Mader's Restaurant
1 / 10

Mader's Restaurant

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Mader's transports you to Bavaria with its stunning medieval decor and traditional German cuisine, a Milwaukee institution since 1902.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Mader's Restaurant

Mader's Restaurant

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Mader's transports you to Bavaria with its stunning medieval decor and traditional German cuisine, a Milwaukee institution since 1902.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"A taste of Germany without booking a flight, Mader's delivers the full experience right in downtown Milwaukee!"

TIP

Visit on a Sunday

Enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere by visiting on Sundays around noon.

Order Sampler Platters

Opt for sampler platters to try a variety of Mader's signature German dishes.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 10PM

Cuisine

German

Price

$$$

Phone

(414) 271-3377

Address

1041 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic German Ambiance

Authentic German Ambiance

Step into a Bavarian fairytale with medieval decor, suits of armor, and traditional attire.

Google Review+1
Iconic Pork Shank & Platters

Iconic Pork Shank & Platters

Indulge in generous portions of classic German dishes like the famed Pork Shank or the 'Tour of Germany'.

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The Giant Pretzel

The Giant Pretzel

Don't miss the enormous, perfectly salted pretzel, a shareable appetizer that's a true crowd-pleaser.

These are some of the best restaurants in downtown MilwaukeeGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Visit on a Sunday

Enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere by visiting on Sundays around noon.

Order Sampler Platters

Opt for sampler platters to try a variety of Mader's signature German dishes.

Ask for Staff Recs

Engage with servers like Will or Liam for excellent personalized recommendations.

Try the Unique Twists

Beyond classics, try modern takes like Reuben rolls with wonton wrappers.

Tips

from all over the internet

Visit on a Sunday

Enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere by visiting on Sundays around noon.

Order Sampler Platters

Opt for sampler platters to try a variety of Mader's signature German dishes.

Ask for Staff Recs

Engage with servers like Will or Liam for excellent personalized recommendations.

Try the Unique Twists

Beyond classics, try modern takes like Reuben rolls with wonton wrappers.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Mader's Restaurant is lauded for its authentic German cuisine, immersive Bavarian atmosphere, and exceptional service. Diners rave about signature dishes like the pork shank and giant pretzels, and the traditional decor creates a unique dining experience. While most praise the food and ambiance, some note the high price point and one reviewer mentioned an uncomfortable encounter with a panhandler, though staff were generally praised for their attentiveness.

"If you’re craving a taste of Germany without booking a flight, Mader’s delivers the full experience right in downtown Milwaukee. From the moment you walk in, the medieval decor — suits of armor, stained glass, and antique wood carvings — sets the tone for a meal that’s anything but ordinary.

The menu is a celebration of classic German fare: buttery pretzels, crisp fried fish, and schnitzels that could double as comfort food therapy. The beer selection is robust, with Spaten Lager served in glass boots that practically beg for a toast. Whether you’re diving into oxtail soup or the Bavarian platter, portions are generous and flavors are bold.

It’s a great spot to hang out, indulge, and let the atmosphere transport you."

Hollis Travel

"I was impressed with the Bavarian decor walking in. The service was wonderful, everyone from the valet to the busing staff went above and beyond.

We had a pretty good pretzel with delicious cheese to dip it in to start. I had a sampler platter for dinner. The pork and schnitzel were good, the beef was okay, and the potato was meh. The sides of cabbage and kraut were both good.

Overall, if you ignore the price, I'd give the food a three and a half stars. When you include the price, I give it a three. But the service was five stars, so I reluctantly bump my review up to four stars."

Mark Y

"I used to spend a great deal of time in Milwaukee both for work and pleasure. My favorite dining spot was here at Madera's. Of German heritage, so right at home here. It has been years since I have been here. I brought a long 6 folks who have never been but some lived in Germany. What an excellent experience. We had a wonderful time. Our server was outstanding. The food was perfect. The photos give you an idea how wonderful the atmosphere is. If you really like German food, this is the place for you."

Alan Boehm

What People Like

Authentic German food
Immersive Bavarian ambiance
Exceptional and friendly service

What People Dislike

Can be pricey
Occasional external disturbances

Frequently Asked Questions

Mader's is famous for its Pork Shank with apple demi-glace, Rouladen, and the German Sampler platter. The giant pretzel is also a must-try appetizer.

