Best New Orleans Spots for Celebrating Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is an annual festival that originated in Munich, Germany, meant to bring thousands of people together to enjoy traditional German cuisine, German beer, and dancing to some favorite folksongs. This tradition is continued in New Orleans by the Deutsches Haus, a nonprofit organization that is committed to helping and supporting German immigrants who move to New Orleans. The organization assists by providing meals, housing, help finding employment, and assistance in locating friends or family in the United States.
We have provided a list of places serving German cuisine for you to try. Whether you're new to German food, looking for an excuse to eat something you know and love, or wanting to commemorate Oktoberfest with traditional cuisine, try one of these options below.
1. Deutsches Haus
1700 Moss St. (504) 522-8014
deutscheshaus.org
The Deutsches Haus will be open six days a week, for all to come by and try their Gemütlichkeit—a German
word used to convey the idea of warmth and friendliness. The Haus will feature
items such as a bratwurst on a pretzel bun with sauerkraut or caramelized
onions, as well as warm pretzels. One of the main items on the regular menu is
the flammkuchen, which is a German variation of pizza with a creamy
white sauce.
The Haus
will also have some seasonal Oktoberfest beers for you to enjoy with your
meal, including beers from Germany. And, of course, don't forget to go to the
2. Middendorf's
Multiple Locations
middendorfsrestaurant.com
The Middendorf's locations in Manchac and Slidell
will be holding their very own Oktoberfest, with German food, music, and fun.
For six weeks, every Wednesday and Thursday from October 1 until November 6, you can visit your nearest
Middendorf's for different German lunch and dinner plates each week, as well as
appetizers, desserts, and, of course, German beer.
Dine with Middendorf's all six weeks and earn a prize at the end of Oktoberfest. Grab a card the first week, and be sure to get it punched every week, then turn it in on the last week for your prize. Middendorf encourages customers to dress up for the festivities. The regular Middendorf's menu is also available on Oktoberfest days. Middendorf's is a seafood restaurant that has been in Manchac since 1934, and the newest owners started the Oktoberfest ritual in 2008. Chef Pfeifer prepares the authentic German food himself. Check out their website for the full six-week menu.
3. Bratz Y'all Bistro
617-B Piety. (504) 301-3222
bratzyall.com
Tucked away in the Bywater neighborhood is another German restaurant: Bratz Y'all Bistro. Chef Sven Vorkauf opened it in 2012 when he moved to New Orleans from his hometown of Berlin, Germany. Along with him, he brought 20 years of culinary experience, allowing him to create his own special menu with bold flavors and creative ideas. The restaurant is named after the bratwurst sausage, and Chef Vorkauf always has top-quality options of this delicacy, as well as many ways to enjoy it. Some of Chef Sven's most popular bratwurst sandwiches are the Barvarian, the Berlinier, the Nuernberger, and the King Brat.
This bistro
also has some great German beer options to try with your meal. Bratz Y'all had
been featured at many music festivals around New Orleans and the surrounding
areas. All ingredients are cooked and prepared fresh daily. Be sure to come
hungry, as these dishes are huge. Sit outside on their lovely patio while
enjoying your meal.
4. Luke
333 St. Charles Ave. (504) 378-2840
lukeneworleans.com
Luke in New Orleans is a brasserie that features many different types of cuisine on the menu, ranging from Creole to German and French dishes. Executive Chef Corey Sharp highlights local vendors and farmers market ingredients in all his dishes. Since Luke opened in 2007, they have been noticed by many publications as a superb restaurant choice in New Orleans.
A popular German dish that is perfect for celebrating Oktoberfest is the crispy pork schnitzel with spaetzle. This restaurant also has many other options for you to try. So stop by this elegant spot for some German cuisine in order to celebrate German culture from afar this Oktoberfest.
5. Dat Dog
Multiple Locations
datdog.com
The hot dog was first created in Germany as many as 500 years ago, and today, one of the most fun and tasty ways to get a hot dog would be from Dat Dog. This popular chain has so many ways to dress up your "dog." Starting in New Orleans in 2011 as a traditional hot dog stand, Dat Dog has grown into a large and popular chain. They offer a variety of gourmet sausages, all-beef hot dogs, and award-winning french fries, as well as great spirits and local craft beers, all in a bright and colorful environment.
