I had the best time at Rathskeller with our bartender Meadow! We were there for late night happy hour. The deals were great, but the drinks were even better!! read more

The food was great and the platter was perfect for 4 people. Loved the ambiance and desserts were amazing! Our server Logan was kind, very helpful with the menu and friendly. read more

The bartender was fantastic and let me sample everything they had on tap before I made my choice. I eventually settled on the Heller Weizenbock Plank at 7.5% ABV, which, in hindsight, may not have been my best decision for lunch, but it sure was a good one! I paired it with a bratwurst on a pretzel bun and roasted broccoli. The whole combination made for a hearty and satisfying lunch. Great beer, good food, and a bartender who clearly knows how to make you feel welcome. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area. It's not a large place by any means, but the coziness adds to the atmosphere. Next time I'm in the area, I will be back here, dragging coworkers along with me! read more

Rathskeller - German beer (and lots of it) - German Near Me - Elkridge, Maryland

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So great! Excellent food, fabulous beer, great service-- this place feels a gasthof in Germany! My wife's mother is from Germany and as a result, she is VERY picky about German food. She loved this place! Simple, good atmosphere, good food, good beer, and even a proper kirschwasser! read more

My wife and I have dined at the Rathskeller a few times now and we will definitely return; we even brought friends for their first experience. We started with Potato Cakes with crème fraiche, they had a nice crunch, a tender interior with subtle flavor. I'd never had them with crème fraiche, it was a nice change and the mild tanginess with the creamy texture complimented the Cakes well. I ordered the Main Street with Weisswurst, a Pretzel and plain Spätzle. It was my first, the veal's flavor is understated in comparison to Bratwurst or Knackwurst (not on the menu) and was a pleasant changeup. The Pretzel was little disappointing while it was a decent pretzel, it lacked the crisp crust and distinctive flavor I expected. As evident by the rating while worthy of note, it's not a game changer. I'd ordered a large plain Spätzle, which was two regular portions, but was served Spätzle with cheese I tasted it and it wasn't my thing, which is not to say it was bad, I just don't care for cheese in dishes like that. Our server swapped one cheese for plain (my wife had happily stolen the other) and enjoyed the replacement. I found that the grilled onions gave it a nice homey flavor. Mistakes happen and it turned out to be a win in the end. We shared a couple of desserts and by far, my favorite was the Black Forest Cupcake. It's on the large side, they might be able to cut on the weighty crème icing, the chocolate cake and soaked cherries were a delight. The cherries are a significant improvement over the Marchinos I had before, if only there were more. Rathskeller can get a little loud, as it is a relatively small space with hard surfaces so voices reflect, it wasn't packed this afternoon, so it wasn't an issue. Waitstaff dresses very casually, it pleasant and fairly attentive. read more

Awesome German food! But a lil pricey. Also a small parking lot, not very much room, but good beer and a good local spot. read more

Rathskeller - German Near Me - Elkridge, Maryland

Never really had German food like this before, but i am hooked! Very low key atmosphere with German decorations inside. The food was AMAZING. The sour beef and dumplings are a MUST. Also loved the jagerschnitzel, spicy sausage, and the cauliflower. Morgan, our server did an amazing job! Very attentive. Will definitely be back. read more

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Excellent food. Nice cellar. Funny figurines. I'd eat here again if we didn't live two states away.

This is one of my favorite restaurants! A reservation is highly recommended since the restaurant is pretty small. The food, drinks and service were all excellent. We started with the pretzel which was fresh, warm and delicious. I then had the pork schnitzel while my husband had a brat platter. We tried various sides and they were all good. I can't wait until my next visit. read more

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First night in Maryland (mix business and visit family). Stopped by for dinner. About a 15 minute wait which was perfect to browse the menue and beer list. Spent a few years in Germany in the service and this place gave the guesthouse feel. Down in a basement, decorated as such, with tight seating and a fun atmosphere. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Made us feel at home. Ordered potato cakes as an appetizer (no photo, ate them too quickly). Dunked and a Fastentbeer beer were great. Jagarsnitzel and a burst. Both fantastic. Authentic fries and curry ketchup. Even the Spitzer brought back memories. Looks like outdoor seating is available when it gets warmer. Really enjoyed our experience! read more

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This is an awesome spot. I love German food and everything was incredible. The service was awesome too-very nice folks. Highly recommend! read more

Rathskeller - Crab Pretzel - German Near Me - Elkridge, Maryland

Absolutely loved it here! The service was phenomenal. The decor is very lively and well blended. The food was sooo good. We can't wait to come back. read more

