Cafe Bavaria

Cool vibe in the Village of Tosa. This has a real German feel and lots of choices for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
The beer and wine list were alright, but the menu was very confusing. Some drinks are in the front, some in the back, and some in the middle just for brunch? It was the same thing for the food.
There’s a section that mentions real food and growlers, but didn’t have the pricing. Overall a cool and diverse menu, but very confusing.
I ordered the cheese curds as an appetizer. They were some of the best I’ve ever had and they came from, in my opinion, the best place in Wisconsin to get cheese curds. It was early so we ordered Pear Radlers, which were exceptional. These were the highlights of the meal. I ordered the weinerschnitizel and it was only ok. There was too much going on with the butter and salsa, the meat was very greasy. The AB-​BLT was good, but a little too much going on and the bacon was more smoked ham than true bacon.
It was a fun place, but too expensive for what we had. The menu was very confusing. I liked the patio and had a good time, but with the construction it wasn’t the best. This place has a lot of potential and had the bet curds around.

Awesome food and very authentic feel of Bavaria. Took the kids for dinner and everyone cleared their plates. Huge portions and great flavor a!

Here’s my thing. I HATE LOWLANDS GROUP PLACES. Nothing but poor service and lipstick-​on-​a-​pig food. Please see my other reviews for Trocadero (back-​in-​the-​day), Benelux, etc.
However, then, there is Café Bavaria. I’ve been 3 times and have really loved my food every time. First time, the place was deserted (rainy, cold Thursday night), so our server couldn’t help but be attentive. My friend and I split the Plank and had beer cheese soup – both excellent. The second time, the place was jammed, but Kelly yet again took good care of us. Sure, she could have checked in 1 – 2 more times, but we really didn’t need anything else…
Yesterday, I met up with cousins from out of state who didn’t want a chain restaurant and really didn’t have many German options where they are from. Everyone loved his/​her food (meatloaf platter, wiener schnitzel platter, smashed burger, schnitzel sandwich, etc.). Kelly yet again took good care of us.
Again, while the Lowlands Group is the garlic to my vampire, this place is solid.

Good food. Slow, sloppy service. Great neighborhood to dine in — Tosa village. Been here a few times and the service is always slow and inattentive.

Easier to get a seat here it seems, than at Hollander across the bridge. Menu is awesome! So many good choices, it’s hard to decide what to get. We were there for brunch, so I ended up playing it safe and getting eggs, bacon and smashed potatoes. I always wish I’d done something more adventurous — next time! The Tee Time cocktail was good, too.
Three stars because of how long we waited for our food, which was annoying. That’s a server thing, but it was detrimental to our experience.

Is it still brunch if you eat at noon?
I like this place. It’s like a little German clubhouse and I like eating below a picture of nuns enthuastically celebrating life by downing pints of beers. «Durst auf leben»!
I stopped by here to eat breakfast food with a rad group of people. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones with that idea because the place was packed. Although, it did not take long to get our food. I got the Notta Frittata. I had no clue what spätzle was (still really don’t) but I was down for everything else that was in it. Ham… yes, hashbrowns… yes, hollandaise sauce… yusssssss. And oh boy, was it delicious! It’s like the perfect breakfast food and being the pig that I am, I ate all of it. I have no shame in that. The rest of my party must of liked their food too because they were just as piggish and cleaned their plates off in a matter of seconds. Their Eggs Benedict never saw it coming.
If the option for brunch came up again, I would be up for coming back here and shoving my face full of some more food.

