Helen, Georgia, is a charming small town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northwest Georgia. The town is recognized for its German heritage and has a plethora of wonderful German eateries serving up typical German fares like bratwurst, sauerkraut, strudel, and more.
In the last five years, the dining scene in town has changed dramatically. In fact, it’s one of the best places in North Georgia to grab a bite to eat. Here are some of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat in Helen, GA.
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The 6 Best German Restaurants In Helen GA
Hofbrauhaus Restaurant & Pub
9001 N Main St, Helen, GA 30545, the United States // +17068782248
The Hofbrauhaus Restaurant & Pub in Helen, GA, is one of the best German restaurants I have been to.
This restaurant had been recommended to us by some friends and was also on my “must-see” list after learning that they regularly fly in freshly baked Jumbo Pretzels from Munich.
Decorated to resemble an American GI tavern, it has lots of wood, Bavarian-style beers, and servers wearing dirndls and lederhosen, modeled after the Hofbrauhaus in Munich. We were seated on the river-viewing patio, which is dog-friendly. It looked fantastic. but that’s not the main reason why this is one of the best German restaurants in Helen GA.
Their food is primarily authentic German fare, with a few American items tossed in for good measure (such as Sautéed Butterflied Trout, Certified Angus Steaks, and burgers).
You can also order the Jaeger Schnitzel (breaded pork or chicken cutlet. Topped with a house-made mushroom and bacon beef gravy, served with two sides of your choice), the Falscher Hase made with fresh ground pork and certified Angus ground chuck, onions, their own blend of German spices. Slow-cooked and topped with house made gravy. Served with two sides of your choice.
Bodensee
64 Munich Strasse, Helen, GA 30545, the United States // +17068781026
Aurel Prodan and his wife Doina opened this authentic gem amongst the best German restaurants in Helen GA after Aurel spent decades in the Bavarian restaurant industry before relocating to North Georgia.
Bodensee Restaurant is named after a picturesque Rhine River lake near the Alps’ northern foothills. So it’s ironic that this is one of the very few downtown restaurants without a riverside patio. However, my favorite part was that it was off the beaten track, with a peaceful, shaded terrace that was cool even during a scorching summer day.
You will find a variety of Old World German specialties on the Bodensee menu, including Goulash Soup, potato pancakes with sour cream and applesauce, and jumbo pretzels for appetizers.
Platters are ideal for entrees. Two types of sausage, a smoked pork chop, sauerkraut, and potato salad, are included in the House Platter. The Wurst Sampler Platter has three different types of wurst, while the Sampler Platter for Two includes brats, beef roll, pork chop, garlic sausage, spaetzle, and more!
If you’re starving around lunchtime, try the Chef’s Schnitzel, which is oven-baked and comprises chicken Schnitzel coated with fried onions, mushrooms, bacon, and cheese.
A lighter Wurst Salad is recommended for those who want to save their calories for dinner or a cold German beer. Dinner will undoubtedly astound you. Hungarian Goulash, handmade Wursts, and Sauerbraten with Potato Dumplings and Red Cabbage are among the German staples on the menu.
Have you run out of ideas? Choose from their Haus Platter, which includes Knockwurst, homemade garlic wurst, smoked pork chop, sauerkraut, and German potato salad, and the Sampler Platter for Two, which provides for Knockwurst, homemade garlic wurst, smoked pork chop. Definitely tops my list for the best German restaurants in Helen GA.
The Heidelberg
8660 N Main St, Helen, GA 30545, the United States // +17068780061
Once known as Old Heidelberg, this three-story classic represents one of the best German restaurants in Helen GA.
It’s the highest building in the square, with its blue-and-white castle-like facade, smack in the center of Alpine Helen’s hustle and bustle. As a result, there is frequently a line of individuals waiting to get admitted.
Heidelberg’s origins may be traced back to 1977 when Harold and Terry Link (both born in Heidelberg, Germany) opened Helen’s first true German restaurant. They’d extended it by the late 1980s, adding a specialized pub, a second dining room, and an expansive outdoor terrace (which is now enclosed and known as the Bierhimmel Music Hall).