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1.5 hours to get food. And it still didn't all show up. Said side would come soon and showed up after main coarse was finished. No apologies from staff. However it did taste good. read more

This restaurant is located in the cellar of the building, parking can be difficult during busy hours. The waiter was prompt and polite, he was knowledgeable about the menu and told us what is popular. The food was great with good seasoning with the sauces adding to the meal. The platter had a good selection of food so you aren't missing out on the popular stuff! The restaurant was small and intimate with touches of German aspects. read more

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I've dined here twice and both were delicious experiences. I first came in the summer and got a plate of schnitzel with a salad on top. My two sides were the German potato salad and the spätzle. All items were delicious. It's also a very generous portion. My second revisit was yesterday. I came for lunch with a friend. While it's not listed explicitly on the menu, you can request a half pour of any of the beers. I had a half pour of the Hefeweizen and the Debrezener (spicy pork sausage) on the pretzel bun and German slaw. I had tried to order the sauerkraut, but unfortunately they were out. The plus side is that I tried something I wouldn't have otherwise tried. The sausage was lightly spicy. The pretzel bun was the perfect vessel for the sausage. The slaw was slightly sweet and crisp. I was surprised at how perfectly it all came together, but I would order this again. Service is really helpful. The weekday vibe in the basement is not very busy. read more

Rathskeller - Ceasor schnitzel special with späzel and German potato salad - German Near Me - Elkridge, Maryland

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Pita was cold and so were the chicken schnitzels. Don't think I've been served a cold pita and it definitely bummed me out. Good sauce and salad though. Definitely don't miss the salad. Ice cream sandwich had good texture. Choc cake is too rich for me. Closer to fudge than cake imo. Sat outside by the entrance so missed out on the noisy basement indoor dining. Seems like a popular busy spot so don't expect quick service not to the fault of the servers. Menu was a bit limited but I'm guessing people come here more for the drinks than their food. read more

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Ratskeller is exactly what you hope to find when you're craving a true German beer hall experience. If you're looking for great beer, authentic German food, and a fantastic atmosphere, this is the place. The food is hearty, flavorful, and everything you want from traditional German cuisine. The beer selection is excellent, and the lively atmosphere makes it easy to settle in and enjoy yourself. One word of advice: come hungry. The portions are huge, and you'll definitely get your money's worth. Whether you're stopping in for a quick pint or a full meal, Ratskeller delivers a memorable experience. read more

Bier Pressure The German word "Rathskeller" refers to a bar or tavern located in the basement of an old 1880s-era house. This is actually a very apt description for this establishment, as the main dining area is in the basement of shared commercial building. The Good: *This is definitely one of the more, shall we say, unique restaurants we've had the pleasure of visiting. I'm not sure what a German Beer Hall looks like in reality, but I'm guessing this place is a very reasonable facsimile. *Huge draft beer list of US and German craft brews. *$1 Jägermeister shots during Late Night Happy Hour (M-F 7 p.m. - closing) There's also a whole menu of specials, as well. *Free street parking as well as a free parking lot at the corner of Main & Railroad (very short walk to the restaurant) *Fantastic outdoor area *Service by (Super?!) Mario was amazing. We felt like we made a friend that night, as well with the table next to us that did Jäger shots with me. *Roasted broccoli side was fantastic. Cooked and seasoned to perfection. *I koved their Red Cabbage (aka Rotkohl), altho Carissa found it too sweet. *Blueberry Torte was delicious and I really enjoyed the texture, but my better half did not concur. She didn't like the flavor nary the texture. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The Meh: *They have their own parking lot but it was completely full when we arrived. *Interior is beautiful but VERY LOUD!!! *Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Pancakes) were dry and stodgy *Sauerbraten (think German pot roast) had a great flavor and the gravy was delicious, however the beef was dry and overcooked. The Ugly: *Some kind of mechanic shop nearby, and the boiz hanging out front look sus af. I'm 95% sure they're harmless water heads, but lock your car jic. Conclusion: Great atmosphere, fantastic service and beer, but divisive food. 3.5* but I'll round up cuz Mario is da man! read more

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Enjoyed the party platter. The latkes were good and enjoyed all the sauces that came with the platter. The German beers were also really good. Very casual vibes which we enjoyed and was baby friendly. read more

