
The Rathskeller
A historic Bavarian-style beer hall serving authentic German cuisine, featuring live music and a lively atmosphere.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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The Rathskeller

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic Bavarian-style beer hall serving authentic German cuisine, featuring live music and a lively atmosphere.
"Step into a piece of history and savor traditional German food and beer in a truly unique setting."
Explore the Kellerbar
For a casual experience, visit the Kellerbar for German-style beer served in large steins.
Embrace the Spicy Mustard
Be prepared for spicy mustard with dishes like wurst or schnitzel; it's a notable condiment.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
German
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic German Bier Hall Experience
Step into a historic 19th-century building for Bavarian-style decor, traditional German food, and lively entertainment.

Must-Try Pretzels and Spicy Mustard
Enjoy complimentary, warm, chewy pretzels served with a side of spicy mustard that guests rave about.

Vibrant Biergarten & Live Music
Experience live music and great German food in a popular seasonal beer garden, especially during warmer weather.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Explore the Kellerbar
For a casual experience, visit the Kellerbar for German-style beer served in large steins.
Embrace the Spicy Mustard
Be prepared for spicy mustard with dishes like wurst or schnitzel; it's a notable condiment.
Enjoy the Beer Garden
Visit during warm weather for live music and brats in the beer garden.
Rooftop Views
Consider outdoor rooftop seating for picturesque views of downtown Indianapolis.
Tips
from all over the internet
Explore the Kellerbar
For a casual experience, visit the Kellerbar for German-style beer served in large steins.
Embrace the Spicy Mustard
Be prepared for spicy mustard with dishes like wurst or schnitzel; it's a notable condiment.
Enjoy the Beer Garden
Visit during warm weather for live music and brats in the beer garden.
Rooftop Views
Consider outdoor rooftop seating for picturesque views of downtown Indianapolis.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Rathskeller offers a unique and authentic German dining experience in a historic setting. Guests love the traditional cuisine, the lively atmosphere with live music, and the vast beer selection. While the food is generally praised, some find the prices slightly high, and one reviewer noted that the apple strudel was disappointing.
"I'm a sucker for German food so I was excited to get to visit the Rathskeller. Not only do they have a huge menu of German specialties, but the location is super cool and historical. It really does transport you to a traditional German restaurant while you're here. The food itself was delicious. I tried the sauerbraten which is a German pot roast and it was absolutely delicious! The pretzels are also tasty, though beware of that spicy mustard! Prices are a little high, but we visited for lunch and appreciated the lower cost of their lunch menu. They do have a kids menu and our daughters enjoyed their food as well. Service was friendly and our food came out quickly as well. If you're looking for a unique dining experience, you have to give this place a shot!"
Sam Sachs
"This is such a unique and historic place. The Rathskeller Biergarden is a super cool music venue. Has an interesting set up separate from the Bavarian themed restaurant and bar. The vibe is fun. Food is great... Check it out!"
Mark Merritt
"Very traditional restaurant, it is really German and looks it is there for long time. It’s clean despite is an old place, but this is what makes your experience better, once you feel you are in Europe. Dishes are really German with NO adapts to American dietary. Only the apple strudel disappointed me but I completely understand once it’s hard to make a fresh one once there is no high flow orders for this desert."
Felipe Franzini
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Rathskeller serves authentic German cuisine, including popular dishes like schnitzel, bratwurst, and sauerbraten, alongside some American and Continental specialties.
Yes, The Rathskeller often hosts live music, particularly in the Biergarten during warmer months, and has bands playing on select nights.
The restaurant features a historic, Bavarian-style beer hall setting with traditional decor, offering a cozy and immersive dining experience.
While not explicitly stated, it's advisable to make reservations, especially for larger parties or during peak times, to ensure a table.
Guests highly recommend the complimentary pretzels with spicy mustard, as well as dishes like Jagerschnitzel, bratwurst, and the hot wurst platte.
Yes, The Rathskeller features a popular seasonal Biergarten with outdoor seating, often accompanied by live music.
Absolutely! The Rathskeller offers a wide selection of German and imported beers, served in traditional steins.
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Indianapolis is justifiably proud of its most famous literary son, Kurt Vonnegut. Knock back a few drinks at this German-themed restaurant located in a historic building designed by Vonnegut’s grandfather; skip the formal dining area and head straight to the Kellerbar, a throwback to the pre-World War II beer halls where you’re served German-style beer in glass steins bigger than a newborn baby. After a pilsner or two, step outside the Athenaeum and look to the southwest, where you’ll see a 38-foot tall mural of the famed author himself on the side of the Massala Building.
