Ok - I'll admit it. I used to go to Von Triers when I was in college (circa late 1980's early 1990's) and throw down a few Weiss beers. We had seen the reports that the place was sold and renovated. On Saturday night I said "Hey, let's go to Von Triers" and I was glad we did. The Weiss beer was still as we remembered, and the food was really solid. My wife got the schnitzel sandwich and I got the jaegerschnitzel. The inside of the place looked the same as I blurrily remembered. The night we went, it was a really laid back atmosphere and the food was really good. We'll be back. read more

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Free popcorn! Ask the server for the popcorn to serve you in a big bowl. It's a nice welcome snack / appetizer. This place has a lot of character and charm. They have indoor and outdoor seating for the season. Great for mini hangouts with friends. I tried their soup of the day , broccoli cheese, and salad that was pretty good. They got my dressing wrong, supposed to be ranch but it was bleu cheese. It seems the place was busy and only had one server so it took sometime to receive the entrees, so plan ahead if you're expecting to eat hungry. read more

Von Trier - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Von Trier is an institution -- not the bad kind, like a "mental institution", or an "Ale Asylum" (I love that name!); the very good kind, as in a cultural and community treasure. I'm old enough to remember the place when it was Rieder's. Already a warm and special place, with a jukebox filled with classical music, it had a groovy mid century modern decor and was a hangout for MSO musicians after concerts. It acquired its lavish, present-day German decor when it was sold to Karl Lotharius. I don't recall how much longer, after that, the jukebox survived, but the astounding decor remains. Alas, there's a reason for my one star (which, I hope and assume, the present owners will notice) . . . and it has to do with a certain scourge -- the maddening omnipresence of which is second only to that of A.I. I refer to TV screens. There have been several ownership changes since Lotharius departed this mortal coil, and I honestly don't know at what point in time it was decided to tarnish the decor with the addition of several TVs. (I was so enraged by the sight of them, when I first entered the front door after a long time away, that I didn't bother to look at the back room; consequently, I have no idea whether the scourge has ruined that room as well.) Clearly, in jumping on the "give the people what they want" bandwagon, the owners (current and/or recent) believe that there's no such thing as too many sports bars (or at least, bars that can be compelled to serve that function at least some of the time). Gosh, I would think that people who are so into SPORTS, when coming upon a bar lacking screens, would have sufficient fitness, energy and motivation to walk a block or two extra, if necessary, to find and enter one of the many other establishments equipped to satisfy their jones for that pathetic fix. But then again, I guess it's that fundamental laziness that makes them mere spectators. There's only one thing worse than a proprietor so lacking in imagination, individuality, courage and self-respect that, when choosing a design for their establishment, they cave to the TV trend. It's a proprietor who ruins an EXISTING treasure by plunking multiple TV screens into the middle of it all. Like turds in a punch bowl. It's great to "get away from it all" for a while, isn't it, for a nice meal, drinks and conversation? The thing is, if I want a TV screen, I can see one at home. (But I don't want to. Not always, anyway. To judge from what TV, movies and commercials show us, every home now has the same standard, ugly, huge plastic rectangle (the TV screen) dominating its designated room(s), out in the open. As for me, I require mine to live inside a closed cabinet. It only comes out when I say that it can.) And, rather than seeing constant reminders that our world has all but become the kind of dystopia in which there's no escaping that intrusive electronic barrage, I could instead just stay at home and watch any of the many sci-fi movies on that theme (a theme that used to be merely a warning. Now, such films more resemble documentaries.) Shame. read more