A party of 8 (2 lively little ones) on an early Thursday evening. No problem with our reservation, and were seated quickly. Most of us were German descendants, and I learned the main dishes from my MIL. Our server was knowledgeable, and very attentive! The Red Cabbage was very good, my wurst was properly grilled and not boiled to death like some NYC street corner "dirty water dog". The potato pancakes were heavenly - if you like real ones. And made with shredded potatoes as they should be, and not "Hungry Jack flapjacks"! They were brown to the point of maximum flavor, without being burned. Points to note to the owner / chef - I don't care how long you braise the sauerbraten, I want to know how long you pickle it. Pot roast is pot roast unless it's pickled. WHERE ARE THE KARTOFFELKLOESSE? :) read more

Had the most amazing dinner to celebrate my sisters birthday! Our server Kyle was awesome, so attentive and even brought us all a shot and sang happy birthday to my sister. That made our experience even better. The food was phenomenal! Highly recommend ! read more

Rathskeller - German Near Me - Elkridge, Maryland

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AMBIANCE & SERVICE: Came here for happy hour on a Wednesday evening and I definitely plan to return. They have a late night happy hour Monday to Friday from 7 PM to close on both food and drinks. We sat outside in their biergarten patio, which was dog-friendly. I think because we sat outside the service was a bit slower, but it did not take away from the good food and drinks. DRINKS: An Aperol Spritz was only $10 for happy hour and I appreciate that they added a dehydrated slice of orange. We also got the Sly Fox Coastal Quest IPA, which was definitely hoppy with the addition of crispy citrus notes. A can does cost $9 though. FOOD: Kroketten ($8): a limited special - 2 German croquette which was crispy and packed with flavor from the spinach, mushroom, and parmesan. Baltimore Schnitzel ($17): you can choose which type of schnitzel you want between pork, chicken, and eggplant. It comes with crab dip topping and crispy, well-seasoned to perfection, old bay fries - highly recommend this dish! Crab Pretzel ($23): at first it may seem a little pricey, but they are pretty generous with the crab meat. read more

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This is the best German food in the Howard county area. I personally LOVE the schnitzel, cheese spatzel, pretzel, and potato salad. It is the perfect place to go with a group and order a few of the party platters. They have an extensive beer menu and true German delicious fun. Their patio gives it a real German beer garden feel. The place is small, but they somehow seat a lot for what the restaurant is. The service is always accommodating and home feeling. Feels like a friend is taking care of you. The only downfall I find is that it always feels pricy. The large sides at $12 and getting an individual meal, you're probably in for $30 a person. read more

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We ate outside and were pleasantly surprised with how nice it was. They had picnic tables and regular tables. The server was on top of everything we asked and was super friendly. He was also very good with my children. Now onto the food. Get the combo platter and eat everything you can. If you like sausage, schnitzel, curry fries, and everything else German.......including the ice cream cookie sandwich, then this place is for you. Every bite we took made us want to come back another time. read more

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German restaurants are always hit or miss. The food was not bad, but not great. We were seated immediately and service was great. The atmosphere is probably a step above casual, nice and cozy but I didn't feel like we were in a German restaurant. Snitzel was good, little tough, red cabbage a little too sweet for me, but it was yummy. read more

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Got here before the rush, and sat at the bar... took a recommendation and chose the JagerSchnitzel... crispy, tasty, potatoes were great but the broccoli was the star! For desert I went with the Strudel... not overly sweet, but a great texture! If you've read any of my reviews you know I'm in it for the brews, and this joint has a Great German beer selection! Tried 2 new ones and liked them both. Ambiance is garden apartment, service was friendly and helpful at the bar, and prices were slightly above expectation but everything was good. I'm not out this way often, so I can't commit to an encore, but I recommend this joint! read more

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One of my favorite restaurants in the area! Affordable, GENEROUS portion sizes, and overall good food. I find their pretzels to be a bit underwhelming, but the schnitzels never miss. Even my picky vegetarian friend enjoyed it. Pretty good burgers too! Great, welcoming ambiance and friendly staff. I recommend visiting during slower hours, as parking is a nightmare; It's street parking on a narrow, short street, which can become very packed when there is a larger crowd. read more

It's a basement bar in the suburbs with pretty decent German food! Was pleasantly surprised by the chicken schnitzel and I'm not big into the cuisine but it was good for my first visit. read more

The service and food are good. The indoor seating is a bit loud if the place is crowded. They have a good selection of beer with all of the traditional German brews. Knocked a point off as my second beer was warm-ish as I think the keg was new. Needles should be stored in the walk-in. read more

