In TST, Indian, Korean, and Japanese cuisine are readily available but the last few years the hood…read morehas seen a rise in Modern European, specifically German cuisine. Located between the N1 and N2 exits on the MTR, Biergarten stands out amongst through the Podium Plaza lineup of international establishments. It was the very first German find and eventually became my most visited one as well.
I appreciate the bits of authenticity they've put into the business all the way from their signage to their menu, which is listed in German and English. The ambiance feels distinctly pub-like and some of the staff is German speaking, which I've found in most of the bartenders. If only everyone was wearing lederhosen, this could be the ultimate (but tight space!) Oktoberfest destination.
In general, I enjoy drinking here. They have a good selection of beers, German and others, on tap and available in bottle / can form. There are plenty of stools at the bar and front area is open enough to call this place outdoor friendly. The bartenders make for interesting conversation and are adept at recommending quality beers.
If there is any fault, it would be the food. The menu is broken down to soups, salads and classic mains, there is even a dedicated section to cold / hot sausages. And while most things are certainly reminiscent of dishes I've had in Deutschland, none have captured the magic of anything I've had. This is asking a lot for Hong Kong obviously, where western food tends to be lackluster and sadly the case applies here as well (specifically: the goulash, wurst plate, knuckle hocks, meat loaf, schnitzel). It wasn't all bad of course, I did appreciate the mash potatoes. Sadly, a delicious side does not make up for a string of mediocre mains.
Given the major lack of presence amongst locals and the general feel of the place, it goes without saying Biergarten is a likely option for many non-Chinese tourists. Their sister location Fass (https://www.yelp.com/biz/biergarten-fass-%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF) has outperformed them in almost every way, so if the food quality matters (which at this price point, I don't see why it wouldn't), then that would be the better alternative.