Are you ready to fully embrace the Bavarian culture of Helen?
From the moment that you arrive in the charming, mountain town of Helen, GA, you’ll be delighted with the Alpine theme that surrounds you. Spectacular old-world German architecture and cobblestone streets will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to a whole new world. But there’s one more thing that you need in order to complete your experience here – authentic German cuisines. There are numerous Helen places to eat that offer Bavarian fare, and we’re working to connect our guests and readers with the best of the best. In this post, we’ll highlight the Old Bavaria Inn and Restaurant – a favorite of locals and Tourists.
The Old Bavaria Inn and Restaurant | 8619 North Main Street
Cuisine: German
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Overview
Situated on Helen’s bustling Main Street, the Old Bavarian Inn and Restaurant has long been a hot spot for those seeking excellence and authenticity in German dishes, treats, and ice cold beer. In fact, the eatery has even been featured on the reality show “The Inspired Traveler” in previous years. Since then, even more individuals have found themselves drawn to the inn and restaurant in hopes of satisfying their craving for superior German eats.
The restaurant pairs Bavarian culture and flavor with all of the warmth and hospitality that you would expect of a southern establishment, ensuring that you and your loved ones will feel welcome from the instant you walk through the door. Staff don Bavarian attire, and the chefs work with precision and care in order to guarantee that you’ll want to lick your plate clean – if you can, that is; the portions here are sizable, offering patrons good value for their dollar spent. Even so, lighter fare is also available for those keeping an eye on their waistline. There’s something for everyone at the Old Bavarian Inn and Restaurant.
Menu At-a-Glance
The Old Bavaria Inn’s menu is so tempting that you may have difficult knowing where to begin, but we’d recommend that you don’t skip out on the appetizers. The Baked pretzels, which are flown directly in from Munich, are one of the more popular items, but you can also select from German potato pancakes, spatzle, beer battered onion rings, a meat and cheese platter, and more. Soup is also a great starter, with the restaurant’s Hungarian Goulash soup being one of its specialty items.
If you’re popping in for lunch, or are trying to stick with a healthy diet, you might order from the salad menu, featuring chicken, marinated cucumber, and fresh mozzarella and tomato salads. A half sandwich with soup is another excellent option. Otherwise, full sandwiches are available with fries or homemade potato salad. Some of the most commonly ordered sandwiches include the Rueben, wurst sausage sandwich, pork schnitzel, the German sub, and grilled chicken.
Looking to fill up on more? No problem. Knock yourself out with some of the restaurant’s many house specials. Bauernschmaus (smoked pork chop, her roasted pork loan, and whipped potatoes) is sure to satisfy the hungry. Wurst is always a popular pick, and you’ll have the option of building your own platter, depending on how hungry you are and what you’re in the mood for. Pork, pork and veal, beef and pork, and pork wursts are available.
Of course, you’ll want to stick around for dessert. Enjoy an apple strudel of your own, or split a 
slice of the restaurant’s succulent black forrest chocolate cake with a friend.
Specials
Everybody loves Happy Hour! If you’re looking to score some great deals while having fun with local patrons and other vacationers, you’ll want to drop by the Old Bavaria Inn on Saturday and/or Sunday from 3PM to 6PM. During this time, you’ll be able to enjoy half off beers, free popcorn, and other weekly or seasonal specials on appetizers so that you can save some extra money for something else – perhaps a souvenir or photo…
Additional Information/Extras
The Old Bavaria Inn and Restaurant offers more than just mouth-watering German cuisine. The establishment is also known for its gift shop and photo shop. Before you leave with a fully belly of satisfying eats, you and your family or friends will want to browse through the various German trinkets and souvenirs to commemorate your experience. Or, if you prefer, you might want to pose for a silly picture at the photo shop. You can choose to have your picture superimposed over various backdrops and magazine covers, or in different types of attire. And don’t forget to check with the restaurant about live entertainment, as polka bands and accordionists have been known to drop by and delight diners.
What’s your favorite dish at the Old Bavaria Inn? Share your thoughts and recommendations with future guests in the comments section.