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Rathskeller has a beautiful rustic dining room that perfectly accompanies their award-wining menu, which is filled with German cuisine and other delights, such as steak and vegetarian options. The Kellerbar is a welcomed addition to the Rathskeller establishment and includes its 12 imported beers and over 50 imported bottled beers from Germany, the United Kingdom, and continental Europe. For wine drinkers, they have a long list of white wines, red wines, and champagne from countries like Italy, Argentina, and Spain.
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DowntownWhy you’re here: Beer, brats, and food that channels Indy’s German heritage in the 19th century Athenaeum buildingWhat you’re getting: Go to the beer garden for live music and brats when the weather is warm. In the dining room, go ahead and try the hot wurst platte -- and consider yourself warned about the spicy mustard. Or get the schnitzel just so you can understand the Old World heritage of Indy’s classic breaded pork tenderloin sandwich.
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Looking for the best beer garden in Indianapolis, a beer selection that will impress even the biggest beer aficionados, and the occasional Oktoberfest, seasonal menu, and Dachshund race?. The Rathskeller, Indianapolis's authentic German heritage destination, is also home to its stunning beer garden, overlooking the city and one of the most popular live music venues in the city.They offer approachable beers of German extraction, seasonal offerings, and authentic German fare. Alas, they don't brew their own beers, so it can only be extra credit on a brewery list, but I just feel like it deserves an honorable mention.
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Also along your walk, you’ll pass the Rathskeller, an awesome German restaurant and biergarten which was designed in part by Kurt Vonnegut’s grandfather, Clemens Vonnegut, a German immigrant – much of Indianapolis’ history is rooted in its German immigrant population. By the way: you’re gonna be hearing a lot about Kurt Vonnegut while you’re in Indy, so you might want to read a few of his most famous works before your trip – here’s a compilation of his most famous novels. At the very least, head to the library and pick up a copy of Slaughterhouse Five – and a book of poetry by Mari Evans.
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A longtime tenant of the historic 19th-century Athenaeum building, the Rathskeller serves traditional German food and drink in a real-deal Bavarian beer hall setting. The restaurant arm has been cooking up old-world cuisine like Jagerschnitzel, bratwurst, and sauerbrauten since it first opened back in the late 1800s, making it the oldest continuously operating eatery in town. The cavernous Kellerbar opens onto a popular seasonal biergarten with a walk-up window for food service and a bandshell that accommodates musicians for al fresco dining with a soundtrack through the summer months.
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This establishment, the city's oldest, rests in the basement of the Athenaeum and serves a variety of authentic German entrees, like sauerbraten and jaegerschnitzel. The menu also offers plenty of American and Continental specialties, including steaks, seafood, pastas, and chicken and vegetarian dishes. Diners can spend their time in the main dining room, the lively Kellerbar, or the outside Biergarten.
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The Rathskeller Restaurant and Biergarten hosts Indianapolis’ best local bands for live shows every Wednesday through Saturday. The lineup spans across all genres but is always sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The upbeat atmosphere coupled with a view of the Indy skyline makes this an ideal spot for Indy residents looking for a date night or a friend adventure.
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This authentic German beer hall is set inside the historic Athenaeum Building, offering a mix of Old World charm and lively entertainment that tourists and locals love!. With a menu featuring German favorites like schnitzel and sausages, along with an extensive selection of European and local brews, The Rathskeller is perfect for a laid-back night out.
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The Rathskeller 401 E Michigan St (317) 636-0396 Yelp: 4 Stars, 230 Reviews This place has been a hit in Indianapolis for years and has the best Hot Wurst Platte this side of the Atlantic. That’s Bratwurst, Bockwurst, Kielbasse and German wieners, my friends. Bring some friends and spend a night listening to live music in the bier garden around back.
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The Rathskeller Restaurant boasts a Bavarian flair with its 19th Century Athenaeum building right in the downtown/ Mass Ave area. You'll feel like you're in a cozy inn tucked in the Bavarian hills and/or a lively beer hall in Munich. They host the best local bands (from acoustic rock to polka to blues) on Wednesdays-Saturdays (and sometimes Sundays).
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Located in a historic Athenaeum Building downtown it’s as interesting outside as it is inside. This downtown Indianapolis restaurant is known for its family-sized portions of schnitzel and sauerbraten and the award-winning menu has a selection of everything. Like any German restaurant, it does nolet patrons down in its selection of beers.
