Schneithorst Restaurant & Bar

Schneithorst’s is a Ladue institution and I grew up eating here with both sets of grandparents. I ate lunch here on Monday ¹⁄₁₈. We had a group of 5. We shared the potato bites and the Bavarian pretzel bites for appetizers. Our orders included 2 salmon sandwiches, 1 combo with vegetable soup and tuna sandwich, 1 combo with chili and caesar salad, and 1 bratwurst burger. The two of us who ordered the combos felt the portions were quite small. Everyone else was happy with their lunches. The service was just OK. I was out of water at least 2 times and it felt like we were there for quite a while. I will go back but I won’t be in a hurry.

This restaurant is conveniently located right across Plaza Frontenac. My department’s holiday luncheon was held here last year which was my very first visit. The place is big, clean/​orderly, but a little too dark inside for my taste. We had our party in a large room next to the bar area with a nice fireplace and a big TV. It’s nice that they actually were able to accommodate about 20+ people, however, we were only assigned 1 waitress (we will further discuss).
The restaurant created a fixed menu for us. I think the person who made the reservations dealt with the menu issue but it was pretty cool because it actually had the company’s name and it definitely felt quite special. We played some raffle games and they were nice enough to let us have free use of the space. Appetizers were being delivered to a side table when I arrived and I tried one of each. We had some Bavarian pretzel bites served with bacon cheese sauce and I believe some potato cakes with accompanying sauce. Both were quite delicious and freshly made.
This place has a large beer selection, however, while in the process of ordering we were told that some were unavailable. The waitress then brought over a big menu book of drinks. I had a glass of cabernet but did pick a German beer that sounded interesting for my buddy and he said it was pretty good. For my main course, I had Oma’s meatloaf served with green beans and mashed potatoes with brown German gravy. It was actually good as far as the taste goes, however, they seemed more like Salisbury steaks than meatloaf. The portion was quite large so needless to say, I ended up with some leftover to take home. We had 2 options for dessert: bread pudding and apple strudel. I had the bread pudding and thought it tasted fine. My buddy had the apple strudel and I was curious so I tried a little bit of it. I don’t like apple pies or apple strudel and theirs did not really change my mind.
Someone in our party did have their order forgotten which was the down part of having only one waitress. Also, getting a refill on drinks or ordering a new drink proved to be slightly difficult due to only having one person running everyone’s order. Overall, the first experience was fine and slightly successful.
Not long after the first experience, I went back for dinner to try something different and see how this restaurant runs under normal circumstance. Got seated at the bar side since there didn’t seem to be anyone at the time and drink orders were taken right away, water glasses were brought to the table and there were buckets of popcorn for patrons to enjoy. The personnel by the bar did inform us about the happy hour if you sit in the bar area instead of the dining room. This time, I wanted to order the wiener schnitzel due to the high praises by some of my colleagues during the holiday party. The dish tasted good but the sides were nothing to write home about. They were also 2 small portions of meat which was not what I expected since my lunch portion was quite large. For dessert, I wanted to try their chocolate molten lava cake which was very good albeit small. The service was faster than the first time and our waitress was wonderful and very accommodating.
Would I come back here? I would not discount the possibility of coming back for another happy hour, perhaps.

I can only review my experience here for drinks after dinner. The inside of this establishment would make Ron Burgundy very proud! It did indeed smell of rich mahogany! I fell in love with the warmness and the masculine feel of the décor. We had the opportunity to sit by the fire and share a few cocktails. The service was a bit sub par but nothing to really complain about. I was more impressed with the décor and our drinks than anything else.
I am curious about their food menu and will return to try out their breakfast.

