Centraal, etc. are now getting into the German business with similar results. The decor is "authentic" looking, and cozy. The service is attentive and friendly, and the beer is, well, German---so therefore very good. I've heard stories from friends of the food being hit or miss here, but our night was a hit, with everything ordered being very tasty. Definitely worth a try, but beware, you will be waiting for a table any weekend night, and maybe even weekday nights in the later evening.
(4)
Angelica D.

I have no need to go back. I had to check with the flashlight on my phone to see if my chicken was done. It was like rubber and cold. The asparagus that came with it was overcooked but the sauce was good. The pretzel was good. The cheese curds were under portioned and over cooked. The beer selection was good. But I will never eat there again... The service however was good, I did not tell him about my meal cause he was too nice.
(1)
Kelly B.

While I actually really enjoyed my visit last night to Cafe Bavaria, I just cannot bring myself to give any of the Lowland's group restaurants more than three starts - they just simply aren't any better than OK in my opinion. We went on Wednesday at 6:30, and there was a beer class (bierklasse) going on. Past that group of about ~10 people it was relatively silent and empty. Our server was manning his tables in the back, saw us standing up front and sat us himself. He promptly came back and asked for drink orders and answered our questions. I like that the taps are offered in .5 or 1 L options, and that they're served in traditional German steins. Joe and I both got a stein, and enjoyed our beers. While on Joanna T's State Street Discover My Neighborhood tour, we stopped here briefly and Mari split the chicken schnitzel with me. We both absolutely loved it - the exterior of the schnitzel was crispy, the homemade spaetzel was delightfully chewy and there were bright flavors in lemon sauce from the fresh lemon juice and brine of the capers. It was seriously awesome. When I saw a generic Lowland's City Tin in this years coaster pack, I knew I wanted to go back there and get that schnitzel again. Imagine my disappointment when our server mentioned they discontinued that item and replaced it with a pork duroc schnitzel instead. The beurre blanc sauce was still touted as lemon/caper, but (as he warned) the flavors were extremely muted in this version. They threw on three steamed and unseasoned asparagus and a fried egg. It was still good, but the chicken version was 10x better. I got the sausage platter that came with one extremely dried out jalapeno cheddarwurst, and one seasoned plain sausage, with smashed potatoes (which are as advertised, small spuds that were literally smashed down), sauerkraut and a cucumber salad. The cheddarwurst was not very good, but the plain one was very well seasoned and juicy. I LOVE sauerkraut, but theirs was simply not good. It was overseasoned and sweetened, not at all tangy as kraut should be. The potatoes were good, but the cucumber salad was just raw cucs with plain yogurt and some slivered red onions. Just not tasty. Our service was great, but for what would have originally rang up at a hefty $70+ meal for two, I just wouldn't jump at spending that for the quality. They are WAY to corporate, and it unfortunately shows in their inattention to detail in the food they put out, and the (last night's experience aside) incompetent stoners that they insist on hiring to keep with their "Hipster Ambiance".
(3)
Mike P.

WHY: Was in Tosa Village around 2:45PM on a Saturday, needed lunch EXPERIENCE: My wife and I were greeted and taken to our seat at the communal benches in the back of the space. There were dishcloth napkins containing our silverware waiting for us. The communal seating is fine if you don't mind the OCCASIONAL STRANGERS' ASS brushing against your back. ORDERING: The menu is designed with hip fonts. We found some burgers we wanted to order and realized on weekends brunch is served until 3PM, thus a limited lunch menu during this time. We opted for two burgers there was available. We started with tater tots. Water to drink. (The drinking here will commence at a later date sans wife.) TASTED: The tater tots were unusual. They reminded me of hush puppies from Long Johns Silvers. About the size of a golf ball and a dark crispy brown. There were served in a dish cloth in a wire basket on a white faux-vintage rectangular plate with a mustard seed mayo. These were in a word HEAVY. It tasted like mashed potatoes with bacon mashed up, breaded and fried. I don't know if they'll make you more German but they will make you fat. I ordered a Julie Andrews burger (grass-fed patty, Miller Bakery potato bun) - $9.95. It came with frites and a pickle. TASTED pretty darn good! I'd say it lived up to a ten dollar burger. Cooked medium well with the slight metallic taste of the grass-fed patty was discernible. The tomatoes were bright red and not the hot house tasteless kind. I ordered a side of Bavarian sauerkraut to alternate bites with. (I must be getting old or lacking some nutrient my body needs, I've craved and had sauerkraut two weekends in a row now.) The fries lacked seasoning and they tasted like fryer oil. SERVICE: Relaxed, hip, friendly. The staff have head sets so there's employees buzzing around everywhere. The water glasses and plates were cleared almost immediately. POST: I ordered a hamburger at a Bavarian place and didn't even have beer so take this review for what it's worth. It's a cool space. It's a Lowlands Group joint. It's a $40 for lunch for two kind of place. The food is heavy. I didn't have alcohol and I wanted to curl up in a ball and sleep post meal. DOES THE FLOOR SLANT TOWARDS THE DOOR? I was in a food coma when exiting but it felt like it. NOISE: I don't know what goes on upstairs but the sound of (I'm guessing) wooden benches being dragged across a wooden floor is annoying. The bathrooms situated a few feet from where I'm eating is also suspect. CHANCE OF RETURN: 4/10 - same reasons the Hollander isn't on my radar (heavy food, expensive drinking - I live a mile from Ray's.)
(3)
Aaron F.

Cafe Bavaria certainly met my expectations. I was a little worried the menu would be too similar to it's neighbor across the patio but that's not the case. I tried the roasted wild boar and black forest chicken sandwiches and both were excellent. The big bar, extensive beer list, and knowledgeable bartenders complimented the tasty food and I'll certainly be back in the summer for some patio relaxation.
(4)
Pam T.

Since we're not from area,just needed a quick bite before our meeting. Cafe Bavaria fit the bill. Appetizers and Bloody Mary's were good. Would like to go back for main meal.
(3)
Matthew Z.

Stopped in yesterday for lunch. Planned to get the braunschweiger sandwich which I have enjoyed here before. The server told me about the perch fish fry, since it was Friday, and I decided to go with that instead, as I've been looking for a great fish fry in the area. The dinner came with three large pieces of perch, which were firm, juicy, lightly battered, and very tasty. The tartar sauce was very good as well. The dinner came with steak fries, which could have been a little crispier, and red cabbage apple bacon slaw, which is much more sour than typical cole slaw. I like the beer selection here and like to try beers that I haven't had before. Today I had the Rogue Dead Guy's Ale and found it to be pleasant tasting with an unusual orange color. The fish was so good that I will probably have the perch fry again, maybe subbing another side for the cole slaw, and requesting crispier steak fries. I do wish to return and try some of the other unique items on the menu as well
(4)
Jon S.

Great atmosphere, excellent German beer list, really good burgers and managed better than most of the other Lowland Group establishments. If you want to be ignored for 30 minutes go next door to Cafe Hollander.
(4)
Michael B.

I wish I could give this restaurant more stars, but given my experience I think 3 is fair. I will say that I do want to return and experience more of the menu. To start off, the place is really clean and and the atmosphere gives an authentic German vibe. I think it is smart to have a light system above the bathroom to let customers know when it is in use and free to use. I came here with some family on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. I had chosen a meal from the non brunch menu to find out I could only order off of the brunch menu since it was before 3pm. With that said, I was able to find an alternative, potato pancakes with jalapeno cheddar wurst and eggs. Prior to my meal, we all shared the fried cheese curds and giant pretzel. The curds were great, and the pretzel was ginormous. The mustard and cheese served with the pretzel was delicious. I ordered the Hofbrau Lager to wash my meal down, which I enjoyed. I received my potato pancake meal and immediately saw a hair on top. Great, this is not going to be fun. When the server came back I notified her of the issue. I am not one to expect a free meal, just to fix the issue and acknowledge it. Well, this establishment not only remade the order, which came back looking as though more food was on the plate, but my entire meal including beverage was compensated for. I insisted they did not need to pay for my beer since there was nothing wrong with it, but the manager insisted. I was very impressed with the professionalism and how concerned the staff and management was to ensure that my experience was not degradated. Given what could have turned into a horrible experience was handle very professionally and I will be sure to return as the food was really good. The portion sizes are large and I would recommend sharing or just take some left overs home if you want to experience more of the menu.
(3)
Lisa A.

meh, wavering between 3 and 4 stars but I'm generally of the mindset that lowlands restaurants get a raw deal in reviews(for reasons I have yet to understand) so we'll bump em up in the spirit of fairness. With their tables now out, sharing the patio with the restaurant across the way, this felt more like "cafe hollander part 2" than a truly separate restaurant. The good: the menus huge. Both for food and alcohol. The foods reliably good. We had great service - food came out super quick. We sat outside but the inside looked awesomely decorated in "modern German beer hall lite". I didn't partake in their beer but ended up getting a chai which I've actually also mysteriously had at cafe Hollander and its really good. (I always want to sit on patios and then complain about being cold - mystery solved.) I'm thinking reasons for some negative reviews are 1.) some stuff seems expensive for what it is ($10 for cheese curds) 2.) portions seem a wee bit small. I feel ridiculous saying that for the amount of other places I review that are clearly attempts at keeping my a$$ small, but come on, its Wisconsin and I think everyone at least subconsciously wants to feel like "there's no way i should be finishing that pile of fries." (I'll also probably review something about saving the environment and this is obviously a wasteful mindset but just play along with me here.) Fries can always be boxed up, anyhow. Overall especially in the nice weather, its hard to beat sitting out at their patio. Its just off the oak leaf trail by the bridge smack in the middle of Tosas little "village". Something tells me I'll return so we'll say four stars.
(4)
Dylani H.