I stopped in on a Friday around 6pm and I could not believe how busy it was - every table in the main dining area was full. The tables are very close together and it was very loud. The décor is very cool, especially in the front entry bar - it reminds me of the Gaston song from Beauty & The Beast, "I use antlers in all of my decorating!" The staff was doing their best to keep up and provide great service. Our drinks came out surprisingly quick, whereas the food order took quite a while (as expected). Everyone at the table ordered the German dishes - which they all raved about. I opted for the fish fry: 2 piece of beer-battered cod with tartar sauce, 1-half slice of rye bread, lemon wedge, coleslaw, and I went with the house fries ($16; upgrade to potato pancakes for $3). It was good, but I felt it was overpriced for the portion size. I'd rate the fish fry a 3.4/5. I've been here several times in the past, and I guess it is hit or miss for me as traditional German food isn't my thing (there is a lot of pork). I do not recommend for an intimate-style date during peak hours. They do have a nice patio for spring/summer/fall. Overall, a solid 3.7 stars, so I'll round up. read more

Went for happy hour on a Friday, decent happy hour deals on drinks. Many happy hour drinks on the menu were sold out but they had a replacement. Server was nice and helpful with our large group. I got the schnitzel sandwich which was decent. Nothing to rave about, for me too much bun. The schnitzel was thin and crispy. read more

Von Trier - Schnitzel Sandwich - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Von Trier is a fantastic spot to enjoy some German food and atmosphere. The mural above the bar is incredible. We were there for a trivia night and it was a lot of fun and on the challenging side. The beer selection was great and they do have a decent food menu. The jagerschnitzel was good, but the gravy was almost a little too sweet. I prefer a more savory gravy. The rest was pretty good though. Staff was great, especially on a busy night. read more

Von Trier - Jagerschnitzel - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Just stopped in at Von Trier between films at the Film Festival. Our first time there. Dylan, our bartender said he doesn't make an espresso martini per se, but he makes something pretty close. It was excellent. He welcomed us to take a look around the restaurant and offered the menu so we could check it out for a later time. Popcorn and an espresso martini hit the spot. The bar area is beautiful and very comfortable. We left ready to head to our next movie. As we are walking in, who comes running in? Dylan. One of us had left our phone at the bar. He went above and beyond and we were so grateful! We will be back for the potato pancakes! Probably after the next movie. Thank you, Dylan! read more

I am not a bar guy at all but I must admit I like this place. They have the best hot drinks--I recommend the hot cider (Apfel Cider) and the Hot Buttered Rum. Both delicious and perfect when it's cold out. Their fish fry is also pretty good. I rarely go when it's busy unless I can get a table in the corner. It does get pretty loud the later it gets but if you go earlier it's pretty chill without being dead. read more

Von Trier - Apfel Cider (hot cider) - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Stopped for a fish fry with family, and we were very pleased. A quaint place with great German atmosphere. We sat outside on the patio and had a friendly attentive server. Took our orders quickly. My fish fry was excellent with 2 pieces of crispy batter fried cod, potato pancakes, rye bread and cole slaw. Everyone enjoyed their experience. read more

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Best bar on the East Side! Great staff, great food, great specials. The outside area is nice, weather permitting. They also have free popcorn! One of the best pretzels in Milwaukee - the cheese and mustard are so good. Trivia on Thursdays is always fun and a good group. read more

Von Trier - Bavarian Pretzel - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Happy to see Von Trier is still going. New owners have kept the vibe, and the food is great! I didn't take a photo because I was with my gf and her parents, but we went in for fish fry last week. My cod fry came with two big pieces of beer battered cod, rye bread, Cole slaw, and I chose their homemade potato pancakes as my side. The fish was perfectly cooked, and the batter was seasoned well enough that I didn't need the tartar sauce, although the tartar sauce was also good. Cole slaw is vinegar-based and tasted good, and the potato pancakes were well seasoned and included apple sauce and sour cream on the side. It was all a good value, and I would go back again! read more

Great beer and steins, great service, great ambiance, great pretzel! This place came highly recommended while my friends and I were planning a trip to Milwaukee. We came on a Friday afternoon, so it was very quiet - but I can see how this place would fill up quickly and be lively in the evening or on the weekend! Unfortunately, the cheese curds were so incredibly salty we couldn't even finish them - which is so sad, because we had heard such great things about them. read more