Some good reviews some bad. Had to try and not dissapointed. Wienerschnitzel was excellent. Wife had stroganoff and thought it good and she’s a picky eater. I had a side of German potato salad it was good but not quite up to mom’s. Red cabbage was excellent but cloves should of been pulled before serving. I’m thinking cheesecloth. Overall — we’ll be back for more

This place confuses me. We stopped in recently for some German food and expected a super cool bier Keller vibe. We sat in the bar area which had awesome décor. You almost felt like you were stepping into a pub in Germany. The lanterns were ominous, deep wood with the furniture, ancient looking German beer mugs up top. This is a cool place to hang out, but no reserved seating. Walking to the other side though, looked like a senior citizen diner. Peach colored and almost a cafeteria like setting.
Food was pretty good. The German dog sandwich with bratwurst was enjoyable. Fries could have been better.

Nice to find a good German restaurant in my travels. Good reminder of Munchen. I went on a slow Tuesday not much going on. I went with the German items. I found it solid. (5stars). I imagine that it would be much different if it was a busy night.
I enjoy the food and atmosphere.

Great spot in STL! I came here for breakfast on a Friday morning and was very impressed. We came a little later than the breakfast rush, so it was easy to get a table and only a few tables were still filled.
I had the southern breakfast that morning which was great. The waitress was attentive and made sure to come back multiple times to refill coffee, water, etc.
Also, as an insider tip — apparently this is where all the CEOs and big wigs in town have breakfast! :)

I’ve been coming to this place for over 30 years as time goes on it’s getting worse and worse.
The server was pretty much clueless and missed all the details of our order.
She screwed up the appetizer salad and a few other details. My food came out dry and cold I asked them to fix it and all they did was hear it up.
The rest of the people in our parties food was hit or miss as well.
Its location is convenient but I will probably stay away.

My favorite bar to have events and parties with friends. Awesome draft beer on tap, a selection of German and European brews. And the giant bar room looks like you’re in a castle! Upstairs biergarten is lovely on nice days.

They say that you can never go home again.
I tried to disprove that and was alas, quite disappointed.
I did not expect to get wurste that were freshly made — but I hoped that I would. I expected more than just the «Bratwrust» and «Knackwurst» that I could easily buy in the World Foods Supermarkt up the street… but there are none others to be had besides this two types. The price for just two sausages, no sides was 10.95 $!!! Considering that they are not freshly made on site, I consider this to be unjust pricing and an affront to good food and Wurste! I have never paid so much for two sausages that were not fresh and of good quality! Again, I could have bought a whole packages for this price, and because they did not taste of much, it was very disappointing.
I asked if they had rotkohl or sauerkraut, as neither was listed on the menu. I was told that they don’t even have rotkohl! I should have left at this point, as this is somewhat of like not having a Virgin Mary in a Katholik Church!!! I just ordered the schlatte plate and one knockwurst and one Brautwurst, thinking I could try and see if they have a good food. They do not, the price was quite too high for what I got. It was not a schlatte plate as I grew up with, with a variety of cheeses, meats, speck, wurste, kartoffeln, rotkohl and sauerkraut. It has triangles of American ToastBread, not pumpernickel or Rye which is made fresh at the establishment :’(It had sweet store pickles, not the fresh gurken like you have made freshly at home. It had only 3! pices of rolled up thin, substandard speck-​ish sort of meat, two squares of soft cheese (NOT Quark!) and some pepperoni-​ish (?) meat sticks cut into small chunks like you get at the auto-​mart, which are called «Slim Jims».
I know that mostly Americans are used to Bavarian foods as being representative of German cuisine, but there are a great many different, varied foods present in German foodways. None of these are to be found here on this menu. The comfort foods that can be found in either Bavaria, Saarland, or even in the Alsace-​Lorraine regions are not here, nor is the foods of Berlin or North Germany. If you want the simple things that seem like I was eating at an American restaurant that is typical of Saint Louis, then this is for you. If you are sad, missing home, and want to find that Saint Louis has a good German restaurant that reminds you of home and family — please look elsewhere, I know not where, but this is not it. I had to go to the bathroom to cry, as the price was too high, I feel I have betrayed my family and my people and
What I like best of real German cuisine is that the food that can be had from simple farms and peasants is often just as high quality and taste as is the finest food to be had in the large cities or even the capital. Food that is simple, local and prepared simply is beautiful. I grew up eating sausages that had been made in the kitchens of families who we lived with, or in the restaurant we ate at. Foods of the season were enjoyed at the Stammtisch, served fresh and tasting of the warmth and sunshine of the fields where they were grown. Fresh breads, baked daily in many colors and textures from a rainbow of grains smell wonderful and envite you to eat and support a hearty soup or even just a simple Schlatte plate. I wanted this, and was craving it, dreaming of it, and I was so disappointed I had to go to the bathroom to cry.
I cry not because it was bad, I could have sent it back. It was just so sad, and disappointing. I should not go looking to remember my childhood and to try to get a taste again of what I have left behind, to yearn again for dinners with my family who have all passed. It will only give me disappointments such as this. I cried because what of people who bring their German friends or loved ones or exchange students here, hoping to share with them something that they think is good, but is only ok? It is not good, it is diappointment and sadness. It is not what it could be, what it should be, what the foodways of Germany really are.
I wonder if the workers are treated well, as while the food was cooked properly, it lacked any taste of passion or love. My grandparents and father always said that food should be cooked with passion and feeling. There was none here. All I could taste was industrialized food that could be had in a grocery store. There was no love, or excitement, or eagerness to share fresh good ingredients with those eating the food. I wish that there had even been anger, hatred, or spite, for that would taste of something. Instead, all I could taste is what I think was boredom, disappointment, and possibly ennui (but as that is a French word, and German is my native language, I am not sure if that completely captures what I am trying to express).
I am emotional as I write this. I am both angry, and sad, and disappointed. I have never spent $ 32.00-ish on food for myself before, and it wasn’t worth any of it.

Last night my wife and I spent our 23^rd anniversary at Schneithorst’s, a restaurant we had last visited many years earlier. We are both of German decent and love German food, beer, and culture. We had a reservation at 6:00pm in the main dining room. However, we arrived early (at about 5:00pm) so we could have drinks and an appetizer in the Bier Keller (translates as «beer cellar»). We walked through the main dining room on our way to the Bier Keller. While we did not spend much time looking at the main dining room, my wife and I both agreed that the room was really bright. When I think of traditional German architecture, I think of darker, richer, bolder colors. I don’t necessarily think of a light and bright color scheme. So for that reason, we didn’t really care for the look of the main dining room. The Bier Keller, on the other hand, didn’t disappoint visually. The colors were dark and rich. The furniture was wooden. The lighting was subtle. And the décor reminded me of traditional German features (including a wonderful collection of steins). Of course there were also modern features like the HD televisions (three over the bar and one over the fireplace).
Our waitress, Maria, approached our table quickly with menus in hand. There was a dinner menu and a drink menu. We told Maria that we had a reservation in the main dining room in an hour but that we wanted to stay in the Bier Keller for dinner. She said that was fine and she walked over to the main dining room for us to tell them that we decided to stay in the Bier Keller for our meal. We also told Maria that we wanted to take our time with drinks and appetizers. We didn’t want to be rushed into dinner and she understood. The pace of the evening was perfect. Maria did a terrific job keeping our drinks full and making sure we were always content without approaching the table too much.
One of the other reviewers wrote that the restaurant did not have any German beers. That comment is incorrect. The restaurant has German beers both on tap and in bottles. The German beers on tap were: Ayinger (Aying), Spaten (Munich), Paulaner (Munich), Warsteiner (Warstein), and Hofbräu (Munich). The German beers in bottles were: Becks (Bremen), Spaten (Munich), Weihenstephaner (Weihenstephan), and Einbecker (Einbeck). Obviously Schneithorst does have a German beer selection. However, I don’t feel the beer selection is as robust of a selection as what a German restaurant should be. Five beers on tap and four beers in bottles is way too few.
I order a Spaten Premium Lager, which was on draft. My only criticism was that the beer arrived without much of a head (see attached picture). I don’t know if the beer sat too long before it was delivered or if the bartender poured it incorrectly or if the CO2 was set wrong on the draft lines. What I do know is that the beer should have been delivered with a healthy head, which helps release the aromas of the beer. On the positive side, the beer was the proper temperature and it tasted wonderful. Spaten is a spectacular example of good German lager beer. However, if you think that Bud Light is a good example of a lager then your palate will probably not like authentic German lagers.
On to the food. My wife and I ordered an appetizer: Bavarian Pretzel Bites (see attached picture). The menu describes this as «Mama’s soft pretzels served with bacon cheese sauce.» I don’t know who mama is, but she makes great soft pretzel bites and even better bacon cheese sauce. The sauce was delicately spicy and both my wife and I loved it. Of course the pretzels and beer complimented each other perfectly. The only downside is that the appetizer hit the pocketbook for $ 9.49. But they sure were yummy.
My wife and I must have been on the same page last night because we both ordered Wiener Schnitzel for our meal (see attached picture). The entrée cost $ 18.99 and was served with spaetzle and red cabbage. The wiener schnitzel was pan fried and topped with a lemon caper sauce. The wiener schnitzel was not as tender as what properly prepared veal should be. It was a bit tough. I’m guessing that the veal was not pounded out enough to tenderize it. On the positive side, the lemon sauce was very tasty. I liked it a lot; however, I picked off the capers because I don’t like them. All in all, I enjoyed the wiener schnitzel but I wish it would have been more tender. The spaetzle (which is a traditional German pasta) was average. I liked it but I am comparing Schneithorst’s spaetzle to what I make at home. My spaetzle is much better. Did I like it? Yes. But it wasn’t great. The red cabbage was good. It was not overly vinegary. Sometimes German red cabbage can be really potent when it comes to tasting the vinegar. Schneithorst’s had a nice balance.
I am collectively rating the food, drink, service, and experience at Schneithorst a 4 out of 5 stars.

Been going here for 20 years… Great German draught and bottle selection. I usually get one of the traditional German dishes. Last night had the German sausage plate, similar to bratwurst, served with a cabbage stew thing and a German gnocchi pasta-​type thing. Excellent. My wife likes the turkey Reuben and caprese. Bread pudding for desert, sort of like a banana bread… Ask for a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the bread pudding, steps it up a notch.

This is a fantastic establishment! I truly don’t understand the numerous negative reviews. The menu contains authentic German scratch dishes like potato cakes, Weiner schnitzel, bratwurst, knackwurst, rye bread, sauerkraut, German potato salad, spaetzle, and pickled cabbage. Authentic German mustard, a condiment that cannot be substituted by French’s yellow mustard, is served as well. There are American dishes included on the menu, but if you’re looking for an authentic German meal, it is quite easy to achieve that.

The listing says «German». Not anymore, closer to a hospital cafeteria, bierkeiler or rooftop bar may still be ok, but the dining area looks like they are catering to the aging Ladue set.

My two friends and I came here for brunch since it was on a list for great breakfast/​brunch places. The positives were the initial fast service and the décor. We were commenting on how it looked very cute like we were in Disneyland.
Besides the few positives, everything else was mediocre. After serving us our food, the waitress asked if we needed anything so we told her silverware and hot sauce. After seeing her pass us by a few times, she then handed us some silverware and never gave us hot sauce. Why ask in the first place? After giving us the silverware, we barely saw her again. It looked like maybe she was having a rough day though, so I will move on to the food.
My friend and I both ordered the 2−2−2−2 and French toast while my other friend ordered an omelet. The side of scrambled eggs were so dry and bland that we didn’t finish it. My friend that ordered the omelet also said her omelet was mediocre and didn’t finish it. The rest of the food and the French Toast was ok. For being ranked as one of he top brunch places to go, we were all very unimpressed. We will not be going back.