Finally I had an excuse to try out this place. On a Sunday evening with nothing else to do we decided ot go here for dinner. My non adventurous husband who always wants to try his usual places wanted to go to Cafe Hollander but I was finally able to convince him to try this place out. What can i say other than i an torn in opinion here. As we walked in the ambiance is pretty cool...a cross between a medieval and modern German feel (whatever that is :)) The staff was really friendly attentive and excellent service my son had the Pizza from the kids menu which came with a side of vegies and dip (which was unexpected but was a nice touch ) the pizza was also pretty big. even a 10-12 year old would be filled with that I tried the Cubano Bavariano sandwich . It came with pickle and i opted for fried instead of kettle fries. i must say for $13 the sandwich was pretty lame. it was so small and mushed into a thin sandwich triangle like thingee(see picture). This would NOT be enough for a grown man. My husband tried the Schweinshaxe which was the bone in pork with cabbage and smash potatoes. the dish itself was pretty good and well presented. i would recommend trying that Other than the great service and the ambiance I did not care much for this place. Nothing super great and nothing bad either....I may returns for drinks in the patio and to try the well recommended Pretzel.
(3)
Krust N.

Delicious! My cousin and I stopped there for lunch today. Got a couple steins and some spatzle. The beer was fantastic, the food was totally yummy. We sat outside and people watched, great outdoor area. Great place, gotta go back!
(5)
Lauren M.

So much hateration for the Lowlands Group. So much so, it makes me doubt my foodie cred (what little there is) for even enjoying any of their establishments. I'd like to think I've been fair in my assessment of the others, so I shall be fair here as well. And here's the deal. I've been to Cafe Bavaria several times and willingly come back each time (thanks, City Tins!). Why? - Consistency. I know when I come here, I'm going to get good noms, good beer and good service. - The Noms. Not mind-blowingly delicious, no. But good - absolutely. This is one of the Lowland locations that I can't easily duplicate the meal at home. There is a fun fusion of German classics with American tastes. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. - The Beers and Liquids. Awesome variety at decent prices. Do yourself a favor and branch out a bit - try something new - live a little. - The Service. Friendly and efficient. I've never had less than half a glass of water or cup of coffee. These folks are on their game. - Family-friendly. Real talks. My fam is opposed to any "hipster" establishment (which, apparently, encompasses about 99.9% of Milwaukee eateries), but I've brought them here, and they've been happy. That reason alone makes me skip right on in the door.
(4)
Chris L.

Not overly impressed, slow service and the place wasn't anywhere near overwhelmed. The food was ok, but the beer cheese soup honestly wasn't very good and seriously filled with various vegetables for some reason (why?).... Sat at the bar and must have been invisible to the bar staff with our empty drinks as they walked by numerous times just chatting amongst each other and not paying any attention to the only two people at the bar (myself and guest)... Not sure we will return,, hopefully you have a better experience but it's getting two stars because we ended up food ,, eventually..
(2)
Jessica O.

Update: this is the home of the most delicious burger EVER. The Ludwig: it has apple chutney, some kind of herby-wonderful cheese spread...and burger...and I think that's it. But it's fantastic. You have to have it. But downside...a lot of the seating now is the backless benches, and it turns out, I have a creaky, sore old lady back after sitting there for a while. So lately, internal debates on whether or not I should go to Cafe Bavaria are a struggle between how bad I WANT that burger...and how bad of hunchback I want to have the next day.
(4)
Benny B.

The building itself is on a beautiful little European-looking corner. I've been to Germany, I couldn't help but make the comparisons. Inside had the large timber, the flat-white walls, they nailed the look for sure. I ordered a sausage plate, with mashed potatoes, jalepeno and cheddar sausages, kraut, hot mustard, and a cucumber salad. I was very pleased. The sausages were home made, they had to add the cheddar cheese in spirit of the state. The beer selection was impressive, to say the least. And they prices were good considering how much effort goes into serving food, that is not the typical American cuisine. Despite our server having that trendy "man bun", the service was great. ;)
(4)
Emily Z.

BEST BRUNCH EVER! We stumbled across this place trying to get to Cafe Hollander next store, and I'm so glad we stepped in to look at the menu! Good beer, dog friendly outdoor seating, friendly staff, and amazing food. They offer a good combination of healthy and not-so-heathy things, so everyone will be happy :) I'll definitely be back!!
(5)
Sarah K.

I really want to love this place, but I think there is still work to be done. Interesting menu with a good mix of German fusion type items. I enjoy their veggie burger and chips. Being a vegetarian I haven't tried much else, but it all looks decent. Cute place but something is still missing.
(3)
Lori L.

My friend RAVED about this place and we had to meet for lunch. First, let me say that parking can be horrible in downtown Tosa so make sure you leave ample time to find a spot. On a Monday even the city lots were full which is great for Tosa but bad for the customer. I tried the ham and brie sandwich and it was pretty tasty but a little salty. The kettle chips were decent but not overly impressive. I thought that $11 for a glorified ham and cheese was pricey compared to other places I could have eaten (Le Reve). The decor attempted to be very Euro and cozy. The fireplace is a great touch. I will be back but I think it will be for beers to hang out. It just seems like more of a bar place vs. restaurant.
(3)
Mark A.

Some research on the Milwaukee Eater site led me to this restaurant. The menu seemed creative and interesting, so we gave it a try. Fried cheese curds were...well, fried cheese curds. I had the spatzle with cheese and wurst. It sounds amazing on the menu, but the spatzle was swimming in cheese sauce. It was like eating a cheese dip with a spoon. I tried the potato pancakes/eggs dish; the pancakes were thin and not seasoned very well. The environment was cute/charming, and the beer list was chock-full of German favorites, so I'd probably return for a drink if I were in the area ever. The food, however, left much to be desired.
(2)
Lauren S.

Cafe Bavaria is alright. The only other Lowlands Group restaurant I've been to is Cafe Centraal. My impression of the group so far: Decent food and vast beer selections, but a few dollars too expensive when there are a million other viable (and competitively priced) restaurants in the greater Milwaukee area. (That said, the Milwaukeean Bloody Mary at Centraal is the bomb.com [....sorry], but that warrants another review). OK, Bavaria: We went around 5:30 for a happy hour, and some of us ate dinner. I immediately asked, "What specials do you have tonight?" and the waitress politely explained there are no specials, but there is a featured beer. Meh, fair enough. For $6.50, at least my Weiss was a half liter. It was too early for a full meal for me, so I ordered fries + lager cheese sauce. The fries were good, but I'd stay away from the cheese sauce. It seems like something that would be hard to screw up, right? But it was watery. The consistency of skim milk. Not my favorite. The rest of the group ordered burgers, a salad and a wrap. I can't speak to the quality of those entrees, and I'm admittedly slanted because I assume the food is at least somewhat similar to Centraal--meaning good enough, edible, but not worth the sticker price. All that said, the waitress was very friendly, attentive and patient with our group that came in slowly and ordered at different times. I dig the German theme, even if it's a little kitschy, and the outside of the restaurant is charming. Buuuuttt I'd rather save a few bucks and go to a bar with drink specials and cheaper appetizers for my next happy hour.
(3)
Jennifer C.

My coworkers came here for lunch this past week as a going away lunch (for me). We had been here once before but this experience was worse than the first visit. We were promptly seated but we had to wait roughly 5 - 10 minutes before our waitress showed up and got our beverage order. We got our beverages several minutes later and because it took so long just to be greeted and get our beverages, we order our food when our waitress came back with our food. Our food took so long that we considered getting it to go. We ordered a lot of appetizers and 2 bowls of soup - and a coworker asked for our bill right away because everything else took so long. When we got all our food, we noticed that we didn't get the pretzel we ordered and my coworker noticed that it wasn't on our bill, even though I clearly heard my coworker order the pretzel. When we told our waitress, it was almost like she got an attitude because we asked for something we ordered - we eventually got out pretzel but she said it was because we had to wait so long that's why it wasn't on the bill....right... Anyways, the food was okay - there as nothing special about it. My coworkers picked up the tab (thanks! It's much appreciated) and our waitress took the bill. She gave us the bill back for us to sign but she ended up giving us someone else's receipt that was already signed and our bill was MIA. My coworker talked to our waitress and it was by the waitress stand that was right by the door...very smart because someone could have very easily walked off with mu coworkers credit card. I don't know what as up with the waitress because she seemed scatterbrained or something. If she was new and told us, it would have been fine & would have explained the service. If it was because they were understaffed, they need to look at their staffing patterns. I would hate to see what service would be like during the dinner hour on a Friday because there seemed to be one waitress, One bartender and one person running the food. I don't know - I probably won't be back because of the service and because it took so long just to have lunch during the weekend.
(2)
Andy K.

