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.
Best New Orleans Spots for Celebrating Oktoberfest
1. Deutsches Haus
1700 Moss St. (504) 522-8014, deutscheshaus.org/
Deutsches Haus will be open the whole month of October, seven
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. Wednesday through Sunday, the Haus will also have a special menu, with
dinner and side dishes, for $14. The dinner plates include options such as
German meatloaf or a sausage plate, and side options are sauerkraut, red
cabbage, and German potato salad.
The Haus
will also have some new seasonal Oktoberfest beers for you to enjoy with your
meal, including German beers from brewers Stinger, Dinkel Acker, Sapten, and
Hacker Pschorr. Other featured Oktoberfest beers come from the U.S.-German
collaboration of Sierra Nevada and Bitburger.
2. Middendorf's
1951 Oak Harbor Blvd. (985) 771-7777, middendorfsrestaurant.com/menu/
The Middendorf's locations in Manchac and Slidell
will be holding their very own Oktoberfest, with German food, music, and fun.
For six weeks, from October 4 until November 9, 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 Sven 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. Chef Erick Loos IV 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 bone-in pork schnitzel. This restaurant also has many other options for you to try. So stop by this elegant spot for some German cuisine or a house brewed beer in order to celebrate German culture from afar this Oktoberfest.
5. Dat Dog
Multiple locations, (504) 324-2226, 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 eight different sausages to pick from, including a crawfish sausage, 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. Faubourg Brewery
3501 Jourdan Rd. (504) 867-4000, faubourgbrewery.com
Celebrate Oktoberfest this year at the Faubourg Brewery. They will be hosting a free event on September 23 from 1-8 p.m. that will join both German and Louisiana culture. With new Oktoberfest beers, traditional German fare, games, stein holding competitions, and more — this event will have something for everyone. Faubourg Brewery has many additional events on their calendar, both to celebrate Oktoberfest and just to celebrate local events.
Tours are also available if you want to celebrate German culture by seeing the inner workings of a brewery. Their rich 115 year history is sure to inspire all beer drinkers. In addition to their 100 barrel brewhouse, there is a lawn with corn hole and other games so that all members of the family will be entertained.
7. Ochstoberfest Benefit Concert
Friday, October 27
Ochstoberfest will be hosted for the 2nd year running on Friday, October 27 from 3-10 p.m. at the Port Orleans Brewing Company, which is located at 4124 Tchoupitoulas St. This event helps benefit the Integrative Oncology Program at Ochsner, which will help cancer patients not only survive, but thrive. Musician Better than Ezra will be performing, and guest are encouraged to wear their best Halloween costumes to the event in order to win prizes.
This event will allow you to celebrate Oktoberfest while also supporting a great cause. Tickets are available to be purchased on Eventbrite, starting at $65. Food from AVOTACO as well as beer from Port Orleans will be served. Get ready to enjoy a night of delicious food, drinks, and live music while simultaneously supporting cancer patients in our community.
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. Five, 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. Gordon Biersch Brewery
200 Poydras St. (504) 552-2739, https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-new-orleans/restaurants/gordon-biersch
Gordon Biersch is a local favorite in New Orleans, giving tours of the brewing process, beer samples, as well as an unmatched dining experience that pairs magnificently with specific beers on tap. Fans of sports also flock to Gordon Biersch to watch games on one of their fifteen plasma televisions. Their brewmaster comes up with a new draft every single week, so there is always something new to try there.
Those who are looking to celebrate Oktoberfest in New Orleans should look no further than Gordon Biersch. Serving delicious Buvarian pretzels, this is a great spot to unwind with some German food and beer. They can even host a party for up to 375 people on their outdoor patio if you're looking to take your celebrations to the next level.
10 Ten 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 a benefit concert 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.