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This was our 2nd time visiting the Rathskeller. The first time we visited, this restaurant was one of the first places we ate prior to moving to the state and area. So, imagine my surprise, when, a year and a half later, my husband made a reservation for us to celebrate Valentine's Day here. He made the reservation weeks in advance. I was impressed with his thoughtfulness and prior planning. He even kept it a secret until we arrived. We were very excited! When we arrived, we walked in (the establishment is small, in a basement, and cozy, but loud). We waited in line to give our names to let them know we were here (on time). The couple behind us cut ahead of us and before we realized, they were checking in first. The young host offered them the bar while they waited. He told them their table was on dessert and they'd sit in 10 min. The couple ahead of us had already checked in and were waiting on their table, which was also given 10 min. Once we realized that the host wasn't taking us in order of our arrival , we jumped in and gave our names. When we asked how long our wait was, we were told 10-ish minutes. We stood by the door next to a couple who was finishing their dinner and eating dessert. Every time the door opened, the cold air came in and I felt so bad for that couple with everyone hovering over their romantic evening as they ate, and the below freezing air making it uncomfortable for all of us. The host seated both couples, including the one who cut us, in two very cozy booths against the wall. Every table had a candle on it and was set for Valentine's Day. They even had a fireplace display on a screen on the wall. It was now 30 minutes later, and we eagerly followed the host to our seats. We were led to the back of the restaurant next to the bathroom. How ironic that this was the same table we sat at the first time we were here! But something was different. It was now isolated, dark, no table candle, the view of the bathrooms wasnt so romantic on Valentine's Day, and the paint on the wall all along the table was unappetizing to look at, as it was pretty damaged. The table was dirty and smeared with smudges all over it. We sat for a few minutes. No one came to our table with a menu or drink order. It really felt as though we were singled out. I've never felt this way in my life, but it just felt so disrespectful. Maybe my expectations were too high. But the isolation felt real. I completely understand last minute setting up a table for someone who is just walking in, but my husband made this reservation weeks in advance, and we had been waiting for our seat for quite a while. Two couples were seated ahead of us in an area with everyone else that was much more appropriate. We were kind of shoved off in a back corner in the dark near the bathrooms with a torn up wall and dirty tables. I can't imagine anyone putting their customers in a situation like that. It upset us so much, that we just got up and went to the host to ask for another seat. He shrugged his shoulders and told us we could sit at that seat right in front of the doorway with the cold air and everybody hovering over it. I told him we were going to go somewhere else and thank you. We ended up calling several places to see if we could get a very last minute reservation for 9:00 p.m. As expected, most places were already booked, but we ended up finding a very classy Italian restaurant who graciously made room for us. They sat us as soon as we came, despite the couple behind us having an earlier reservation (they were late for theirs and we were on time). There was much more room between the seats, and we felt very respected when we walked in. The host and the waiter took pride in their work and the evening was much more romantic. I'm so incredibly disappointed by the Rathskeller. We were not only treated disrespectfully, but we were treated as though we were the help. I can't even imagine treating my help poorly like this. The host and the management should be embarrassed to seat anyone where they did, and not to honor reservation times, especially when people are on time. Always seat people in order of reservation. In the past, we have spoke highly of this restaurant to others, but from now on, will not. I wouldn't want anyone I care about to be treated this way, as well. I am posting pictures to show our experience. read more

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Nice venue with the look and feel of a traditional German Gasthaus. I was seated immediately at the bar, and both the staff and service were very good throughout my visit. I ordered the chicken Jägerschnitzel, potato cakes, the RK Salat, and a draft Hefeweizen. The food arrived quickly, which I appreciated. The salad was decent, but the rest of the meal was disappointing. The mushroom gravy lacked flavor, and both the schnitzel and potato cakes tasted as though they had been fried too long in oil that was past its prime. I wasn't expecting an authentic meal on par with what you'd find in Deutschland, but I was hoping for something closer to the mark. The draft Hefeweizen also wasn't served particularly cold. While beer is often served at a warmer temperature in Germany than many Americans are accustomed to, this was an American-brewed Hefeweizen, and the serving temperature felt off. I considered ordering dessert or trying another beer, but the meal itself changed my mind. The atmosphere and service were strong points, but the kitchen execution fell short. My recommendation: spend a little time with Oma's recipe book and bring some of those traditional flavors back to the table. read more

Delicious food! I ordered through uber eats which I do not recommend because I was staying in a hotel and did not receive any utensils or have any access to a microwave and the food was room temp. However, the taste of the food was divine and I could tell that had I been in the establishment it would've tasted much better. The spicy sausage was great dipped in the mustard, the fries were cooked to perfection, and the pork schnitzel with mushroom gravy exceeded my expectations. read more

Rathskeller - German Near Me - Elkridge, Maryland

Service was OK, but a bit on the slow side. The Pork Schnitzel was dry and tough. The potato pancakes were good. The portions are very generous. read more

