A Taste of Germany in the Heart of Hermann

It’s October in Hermann, and the town is buzzing with German traditions. Yes, it’s Oktoberfest! Yes, the biergartens are open! But Hermann has more to offer than just Oktoberfest celebrations – it’s a foodie’s paradise! From traditional German dishes to locally made treats, there are plenty of ways to experience Hermann through its food and drink. Come hungry and explore the flavors of the world right here in Hermann.

Before you start exploring Hermann’s German flavors, there’s one important question: What’s for breakfast? Start your day with a fresh cup of coffee and something sweet, savory, and freshly baked.

Start Your Morning with a Hermann Breakfast

Start your morning with a hot cup of joe from Sugar & Spice Laura’s Delights II, and while you’re there, indulge in a donut or a pastry. Or stop in at Stomp’n Grounds Espresso Bar for craft coffees, non-coffee drinks, smoothies, and fresh-baked pastries. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available. Espresso Laine on Schiller Street specializes in unique blends of quality, freshly ground beans that are custom roasted and available in a variety of flavors. Pastries, scones, kolaches, and more are available for breakfast.

Bloom Botanical Coffee Bar is a vintage coffee bar serving up cozy vibes, organic coffee, gourmet lemonade, and dirty sodas. Looking for something unique? Try Ainsley’s Place for their sweet, Lemon Blueberry French Toast or Aebleskivers (traditional Danish pancake balls topped with powdered sugar and raspberry syrup).

Taste Your Way Around Hermann

Willie’s Phillys serves ooey-gooey Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, Greek gyros, and patty melts. Zydeco brings Cajun and Creole flavors to Hermann. Dig into their crawfish étouffée, fried oyster Po’ Boys, or sip a Sazerac or Hurricane cocktail. Bar Vin Wine & Spirits offers wine from around the world, cocktails, craft beer, and tapas-style food. 4^th Street Pizza has New York-style pizza, Italian sandwiches, and fresh salads. Doxie Slush has a variety of frozen cocktails and coastal-inspired dishes, which you can enjoy on the dog-friendly patio on beautiful sunny October days. El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant brings flavors from south of the border, including carnitas, chilaquiles, and ever-changing flavors of flan, from chocolate to butter pecan.

Let’s Start with the Wurst!

The Hermann Wurst Haus is a deli-style restaurant that serves up a plate of Germany with bratwurst, German potato salad, and red cabbage. They produce a seemingly endless variety of fresh and smoked sausages and bratwursts – all handcrafted in-house by three-time hall of famer, Wurstmeister Mike Sloan. Mike has won more than 500 international, national, state and regional awards, including 14 Best of Show honors and 29 International awards from the German Butcher’s Assoc. in Frankfurt, Germany. Grab some brats, Sweet Bologna, and their pepper relish, too.

Swiss Meats & Sausage Co. has been producing Swiss and German meats since 1969. From brats, Weisswurst, Braunschweiger, summer sausage, Blutwurst, and a variety of snack sticks (Cherry Chipotle, Garlic Butter, Tex Mex), they have it. They, too, have won numerous local and national awards and have been featured on Food Network.

Simply put, few things are better than our wurst. 😉

Don’t Forget the Pretzels!

The beloved Bavarian-style pretzels are the perfect vessel for mustard or beer-cheese dip but savory enough to be eaten all by themselves. Typically, dark mahogany in color, with a glossy skin that gives the perfect snap when bitten, the inside is soft yet chewy… no wonder they are such a popular treat.  In Hermann, these pretzels show up in several delicious forms, from savory snacks served with cheese to sweeter versions that could easily double as dessert.

Tin Mill Restaurant offers delicious soft-baked Bavarian Pretzels served with their house-made “Red Caboose” Beer Cheese Dipping Sauce – or try the Cinnamon Sugar Bavarian Pretzel with buttercream icing for a sweet treat. Tuck into Vintage 1847 Restaurant at Stone Hill Winery’s Bavarian pretzel charcuterie board filled with locally produced meats, mustard dip, olives, fresh and dried fruits.

Feast on German Classics

Hermann 1837 Cellar Grill features brats with sauerkraut, hamburgers, and Bavarian Pretzel Sticks.

At Vintage 1847 Restaurant at Stone Hill Winery, German favorites range from a Classic Reuben on marble rye to their Braunschweiger sandwich to Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) topped with scallions, bacon, and a side of house-made applesauce. If you’re craving something heartier, feast on one of their Haus Spezialität (House Specialties), including Schweineschnitzel (pan-fried pork loin) with Jäger, German potato salad, and braised red cabbage; or the Weisswurst Platter – a traditional Bavarian brat with all the trimmings.

Concert Hall and Barrel Tavern offers several German specialties, including bratwurst sampler platter, Reubens, German Pizza, Schweineschnitzel with Jäger or Rahm sauce, German potato salad, and sweet & sour red kraut. Burger aficionados will enjoy the Germantown Burger topped with corned beef, red kraut, and Swiss cheese on marble rye. Although it may not be a traditional German specialty, their freshly baked Blackberry cobbler deserves a mention, too.

Looking for a twist on a German sandwich? Try the Reuben Quesadilla & the hot Blind Hen side at WIllie’s Philly’s!

Cheers to Hermann!

October brings plenty of opportunities to sample Hermann’s local beverages, from wine to beer and spirits served throughout town. And with Oktoberfest celebrations in full swing, German-inspired beverages naturally have a place at the table.

Relish your favorite wines at Stone Hill Winery, Adam Puchta Winery, Hermannhof Winery Tasting Room & Deli, and the G. Husmann Wine Company. Or enjoy a little Gemütlichkeit (that warm, happy feeling) in a glass at Tin Mill Brewery, where many of their beers are brewed according to the German Purity Law of 1516 in kettles from the Hallertau region of Germany. For those who enjoy exploring local flavors beyond the vineyard, Hermann’s craft distilleries offer another way to experience the region’s creativity and tradition. Hermann’s distilleries, including Copper Mule Distillery, Lionheart Whiskey Co.,  Fernweh Distilling Co., & Black Shire Distillery Tasting Room, offer spirits including hand-crafted whiskeys, bourbons, vodka, and more.

Take Hermann With You

Not ready to say goodbye to the flavors of Hermann? Pick up a few treats to enjoy after you get home. Sugar Momma’s features a large assortment of bulk candies, Amish and German candies, retro candies from your childhood, Bavarian strudels, souvenir and gift items. Back Home Again features many German foods and souvenirs. Tale home an authentic German Bier Stein or stock up on German sauerkraut and red cabbage for making your own German foods at home!

Ready for Seconds?

With so many flavors to discover, you don’t have to fit everything into one day. Make your visit a little longer, enjoy Hermann at your own pace, stay the night, and pick up where you left off on your dine-around—or go back for more of your favorites.  If you plan to enjoy the local wine, beer, or spirits, staying overnight gives you more time to experience Hermann without worrying about the drive home.

This October, Visit Hermann. Come hungry. Leave happy.