This was the first time eating at Café Bavaria. Having looked at the menu, I was excited to try the Spaetzle n Cheese the most because I make spaetzle all the time at home — surely someone could do it better than I do? Arrived around 4:30−5 pm on a Saturday for a late lunch/​early dinner. The restaurant/​bar has a great pubby feel and the building is cool. Despite an empty first level, we were seated upstairs at a small table. 20 minutes later, the host seated a couple at the table RIGHT next to us even though there were tons of tables open. Tables are close to each other so this was just irritating because now I felt like I was on a double date. And you wait a long time for your drinks and your food — so get used to those neighbors.
Took forever to get our drinks which I didn’t understand since one was a beer and one was a mixer and they were not busy. We ordered the tater tot appetizer. When they finally arrived, there were so burnt they were BLACK. I can’t believe they would actually send this food out. So yes, those went back. The waitress said «too dark for you?» Um yes this piece of charcoal is not my kind of tot. After taking half a bite of one out of curiosity, we opted not to get a fresh order — they were watery and mushy and didn’t taste like much other than salt and ash. We had the cheese curd app and they were okay, nothing special. Honestly, for $ 10, you got like 10 curds, mostly stuck together, greasy, and served with a very very watery buttermilk dressing. Skip the curds friends.
My husband ordered the «Porker» smashed burger — they don’t ask how you’d like your burger cooked but it seemed okay — but again, just okay. It had a thick rather chewy slab of pork belly on it. The whole slab would come out when you took a bite. I ordered the Spaetzle n Cheese and was really looking forward to it. This is where I just get ANGRY. How do you screw this up? I have never tasted such a mish mash of cheese in my life. The sauce was gloppy yet runny and too tangy. It had like 5 cheeses but they overwhelmed each other. That herb garlic cheese should stay on a cracker, not go in a mac n cheese — plus it’s a short cut you shouldn’t need to take. Where was the nuttiness of a Gruyère or that Bavarian Blue you talked about in your tots? I don’t really understand the 5 kettle chips sticking out of it either. Make up your mind what you want to be Café Bavaria Spaetzle and Cheese. Are you soup? Are you dip? It’s rare I can’t eat something with a dumpling/​noodle base and lots of cheese but here is the exception. I took it home thinking I could fix it – nope, it went in the garbage and that KILLS me.
The only thing I did like was the German beer selection. I had a mixer, the Land der Maus — which is just a crime against Rehorst Citrus and Honey vodka. It tasted like a Jolly Rancher candy. I then opted for a weiss beer which I had never had before and enjoyed so there’s that. Sadly won’t be back.

Caleb was a cool dude who was very friendly at the bar. Excellent German cuisine with excellent NA beer selection… Virgin Mary was spicy just the way I like it. Wife ordered Wiener Schnitzel sandwich which she enjoyed. She said the spicy relish on the side was awesome. I went with a New Zealand grass fed smashed burger which was about ¹⁄₃ lb. Downtown Tosa has it going on… Next time I need to try their BLT…

Fast service. Great food. We were very pleased with the service and it’s got great atmosphere.

Four stars for this German style restaurant in the Lowlands group. Having been to all other restaurants, this was next on my list. With a City Tin coaster I was pushed to get there faster.
Went on a Saturday at noon not realizing that they served brunch menu on weekend but there were plenty of non egg options to choose from. As a first timer, we opted to try the Big Plank which is listed under appetizers but is clearly big enough to be a lunch for two.
As the name suggests the food comes out on a big wooden board and is not only a feast for the eyes and then quickly becomes a feast for the tummy.
Not in any order you will be presented with:
Curry wurst sausage, warm cabbage and bacon slaw, cheese curds, pork belly, 2 mustards, green chile sauce to go with fresh made pork rinds, summer sausage, braunschweiger, apple chutney, pickled cucumbers and radishes.
Is that enough? Well we weren’t sure so got the pretzel which is big enough for more than two. Comes with mustard and cheese sauce in little pots.
Were there leftovers? Yes. But if there were 4 in your party this would be a great way to try lots of things.
Did I mention beer? No, well yes they have that too and lots of it. Pages to choose from but not as many as the Belgium locations. All good options including a cocktail menu with beermosas and multiple Bloody Marys. Pick your favorite.
Next time I want to try the build your own smash burger. Paper checklist on the table lets you pick from LOTS of options even pork belly on top of your burger. I am totally going to try that!

We stopped in for an early Dinner on a beautiful sunny spring day.
We ordered the Sweinschekele (sp) pork shank with red cabbage and raw fried potatoes and Weiner Schnitzel with Spatzel.
Both meals were exceptional and I caught my self overeating because it was so good I couldn’t bear to leave anything behind, and we didn’t, the leftovers heated up well for another small meal. I would highly recommend this restaurant located in a picturesque small down town environment overlooking a river.

I love this place. I’m from Madison, and it reminds me of this German bar from there. The food is delicious. I’ve tried their pretzel with cheese, made my own burger, and have been there for multiple brunches (the omelets are amazing as well as the french toast). I’ve been there at night for drinks and the bar staff is amazing and friendly. I also like that it has a every European feel, as they broadcast soccer games which to me is great. I love this bar, and recommend it to anyone who likes German style bars/​restaurants.
I’d also say it is a good place to take a date or your friends. I’ve been there and I always see family’s with their children.