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A very cozy feeling authentic German restaurant with wall murals surrounding the main room. Not crowded on a Friday night (was the same weekend as Germanfest) so quiet quick service. Great German beer lineup (though an IPA mixed in) with appropriate glassware. Just back from Packer's owners meeting, so had to have the bratwurst. Good meal all around. read more

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I recently tried Von Trier for a fish fry. I ordered baked cod with fries which was served lukewarm on a plate with wilted lettuce. The serving size was much smaller than my companions' fried cod. The coleslaw was room temperature. 1/2 slice of small marble rye with a nice pat of butter. Service was good with comfortable seating. However, I can get a much better fish fry for the same price of $16 or less at nearby establishments. read more

The beer list here is great authentic German beer and the food is nothing to be slept on! It's a great place to stop for dinner or just a beer. The inside has these huge murals that add to the aesthetic, it's a fun place to get a drink and the staff is always friendly! read more

Von Trier - Hummus - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I didn't have a full meal but we did have some great beers, managing to land during the happy hour to get a discount on the first round. Service was good. Our waitress got a little distracted by the group at the patio but was other was otherwise friendly and helpful. Great stuff. Beers? Cold and delicious. A lager for first round and second, the Weihenstephean hefeweizen that was perfect, served with a slice of lemon. Cheese curds? AMAZING. Super hot, fresh, flavorful and exactly what I expect in Wisconsin. And we also split the pretzel, it was tasty stuff. I preferred the mustard over the cheese sauce. Good stuff! [Review 20435 overall - 213 in Wisconsin - 1415 of 2023.] read more

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Charged me for a dinner I didn't order, didn't realize until I left the restaurant. Called, emailed the restaurant and completely ignored. Pretty shady! read more

I enjoy the casual atmosphere and solid food of Von Grier. Good pretzel, nice schnitzel plates. I did have a satisfactory, but underwhelming take on a Caesar salad- for $13 I had hoped for more. We did order the brat- again, underwhelming. Stick to the schnitzel plates. This was my second visit- I'll return if convenient. read more

Friendly Friday crowd . Lots of regulars. Dat at the bar and ordered the FF. Fish fry was cod, potato pancakes and slaw. Fairly priced.

Great patio dinner after checking out the amazing decor inside. Fish fry was delicious, generous portions. Beers and service were all great! read more

Von Trier - Fish fry, potato pancakes, cheese curds - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

After spending a $100 for lunch at the other Milwaukee famous German restaurant for a cocktail, soup, entree with tip and being disappointed lacking seasoning and flavor I thought that I would stop here for lunch. The website says lunch starts a 1pm on Sunday so I go in and Peter informs me that they changed it to 2pm, great now I'm here and I have to wait an hour so Peter says he is sorry but if you come back in an hour he would comp me my drink of choice. The place is absolutely beautiful with the German theme with a nice big bar surrounded by tables and chairs. In back they have a dedicated dining room. Peter was a man of his word and before I could finish with the rest room and sit down my Gin Rickey was on the bar waiting for me. The new menu is on the small side but I knew that I would have the Jagerschnitzel entree. The jagerschnitzel is a pork loin with panko breading, herbed spatzel, brat gravy and seasoned vegetables. My plate looked amazing and the seasoned vegetable was asparagus which is my favorite. First off the seasoned asparagus was the star of the plate and I wish I knew how they make it because it was so delicious, ,seasoned nicely with a char grill flavor. The spatzel had good texture and was very good as well. The jagerschnitzel was tender and tasty with a crispy panko breading. The brat gravy had can mushrooms which was still good with a slight rich sharpness and tasty. WOW this plate was very good and nicely arranged. Compared to that other well known German restaurant in Milwaukee the food here was way better and tastier at a fraction of the price. I would definitely recommend the plate I had for lunch. read more

