Where are the best places to eat like a German?
For folks in northern Georgia, autumn is one of the most exciting times of the year. Not only is the fall foliage stunning, but Bavarian heritage comes to life during Helen’s Oktoberfest celebration – the largest of its kind (and the longest-running) in the southeast.
One of the questions that Cedar Creek Cabin guests ask most is, “Where can I get a truly authentic German meal?” plethora of amazing restaurants in the area, there are a few that are a cut above the rest regarding German fare. To ensure you have an incredible dining experience, here are nine restaurants to check out during Oktoberfest in Helen.
1. Bodensee Restaurant
64 Munich Strasse
Helen, Georgia 30545
Hours: Daily from 11 am til ?
The Bodensee takes its name from a lake situated at the northern foot of the Alps. When you visit this establishment, you can expect nothing less than the most authentic German experience possible. After attending culinary school in Europe, Chef Aurel Prodan and his wife spent over a decade living and working in German restaurants, where Chef Aurel earned his stripes as a renowned Master Chef. Today, it’s the Prodan’s goal to bring a taste of “Old World Germany” to the alpine village of Helen.
The Bodensee Restaurant offers lunch, dinner, and a full bar for your enjoyment during the most exciting Oktoberfest Helen GA has seen yet. If you’re feeling especially hungry during the noon hour, you may consider tasting the Chef’s Schnitzel, which is oven baked and features chicken Schnitzel breaded with fried onions, mushrooms, bacon, and cheese. Those who are saving their calories for dinner or an ice-cold German brew might order a lighter Wurst Salad. Dinner is sure to blow you away. On offer are German favorites like Hungarian Goulash, homemade Wursts, and Sauerbraten with Potatoe Dumplings and Red Cabbage. Can’t decide? Select the Haus Platter which features Knockwurst, homemade garlic wurst, smoked pork chop, sauerkraut, and German potato salad, or the Sampler Platter for Two.
The Bodensee Restaurant just minutes from the Helen cabin rentals.
2. The Old Heidelberg
8660 N Main St. at White Horse Square
Helen, GA 30545
Hours: Monday to Thursday & Sunday – 11 am to 9 pm
Friday and Saturday – 11 am to 10 pm
Located smack dab in the middle of town, The Old Heidelberg is one of the original Alpine restaurants in Helen and features a vast menu of mouth-watering German dishes, and there’s something for everyone to choose from here. The restaurant prides itself on authenticity in everything from the decor to the food, and to the old world charm of Bavaria. You’ll find smoked Leberwurst, massive German Pretzels, Goulash, a host of Schnitzels, and German-style sandwiches, but the restaurant specializes in its well-known Kassler Rippchen (smoked pork chops), house Rueben Sandwich, and homemade apple strudel.
3. The Old Bavaria Inn
8619 North Main Street
Helen, GA
Hours: Monday & Wednesday – 11 am – 8 pm
Thursday – 4 pm to 2 am
Friday & Saturday – 11 am to 9 pm
Sunday – 10 am to 9 pm
When celebrating Oktoberfest Helen GA guests will find that there’s no better place for beer than The Old Bavaria Inn. This charming establishment boasts an astounding beer list that features over 96 domestic and imported brews, including Erdinger, Becks, St. Paulie Girl, Warsteiner high light, and many others. And the food is nothing to scoff at, either. The restaurant plates up a variety of scrumptious and authentic specialty dishes such as Hungarian Goulash Soup, German Subs, House-Special Rubens, and Imported Apple Strudel.
The Old Bavaria Inn is also known for its gift shop and the photo booth. Before leaving the restaurant, be sure to stop by and get yourself digitally photographed in fun costumes and superimposed over a variety of fun backgrounds. The restaurant is located just a stone’s throw away from your cabin, on Main Street.
4. The Cafe at Hofer’s
8758 N Main St.
Helen, GA
Oktoberfest Hours: Sunday to Friday – 8 am to 6 pm
Saturday – 8 am to 9 pm
Hofer’s Bakery has been a staple in Georgia since its owners, Horst and Gerda Hover, migrated from Germany to the U.S. in the late 1950’s. After opening numerous bakeries in Atlanta, the couple decided to set up shop in Helen in 1991. Since then, the bakery has also expanded to include an inviting Bavarian Cafe. In addition to delicious German bread, cakes, and pretzels, patrons can take in an authentic meal during a Wunderbar (wonderful) celebration of Oktoberfest in Helen, GA. Early risers can stop in to try homemade German potato pancakes; a Bavarian cold cut breakfast, or Apfelkuchle (sliced, pan-fried apples sprinkled with cinnamon). Of course, the sandwiches at the Cafe at Hofer’s are also well-known. Some of the favorites include The Rueben, Schnitzel Delight, and the Poorboy. Hofer’s makes all of its food fresh.
5. The Festhalle
1074 Eidelweiss Strasse
Helen, GA
For the best experience at Oktoberfest Helen GA visitors absolutely must grab a brat, pretzel, and a beer to enjoy at one of the long “family style” tables in the Festhalle on Edelweiss Strasse. Live bands dressed up in Lederhosen trousers and bountiful maids dressed in traditional dirndl costume will entertain you and lead you in the famous chicken dance. It’s an experience like no other.
6. Mullers Famous Cafe
60 Chattahoochee Strasse
Helen, GA
Hours: Monday & Thursday – 12 pm to 6 pm
Tuesday and Wednesday – CLOSED
Friday and Sunday – 12 pm to 8 pm
Saturday – 12 pm to 7 pm
Mullers Cafe is merely two minutes from Main Street in Helen, where they specialize in authentic German cuisine using only the freshest ingredients. Many of the recipes were perfected over the years and are unique to Mullers. Specialties include Hungarian goulash, pork or chicken schnitzel steaks, bratwurst with homemade sauerkraut, and fried cheese-steak. Mullers Cafe was voted the best German Restaurant in Helen GA in 2017!
7. Troll Tavern
8590-B Main St.
Helen, GA
Hours: Open Daily
As you might imagine, Troll Tavern is “under the bridge, on the river” in the heart of Helen. The Tavern is known far and wide for its lively Oktoberfest celebrations. There are many draught beers on tap, both import and domestic, and German beers such as Erdinger Weissbier Dark and Paulaner Oktoberfest are featured. The bar also boasts a full line of bottled craft and import beers.
8. Hofbrauhaus
9001 N Main St.
Helen, GA 30545
Hours: Monday through Thursday & Sunday – 11 am to 8 pm
Friday and Saturday – 11 am to 10 pm
The Wunderbar at the Hofbrauhaus specializes in German draught beer, including Weizen Hefe and Pilsner Urquell. You can also choose from German wines such as Liebfraumilch, Zeller Schwarze Katz, and Pouilly Fuise or nearly 100 imported and domestic liquors. Hofbrauhaus also features a full German menu to accompany the delicious beer varieties. They bring an authentic look feel and taste of an Old German Guest House, along with the taste of dishes from various nations.
Other Places To Eat While At Oktoberfest in Helen, GA
The Cedar Creek Cabin Rentals team wants to make sure you’re equipped with everything you need to know about the festival. Check out our 100% free guide below for all the inside information on the festivities!
Where will you eat during the greatest Oktoberfest Helen GA has ever put on?
Match A Cabin Stay With Your Restaurant Exploration
Eating out goes perfectly with a north Georgia cabin rental. And we’ve got a portfolio of wonderful luxury cabins to make your food discovery even better. View our cabin rental directory to find the best cabin for your stay.
Our Additional Oktoberfest Content
We’ve put together an Oktoberfest content hub where you’ll find many articles, videos, and graphics to make your next Oktoberfest trip the best ever. Here is a list of blogs we’ve created for you.
- This Year’s Oktoberfest Schedule Of Events (Helen Georgia)
- What Is The Big Deal About Oktoberfest In Helen Georgia?
- How To Plan Your Trip To Oktoberfest In Helen Georgia
- Consider One Of These Oktoberfest Adventures In Helen Georgia
- 5 Ways You Can Experience German Influence in Helen GA
- These Four Things Are Why Helen Is THE Place To Be For Oktoberfest
- Top 5 Places To Stay During Oktoberfest in Helen
- The Music Of Oktoberfest – Folk, Polka, Schlager and more!
- Do You Know Answers To These Ten Oktoberfest Questions?
- Fun Family Things to Do While In Helen At Oktoberfest
- Visit Scarecrow Trail And Other Halloween Attractions While In Helen Georgia