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The restaurant features immersive Bavarian decor with medieval elements like suits of armor, stained glass, and traditional attire worn by staff.

These are some of the best restaurants in downtown Milwaukee15 Restaurants You Have To Visit In Milwaukee Before You DieGoogle Review+1

Yes, Mader's is known for being welcoming to large parties and providing excellent service for groups.

Google Review

Absolutely! They offer a robust selection of German beers, famously served in glass boots.

These are some of the best restaurants in downtown MilwaukeeGoogle Review+1

Mader's offers modern twists on German classics, such as Reuben rolls made with wonton wrappers and beer cheese spread with pretzel crostini.

These are some of the best restaurants in downtown Milwaukee

Yes, the chef is known to be accommodating and can create special recipes for diners with food allergies.

Google Review

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Milwaukee’s founding fathers were Germans, and Mader’s does the city’s culinary heritage justice. The downtown restaurant looks like a chalet with barrel-vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows, and you should probably drink some beer out of glass boots while you’re here. Stick to the German food like a skinless pork shank with apple demi-glaze and sides of red potatoes, cabbage, and sauerkraut that’s been on the menu since 1902 (and happens to be Packers’ legendary coach Vince Lombardi’s favorite).

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Grace-I would add a tour of the Pabst Mansion(too bad that it won't still be decorated for Christmas),lunch at Maders in the old German section(famous restaurant with lots of history and wonderful atmosphere),botanical gardens are great and even a tour of the Miller Brewery is interesting. The Milwaukee Public Zoo when it is warmer is really wonderful.Hope the weather holds for you!

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Super German, super old (founded in 1902), super-cool atmosphere. There’s so much history here, in the form of wood carvings, stained glass, suits of armor, and about a million Hummel figurines. Try to focus on your Bavarian platter though, with bratwurst, knackwurst, weisswurst, potato dumplings, and smoked pork chops, in case the sausages weren’t enough pork.

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With Milwaukee’s rich German heritage, many visitors come here looking for authentic German cuisine, and Mader’s has satisfied their cravings for more than 120 years. It fits that the restaurant is located on what was formerly called Old World Third Street — it's filled with old-world charm from the outside to the dining room, an ornate space with Bavarian decor and a waitstaff that dons dirndls and lederhosen. Specialties include the pork shank with apple demi-glace, sauerbraten served with spaetzle, and lightly breaded wiener schnitzel, but modern twists like Reuben rolls made with wonton wrappers and beer cheese spread with pretzel crostini bring the beloved Bavarian restaurant into this century.

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There are some German or German-heavy places (Maders, Karl Ratzsch, Kegel Inn, Wegners St Martins Inn, etc.), at least one Polish restaurant (Polonez), a few Polish/East European grocieries, at least one true Greek restaurant (Ouzo), a few French or French-style places, a couple of Spanish/Iberian restaurants (Movida, Amilinda), lots of Italian and Italian-American places (Zarletti downtown focuses on Northern Italy). Glorioso's is an excellent Italian market/deli, and there are several Italian bakeries scattered around town. Lots of pizza, of course, including some places that do Neapolitan wood-fired pizza.

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As if we haven’t eaten enough yet, out Milwaukee Food Tour excursion takes us to Mader’s Restaurant, a destination in itself for people from all over the world, especially celebrities and high profile individuals. As soon as you walk in the door you’ll see a list of names of past clientele, some of which include Kanye West, Justin Bierber, Britney Spears, Usher, ZZ Top, The Black Keys, Frank Sinatra, The Three Stooges, Paul Newman, Bob Hope, Alfred Hitchcock, President John F. Kennedy, President Ronald Reagan and President Gerald Ford, just to name a few.

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Mader’s has been around since 1902, so they definitely know a thing or two about excellent German cuisine. Portions are large and the flavors are authentic, but there’s more than just good food here. The restaurant is styled as a traditional German eatery, down to the outfits worn by the servers and staff, but the real kicker is one specific element of the decor: you’ll be dining amidst an unbelievable collection of Medieval Art worth more than $4 million!.