It always surprises me when Café Hollander is packed and Bavaria is half full. They are right across the bridge from each other and owned by the same group.
We wanted a warm comfort meal tonight, and Bavaria delivered.
My wife and I shared the hot and sauer soup and the Black Forest chicken. The soup is just like an Asian hot and sour so don’t be surprised (like we were) if you order it. It’s not bad, just different. Also, it’s quite salty.
The chicken is good, but if you want a tastier sandwich the Cuban is probably the better option (we’ve had the Cuban several times in the past and wished tonight we would have got it again).
My son had the kids spatzle and cheese, he loves it and it comes with some veggies and fruit (which parents will like).
Finally, as a huge soccer fan I was very pleased to see Milwaukee Baron beer on tap. It was developed to raise awareness and support for a professional soccer team coming to Milwaukee. I had to have one just to support the movement. However, it is also a great tasting German Pilsner.
Enjoy!

A new brunch concept is always a good thing.
I’ve only been a few times and have never left unsatisfied.
Also they follow the rest of the lowland group with having a great beer (beir) selection.

If you’re familiar with Bavaria’s sister Lowlands restaurants (Hollander across the street, Benelux, etc.) — then you’re familiar with Café Bavaria. They’re consistently good. Bavaria takes a German spin on it though.
Nestled in Tosa Village, parking can be a bit of a beast. If you’re going for just a happy hour cocktail, you’ll find a nice long bar awaiting you. Mealtimes get more crowded and on a summer weekend Brunch/​Lunch hour, you’ll find yourself with a wait. When dining with a small group, you may find yourself seated at a long table with others — which is actually pretty fun. It’s meant to be a jovial group atmosphere of a German Beer Hall, and makes for a unique dining experience. If you’ve got a bigger group, then those long tables are calling your name! Makes it super fun to have a big group at a long table.
The beer menu is extensive and the wait staff is very knowledgeable on it from my experience. Beer cheese soup is a staple as well.
And while it may be weird that I keep track — Bavaria is also home to one of my favorite restrooms in MKE. Surrounded by images of Germanfest with a drunken beer hall soundtrack, it seems even more entertaining after a few rounds of bier!

The service wasn’t the best– the server took forever between taking our drink orders and our food orders. Bit campy with the German girl outfits. Potato pancakes with sausage was alright. The cheese reminded me of Velveeta. Cheese curds were enjoyable though. And loved the beer selection!
It was nice to dine outside though.

I wish I could give this restaurant more stars, but given my experience I think 3 is fair. I will say that I do want to return and experience more of the menu. To start off, the place is really clean and and the atmosphere gives an authentic German vibe. I think it is smart to have a light system above the bathroom to let customers know when it is in use and free to use. I came here with some family on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. I had chosen a meal from the non brunch menu to find out I could only order off of the brunch menu since it was before 3pm. With that said, I was able to find an alternative, potato pancakes with jalapeño cheddar wurst and eggs. Prior to my meal, we all shared the fried cheese curds and giant pretzel. The curds were great, and the pretzel was ginormous. The mustard and cheese served with the pretzel was delicious. I ordered the Hofbrau Lager to wash my meal down, which I enjoyed.
I received my potato pancake meal and immediately saw a hair on top. Great, this is not going to be fun. When the server came back I notified her of the issue. I am not one to expect a free meal, just to fix the issue and acknowledge it. Well, this establishment not only remade the order, which came back looking as though more food was on the plate, but my entire meal including beverage was compensated for. I insisted they did not need to pay for my beer since there was nothing wrong with it, but the manager insisted. I was very impressed with the professionalism and how concerned the staff and management was to ensure that my experience was not degradated. Given what could have turned into a horrible experience was handle very professionally and I will be sure to return as the food was really good. The portion sizes are large and I would recommend sharing or just take some left overs home if you want to experience more of the menu.