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A very German pub, very dark inside, not too busy on a Thursday night, felt very Milwaukee. We didn't notice the outdoor seating until after we were done and was walking back to our car, and noticed that it was packed outside and looked so pretty with string lights and music. I thought it was a different restaurant until I got home and saw pictures from other yelpers. Must try it next time! Service was solid, and the beer was good. At least, my friends tell me they were (I can't have any beer at the moment). I needed something keto friendly, so ordered the Currywurst. Fried brats were so good with the Haus mustard and the curry flavor! My friend ate all my spatzle in a wink saying it was super good. I agreed after taking a bite, but couldn't eat more cuz of the keto. Another friend had ordered the Smoked Hungarian, which came with hot dog buns. I tried just the sausage and loved it more than the fried brats. Maybe I can get this next time without the buns. No one else ate, as we had all had dinner already, but had more beer. And water, sadly for me. lol read more

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Haven't been back in over the year and it is still the most fabulous spectacular place that I miss. Last year we moved out of the east side and into the suburbs of Bosa and there are two things we missed the most from being insiders one, is beans and barley. There's nothing like it and never will be. It's institutional to Milwaukee. Second would. R von triers. They have the best staff the best energy the best ambience the best drinks and by far the most institutional bar in Milwaukee it's great for locals and visitors alike and I can't fault it. I think it's absolutely beautiful here they just are under new ownership and will be closing for the next month and I'm looking forward to coming back and seeing how they have upheld the same traditions as well as modified for new thank you venture I look forward to being a continuing customer. Shout out to Patrick, who is the utmost most wonderful person we love coming to visit him, and he holds quite an impression as a host in the face of von Triers. read more

Von Trier - Beer cheese soup today! Every single soup is made in house, from scratch and is completely heaven in a cup. Do it. - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Screams historic Milwaukee. Legendary east side staple. This bar will catapult you to Germany with the interior design, beverages, and people. The back room is gorgeous and you can enjoy a das boot of beer on their patio area. A must stop. read more

Very nice ambiance and friendly staff. The selection of draft beers is amazing. They even got a cozy beer garden.

Henry was lovely - everyone who works here HUSTLES. They don't let quality take the hit - everything was amazing. THEE BEST cheese curds EVER. I am so glad I got to visit this trip to Milwaukee - Danke! read more

This place is a gem in Milwaukee. They have some of the best beer, and they also have a great wine selection. On weekdays they offer a happy hour with different drink selections and certain types of German beer for $5. My spouse and I opted for the giant pretzel and clam chowder. Both were delicious and the pretzel bread was so soft and tasty. Definitely try the mulled German wine. I'm not a huge fan of mulled wine, but I'm so glad I tried this one. It was perfect for a cold gloomy day, and the cinnamon and sweetness was not overwhelming or overpowering. read more

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While visiting Milwaukee, I had a craving for German food. A quick Yelp search led me to Von Trier. 20 minutes and an Uber ride later, we were in the East Side neighborhood and we were dropped in front of the brick building. We made our way inside with no reservation and found seating in the corner of the restaurant. The bar has an old 70's Bierstube feel and I love the German beer steins lining the bar wall. It had a very relaxed and local vibe to it. There's also an outdoor patio in the back if you want to dine al fresco. The history of the bar, especially the story behind its former owner, was interesting and tragic at the same time. Despite the misfortune, it's nice to know Von Trier exists to service the public and I'm hoping this local gem sticks around for another 50 years. The menu is not extensive but they have your traditional German offerings with a modern spin. My husband ordered the Jagerschnitzel with Spaetzle and I got the grilled Trout dish with roasted asparagus and cucumber. Our mains were excellent. In fact everything was excellent! We didn't feel rushed, the pricing is just right and the service was very good. We loved everything from start to finish and I already have Von Trier bookmarked as one of our stops when visiting Milwaukee. read more

