This week we asked London-based Germans, what eatery/drinkery do you visit when you miss home? Here’s the results….
Enough sausage for ya? “Spicy Sausage Platter” with a spiral sausage (Bratwurstschnecke), Merguez sausage and Cheese Cracker (Käseknacker) at Bavarian Beerhouse
32 per cent of respondents voted for Zeitgeist. Why? It seems the biggest draw is the atmosphere during German football matches…
“The closest we get to a German restaurant”
“Catered to Germans rather than permanent Oktoberfests”
“It has all the German beers and is a great place to view German football games, such as European or World Cup. They have a big screen and many Germans go there to watch – feels like home.”
“Atmosphere, nice owners, football, beer”
“Only one I know; was only there during Euro Cup but felt like watching Germany play in a pub back home”
“Reasonable dishes, good choice of beer, and best place to watch German football”
“Great selection of beers, some very regional specialities”
“I do not go to any other German restaurants, and I only go to Zeitgeist when they show football. Germany is so close, that when I miss it I just fly home. Also, to be honest, German food is horrible – the nice thing about Beergardens etc is the beer and the atmosphere.”
In joint second place with 16 per cent of the votes was Bavarian Beerhouse and Herman ze German
Here’s why people voted for Bavarian Beerhouse…
“German beer!”
“Feels like the pubs back in Germany”
And here’s what people said about Herman ze German:
“Simple dishes, German “charm”"
“Dish (Currywurst) and drinks (Fritz Cola)”
“Sausage snack bar”
Other top rated German spots were:
Kurz & Lang: “Sausage snack bar”
Steins: “Original “Biergarten” in Richmond serving Bavarian beer in “Steins” and proper Bavarian food. Run by Germans. Beautiful view of the River Thames.”
Tiroler Hut: “Ambiance – it actually is Austrian, but the food is genuine and the atmosphere is quirky but fun”
Katzenjammers, Borough
One place that’s not listed here is “Kipferl” in Angel which opened rather recently. Of all places I’ve been to it has the best food by far (also has great breakfast, it’s a Vienna style cafe run by Austrians).
Been to Zeitgeist once for a football game and you really need to arrive early to even fit inside the pub if you want to watch a match. Steins is indeed an amazing setting right on the Thames, the only authentic Bavarian beergarden I’m aware of in London. I don’t understand though how Bavarian Beerhouse is 2nd – the food is disgusting and the main beer is “Krombacher” – a beer nobody drinks in Bavaria (it’s a Pils type) – especially not served in a stein. At most I go there to watch a football match.
Hi Thomas,
Many thanks for your comment. First of all may I remind you that Austria is a sovereign state of its own right which has been only temporary a part of Germany. Therefore, we did not include the Kipferl in our survey.
I’m totally with you on your point serving a Pilsener beer is rather unusual for a place that is trading under a Bavarian name serving Bavarian dishes only. But my guess is that not only Bavarians go to the Bavarian Beerhouse.
Thanks for the reminder, I totally had forgotten that Austria is not part of Germany anymore! I thought I’d mention Kipferl because Tiroler Hut was listed above as well (it’s an Austrian place).