Pretzels! I've been here a few times now and Bavaria is definitely my fave of the Lowland's Group. Weekend brunch offerings provide heaping plates of egg, potatoes and veggies. Salads are generously sized with the freshest greens. Sandwiches like the wild boar and black forest chicken make for a great lunch option along with thick cut fries. I also highly suggest the Munich pretzel with spicy brown mustard - get the add-on cheese spread too, it does not disapppoint!
(4)
Phillip M.

GemÃ¼tlichkeit!!! Since I can't give this place 4.5 stars they'll have to settle for 5!! Where do I start??? Friendly service, great bar, the beer, community tables, and phenomenal food. 3 Reasons to come to Cafe Bavaria!! 1. Cheese curds...FANTASTIC!! 2. Brunch Menu Sammy...THIS IS WHAT HEAVEN TASTES LIKE IN BAVARIA!!! 3. The Meatloaf...IF JESUS WERE GERMAN AND HAD A SWEET SWEET HANDLEBAR MUSTACHE!!! Ok that last one was kinda odd. Nonetheless this is a great new addition to the East Tosa neighborhood. An Gaud'n!! (Bon AppÃ©tit in Bavarian)
(4)
Gina D.

I went with my family to Cafe Bavaria when we first moved to Tosa. Between us, we had some sandwiches (the weiner schnitzel & the cubano bavariano) and some burgers (the ludwig) and some beers. The food and the beer selection were both good, and the outdoor patio was a nice place to spend a summer evening.
(4)
Celeste L.

Good business hours. Go to place when you're hungry late at night, morning, or lunch! Good customer service. Nice ambience. Good alcoholic drinks. They serve Colectivo coffee and other specialty drinks. Breakfast menu is average but you can modify it a little. For example, you can make white omelette regular omelette. Would like to see more veggies in their menu. Less potatoes. More healthy selection
(4)
Jeff A.

First try at this Lowlands restaurant, I have loved every one of their places and Cafe Hollander is my overall favorite but my first experience here was just good. Very cool looking place and the service was excellent. The tater tots were my favorite but the pretzel and pulled pork sandwich was ok but not great. I will give this one another chance and try something different next time.
(3)
Kevin M.

I have to rate a 4. First of all, it's July and the location was interesting. Small, pretty area in 'tosa. Lots of outdoor seating and weather cooperated. Personally I loved the interior decor. Started with The Big Plank for app. Shared the Schweinshaxe and Wiener Schnitzel for dinner. Plenty of food and very tasty. Loved the pork with the Schweinshaxe and the spatzel with the other dish, wish they could be combined if only had one choice. Our server was awesome.
(4)
Local P.

My new favorite place. Kid friendly, casual German food, Wisconsin style. Excellent bar selection. Great cheese curds. My favorite menu item? The pork ! It's so crispy and perfectly prepared. And the red cabbage is excellent. I always have good service here and love the ambiance.
(5)
Eric W.

Dined here with my family on Sunday, from the brunch menu with limited dinner entrees but that's what we went for anyway. There were 5 of us and one baby, and only a short wait to be seated considering how busy the place was. Beer selection is impressive. Pretty reasonably priced with a selection for pretty much everyone's taste. Limited selection of IPAs but considering the theme of the restaurant it makes sense. Spicy bloody Mary's were pretty tasty as well. We ordered the bacon pecan roll and the donuts to start. Both were good. Not great, but exceptional. Strawberry jelly that comes with the donuts is definitely home made. We all ordered our entrees and they were really good as well. I had the pork shank with cabbage and spaetzle. It was actually spectacular. Perfectly cooked and the cabbage and spaetzle were some of the best I've ever had. We also had the spaetzle with shrimp which was pretty delicious as well. We ordered one of each of the desserts, but were shortly thereafter notified that the Nutella stuffed cookies were 86'd. Bummer. We did have the strudel, the chocolate cake and the bread pudding with ice cream. The cake was very rich with dark chocolate which made it a little too bitter for my palate, and the coconut icing was a little light which left something to be desired. The apple strudel and the bread pudding, however, were flawless. Sweet, salty, delicious. Overall, we had a good experience as a whole and I would definitely recommend this place as a destination for dining.
(4)
Jennifer C.

I went in for a graduation brunch for my sister on Sunday. We didn't arrive until 2, but we were told we could only order from the brunch menu until 3. I was planning on ordering brunch anyway so this was fine for me, but not everyone at my table was thrilled. I ordered the banana bread as an app (which was pretty good) and a ham and cheese omelette which came with smashed potatoes. The omelette was kind of weird because the ham wasn't diced and it was really just 4 large chunks of ham. The potatoes were ok, but again it was just 4 small potatoes partially mashed. The fresh-squeezed orange juice was good. My dad let me try one of his cheese curds and that was the best thing I tasted. Overall, this place is just ok. The service at my table was decent, but at the second table my family was at their food took FOREVER to come out. My table was almost finished eating and they didn't have any food yet.
(3)
Karlee P.

Loved this place! I knew I would after trying cafe Hollander and other restaurants managed by the same owner. We started at the bar with German beer and wine. We were seated shortly after next to fellow diners along a table and bench. The waitress was prompt and polite. We began with piping hot cheese curds, more wine of course and our entrees which included Rocket salads and schnitzel. We were there to celebrate my birthday so I couldn't pass up the German chocolate cake!
(5)
Kyler O.

Lowlands group gets too much hate, this place kicks ass!! Granted I've only been here for lunch a couple times---servers are always good and attentive and I love the food, just don't count calories if you go here
(5)
Jane S.

Excellent food and drinks-hands down best veggie burger I have ever eaten. Holy mackeral do they pile on the flavor, from the toppings to the bun...wow! Great patio dining. We love this place!
(5)
Kira W.

Okay. This is the scoop.... Seating: We went this morning (Morning of Daylight Savings Time) hoping to beat people who forgot to change their clocks. When we arrived (10a), there was plenty of seating. When we left (~11:30), it was definitely picking up. It is rather small inside. Smaller than I expected, at least. I do understand what people mean by "picnic" tables, but upstairs, the five of us had our own corner booth with two tables - no sharing. Additionally, there was a reservation sign on a table for about 6. So, they will reserve tables for you. Drinks: Among the five of us we had 2 bloodies, 2 coffees, and a juice. They were all okay. You have to ask for water, this is standard here. I'm guessing it saves on glasses and water. Okay by my book. They came by and refilled coffee and water enough that I wasn't thirsty. Food: We ordered tater tots, banana bread, french toast x 2, a hamburger, an omelet, and the baden baden. Tater tots are basically a smashed potato deep fried with bacon served with a dipping sauce. These are standard across the Lowlands' group restaurants and they're pretty good. Banana Bread - will serve 4-5. Amazing. Drizzled with an icing and served with powdered sugar on top. Warm. Fresh. Wonderful. French Toast - Really good. Three heaping slices with strudel topping and syrup. We did ask for the butter on the side and it came on top, drenching all three pieces. It was a little annoying because it was so buttery, but it still tasted okay. Hamburger - Not quite done as we asked, but tasted okay. Came with heaping pile of fries. ......The issue here was that she was brought ketchup and asked for mustard. When the mustard came out there was no mention of it being an up charge. It's not that .75 is a HUGE deal, unless you don't have the chance to taste the mustard and you don't like it when you get it. You're stuck with mustard that you unknowingly are paying for and you don't even like it. Bottom line on up charges, it should be delineated on the menu and at time of order that mustard will cost you extra. Who knew mustard for a hamburger would be an up charge....also, we found out that all of their mustards are spicy. Baden Baden - vegetables (sweet potato, asparagus, onions, etc...) with two eggs on top. If you want meat, it's 4.95 extra! It was decent. I'm hoping it was one of the healthier things on the menu, but it certainly wasn't $9.95 worthy, especially with no meat. Omelet: Pretty good. It was a repeat meal. Service: Overall, our server was nice. Slightly more attentive than I've experienced at other Lowlands establishments. No real complaints other than server should disclose up charges when things are ordered and the bill was messed up at the end - she fixed it, no bigs, but still. We'd give them 3.5 stars if we could, but I'm kind of harsh on this franchise because I have had such hit or miss experiences across the family of restaurants. Would we go back? Probably will. Will we go here regularly? Not likely.
(3)
James K.

Went here for brunch yesterday morning. The service was good and the patio was nice, but the brunch food was overpriced for a baked potato, some eggs and a tough sausage patty. I would have rather cooked at home.
(2)
Carrie M.

I'd give Cafe Bavaria another star for food quality, but the prices are a bit high and on my last trip there I felt nickel-and-dimed to death, so that balances out to 3 stars in my book. We were starving when we chose to eat lunch there last week. We both ordered the Wisconsin beer cheese soup, which if I were to rate the place on that alone it would easily get 5 stars. The soup, piping hot, is just the right balance of cheesy-bacony goodness with just a touch of hot pepper to spice it up. At $6 for a nice sized bowl, it is a good value. We also ordered the same burger, which was topped with mushrooms, onions, thick bacon and a delightful cheese. The burgers came with nicely seasoned steak fries. We asked for pretzel rolls instead of the special bun that came with the burger and sides of mayo for our fries. Here's where we got nickel-and-dimed. The burgers were $12 each, not exactly a bargain, considering one of the best burgers I've ever had can be found for $5 right down the street at Leff's. When the bill arrived, I was surprised to find we were upcharged an extra $1 each for the pretzel rolls and $0.75 each for our sides of mayo. Now our burgers were each nearly $14.00, a hugely expensive burger in my opinion. Once you add in my 20% tip and our taxes, I just ate a $17 burger. I can get a nice steak dinner for less than that at my favorite little hole-in-the-wall downtown, The Swingin' Door Exchange. The decor is great, I love the little ingelnook by the fire and while some might like the prevalence of bar height tables, I don't care for them personally. I'd give Cafe Bavaria 4 stars for food taste, 5 stars for the soup, 4.5 for service but only a 2 for value. If you've got lots to spend, the food is very good, but you can definitely get more for less elsewhere.
(3)
Mariah M.