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Old World 3rd St., (414) 271-3377madersrestaurant.com [ Read more]. For those wanting a taste of Milwaukee's German heritage, Mader's is a classic choice, serving classic German food since 1902. The menu has shifted to offer a few lighter items, but filling favorites like the German Sampler – featuring Wiener schnitzel, kasseler rippchen and Rheinischer sauerbraten along with potato dumplings, sauerkraut and red cabbage – are still a hit.

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Mader’s offers an extensive menu and you can’t go wrong trying their most famous German dishes, two of which are the Pork Shank with an apple demi-glaze and Rouladen, a beef tenderloin rolled with pickle spear, smoked bacon and caramelized onions. Or if you just can’t decide, go with the German Sampler, which includes Wiener Schnitzel, Kasseler Rippchen and Rheinischer Sauerbraten with potato dumpling, sauerkraut and red cabbage.

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For an authentic, Old World German-dining experience just steps from the Milwaukee River, make your way to Mader’s Restaurant. This landmark die Gaststätte along Milwaukee’s famous cobblestoned avenue has been around since 1902, when a stein of beer cost just three cents!. If beer isn’t your flavor, try out Knight’s Bar for an amazing Brandy Old Fashioned — crafted with the restaurant’s original, 100-year-old recipe.

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Milwaukee’s German heritage is evident in everything from its numerous breweries to its architecture. It’s no wonder this city has spectacular German food as well. One of the most popular places to get your wiener schnitzel and strudel fix is at the famous Mader’s Restaurant in the city’s Old World Third Street Historic District, the last of the original German retail districts in Milwaukee,

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Mark dining in a Bavarian-esque castle off your list after a trip to Mader's, the city's oldest German restaurant. Start with the Weisswurst and giant pretzel, served with Dusseldorf mustard, then try the German Sampler for three classics, including Weiner schnitzel and sauerkraut. Pop upstairs before you leave to see the extensive collection of German Hummel figurines and beer steins.

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You cannot miss eating at Mader’s when in Milwaukee, it was voted the most famous German Restaurant in North America. Many famous patrons have gone through Maders including Justin Bieber (I had to put him in). But what was more fascinating was the 3-million dollar collection of Medieval Germanic weaponry.It’s quite impressive and has some incredible German food.

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Visit Old World Third to step back in time on this cobblestone street once considered the heart of Milwaukee’s German activity. On your stroll you’ll cross paths with Usinger’s Sausage as they continue to make sausage with Fred Usinger’s original sausage recipe from four generations ago. And, be sure to enjoy a meal at Mader’s Restaurant.

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It makes sense that a city known for its German heritage would have a fantastic German restaurant right in the middle of a major entertainment district. Mader’s, which has been around since 1903, is located right on Old World 3rd St., a popular spot for drinking, and about a block away from Fiserv. Forum and other area attractions.

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Mader’s is one of Milwaukee’s classic German restaurants and is a prime destination for the city’s visitors. With over one hundred years of history, Mader’s is a perfect spot for German beers served in the Knight’s Bar or for a plate of hearty German staples in the main dining room. They also offer a really good Friday fish fry!

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Milwaukee institution (since 1902!), authentic German decor/steins, hearty Bavarian food, extensive German beer list. German food lovers, history buffs, experiencing old Milwaukee, beer stein collectors, and hearty comfort food fans. Get a massive taste of German heritage at Mader’s Restaurant, a Milwaukee landmark since 1902.

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Mader’s Restaurant has been rated the No. 1 German restaurant in Milwaukee by TripAdvisor. Family-owned and operated, the restaurant dates back to 1965. The collection of old, sepia-toned photos line the walls of the restaurant, adding to its charming décor.

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From celebrities like Katy Perry to Tim Mcgraw, Mader’s has an ongoing list of celebrity visits - and a wall of fame in the restaurant!. This German restaurant on 1041 N Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, offers the best Apple Streusel you can imagine.

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Mader’s was established in 1902, earlier the Wright brother’s primary flight and before Henry Ford’s Model T. A eating house steak or grill duckling meal were charged at twenty cents.

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1041 N Old World 3rd St, Milwaukee, WI 53203Phone: 414-271-3377 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Mader’s German Restaurant (@madersrestaurant)

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