Dylan YoungI have a confession: I wasn’t that interested in German cuisine until I visited the country. Now I feel bad for not trying it earlier!
I found out that it’s influenced by different cuisines, especially Western European and Turkish. Meat is usually the main star of the show, and mustard is the go-to condiment. Oh, and don’t forget the beer!
I still have plenty to explore about it, so I made it my mission to find the best German restaurants in the city. There aren’t that many, but so far, these are the ones I’ve loved!
WVRST
Address: 609 King St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 12 am
- Sunday—11:30 am to 9 pm
WVRST came on my radar because I heard that Anthony Bourdain visited it in his show The Layover. Now, this restaurant—or beer hall—is one of my go-to spots when I’m craving German cuisine.
There’s a wide variety of sausages here. So far, I’ve tried and loved the classic bratwurst, which is a combination of veal and pork, with bits of mustard seed sprinkled in. I also really like bison sausage with blueberry and maple—sweet and savory!
For the main dish, I usually go for the schnitzel plate—another German classic. Chicken is my preferred meat, and I like how crispy it is here. The gravy also adds a creamy savoriness that elevates the dish.
A German dish isn’t complete without a beer, so be sure to order one here! You have many options—from imported brands to trendy funky sour beers.
| Pro Tip: WVRST hosts different promotions every day. For example, cocktails are discounted on Wednesdays, and schnitzel plates are cheaper on Fridays. When you see a limited-time promotion, take advantage of it! |
Barnsteiner’s
Address: Corner 1 Balmoral Ave and 1360 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Monday—11:30 am to 9 pm
- Tuesday to Thursday—11:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165150551
What I like about Barnsteiner’s is that coming here feels like I’ve stepped into a portal that magically transports me to Germany. The interior looks very much like an inn one can typically find in the German countryside, and the menu features classic dishes.
I’m a big fan of the Kaese Spaetzle, which is essentially Bavarian mac and cheese. The noodles are perfectly al dente, and the melted gruyère cheese is so rich and creamy. I also like the addition of burnt onions and smoked bacon.
The braised lamb shank is another favorite of mine. The meat is incredibly tender, and when you pour the roasted garlic jus over it, it becomes savory perfection. The apricots also add a bit of sweetness to the whole dish.
| Pro Tips: Sometimes, this restaurant participates in food festivals like Summerlicious. In this event, you can enjoy a limited-time prix fixe meal! Planning a dinner party with loved ones? They have a private room that you can book! They’re even more than willing to help you plan and decorate your event. |
German Doner Kebab
Address: 246 Queen St W
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14164080909
Global brand German Doner Kebab has a location in Toronto!
Here, you can’t go wrong with the original kebab sandwich. It’s made with toasted sesame bread and loaded with succulent beef and fresh vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions). I like to add curry spice to my order, just to give it a nice kick of heat.
If you don’t like sandwiches, go for the doner rice bowl instead. It’s basically similar to the kebab sandwich, but instead of sesame bread, you have your meat and vegetables on top of well-seasoned, fluffy rice.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant doesn’t accept reservations, so if you want to secure your spot, you need to come here as early as possible. Try to avoid peak hours as well (usually, lunch and dinner time). |
Otto’s Berlin Döner
Address: 256 Augusta Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +16473477713
Even if you’ve never been to Berlin, Otto’s Berlin Döner will surely make you feel like you’re actually in the city somehow. Maybe this is because the shop sells some of Berlin’s most popular street foods.
Döner kebabs are the bestsellers, and my personal favorite is the veal and lamb combo. When it comes to the sauce, I tend to combine both garlic sauce and hot sauce because I like a garlicky heat in my sandwich.
Another snack that I like here is the Halloumi Poutine—the German-Canadian fusion that I never knew I needed until I tried it. The halloumi curds have a mellow, tangy taste that complements well with the salty-savory flavors of the fries and gravy.
| Pro Tip: If you want them to be your caterer, you have to fill out this form. |
V’s Schnitzel House
Address: 448 Browns Line, Etobicoke
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—12 to 7:30 pm
- Saturday—3 to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14162553179
Schnitzel is one of my favorite German dishes, and whenever I’m craving it, V’s Schnitzel House is where I usually go.
The schnitzel plate here is so generous. The chicken piece is massive, and it’s served with potatoes and a garden salad, so you’ll feel full after eating. When it comes to taste, the schnitzel has tangy notes, thanks to the lemon juice and dill sauce.
Aside from the schnitzel, I recommend the fried cheese. The cheese pull is so addicting, and the ham pieces hidden somewhere in the cheese are always a nice surprise!
| Pro Tip: Do you love the dill sauce that’s served with the schnitzel? If yes, then you’ll be delighted to know that the restaurant sells bottles of this sauce! |
Town Crier
Address: 115 John St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +14162049588
If you’re looking for a place to relax or drink with your friends, then you should check out Town Crier. This is a beer house, so you can find over 50 beer brands available on tap!
Of course, they also sell food. I like getting the grilled sausage board because it offers a wide variety of German sausages, such as bratwurst and farmer’s smoke sausages. It also comes with several side dishes like the classic sauerkraut (fermented cabbage).
For the main dish, I recommend getting the glazed duck breast. The duck breast is tender and juicy, and the blueberry sauce adds a nice fruity sweetness to the meat. I also like that there are herb potatoes as a side dish.
| Pro Tip: They often participate in food festivals, especially Winterlicious. |
The Golden Pigeon Beerhall
Address: 424 Parliament St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—12 pm to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 1 am
- Sunday—12 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14163921039
Another great German beer house you should visit in the city is The Golden Pigeon Beerhall. My favorite thing about this spot is that not only does it offer great food and drinks, but it also has games to entertain you the whole night!
Whenever I’m dining here, I always go for the Baked Spaetzle. They use aged white cheddar and emmental, so the dish has a sharp savory flavor, but the caramelized onion contrasts it with a bit of sweetness.
I also like the meatballs on toast. It never occurred to me that meatballs on homemade rye toast, smothered with caper cream, would sound appealing to me, but this dish tastes really good. The toast doesn’t even get that soggy (which was my initial fear).
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning a fun party with loved ones, you can book this restaurant as your venue. |