Between the friendly staff, short wait, indoor and outdoor dining, wide beverage selection, and a wide gamut of homemade authentic meals I could not tell what was my favorite part. Left feeling full and happy. The homemade chips were perfect and the .5 liter and liter bier options are an unexpected pleasant surprise.
(5)
Jesse D.

This is our favorite spot in Wauwatosa / Milwaukee. The bartenders are very knowledgeable - they always have a great suggestions for beers I've never tried. The food is definitely unique (and very tasty)., and they have something for everyone - including vegetarian plates. My favorites are the bacon-cheese tots and the Kaiser sandwich. It's easy to get surprised by price ($4.25 to add schnitzel - a small portion at that). The environment is unbeatable - beautiful interior with a view of a mill/stream and phenomenal TV screens - usually with soccer/FUT-ball. Great place - our favorite in Tosa
(4)
Lisa J.

CafÃ© Bavaria is a fun environment...and it's even better when you randomly run into a huge group of fabulous Yelpers! Saturday night dinner at the bar. The bartender was great and recommended a very delicious AND strong beer. I enjoyed two them. The only downfall was being so deep in fabulous beer and good conversation with others at the bar that I can't tell you what the burger tasted like. Apparently it was REALLY good. Looking forward to going back!
(4)
Sandra Z.

I've been here now a few times, have had a sampling of drinks, apps, and meals. Items in general have been pretty hit-or-miss for me. Things I loved: I still think about the tots with bleu cheese and bacon, and the beer cheese soup is really good as well. I also love the Dusseldorf Bloody Mary -- if you like mustard it's the way to go. The burger I most recently had, however, was underwhelming. Another Yelper recently wrote how they felt nickel-and-dimed, and that's absolutely true. Refer to the menu when choosing toppings and bun and you'll see what you're being charged for. A plain burger on a bun starts at $7.95, and if it was a great patty I'd not complain. But I wasn't excited about it. By the time you're done topping it off you will have a $15 burger. Want hot mustard? $.75. Cheese? $2-3 extra. Their profit on toppings and condiments could probably pay my rent. I was afraid to ask for ketchup without consulting the menu for a possible charge. (Luckily, there wasn't.) The last time I was there was with a large party. Our reserved table was ready about 20 minutes late. The service was ok -- polite and attentive enough, but things were regularly forgotten. Nobody complained about the food, but nobody raved about it either.
(3)
Max M.

perch fry was very good, even though it was only 3 decent sized pieces (or i was just really hungry). good food, great atmosphere and excellent beer.
(4)
Heather B.

We came here for dinner on a Wednesday night with our 2 yr old and ate outside on the patio. Great atmosphere and very nice waitstaff. I forget the names of our dishes, but we had a Ginger Curry Wurst with ale braised onions and bier cheese on a pretzel roll. Holy Yumness was that good. We also had the Pork with Smashed Potatoes and Apple Cabbage Slaw. It was so tender and flavorful on its own and great mixed with the sides. Our son shared our plates and loved it all as well. I have to say I love all the Lowlands Restaurants and this one fits right in!
(5)
Meghan S.

I love cafe Bavaria! Their brunches are yummy! Their lunches/dinners are awesome! The beer selection is great too! The service is fast and friendly which adds to the great atmosphere!
(5)
Megan R.

You better like German food if you go here because there are no alternatives on the menu if you don't! The kids menu here is terrible! There is nothing on the menu that my son would enjoy eating nor would any other kid looking for something to eat off a kids menu. This is not a family friendly environment, so don't choose this as a restaurant to go out to with your family.. Especially if you're bringing kids that would eat off of a kids menu.
(1)
Mary K.

The restaurant inside is very warm, inviting. Wait staff knows their beers ! Food is excellent, tater tot appetizer is incredible.
(5)
Sam A.

Outstanding beer selection. Went here for dinner with a date. Started with the chili and beer cheese soup. Both were fantastic. We split the sausage sampler dish. Fantastic food. Very rich and stick to your ribs good. Was too full for dessert which is a shame. All of there desserts looked amazing. Definitely going back just for dessert.
(4)
Jess S.

I can only speak for brunch, not dinner or weekday lunch. The location is super nice. I really like the industrial design concept. It wasn't super busy for Sunday brunch when we got there, but picked up before we left around 1pm. My husband and I don't do pork or alcohol, so were were slightly limited in our savory options since most included ham or wurst. How we end up in a German pub.... ? It's Wisconsin, options are limited. Most places, like those part of the Lowlands Group, still cater to special diets, yay! I just hope they'll add a few more non-porky options or at least substitutions in the future since this was more limited here then some of their sister restaurants. Food: Virgin Bloody Mary - SO FREAKING GOOD! 5 stars!! Cheese curds - Totally awesomesauce! 5 Stars!! French toast - the orange marmalade butter alone is totally worth 5 stars!! Egg White Omelet - one of the few non-piggy options. It was aight. Veggies were a little undercooked and I'm not sure I was a fan of the carrot in the omelet. The salad (Red Apples, Arugula, Slivered Almonds, Blue cheese in a light citrusy vinaigrette) that came with it the dish was the winner on that plate, 3.5 stars. Overall the staff & service were really pleasant. Food was pretty darn good. Location was awesome. I would totally return to the bar area on game-day as the TV's and tables were nicely situated and would be great for a group of friends. My only request, again, would be to have more non-porky/substitute options on the menu please! Once we go through your current available options, I don't want to leave and go back to your big sis Cafe Hollander across the way for brunch because she has more options!
(4)
Mari L.

I thought places like this only existed in my dreams. I'm not yet a world traveler but this is exactly the kind of place I would hope to stumble upon while traveling through Europe. Quaint and charming, Cafe Bavaria offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I went with a rather large group and they were perfectly accommodating. They have large, family style tables towards the back of the restaurant so big groups are welcome. They added some fantastic ambiance with some couches and a fireplace. This really made me feel at home. :) A friend and I split the chicken schnitzel. It was the perfect portion for two. It was the perfect mixture of creamy and salty, with a side of lemon. I would highly recommend it for your first trip. Not knowing how big it was going to be, I wish we would have ordered some appetizers in order to try some other things. But we'll keep that in mind for out next visit. :) The best part is that they have a green light and a red light above each bathroom. Green for when it's open, Red for when it's occupied. Best invention ever!!
(5)
Noabeth S.

We came here for Mother's Day brunch this Sunday. We unfortunately could not get reservations, they only reserve for 8+ guests, so we did have an hour wait which was obviously expected. We had quick service at the bar - we got mimosas and a fantastic wurst Bloody Mary. The beer chaser was a good light German beer. For our meals, I got the pretzel bread eggs Benedict - it was the first thing that caught my eye on the menu and was a great choice. My boyfriend got the alpine breakfast, this was eggs, toast, and German ham. It was a simple but was good and filling. Overall this was a good brunch experience.
(4)
Joanna T.

CafÃ© Bavaria is my favorite of all of the Lowlands places, which isn't saying a whole lot. Atmosphere: B The interior is small, but nicely done. There's a great seating area near the fireplace which will be lovely in winter, and it looks like they'll have some patio seating too. Still, can anyone explain to me why they play festive German oompah music in the bathrooms but I had to listen to Starship in the dining room? "We Built This City" should be illegal. Service: A We've been here twice now and the service has been great (somewhat atypical for Lowlands). App: D+ Dear God, how does a restaurant in the state of WI f-up cheese curds? First, they're TEN freaking dollars...and it's a small portion. Nicely presented in a cute fryer basket, but a small portion nonetheless. I could forgive - except ours were delivered way, way, way undercooked. Not golden brown, not crispy or melty, just a greasy pile of sad. Soup: D- Hubs ordered the "3 Sausage Chili" which had the consistency of vegetable soup and no discernible sausage bits. He suggests renaming it "3 Pieces of Sausage in the Whole Batch" Chili. Entrees: D- I picked pork schnitzel and again, epic fail. I mean, come on, even I can make a decent schnitzel at home - and I'm a pretty bad cook. The breading was soggy, greasy and absolutely gross. The menu advertised that it came with spaetzle & "mushroom gravy" which was some sort of vile marsala-ish concoction. Not good. Hubs and Sis had the beef stroganoff - basically take the same spaetzle/vile gravy combo and add some chunks of very chewy beef. No sour cream detected. I've never been terribly impressed with the food at Lowlands, but nothing we had could be described as "good" or even "edible". Beer: A The beer list is comprehensive, well chosen and a bit overpriced, but that's to be expected. I like that they've got a good representation of German beer styles beyond lagers, pilsners and weissbiers. Overall - I'll be back for drinks but absolutely won't be ordering any food from here again. They did have some brotzeiteller boards that looked ok...they can't mess up cold cuts, right?
(3)
Andrew K.