Since 2013, the restaurant has been under new ownership, focusing on traditional German dishes such as Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) and Riesenbrezel (giant pretzels) and every form of wurst and schnitzel imaginable.
For those seeking American fare, they include a “Heidelburger,” hot dogs, chicken fingers, and other items on their children’s menu. But reserve space for dessert, such as Apple Strudel or Black Forest Cake!
Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant
8619 N Main St, Helen, GA 30545, the United States // +17068783729
What was the last time you dined in a restaurant serving delicious German cuisine while enjoying gorgeous views of the Chattahoochee River? Of course, many restaurants now offer such options, but what sets Old Bavaria Inn unique is the warm environment and excellent service. This restaurant is genuinely unique, and everyone is greeted as if they were family.
The crew at Old Bavaria Inn takes pride in their service and is always willing to go above and beyond to assure your complete pleasure.
The Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant chefs make delicious meat schnitzels, shrimp sandwiches, and goulash. Their flawlessly cooked apple strudels, Brezeln, and honey cakes are a must-try. Order their fantastic wheat beer, White Russian, or root beer while you’re there.
The Old Bavaria Inn offers German culture in an American environment while offering breathtaking views of the Chattahoochee River.
The gift shop and photo booth at the Old Bavaria Inn are trendy. Before leaving the restaurant, don’t forget to stop by to have your photo taken in colorful costumes over fun backgrounds.
Hofer’s Bakery and Cafe
8758 N Main St, Helen, GA 30545, the United States // +17068788200
Since Horst and Gerda Hover immigrated from Germany to the United States in the late 1950s, Hofer’s Bakery has been a staple in Georgia. In 1991, the pair decided to create a bakery in Helen after opening several in Atlanta.
The bakery has since expanded to incorporate a welcoming Bavarian Cafe. During a Wunderbar (beautiful) celebration of Oktoberfest in Helen, GA, patrons can enjoy a genuine dinner in addition to excellent German bread, cakes, and pretzels.
Those who get up early can have fresh German potato pancakes, a Bavarian cold cut breakfast, or Apfelkuchle (sliced, pan-fried apples sprinkled with cinnamon). Of course, the Cafe at Hofer’s is famous for its sandwiches.
The Rueben, Schnitzel Delight, and the Poorboy are among the most popular dishes. Hofer’s serves only fresh meals.
Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Cafe
60 Chattahoochee Strasse, Helen, GA 30545, the United States // +17068921212
Mullers Cafe, located just two minutes from Helen’s Main Street, specializes in traditional German food prepared with only the freshest ingredients.
Many of the recipes have been improved over time and are only available at Muller’s. Among the restaurant’s specialties are Hungarian goulash, pork or chicken schnitzel steaks, bratwurst with homemade sauerkraut, and fried cheesesteaks. Mullers Cafe was named Helen GA’s top German restaurant in 2017!
Summary About The 6 Best German Restaurants In Helen GA
When you visit Helen, Georgia, you will have plenty of choices when it comes to dining out. You can choose from several options that are considered to be some of the best German restaurants in Helen, GA.
The great thing is these restaurants also have a variety of choices when it comes to meals and menu items which makes it easy for you to find food that will satisfy any craving.
Visiting other destinations in Georgia? Check out our other guides:
- 5 Amazing Must-Try Restaurants In Helen, GA
- Best Georgia Food
- 12 Fun Things To Do In Helen GA
- The 10 Best Helen GA Restaurants
- The 5 Best Bars In Helen GA
Which of these German restaurants in Helen GA will you try first? Let us know in the comments section below!
Igor Jovanovski is an aspiring digital nomad, travel blogger and graphic designer who really loves food. He also has a creative side, and he works as a freelance graphic designer in his spare time. He has traveled across Europe quite a few times since he was young and recently started his mission to visit every country in the world! Igor’s favorite thing about traveling is the way he gets to know new people, food, places and cultures.
This exciting experience helps him create his own stories and make memories that will last forever