When I received a beer that I did not like, I asked for it to be changed. The waitress was nice enough to bring another one out. The second one I received was even worse than the first. I was under the impression that they were nice enough to change it for free, which is why I was calm and just started to drink the second one. To my surprise, I was charged both beers, which were not cheap. I understand if some places do not change it for free, I would just kept the first one I disliked instead of ordering another one.
Having lived in Germany, besides the aesthetics, the food was mediocre, the prices did not match and the beer selection was awful. Being a place that advertised itself as a German restaurant, they had NO German beer, and most of their beers were made in America. I would have expected them to at least have Erdinger or Paulaner. If you are looking for an authentic German establishment, to include the food and ESPECIALLY the beer, the THIS PLACE SUCK, and I would not recommend you go here.

This may be my new favorite drinking hole! Almost all the beers I’ve been looking for and an atmosphere to match, you’ve sucked me in German beer hall. Warsteiner, Staropramen, Spaten… if you had Carlsberg I might be there everyday not kidding. Even during early happy hour you were busy so it was tough finding a spot by the bar but I snagged a stool on the upper deck. What was I thinking ordering the humongous onion rings as an app… should have waited until a friend or two could join me, I think they gave me the whole onion.
My only item on the *wish list* besides Carlsberg is I wish the glasses came a little colder/​frostier, although I don’t think Germans do that so it may be more authentic than I realize!
I will definitely be back, it’s my new favorite.

I would consider this upscale diner food with a German twist. Went with friends for brunch and everyone ordered breakfast but I had a lunch burger. The breakfasts looked typical (eggs, bacon, pancakes). Delicious, but typical.
The burger was good. Nothing quite stood out about it but it was good. Fries were steak-​cut and good.
Best part is the Matilda from Goose Island on tap. $ 7 for the pull was a little pricey but it was delicious so no complaints.

Please note this is actually 2 restaurants. There is an «old people» side (think Shoney’s in Düsseldorf) and a really great bier keller.
We found this place by accident, drawn in by the super awesome mini-​golf façade. I thought it was great and fun, so did everyone else in my party.
Though the menu is not completely German, it includes some fun German offerings in a great setting. Service was great! The menu adequate and beer menu satisfying.
I had the sausage platter with red cabbage and Spätzle and was very pleased. (A Goose Island «Matilda» accompanied my order)
Not the most authentic visit to Deutschland, then again a visit to KFC isn’t really Kentucky. I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Schneithorst’s!

Meet some fellow Unilocalers here for a UYE Breakfast. While our food was good as usual, the service this morning was not what it normally is. I should of been prepared when the BF and I were the first to arrive and one of the servers told us they are short staffed. Why didn’t I hear those warning bells?
When the other attendees arrived and we were seated, I commented to the young lady that it looked like she got some help and wasn’t going solo. She gleefully responded, «yes, we got someone to come in early.» Let me tell you, it didn’t help. To get attention to order or to ask for anything additional and our checks, we had to wave them down.
Our food however, was exceptionally good. The UYE theme was Oktoberfest, so I ordered the German Utopia and recommend it to anyone who loves a bratwurst. It was two huge brats, cut in half lengthwise and grilled. They were so big, I’d been happy with one, but I did manage to eat them both. They came with a spicy mustard for dipping, two fried eggs and potatoes. I would of liked my potatoes to be crispier, but they did do my eggs perfectly over easy.
The BF had the Corned Beef Hash and said it was spot on for him. I’ve never understood CBF, so I’ll take him at his word. It was breakfast, so he also wanted a side of bacon and sausage. We asked if we could have a side of two bacon and two sausage and they were accommodating with our request. We should have asked the price? $ 4.29 for two pieces of bacon and two swiveled up sausages. That one is on us and we’ll not do it again.
Good food, but service was lacking and they did not seem to be that busy. The servers did seem to know everyone else dining. Perhaps our service lacked because we were not regulars?