I've been here a few times with 2, 3, and 8 people. Every time the staff was accommodating, friendly, and responsive. I've never had bad food here and while that has always been good the hangovers have not! Haha but that's good right? Don't let someone's bad night distract from this 'authentic' German Beerhall! Get a pint with friends or get a good meal.
(4)
Beth P.

The food is ok. The beer selection is awesome. My date and I tried the burger with fries and beer cheese soup (alright). I really miss the frites. I think that's the main thing that keeps me coming back the Lowlands cafes. I know frites are not a German thing so I understand why they are not on the menu, but it made me sad. For being a new place, I could definitely see bumping up their rating in the future, but for now they get 3.5 stars. Service was stellar.
(3)
Megan B.

The Smashed Burgers are out of this world insanely delicious. So many toppings, burger comes out cooked exactly the way you ask! Beef, cheese, fried egg, aioli, pretzel bun, nice and messy, I think I finished mine in 3 minutes. The fries are insanely good as well! Free stickers on the way out and this Low Lands Group restaurant has my vote!
(5)
Jay B.

My partner in crime and I were looking for a nice quiet weekday lunch next to the river in Tosa when we decided to try Cafe Bavaria next door to Cafe Hollander. We were given a table (by a server not a host) on the patio and waited at least ten minutes for our server to come introduce herself because she "couldn't see" our table. After a brief discussion where it was implied that my partner and I had poor taste in drinks, we waited an additional 5 minutes for one beer and one water which was brought out by our "host." We promptly placed our order with this server since ours was nowhere to be seen. After a rather long wait for food, we were brought our food by the MOD (who actually brought it to the only other guests outside). I asked the manager for a water for myself and silverware for the table since neither were provided by our server. I ordered the schnitzel sandwich and my girlfriend ordered a burger. Neither of the sandwiches were very good and we were given a cheese soup instead of the cheese sauce that we ordered. After never receiving a water, a good 15 minutes of hurried eating, and a few more confused interactions with the table next door, we were greeted again by our server from whom I asked for the bill to avoid waiting. In all this experience was tarnished by poor communication on the staff's part and a complete lack of regard for our patronage. Two interactions with a "server" in a 45 minute period is impressively bad. The food was disappointing and would not bring me back for a second time. For the prices being asked, food should be even a little bit better than anyone can make themselves and with service this disheveled we would have been better off at home.
(2)
Beki L.

Didn't actually get to eat here. Hostess told us it was a few minute wait. 15 minutes later I checked in and she said 10 more minutes. Would not have stayed if she had told me it would be that long. Went next door to Hollander where we were seated right away. Received text from Bavaria 15 minutes later that our table was ready. Too bad- the food looked good.
(2)
Bill K.

I've been here two times now and I am not very impressed. The last time I was there I got a sausage platter which was good, but how could you screw up a brat? The spaetzel is a joke! I think that all they use are noodles. Not very authentic. The pretzel that I had was very good with the beer cheese dip, again, how hard is it to make a pretzel? My wife had the Wiener schnitzel. She said it was average, but my wife does make the best schnitzel on earth so her standards are high. As someone who grew up in a very German family and eating a lot of German food through the years, I can say that this place is just average, considering how high the prices are I expected way more! I do need to say how awesome and knowledgeable our waiter was, I wish every waiter was as good as him
(3)
Brian M.

My first impression here was that no one in the entire Lowlands group has ever been to Germany. That doesn't mean it was bad in any way, quite to the contrary in fact. I was expecting far less from "CafÃ© Hanover", but was pleasantly surprised. This will become my favorite mediocre Lowlands restaurant. I see myself ending many a bike ride here in summer. I just can't see where they will put there trademark patio space, but I'm sure it will be worthy of the franchise. Me and the sis came here about 5:30 on the first Friday it was open. We got the last table and were treated to uncharacteristically attentive service. Our server gets a 10 for getting every thing right and getting our food out quickly. I had the fish fry and sis had the pork schnitzel. There was nothing spectacular about my fish fry, but it was not bad. For $13.95, I just wish there was more. The pork schnitzel was just OK, not very tender, but the spatzel spaghetti side with mushroom gravy was spot on. Overall, the menu was extensive, but not authentically Bavarian enough for me and about 25% more expensive than it should be. I look forward to trying the Schwinehaxen upon a return visit, but at Mader's prices, I might just go there instead. I was impressed with the beer list. There were plenty of braÃ¼s that you just don't see anywhere else. I give them credit for investing the same effort in their German selection here that they do with their Belgian selections at their other locations. I have high hopes for this place. It's well within stumbling distance to my haus. I just wish it was more "Bavarian." I didn't see a single picture of King Ludwig II anywhere.
(3)
Audrey S.

Very German, clean, friendly and hoppin. They have shotskis and lots of beer. I ordered a Schnitzengiggles because it's fun to say. It's a tasty mix of Barenjager, brandy, orange and lemonade. The mojitos are typical, although the bartender used vinegar instead of vodka the first time around. He realized his mistake when he was re-making it. Ah well, it happens.... Not bad, I'd go back. The outdoor seating looks like a good spot for people watching in the summer.
(3)
Peter B.

Great atmosphere for the tiny building next to the river- great fireplace! Decent first meal for opening only two days ago, but the wild boar sandwich is on the dry side and missing something- a sauce perhaps; the manager addressed me and my mother as 'gentlemen;' and they charged $0.75 when I asked for mustard (for the sandwich). I'll try it again in a couple weeks- maybe.
(3)
Michael D.

A pretty big miss on a Sunday morning. The food spent too much time waiting on the warmer. Probably because our service was abysmal.
(2)
W S.

Oh I had high hopes for Cafe Bavaria. And I don't like writing about bad experiences. But, I could have had a better experience at this restaurant. Stopped in for brunch at 10am. What grabbed my attention was that the Benelux themed restaurant 20 feet away was jammed. Cafe Bavaria had quite a few outdoor tables open. Ordered the Alpine breakfast w/two scrambled eggs, "smashed" potatoes and jalapeÃ±o cheddar bratwurst. What came was two eggs over-easy. Sent back, order corrected. To drink, Diet Coke, regular coke came. Order correction again. The food was ok. Wasn't off the charts, but it's breakfast. The smashed potatoes, didn't quite get. I think they are trying for some type of fusion style. But it seemed it was just a potato that was bashed with a hammer. Not really inventive or fusion. Service was average after two order screw ups I would have liked to have seen the restaurant be proactive and want to say sorry, please come back-here is a coupon or we took your drinks off the bill. No just a "sorry" from the waitress and move on. No wi-fi. Although many restaurants in the area do have wi-fi. Final verdict: Move along, nothing to see here.
(1)
Lauren S.

Saw this place during Tosa Fest and thought I'd have to come back; nice interior, seasonal beers on tap, and overall good vibe. And that's all true, so go for those reasons alone, because the food is not so good. We started with the mushroom appetizer which was fairly tasteless until we added some pepper and salt. The amount of food got lost on the little iron kettle they serve it in; the crostini was okay. Pretty nondescript app, but not terrible. We ordered the cheese soup, the salmon, a side of asparagus, and a small salad for dinner. Let's just say that I'm not afraid of salt and have been known to salt the heck out of my food, but the cheese soup was so salty, it was inedible. I tried to really, really like it because the overall flavor was good, but just couldn't do it. We did tell the waitress and she apologized and said she wouldn't charge us, which was great because, uh, we couldn't eat it. She said she had another complaint as well. My question is why doesn't the chef taste the food before it's served? The side of asparagus had 5 spears, and I don't recall the exact price but it was more than $2. You do the math. It was passable, but did have woody tips. I ate around them. The salad was okay, and the salmon was tasty. The potato pancakes (I think that's what they were supposed to be) were hard and reminded me of hockey pucks. The hash browns at McDonalds are better than these. I don't know why, but I ordered the strudel. (I should have known better considering the quality of the previous items.) The waitress said it was made on site. Not hard to make strudel with ready-made filo dough, so I thought it'd be okay. Let's just say that that was optimistic. I don't know how to describe it; instead of flaky pastry, I was served a doughy, gluey amalgamation with a passable rhubarb-strawberry filling on top of, what I think was supposed to be a creme anglaise. To top it off, my husband got the credit-card slip to sign and was handed a broken pen, which leaked all over his hand and receipt. The interior itself was fun and "Germany." The tables are family style with benches so it can be kind of hard to get out of your seat. It's loud, but it is all hard objects with no sound buffering. The music was a cross between current German hip hop and classic German-oompah-band music. I don't know what this restaurant is trying to be? A sports bar catering to the younger crowd or a "Bier" hall. I might go back, but it would be for the beer and MAYBE a pretzel. But that's a big maybe.
(2)
Merete M.

Food/menu: 4 stars Service: 2 stars Decor: 4 stars Having only one single-occupant ladies room on the main floor: 1 star We stopped in with some friends from out of state for dinner. Our timing was terrible, because it was a busy Saturday night, and we knew there'd be a wait for a table. We got seated outside after a reasonable wait, and it was beautiful, but we knew once the sun went down, we'd be freezing. (entirely our problem, not the restaurants) Our server promptly takes our drink orders and our appetizer orders. Drinks come quickly, veggie platter and cheese curds come out hot and delicious! Then the wait for our entrees begin. You guys, we were a table of 5. We waited about an hour for our entrees to come out after our appetizers arrived. That is ridiculous, even for a busy restaurant. By the time our food did come out, my husband's medium burger was cooked to a dried-up well done, but the rest of the food was delicious. Our server was quick to realize we weren't happy with waiting and getting colder while our food dallied in the kitchen, and we were given a free dessert. A nice, and appreciated gesture, but we had plans to go across the street to La Reve for our post-meal treat. When the bill arrived, it included the dessert. Once we mentioned it, the server quickly said a manager was going to remove it, but hadn't yet. Also, drinks that had been paid for at the bar before we were even sat were on our bill. She removed those, too. I feel like this place has such potential, but it's focus is too much on filling seats, and not the little details. I guess I'd go back, but never on a busy weekend.
(3)
Jay B.

Part of the Hollander/Benelux/Centraal chain, Cafe Bavaria lives up to its German-based platform and serves awesome beer selections, huge food portions, and a well designed Deutschland environment. In Tosa Village, Bavaria is right across the path from its sister restaurant, Cafe Hollander. You can't go wrong with either restaurant, but if you want big portion foods, Cafe Bavaria is your choice! Order the meatloaf!!!
(4)
Christina C.

Love the restaurant's atmosphere as the architects modeled the place after a German beer hall. Fantastic beer selection. For those who are just learning to like beer or who are looking for a beer with low alcohol content - I highly recommend the grapefruit beer on the menu- it is delicious. The service was excellent- our waitress was lovely and patient. As the weather gets warmer (someday) eating outside is a real treat- it's a bustling little area.
(4)
Chris S.

Great beer and a fun menu. The food was pretty good. I had the half chicken with spaetzel and carmalized carrots. My wife had the Rocket Salad (arugula,pears, bleu). Good. BUT, we ordered an app that never arrived (and comped a dessert for this). Food arrived in one at a time and mine was luke warm. The dining hall was cold and drafty. The chicken was $15 and was just OK. The dessert was Nutella cookie but there was no Nutella in this and it was terrible. Coffee arrived barely warm. Overpriced and logistics for the service was awful. They could turn it around by fixing the food expedition, fixing the HVAC and lowering the prices. Beer selection is fantastic.
(2)
Kayla T.

I love the Tosa Village, so without a doubt my husband and I wanted to check out this new establishment. We went within the first two weeks it had opened up, so I think everyone was still trying to work out all the kinks - which is totally understandable. My mother accompanied us and we decided to try a few different appetizers. 1) The smoked seafood stack, fresh tasting and definitely had the smoky flavor. Nice presentation. Wasn't too heavy on the stomach. 2) Tater Tots, they were good...but SUPER heavy on the stomach, I could really only finish one. If you are in the mood for something decadent and rich, then I recommend these. Also, if you are a bleu cheese lover - then these are good choice. 3) Cheese curds, yummy. My only grief with these is that the batter wasn't very crispy, almost like they were taken out a little too soon. The buttermilk dipping sauce that accompanied these was super delish. My mom chose to drink wine. The house wine is very pricy for the amount they pour per glass - that was a little disappointing. The beer selection is very extensive and on point to German bier - as it is all imported. Needless to say if you are a fan of German bier (or beer in general) you will be pleased their selection. The Lowlands group does a good job with atmosphere. It was comfortable, dim, and casual. It got crowded fast when we went so if you're wanting to be seated right away try to plan on going when it isn't their peak hours. Overall it was nice and I am sure we will be back again, at least for a bier!
(4)
Gregory S.

We stopped for lunch but for some odd reason they were serving brunch on a Sat. I tried a burger and my wife had an omelette. We were not impressed by the service. The place was empty and the service slowwwww. How is it that service can't be prompt when the place is empty? My burger was average. The touted German cheese was flavorless. It was cooked correctly and the chips were very good. My wife's omelette was prepared well but lack flavor. The smashed potatoes were heavy with garlic. I would not want to eat here again.
(3)
Lisa E.

I was really disappointed with my experience here. I was expecting really good German food but that was not case. I ordered the schnitzel and it was ok. I know German food can be bland but this didn't taste like much. I've had better schnitzel from the German Festival.
(2)
Sue W.

Have been here 4 times. Dinner, Brunch twice and just for Bloody Mary's once. Food and drinks were exceptional. Nice choices and price ranges across the menu. We love the atmosphere the renovation seems to have been done very well with quality materials and style. Recommendations, Veal Schnitzel, Apple Strudel, Eggs Benedict on the pretzel bun. Great Bloody Mary's , specialty drinks and of course German Beer. Service was friendly but a little slow but worth the wait or this would have been 5 stars.
(4)
Amy S.

I have now been to this restaurant several times and have been especially impressed with the service. The bartenders and servers are knowledgeable and friendly. Drinks: Try samples of draft beers before committing to a pick. We asked the bartender for suggestions and haven't been disappointed. Food: We ordered the Yodeler and the wild boar sandwiches. If given an option, pick the pretzel bun. Delicious! We opted out of the fries (their fries aren't the frites you find at other Lowland group restaurants) and ordered soup and salads instead. The bier cheese soup is excellent! Atmosphere: We were worried at first about the long tables but weren't distracted by other groups and thought the experience was unique and enjoyable!
(4)
Katie C.

The waitress cautioned us away from everything we said we wanted to try because of her personal opinions - ended up ordering the mushroom dip (which she warned us was REALLY spicy) and it was pretty bland. But, after enjoying a couple of delicious beers it got better and better! However, there were only a handful of chips so we had the age old dilemma of a full bowl of dip, a full beer and no more chips! When we asked for a few more so we could finish our fun...the CHEF told us that he would have to charge us another dollar. Another dollar??? Seriously?? In short, go to Bavaria for a great atmosphere and delicious beer....but don't get your hopes up too high about the food and sit at the bar where the bartenders are AWESOME.
(2)
Paul M.

I've been here twice in the past two weeks. Each time, I had fast service and tasty food. Sadly, I have not had occasion to sample their beer selection yet, but it looks appealing.
(4)
Brie R.

Brunch and bloodies. My favorite brunch item is the Pretzel Eggs Benedict. But the doughnuts with nutella are life altering. The atmosphere is great and the wait staff are all very friendly and knowledgeable.
(4)
Adam R.

Excellent German beer selection. Great atmosphere! Went on a Saturday night and it was a good sized crowd. I enjoy Hacker-Pschorr, consider it one of my favorite beers so I was in heaven with the many different styles of German's finest beers. Appetizers was fantastic. The pretzel was delish along with the spicy dipping sauce provided. I will be going back.
(5)
C W.

We had a great time there today. The waiter Derek was such a cheerful person and he really made a lovely day even better. We ordered Black Forest Chicken sandwich and Rushing Waters Rainbow Trout. Both of them are great. The black currant in the sandwich is a delightful surprise. The trout is perfectly prepared and tastes great with roasted veggies. We give it two thumbs up!
(5)
Christina K.

I've visited for brunch, lunch, and happy hour and feel qualified to say, oh mein Gott, lecker (which I hope means, Oh my God, delicious)! Bavaria has found a fantastic balance of unique, European-inspired food and drink that is super satisfying. Add their extensive drink options to the meal, and you really can't miss. Great for groups too!
(4)
Marcie A.

Had lunch at Bavaria today. Ate outside as the weather was perfect. I can only give three stars due to the fact that this is a restaurant I assume is trying to make its name in their beers ( biers). I asked the server if there was some kind if beer sampler ( which usually includes 5 or more samples) and was met by a blank stare. They have no such thing but she informed me I could get a sample of any beer before I ordered a full size. I thought this was weird but whatever. I went with the Spaten and hubby went with the Hacker pschorr. Only got the half liters because it was so hot out I didn't want it to get warm. Food - we were just checking the place out so we weren't that hungry. We just shared a large romaine salad with extra chicken. One of the nicest things, we told the server we were just going to split a meal and the kitchen divided it onto two plates (no charge) There was just a limited menu because it was brunch but looking forward to coming back for schnitzel
(3)
Yuliya M.

Pretty good place!! Service was great!!! We sat at the bar to watch a soccer game but as soon as we got drinks, it got switched over to something else. When I asked the hostess if it is possible to get it back on, she got the manager and switched it for us right away. We got a seafood appetizer, which was very tasty! I am not a big beer drinker but the bartender suggested a grapefruit beer that was DELICIOUS!! Overall, I felt like I was back in Germany but getting there was so much cheaper ;) I would for sure come back!
(5)
Sarah B.