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On the other end of the spectrum from a hip new craft brewery is the traditional German beerhall known as Rathskeller – it’s Indy’s oldest restaurant, having been in operation since 1894. From what I was told by the local friends who took me there, it’s a popular spot for the “everyman” to grab a beer after work.
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Located in a historic German cultural center, the Rathskeller is one of Indianapolis’ oldest restaurants. Opened in 1894, the location prides itself on delicious and authentic dishes such as sauerbraten and schnitzel, and its extensive beer list. You will find brews and microbrews from Germany, Belgium, the U.K.
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Set in the historic, 19th-century Athenaeum Building downtown, The Rathskeller is reminiscent of both a quaint inn tucked in the Bavarian hills and a lively beer hall in Munich. Features traditional German entrees and a full range of salads, pasta, seafood, beef, pork and chicken entrees. 523 reviews on Yelp.
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Located in downtown Indy, The Rathskeller is set in a historic 19th-century building. They host the best live local bands playing music ranging from acoustic rock to polka from Wednesdays through Sundays. Their children’s menu includes both chicken and veggie options and comes with a variety of side dishes.
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The Rathskeller has been known for its traditional Germanic fare since 1894. As one of Indianapolis’ oldest restaurants, they were and are well known for dishes such as Schnitzel and Sauerbraten. Beyond serving food, they now make rooms of their building available for rent for special occasions.
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SERVING: Lunch/Dinner CUISINE: American/German PRICE: $$ LOCATION: Downtown 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 PHONE: 317-636-0396 WEB: rathskeller.com. Presenting a mix of German and contemporary American fare, in the midst of an old-style German pub and outdoor biergarten.
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Look no further than the Rathskeller, which pairs its rich German history with live local music in the outdoor biergarten during summer months and indoors when the cold sets in. Pro tip: stop by in December, when the Kellerbar puts up its holiday decor and looks like a Hallmark movie set.
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Mass Ave is rich with Indianapolis history, and the Rathskeller plays a big part in it. Hell, the building appears three times on the National Historic Registry. The Rathskeller is perfectly preserved, so when you're sitting in the bar sipping a beer, you feel transported back to Bavaria.
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Nestled in the Athenaeum Building, The Rathskeller brings the charm of German beer halls to Indianapolis. It features a huge beer garden, perfect for a summer evening. It serves an impressive selection of German and American beers along with authentic German food.
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Set in the historic Athenaeum Building, The Rathskeller's German-themed restaurant and bar is best known for the giant (and always packed) Biergarten in the summer. Live music plays almost every weekend. Best for: The spiciest mustard you've ever tasted.
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A block away, at The Rathskeller, dine on traditional German fare. Whether you opt for the hot wurst platte—basically a flight of German sausages and mustards—or the various selections of sandwiches and schnitzels, it’s a chance for a unique meal.
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The Rathskeller – Found in Indy’s historic German cultural center - The Athenaeum - The Rathskeller serves up Germanic fare and brews in the restaurant’s bBiergarten. Live musical performances also take place in this eatery that opened in 1894.
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Rathskeller is the oldest running restaurant in Indy and is the ideal place to sample the German contribution to local cuisine!. You should also try a pork tenderloin sandwich, a local speciality, which you’ll find on menus all around the city!
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401 E Michigan StIndianapolis, IN 46204(317) 636-0396 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Since 1894, the Rathskeller has served German meals, drinks, and live music in an indoor and outdoor beer hall with a Bavarian-style design.
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Arranged alongside the pumpernickel and whole wheat is one of Indy’s best pretzels: warm, chewy, and topped with coarse salt. Slather it with butter or dip it in sinus-clearing, Wisconsin-made Silver Springs mustard.
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The Rathskeller: Located at 401 E Michigan Street, this is the place to get authentic German food including pork schnitzel, sauerbraten and rouladen. There’s also dozens of German beers on draft.
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Listen to live music, dance the night away, and enjoy the city skyline in the outdoor biergarten of Indy’s oldest restaurant. Check out their traditional German food to escalate the experience.
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The Rathskeller – A historic German beer hall offering delicious Bavarian cuisine, a large selection of beer, and a charming atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating options.
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401 E Michigan St, Indianapolis, IN 46204Phone: 317-636-0396 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Mass Ave Merchants Association (@massaveindy)
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A German dining experience with dishes that kids and adults alike will enjoy, plus an outdoor Biergarten during nice weather. (Gluten Friendly choices available)
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A German beer hall that serves sophisticated German fare, as well as steaks, seafood and pasta – and has live music.
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German cuisine, havent been there in a long time, but its still a great place to go from what I heard.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit