“ This place is a solid 4 star! The food was good, and Mercedes did a great Job being our server. The ambiance definitely takes you back in time, Which has a cool feel. ”

“ Great German food! Wonderfully authentic atmosphere! Awesome service! 10/10 would return! ”

“ Diane and I joined my cousin and his wife for dinner at this decades-old bastion of German food during our cross-country road trip. In a dining room that featured stained glass windows and bas-reliefs on walls we began by sharing a nice Pretzel Loaf and good Potato Cakes. But I made the mistake of ordering Liver Dumpling Soup to try it. The big hunks of liver were far different than traditional Chinese dumplings, and way too dense for my taste. So, I didn't eat much of the soup. I then had a Baby Spinach Salad with spinach leaves and egg, which I liked. Next for me was a German Sampler with Veal. The Sauerbraten was cool. But the Veal Schnitzel, Red Cabbage, ham, and sauerkraut were all warm and good. Diane had the Veal Schnitzel Scallop Sampler and found it to be okay. The two others in my party enjoyed Herb Crusted Salmon and Duck Chambord. Service was good. Except for my cousin, who ordered an Apple Strudel ala mode, we passed on several available desserts, posed for photos with each other, and then said our goodbyes until we meet again in Las Vegas. ”

“ Updated review since my last visit to Mader's was 3 years ago (hard to believe!) and a star change. This restaurant is a Milwaukee institution that serves up some of the best, authentic German food in the city. Inside you'll find a fun atmosphere- a moody, Bavarian feel with dimly lit spaces, large round chandeliers, huge stain glass windows, life-sized suits of Medieval armor and lots of large, dark wooden furniture. Servers are even dressed up in traditional German lederhosen and Bavarian dresses. There's a big bar if you want to stop in for drinks and light bites but I recommend you dine here for a full meal. Best to make reservations in advance especially on the weekends and if there are major events taking place in the city like graduations or a Bucks basketball game. Portions are on the large side. My favorite vegetarian dishes are: the big, soft pretzel served with mustard and cheese, vegetarian spaetzle and potato pancakes. The sauerkraut used to be the freshest I could find in the city but it is now served with bits of corn beef so vegetarians beware! Even though I told my server I was a vegetarian before I ordered, I did order a side of the kraut and wasn't told it had meat in it until after the fact. Thankfully my meal was taken off the bill as a result. We've started coking here once a year around the holidays and hope to continue the tradition for a long time. It's a fun time for the whole family. Be sure to snap a picture in the huge chair by the main checkout/hostess counter and peruse the antique collection too. Bonus! This place is centrally located location right downtown near Fiserv Forum and theaters (in the Deer District). There is a valet which is incredible considering the location and how hard it can be to find free street parking in the city. Best practice is to tip valet $3-$5. ”

“ I was surprised to notice I hadn't reviewed Mader's before. This is a great dinner destination. Especially for a group. Especially if you have kids with you. You can hardly say you've been to Milwaukee if you haven't been to Mader's. The staff have always been surprisingly cool with a little kid getting hyped up and running around a little bit. And it's understandable because they have stuff like suits of armor in here, and what little kid wouldn't get over-excited about that? I can hardly stop myself from getting up and running around here. The food is a good representation of traditional German food. If you like meat and potatoes, you'll be fine here. If you have a group of four or more adults, and no one is a vegetarian, order the tour of Germany. So. Much. Meat. We've found that when it's just two of us, we enjoy sitting in the bar and sampling the appetizers. Everything's good. Most of it's sausage. I think. It's kind of a blur now. Did I mention the drinks are excellent? mean, I haven't had the espresso martini, but all the other cocktails are pretty good. And if you want an espresso martini, I don't know what you're doing in a German restaurant. You can't go wrong with beer here. Great beer selection, obviously. And Sprecher root beer to keep the kids hopped up on sugar. ”

“ I hadn't been here for over 20 years, and I was stopping through town and wanted to revisit! First of all, I forgot how absolutely dead Milwaukee was on Monday, I walked by and looked in and it was nearly empty--after checking online that they were open I ventured in and they were seating right away for dinner--quick! (maybe 5 people in the whole place at the time, another 10 or more came later). Myles was a giant sparkler of a human in lederhosen that broke the silence and made the the night lively, great waiter! I had a very full meal of hot wine/old fashioned and the Bavarian platter, ith 3 types of Wurst, Ham, sauerkraut, and potato dumpling: great protein meal after a long day of less food. No room for dessert! The decor is fun and "medieval"/old school German as always, a Milwaukee classic! ”

“ We had a reservation for a large group at Mader's. When we got there we were seated quickly and had our drink order in pretty fast. That's when things ground to a halt. The server came back about 15 minutes later to get our food order and we actually had to ask where our drinks were. He said they were a little busy, but it was obvious they were understaffed for a Saturday night. After we finally got our drinks, the food started to hit the table. It was good, not the best German food I've had, but it was solid. I tried the portobello napoleon and it was tasty! The portobello was overpowered by the bell pepper. Honestly the giant pretzel was the highlight of the meal. It was baked to perfection, and the cheese was Wisconsin heaven in a bite! Mediocre service, decent food. ”

“ Went for lunch at this very famous German restaurant in downtown Milwaukee. It's been here since 1902. The place is beautiful with wood carvings and stained glass windows. Wait staff were wearing traditional German lederhosen. The server was prompt and friendly, however this was lunch service and not very busy. Started with a wonderful charcuterie board with bread, beer cheese spread, 2 different cheeses, 2 meats, fruit, nuts, pickles and a delightful spicy cherry jam which paired well with the beer cheese. Hubby had a dunkle beer he really enjoyed. We both had the veal schnitzel with jaeger style mushroom gravy. Came with homemade spaetzel and sauerkraut. Too stuffed to have any of the delicious dessert offerings. All very delicious and authentic German. I can say that having lived in Germany. When visiting Milwaukee you've got to go here! ”

“ In town for wedding & made reservations for lunch. The German restaurant been here over 100 years & looks authentic inside with Knights armor plus beautiful stained glass windows. We were seated immediately... My girlfriend & I started potato pancakes plus cheese & suagage board...cheeses & sausage were all tremendous...mustard plus warm baguettes!!! We shared the Tour Of Germany entree...delicious with a variety of items She had a German beer on tap but went famous Milwaukee roor beer. I totally reccomend to take a walk around especially if never going across the Pond for Octoberfest....this next best thing for authentic German food. ”