Tom's lucky I like him more than bloody Marys because this Wurst bloody is the best bloody I've ever had in my life. I would stay in Wisconsin if I could drink this regularly. This is German beer hall style seating, so practice getting friendly. None of this elitist "table to myself" crap. They opened like 3 days ago and are still getting the servers trained so no brunch until next week. I've got a reason to come back. The food we ordered (Ludwig burger and the Yodeler's choice sandwich) were fantastic. I want to eat bacon apple chutney every day for the rest of my life. I'm really looking forward to trying out the brunch menu. This is not an "in and out" restaurant, for those reviewers complaining about that. This is how sit down restaurants work. It's not Culver's. Not that there's anything wrong with Culver's, but the point of a sit down restaurant with higher quality food is to enjoy your time at the restaurant, and enjoy a meal that had actual cooking of fresh ingredients. And if you feel the need to complain about paying for extra condiments never go to Europe because you are going to be pissed. I didn't notice any pipes dripping water on me. I feel like that's probably not a thing that actually happens here. I'm wondering if, for the reviewer that seems to have had this issue, did the wait staff bring out a ladder to wipe the pipes down with? I mean, the ceiling is kind of high. I feel like that would have been kind of a fun thing to watch happen. Or, you know, the tables move. I'm sure there wouldn't have been an issue moving the table 2 inches to the side to alleviate the downpour. If there was one. I'm sorry you didn't get free drinks to make up for the horrors of your experience. Tragic.
(5)
Liz G.

We ate at Cafe Bavaria each of the first two weekends they were open. Having fond memories of a visit to Germany, we hoped this place would take us back. It did, but our experience wasn't consistent. On our first visit (the second night they were open), we were told there would be a 45 minute wait (which was fine), but were pleasantly surprised when we were seated just as we got our beers from the bar. We sat in the back area that has the communal seating. It felt similar to a beer hall in Munich (just much smaller). We were very happy with the beer selections. We had the Munich pretzel, which was excellent, and we each tried one of the sausages (curry for me, bratwurst for my husband). We couldn't finish them, because we wanted to save room for more beer. Our waitress was attentive, a manager checked on us...we were in love with the place. We returned again the next weekend and again were expecting a 45 minute wait. We each finished one beer before we were seated at one of the communal tables right next to the bar - maybe after 30 minutes? Our server, while nice, was very slow. We received our food after 20-30 minutes, but our appetizer had never arrived, so we cancelled it. The food was excellent again, but my husband was fairly certain he got another brat, not the curry wurst he ordered. I had the veal schnitzel, and it was delicious. We also had the giant chocolate chip cookie for dessert, which cured our sweet tooth. Our waitress seemed completely in the weeds and was making errors on our table-mate's order as well. It dampened our experience at an otherwise excellent restaurant. We'll be back...but we'll try to sit in the back of the restaurant again. We preferred the atmosphere there.
(4)
Karen W.

I WANT to LOVE Cafe Bavaria, because it's new-ish and adorable and within walking distance of my house. Hands-down, it's one of the most charming spots in Wauwatosa, with its community tables and wood-beamed ceilings and giant steins of beer. I do love it and we go all the time. But if you're looking to experience real German/Bavarian food. This isn't the spot. Case in point - the spaetzle. What you get at Cafe Bavaria is fettuccine. There's just no excuse for this. Did they think we wouldn't notice? Ugh. That being said, the appetizers are awesome and the Rocket Salad is one of my favorite salads in all of Tosa.
(4)
Vanessa A.

Great service! Food was ok. Not a big menu like it's sister restaurants. I think this would be a great place to drink and eat appetizers.
(3)
David F.

This seems like a nice place. Plenty of beer choices and you can order a full liter or even a boot if that's your thing. I can't rate on the food because I've only drank here and didn't eat
(4)
Kossa V.

Went with a group of 6. Simply put this place is over priced,and over rated. Forget the imported beer and the cool decor that's worth one trip...... A mixed captain and diet was almost $10 bucks!!!! Are you kidding me. Chicken schnitzel was good just not $14 dollars good. Awesome service, bad seating in German style picnic tables unless you stay in bar and it's really really loud. And my biggest complaint..... A one stall men's room with a line like a July Brewer game in the 9th inning!!!!! Worth checking out once. The hype will clear and everyone will be back to Harts and Leff's.
(2)
Jen G.

For a new restaurant, I was really surprised at the food, service and how smoothly everything went. This just goes to show that the Lowlands Group really has their stuff together. A friend and I were meeting for brunch at Hollander but I noticed Cafe Bavaria was open so we decided to switch it up and come here. I'm glad we did! We were seated promptly after walking through the door and service was spot on. The waiter asked if we would like water (I think it's nice to be asked if we would like some rather than the restaurant pooring it and wasting it if it's not consumed). Then he asked what we would like to drink. I was in a bloody mood so I got the Wurst Bloody and it was the best bloody I've had! Flavor was great, wasn't too spicey and it had a great presentation. My friend ordered a mimosa and enjoyed it. She also ordered a skillet that was larger than her head. Apparently, it was very good. I ordered eggs benedict with potatoes. It was great! We ran into old friends who ordered the same thing because mine looked so good! The food is really just your typical Lowlands Group food - nothing special about it. Now on to the ambiance and scene of the restaurant: They have a nice, large fireplace that would be great to sip hot chocolate by on a cold day. There are a few long picnic tables that were hand-crafted and hand stained with what looked to be custom brackets to hold the legs onto the table. The tables had bench seating which really gave off a German vibe. Only few tables had real chairs, as most of the seating was family style. The place gave off a "Man's man" type of vibe - great for a morning after a bachelor party or something. It was very masculine throughout and obviously had a lot of meat (it is rather German, after all). I wouldn't bring the girls here for brunch but definitely would bring a bunch of guy friends. I also wouldn't bring small kids due to the picnic tables and probable lack of high chairs or kid-friendly seats. Also, the seating did not seem the most wheelchair friendly. I like to keep this in mind due to my line of work. If you use a power chair or have someone in your party who uses one, you might want to call ahead and warn the hostess. It might be a little tight when turning around, sitting at a table or backing up. I'm surprised this wasn't addressed when arranging seating in the first place. For that reason, it's getting 4 stars.
(4)
Corey R.

I'm surprised the ratings are not higher. This place has some of the best breakfast you can get, anywhere. It's consistent, unique, and wrapped in a cozy environment with great service. There was a 3-4 week stretch where I went there every Saturday for brunch and ordered the same thing. It's that good.
(4)
Tim D.

Yet another Mike Eitel and Eric Wagner restaurant. Same shtick as the rest and really what's not to like about the shtick? These guys found a recipe that works for Milwaukee demographics and they keep serving it with a different name and why wouldn't they, we keep eating up. Welcomed edition to Tosa and obviously compliments Cafe Hollander. 4 stars rather than 5 because whenever I walk into a restaurant owned by Lowlands Group I forget which one I'm in ;-)
(4)
Scott C.

Just opened this week and I'm always a little hesitant to try new places right after they open, but since we were having linner I knew we'd miss the rush. The place is smaller than I expected, but since they have no basement they had to get inventive with space. The kitchen is on the 2nd floor, but they also have seating up there too. Most of the tables are either 2 person or communal long tables and we opted for the 2 seater since I didn't feel like sitting next to other people since I hate people. Like other Lowlands the bloody Mary's are great! The menu is larger than their other places and seem to stress more natural food (grass fed beef, etc). The burgers are good, but I prefer the fries at Hollander. The tater tots are awesome and not your run of the mill tots. The service was good and friendly too. Also, if you're looking to make a donation please consider the Steadfast Foundation sot.ag/2p32G
(4)
Tayla L.

Awesome service, grass fed beef in a bar, and a great selection of beer...all that you can ask for in Tosa!
(5)
Jalaine M.

2nd time there. Had a better time than the first. We had 6 in our party so we could make reservations(they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more). We were seated early on a Sat night. Shane our server was great! He had good bier recommendations. Even when a mistake was made, he owned up to it and had it fixed right away. I was impressed by his honesty. Our 4 friends have committed to come back and dine with their families. I recommend the pretzel and the burgers were awesome. Veal Schnitzel 2 in our party had and they loved it. I also highly recommend a side of vegetables. You may pay extra for them but I found it worth it. Than came dessert. I loved the apple strudel. I was told the giant Nutella stuffed cookie was great. Both were enough to share with someone.
(5)
Sheldon T.

Great Beer selection, great food. I wish the service was a little faster, but it's always packed so that it probably why it is so slow. If you have ever been to Germany, the food comes pretty close.
(4)
Stephanie L.

It is amazing how a delicious beer really can drown your sorrows. Try the Celebrator, because it sure makes you forget about the crappy day you had. Maybe, because it's so sweet and yummy on a warm day. Although, the beer could have been that much better because my lovely server Bradley poured it. He made me feel like a Bavarian princess. The service was superb! Food was delivered timely and not all at once. The order of cheese curds came with this delicious buttermilk dipping sauce. The curds themselves had this light and crispy batter. However, they were my only disappointment. They were so micro-mini that I had to use a fork to dip them in the sauce. CafÃ© Bavaria isn't the only guilty party on the diminutive cheese curd front. Almost every place has a flaw. It may be something they want to work on. I guess, the last time I ate a regular, old cheese curd, it was bigger. Way bigger. Does anyone else know too if fried cheese curds squeak or should they? Maybe that is the true test of a good fried cheese curd. I'm still on my quest for the best. Besides the mini curds, my entrÃ©e was delightful. I will definitely order it again...and again. I went with the roasted vegetable wrap. It had some great root veggies and tubers, like parsnips and sweet potatoes. There were even large pieces of mushroom. It also had greens and the yummy buttermilk dip used as a spread this time. There was cheese, but you could easily do without that. All of this goodness was rolled up in a spinach wrap. A nice change was the side rocket salad. Yum. Oh my gosh. Apples, goat cheese, bacon, arugula. All superior quality and taste. It was a refreshing change from chips or fries. I would say that CafÃ© Bavaria has taken the throne away from its sister spots, even though that is not hard to do (since the quality seems to lack at the other locations). I am hoping that they keep up the good work and food, because I am looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Keri B.