meh, wavering between 3 and 4 stars but I’m generally of the mindset that lowlands restaurants get a raw deal in reviews (for reasons I have yet to understand) so we’ll bump em up in the spirit of fairness.
With their tables now out, sharing the patio with the restaurant across the way, this felt more like «café hollander part 2» than a truly separate restaurant.
The good: the menus huge. Both for food and alcohol. The foods reliably good. We had great service — food came out super quick. We sat outside but the inside looked awesomely decorated in «modern German beer hall lite». I didn’t partake in their beer but ended up getting a chai which I’ve actually also mysteriously had at café Hollander and its really good. (I always want to sit on patios and then complain about being cold — mystery solved.)
I’m thinking reasons for some negative reviews are 1.) some stuff seems expensive for what it is ($ 10 for cheese curds) 2.) portions seem a wee bit small. I feel ridiculous saying that for the amount of other places I review that are clearly attempts at keeping my a$$ small, but come on, its Wisconsin and I think everyone at least subconsciously wants to feel like «there’s no way i should be finishing that pile of fries.» (I’ll also probably review something about saving the environment and this is obviously a wasteful mindset but just play along with me here.) Fries can always be boxed up, anyhow.
Overall especially in the nice weather, its hard to beat sitting out at their patio. Its just off the oak leaf trail by the bridge smack in the middle of Tosas little «village».
Something tells me I’ll return so we’ll say four stars.

Finally I had an excuse to try out this place. On a Sunday evening with nothing else to do we decided ot go here for dinner. My non adventurous husband who always wants to try his usual places wanted to go to Café Hollander but I was finally able to convince him to try this place out.
What can i say other than i an torn in opinion here. As we walked in the ambiance is pretty cool… a cross between a medieval and modern German feel (whatever that is :))
The staff was really friendly attentive and excellent service
my son had the Pizza from the kids menu which came with a side of vegies and dip (which was unexpected but was a nice touch)
the pizza was also pretty big. even a 10 – 12 year old would be filled with that
I tried the Cubano Bavariano sandwich. It came with pickle and i opted for fried instead of kettle fries. i must say for $ 13 the sandwich was pretty lame. it was so small and mushed into a thin sandwich triangle like thingee (see picture). This would NOT be enough for a grown man.
My husband tried the Schweinshaxe which was the bone in pork with cabbage and smash potatoes. the dish itself was pretty good and well presented. i would recommend trying that
Other than the great service and the ambiance I did not care much for this place. Nothing super great and nothing bad either… I may returns for drinks in the patio and to try the well recommended Pretzel.

While I actually really enjoyed my visit last night to Café Bavaria, I just cannot bring myself to give any of the Lowland’s group restaurants more than three starts — they just simply aren’t any better than OK in my opinion.
We went on Wednesday at 6:30, and there was a beer class (bierklasse) going on. Past that group of about ~10 people it was relatively silent and empty. Our server was manning his tables in the back, saw us standing up front and sat us himself. He promptly came back and asked for drink orders and answered our questions. I like that the taps are offered in .5 or 1 L options, and that they’re served in traditional German steins. Joe and I both got a stein, and enjoyed our beers.
While on Joanna T’s State Street Discover My Neighborhood tour, we stopped here briefly and Mari split the chicken schnitzel with me. We both absolutely loved it — the exterior of the schnitzel was crispy, the homemade spaetzel was delightfully chewy and there were bright flavors in lemon sauce from the fresh lemon juice and brine of the capers. It was seriously awesome.
When I saw a generic Lowland’s City Tin in this years coaster pack, I knew I wanted to go back there and get that schnitzel again. Imagine my disappointment when our server mentioned they discontinued that item and replaced it with a pork duroc schnitzel instead. The beurre blanc sauce was still touted as lemon/​caper, but (as he warned) the flavors were extremely muted in this version. They threw on three steamed and unseasoned asparagus and a fried egg. It was still good, but the chicken version was 10x better.
I got the sausage platter that came with one extremely dried out jalapeño cheddarwurst, and one seasoned plain sausage, with smashed potatoes (which are as advertised, small spuds that were literally smashed down), sauerkraut and a cucumber salad. The cheddarwurst was not very good, but the plain one was very well seasoned and juicy. I LOVE sauerkraut, but theirs was simply not good. It was overseasoned and sweetened, not at all tangy as kraut should be. The potatoes were good, but the cucumber salad was just raw cucs with plain yogurt and some slivered red onions. Just not tasty.
Our service was great, but for what would have originally rang up at a hefty $ 70+ meal for two, I just wouldn’t jump at spending that for the quality. They are WAY to corporate, and it unfortunately shows in their inattention to detail in the food they put out, and the (last night’s experience aside) incompetent stoners that they insist on hiring to keep with their «Hipster Ambiance».