We had a Wurst platter that included 5 Wurst and 2 large sides. For sides the red delicious cabbage and German potato salad. We ate wurst until we couldn't eat anymore. All 5 Wurst were delish! It's worth driving out of your way. We were in the area to catch a BWI flight but I'm willing now to make this my final destination. A bonus is the excellent service and no rush attitude. We ate inside, kind of a chilly day. There is also a 6 chair bar dining area. read more

Rathskeller - 6 Chair bar & dining area. - German Near Me - Elkridge, Maryland

Overall: unique spot for German food and drinks, fun menu that includes high end cocktails and mocktails, late night happy hour, indoor/outdoor seating, single stall restrooms (no changing table), delicious food, but pretty high prices and okay service As I stated in my previous review, we love the food here. We love that they have seasonal offerings (shout out to the autumn bon fire cookie sandwich) and are inclusive with mocktails on the menu. We love their outdoor seating that feels very kid friendly. It's not a cheap night out. I sometimes think the prices are worth it, but last time we went it was hard to get service. The table next to us got 3 rounds of drinks before we were served our only round of drinks and we found it hard to get the servers attention to order dessert and get the check. read more

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summary: tucked away in kind of a residential area within Elkridge, Rathskeller delivers a solid menu of German food options and a fun ambiance to boot. Rathskeller is kind of hidden from sight at first glance, but the more you look, the more there seems to be. The main indoor dining area is located in a downstairs area within the main building where they do their events (looks like they host events like Trivia, stand up comedy, etc). They do have outdoor seating as well with both an outdoor patio and a deck situation. They have a mini-elevator for accessibility to both downstairs/upstairs. The service was kind throughout, but I do think you're more likely to get more attention if you were seated in the main dining area. The deck/patio tends to kind of be tucked away and it might become an "out of sight, out of mind" things at times. The food was the main star for me. Rathskeller specializes in schnitzels and wursts and their menu is designed so you can do a bit of an a-la-carte thing especially with their platters. Their sides are also very solid from what we ate and their specials are not to be ignored. We had the autumn bonfire smore Ice Cream sandwich and it was so good and perfect for the Fall season. I almost forgot to mention their drink selection is also fantastic. All in all, Rathskeller is a local spot in Elkridge that is doing a lot of things right. From ambiance, to drinks, and a great food menu to boot, Rathskeller is a must-try for anyone in the area. read more

Rathskeller - autumn bonfire smore ice cream sandwich - German Near Me - Elkridge, Maryland

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Love dining here when in the mood for German food! My fav is the Balkan schnitzel, but I have liked everything I have eaten. The staff is great and atmosphere cozy. read more

6.28.24 Trivia Fact: Rathskeller is a tavern below street level featuring beer; originally a German restaurant in the basement of city hall. My German sister-in-law's family came into town so we decided to stop in to have dinner. We shared our food and loved everything especially the schnitzel and wurst. However we thought the braised beef was dry. They also ordered some alcoholic beverages. My SIL liked the Schofferhofer grapefruit beer. Service is friendly, but on slower side. They have an outdoor patio and my hubby said today was the perfect weather due to a nice summer breeze for drinking outdoors. read more

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I was invited to this restaurant for a St. Patty day get together with a small friend group. The restaurant is located in the basement with outside steps to enter. There is a small parking lot however, it was full so I was able to park across the street. I ordered the crab pretzel which was huge and delicious. I was able to share it with the table. The late Happy hour was perfect to order the golden pear. This place is a hidden gem if you enjoy German dishes. The server Anna was very attentive and I will likely return if in the area. read more

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I came here with some friends to celebrate St Patty's Day. I was happy to see it was actually in the basement like the name means in German. We tried an array of dishes and everyone really liked their food with not really many complaints. When my food came out, my wurst was not hot in the middle. Our waitress Anna, who was very accommodating quickly took it back and they remade everything. The red cabbage was interesting. I didn't want it and asked for a substitution but was informed you can't substitute with the happy hour specials. I ordered the potato pancakes so I could try them anyway. They were hot and I was surprised because they weren't made with mashed potatoes like I'm accustomed to but instead with shredded potatoes so it was different but I enjoyed them. My weisswurst was really good. So much so I was tempted to order another. They have a lot of different menu options and I felt like I was missing out. I didn't get to try any schnitzel so I would definitely come back with a group just so bad I could try a lot of different options. Oh yeah, and they have a late night happy hour! How awesome is that? read more

Rathskeller - German Near Me - Elkridge, Maryland

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