Save your $$. If you want good german food, don't waste your time at Cafe Bavaria. The service was just ok; we were seated right away, but it took quite awhile for our server to come acknowledge us. The beer cheese soup was decent, I have had way better though and it's definitely not going to be their calling card. We ordered a burger and the wild boar on a pretzel bun. The burger was definitely mediocre at best; not cooked at all how I ordered it. Do you want bacon and cheese on it? That's extra. LETTUCE, TOMATO or ONION??? That will be an extra charge for each. Basically, if you want anything other than a slab of so-so ground beef on a "trendy" bun, expect to pay over $12 for it. Apparently Bavaria isn't aware that the pretzel bun fad has already come and gone (Stacked downtown circa 2008 anyone?) The wild boar was "meh". The meat was very dry, the slaw didn't have any flavor, and it was hard to get through the first half of it without having any beer to flush it down. The fries were basic thick cut fries; almost seemed they were trying to follow Red Robins recipe with their seasoning. To sum it up; wayyyy overpriced for what you get. I don't appreciate seeing cheese curds for $9 a pop. Save your coin Milwaukee and don't bother stopping at Cafe Bavaria.
(2)
Scott J.

I got sick after eating here. I had a grass fed burger, which ended up being nothing special. The service took longer than expected and the place was not even busy. The salad that came with the burger was paltry and terrible and the apple slices were too thin.
(2)
Ashley H.

It is definitely just German inspired and not authentic at all. The pretzel tasted like it was microwaved and the schnitzel was mediocre at best. The atmosphere is great but the service was below par and took us over 10 minutes for a server to come over and greet us. I'm hoping once this place has been open for a while that it will get better but for now, I'll stick with the more traditional places!
(2)
Ashley R.

cool atmosphere and cool concept but............... It didn't work. Went on a saturday night and were told the wait was 1 - 1 1/2 hours. So we thought we could post up and drink a bit. No big deal. We did get seated after 2 hours. The food was not good. Pork schnitzle (which I think they gave us chicken) was dry and no where close to being worth $14. Other sandwiches were just not good. Dry bread and overpriced. Our waiter actually asked us why we would wait 2 hours and then told us he would talk to his manager and take care of us. He did nothing. Overall, this place needs to be a drinking lounge with maybe a few appetizers. It was really loud, overpriced, and just not good. It would do better as a place to drink and socialize over sausage and cheese platters. It was also really difficult to get a drink while waiting for our table. I understand it was a saturday night, but there needs to be a better flow of traffic. I left disappointed and knowing that I would not return here.
(2)
Lauren M.

We were seated at a table with a pipe dripping on two out of our party of five. We told them about the pipe and they told us that it was too busy for us to move to another table. Instead they took out a towel and wiped the pipes off but that did not stop the dripping from falling in our drinks and on us. The people next to us kindly gave us their seats as they were leaving. The staff apologized but did not offer us a free drink or appetizer or a free meal. Only after my friend asked for a free drink did the manager bring one glass of wine an hour later when we were about to leave. I know they just opened but I feel like dripping water is a health code violation and should have been handled with a little more care. Hopefully they learn how to run a restaurant a little better. The food overall was delicious. But do not go if you expect to get in and get out, the kitchen is slow and its more the atmosphere. And hopefully no pipes drip on you.
(2)
Joe P.

Descriptive phrase: a German-Cafe Hollander. Lowlands Group has a defined style in their restaurants in Milwaukee, and Cafe Bavaria ain't breakin' no molds. Three of us stopped in for a quick after-work drink on a Monday and there was already a sizable crowd at the bar by 4:30. It's faux-rustic, like Hollander across the way in downtown Tosa, but I think it felt more communal. This theme continues with a number of long communal tables around the first floor. We didn't go to the loft upstairs. The bar itself is nice, with seating around it as well as some interesting(ly small) detached bar-height tables and chairs nearby. I ordered a .5L of Hofbrau Maibock ($6.50), which is one of my favorite styles of beer and I had yet to see it in Milwaukee. Absolutely delicious. Katie K. got a .5L of their Stiegl Radler ($6.50), which she loved but I thought should've been priced differently at a third the alcohol content of mine (I also don't like radlers aka shandys). Cafe Bavaria offers a fantastic beer selection for just a little higher prices, along with a comfortable atmosphere, like all of the Lowlands Group. But my experience with their other restaurants means I won't be back to try their food, especially with so many other legitimate German places around town.
(3)
Josh S.

We were excited to hear this place opened. Most of the German restaurants in town seem to target the supper club crowd. And I can get into that sometimes, but only sometimes. The German beer hall concept is very cool. Long tables with multiple parties, like the fish fry tables at Lakefront Brewery. Definitely something to be aware of beforehand, though. If you aren't cool with sitting next to strangers, maybe go next door to Cafe Hollander. We tried the brunch today. Our waiter was funny. He reminded my wife of Andy from Parks & Rec. He seemed a bit inexperienced, but was extremely friendly and helpful. We were pleased with the gluten free brunch menu. Lots of options. My wife got a couple eggs, bacon and smashed potatoes. I got the plate with three scrambled eggs, bacon, a piece of the house-made jalapeÃ±o cheddarwurst (one of three kinds of house made sausage), and smashed potatoes. The food was decent. The cheddarwurst was really, really good. The eggs were well prepared. The smashed potatoes were tasty, but needed salt. The coffee was good, too. The one big disappointment: It's ridiculous how the menu says "thick-cut" bacon. This was some of the thinnest bacon I've ever had in a restaurant.
(3)
Meagan C.

I'm partial to German... everything. But, this restaurant blows it out of the water. The decor, the building, the food, the beer. All on point! It's a little far from our house, but we'd drive there any time for a great meal and atmosphere. The fireplace is a great extra touch, too!
(5)
Kev F.

Beer selection is phenomenal but all apps and meals are very heavy. No apparent light options. Service is always outstanding. Great spot for people watching!
(4)
Beth Z.

Good beer, apps were very tasty. We opted for wurst plate with 2 biers. The ginger curry wurst and bier wurst were the favorites, served with a tasty hot mustard and pickled cucumbers. The atmosphere was German, as you would expect, a pleasant deviation from the other Lowlander establishments. In all, similar feel but with a twist. We will be going back, if for nothing but the bier and sunny patio area.
(3)
Sally M.

Just wanted to say that I wouldn't order the rocket salad again. There was supposed to be apples and walnuts, etc on it but mostly all I got was a plate full of lettuce with two tiny slices a apples and a smidgen of nuts. $10 for that?
(2)
Al B.

We came in on Saturday at 1:30 looking to get lunch, not realizing that they only serve from the brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays until 3PM. Nobody mentioned anything to us until it was time to order. On the kids menu, several items are marked indicating that they serve them all the time, including the bologna sandwich. We tried to order that for the 5 year old, but the waitress said they are not serving that. I mean, how complicated is it to make a bologna sandwich??? Never mind that the menu stated that it is served all the time. We just finished our drinks and left. The waitress was very nice. Atmosphere was extremely loud, which was pretty distracting. Not sure if I will be back. I'd like to try some things on the menu, but if we go during the day on the weekend, we'd be forced to eat brunch. I'm not anti-brunch, but I'd like to also be able to eat lunch or one of the entrees.
(2)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Address : 7700 Harwood Ave
Wauwatosa, WI, 53213
Phone (414) 271-7700
Website https://www.cafebavaria.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 1:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

Claim Restaurant

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

Search Your Favourite Restaurants.

Cafe Bavaria

7700 Harwood Ave, Wauwatosa, WI, 53213

Cafe Bavaria Menu

Karen W.

Vanessa A.

Kevin M.

Matthew Z.

Jon S.

Phillip M.

Gina D.

Michael B.

Lisa A.

Dylani H.

Krust N.

Lauren M.

Chris L.

Kelly B.

Jessica O.

Benny B.

Emily Z.

Sarah K.

Lori L.

Mark A.

Jennifer C.

Andy K.

Megan R.

Mary K.

Lauren S.

Celeste L.

Jeff A.

Local P.

Bob D.

Eric W.

Jennifer C.

Kira W.

James K.

Carrie M.

Mariah M.

Jesse D.

Sandra Z.

Max M.

Heather B.

Meghan S.

Lisa J.

Karlee P.

Jess S.

Mari L.

Kyler O.

Jane S.

Mike P.

Joanna T.

Andrew K.

Beth P.

Megan B.

Joe P.

Jay B.

Beki L.

Bill K.

Brian M.

Audrey S.

Peter B.

Michael D.

W S.

Lauren S.

Merete M.

Jay B.

Christina C.

Chris S.

Kayla T.

Gregory S.

Lisa E.

Sue W.

Amy S.

Katie C.

Paul M.

Brie R.

Adam R.

C W.

Christina K.