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I love everything about this place, from their patio to their free freshly popped popcorn to their list of beers, which I believe is one of the largest in Milwaukee. One of my favorite memories of my dad, who passed away a few years later, is bringing him here so he could order a "manly" dark German beer and I could order a "girly" light Belgian lambic flavored with raspberry. I knew he'd get a kick out of making fun of me, and he did. read more

Totally worth the trip! The interior is warm and inviting, whether you choose the bar or the dining room. They also have a patio, which would be great in the summer. We were greeted promptly and the wait staff was very attentive. The beer selection was fantastic! There is a happy hour every day 4-6 with great deals. The cheese curds were hands down, the BEST ever! Seriously, try them. The appetizers pair perfectly with the beers and there are suggestions on pairings on the menu. Overall, a great experience- can't wait to go back! read more

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What a great spit that transports you to Germany. My friends love to come here for the delicious beer and I'm actually shocked it's taken me so long to finally make it here. There's wide selection of beer to choose from. It's a very low key and chill vibe that truly reminds you of a German pub. It took me back to my time visiting Hamburg. Definitely want to come again and try some different beers with friends. read more

Von Trier - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I keep saying I'm going to visit this place more often, but I just don't. We had the poutine which is best described as German-Canadian fusion and it was out-of-site. The drink menu is still really good. I mean, Delerium on tap for $9 is a steal. As usual, the service is really dependent on who is working. A few of the bartenders would rather chat with their friends and sometimes you get a table server who isn't on top of their game. Still, it's a gem. read more

Great bar food, awesome service and just a nice place to chill. The server was on top of tje game and we never had to look for her. Drinks were refilled and we added more food after our initial serving and she was right there. read more

Dropped into Von Trier our first night in Milwaukee. Had a great time sitting on the patio. The Pork Schnitzel was great, as was the Poutine. Drinks (Mules) and service were also great. The only thing that wasn't the best was the Kabab. read more

Pretzel, curds and schnitzel. All excellent and the decor is German all the way! When in Milwaukee I am back! read more

Von Trier - Cheese curds and a tiny pretzel (ha)! - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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The service was fast and attentive. The atmosphere at the bar was great, lots of steins and some German art. The food was amazing. The loaded potatoes with bacon were divine. The schnitzel and brat were out of this world. Even the pretzel was delicious. If you're in Milwaukee and want some good German food, this is your place. read more

Von Trier - Schnitzel sandwich, beer brat, loaded potatoes, pretzel. - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Love this place. Great service, awesome drinks. Ambience is awesome. Trivia on Thursdays is a lot of fun. One of my favorites read more

Von Trier - Cheese curds, Bavarian Pretzel - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Food and beverage are really great and all and I can tell y'all's are at least trying, shootin' for an appropriate ambiance with the German decor and all.... HOWEVER: This is absolutely no excuse to treat your patron's, who walk through your doors, LIKE CRAP FOR NO LEGITIMATE REASON!! So please!! KNOCK IT OFF with the poor sport attitude!! Good food and beverage is TOTALLY NOT a license to getting away with being a douche bag!! 110% FACTS!! read more

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Von Trier is as close to a German Rathskeller as you'll find in the City limits, and unique to the East Side. While you can get your steins of German beer, they also carry a good selection of rotating craft beer handles. Get some soft pretzels to create a base, or partake of the free popcorn! Good for small groups, couples, possibly a date, there's a small patio in the back that's good in the summer! An East Side institution, I'm so glad Von Trier is still here! read more

Von Trier - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Finally glad I've started visiting Von Trier. Not sure why it intimidated me. Maybe the names of the beers. It's a fantastic German beer bar but also with local and craft beers to try. And a full bar. I stick with beer so I appreciate the introduction to more German style beers. The staff is friendly and attentive. The bar itself is slightly dark but with intricate detail. I believe the main chandelier is from the Pabst family. Lots of steins and unique woodwork abound. Just fun to look around. In the back they have a beer garden/patio for outdoorsy beer drinking. I prefer the intimacy of the darks woodsy interior. A Milwaukee pit stop to say the least! read more

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