Restaurant Maximilians offers an elevated (and perhaps more tourist-friendly) take on Bavarian…read moreclassics, with a polished exterior that draws you into a refined yet friendly dining environment. Inside, the design leans toward a hybrid of a traditional German restaurant and modern luxury: dark woods, crisp table settings, and ambient lighting create an upscale but comfortable atmosphere suitable for all occasions ranging from date nights, celebratory dinners, or refined travel meals. The general vibe feels more sophisticated than casual tourist spots, with a bustling (yet not overwhelming) ambiance. Patrons range from international tourists to locals grabbing a drink after work, and a cosmopolitan mix of languages echoes throughout the space.
After a 4-hour walking tour of Berlin, our group of eight was hungry for a hearty German meal. The same morning, we made a reservation for our party of 8 for 6:30pm later that night, and we appreciated the fact that the reservation process for large parties is easy and convenient. Additionally, When we arrived at the restaurant, we were immediately seated at a large table, and our waiter kindly directed us to a QR code with a translated English menu complete with pictures. The menu itself is extensive, with a range of options (from the more familiar pretzels and schnitzel to German classics like Pork Knuckle and Munich Bratwurst).
Our server was charismatic and friendly, joking with us and guiding us through his favorites on the menu. When it came time to order, he asked us if we could order in the dishes' real German names (which we subsequently butchered), and he graciously corrected our pronunciation and explained any questions we had about some of the more traditional items. Some members of our party ordered their Ofenwarme Brezn mit Fassbutter (Pretzel with Warm Butter, €3,90): a generously-sized pillowy pretzel, generously salted and served with a creamy knob of decadent butter.
For my entree, I selected the Halbe Haxe (€17.80), which is a half portion of crispy pork knuckle with Bavarian sauerkraut and a bread dumpling. For being a half portion, this dish was absolutely huge (with the bone, the knuckle was almost the size of my head!). The exterior skin had been wonderfully crisped up, almost like a German chicharron, whereas the interior was a mix of shreddable "pulled-pork"-like meat marbled with succulent fat, all served atop a rich, savory gravy. The Bavarian sauerkraut had a slight tang to contrast the decadence of the dish, and the bread dumpling was dense, yet soaked up the gravy perfectly. This was the tastiest dish I sampled during my time in Berlin, and certainly a great value as well.
From asking my friends, other great plates included their Saftiger Schweinsbraten vom Schopf (€19.90 - a roast pork dish with bread dumplings, potato dumplings, gravy, and Bavarian sauerkraut; very similar to the Halbe Haxe but with what seemed like pork loin), 3 ECHTE Kalbsfleischpflanzer (€21.40 - three succulent veal meatballs with mashed potatoes, gravy, and buttered onions), and Handgeschabte Käsespätzle (€17.40 - homemade cheese noodles with mountain cheese and pear, topped with fried onions and served with a side salad; basically a bougee Bavarian mac and cheese, and a great vegetarian option). Two members of our party also ordered their Ausgezogener Apfelstrudel (€8.60), which was a sumptuous apple strudel with perfectly al-dente apples, flaky pastry, and warming spices, served with ice cream and a caramel-like sauce.
In terms of price point, Maximilians sits in the moderate to premium range for Berlin restaurants: obviously pricier than your average beer hall or currywurst stand, but fitting for its polished service, urban location, elevated cuisine (with huge portions, might I add), as well as its large audience of tourists. If you're ever in the area, I would highly recommend Maximilians, and I'll certainly be back to sample some of their other colossal dishes!