You can create your own hot dogs by choosing your sausage then your toppings, or you can pick from the many house specials. Dat Dog has 10 different sausages to pick from and so many possible toppings to put on your dog. The menu also features many options for dressed fries or tots. There is no better way to celebrate Oktoberfest than designing your own hot dog.
6. Port Orleans Brewing Co.
4124 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 266-2332
portorleansbrewingco.com
New Orleans has a wealth of quality craft breweries to try out and enjoy. In celebration of Oktoberfest this year, make sure to head over to Port Orleans Brewing Co., located on Tchoupitoulas Street, and try out their Oktoberfest Märzen beer. This beer, which can be sold 10oz, 16oz, a liter stien, or a 12oz four pack to-go, is a 5.3% brew that is described as being both traditional and refreshing.
While you are enjoying your Oktoberfest beer at Port Orleans Brewing Co., be sure to order some food at Avo Taco, the business attached to the brewery, to go along with your beverage. Avo Taco offers quesadillas, tacos, burgers, and more to enjoy.
7. Oktoberfest in Gretna
519 Huey P Long Ave., Gretna, (504) 363-4202
gretnala.com/departments/tourism
Did you know that the city of Gretna, New Orleans' neighbor across the Mississippi River in Jefferson Parish, was once known as Mechanikham and was home to a huge community of Germans? Consider crossing the Crescent City Connection and celebrate Gretna's German history at city's annual Oktoberfest, which is put on by the German American Cultural Center.
The celebrating will take place on October 18, will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be located at the German American Cultural Center on 5th Street and Huey P Long Avenue. The event will feature a German beer garden with traditional German food and beer, and you should expect to hear traditional German music, as well.
8. The Avenue Pub
1932 St. Charles Ave. (504) 586-9243
theavenuepub.com
What better way to celebrate Oktoberfest than with some German beer. The Avenue Pub serves up over 40 beers on tap, so you can be sure that they know their beer. Located right on St Charles, you can easily get to The Avenue Pub by streetcar and enjoy a few brews to appreciate one of Germany's specialties. They are also known for their food items, so pair a couple beers with a hearty meal.
Their draught list is constantly being updated, and their staff is always happy to give a recommendation if beer isn't your forte. Whiskey drinkers will also be happy to see their extensive list of whiskey options if beer just isn't cutting it. They also take private party bookings if you want to get a group together and celebrate Oktoberfest in style.
9. Cochon Butcher
930 Tchoupitoulas St. (504) 588-7675
cochonbutcher.com
Cochon Butcher is the ultimate spot for house-made meats in New Orleans. Their artisanal and hand-crafted cuisine comes directly from local farmers. Full-time butchers make cured meats, sausages, fresh cuts, and more, so all of the meat is fresh, local, and delicious. With many German-style dishes, Cochon Butcher is a great place to enjoy German cuisine during the month of October.
They serve tasty specialty sandwiches, small-plates, charcuterie boards, sausage and cheese platters, gumbo, and more! Stop by during Oktoberfest for either lunch or dinner and enjoy dishes that are as fresh as can be. This casual and walk-in restaurant is your perfect next stop, with no reservations required for lunch or dinner.
10. LRA Oktoberfest
6300 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge, (225) 240-7189
visitbatonrouge.com/event/2025-lra-oktoberfest/230170
Looking to make a day trip up to Louisiana's capital city to celebrate Oktoberfest this year? Get your friends and family together and take a drive to Baton Rouge's Towne Center at Cedar Lodge and take part in this year's LRA Oktoberfest on October 26.
The forth annual celebration, which is $50 per person, includes food tastings from local restaurants, as well as beer and a commemorative pint glass. The celebration will also feature live entertainment from Pants Party, a stein holding contest, a costume contest, and more to enjoy.
10 Local Places to Visit this Oktoberfest
Whether you have German heritage, love the culture, or just love a good beer, New Orleans has all of the right spots for you to celebrate during Oktoberfest this year. Enjoy a classic German meal at a local restaurant, grab a beer at a brewery, or enjoy some live music at an Oktoberfest event while celebrating German traditions and cuisine. There are so many great options for everyone here in the Crescent City.
New Orleans is a hub for so many different cultures and influences—Germany being no exception. So bring some friends along and check some of these experiences off your bucket list this October.
