The German word Brotzeit translates into ‘bread time’ in English. It usually alludes to having a snack often consisting of bread and some assorted meats and cheese accompanied by a beer. Although these snack-type quick bites can be found on the Brotzeit menu, they have a whole array of hearty meals great for sharing. Let us take a closer look at what Brotzeit has to offer.
They have the classic German favorites such as schnitzel, pork knuckle, and sausages and, of course, none of it would be complete without some beer, which they have plenty of! Just with how any meal starts and in our case it was dinner, drinks are the first order of business. Upon seeing the menu and being enticed by the friendly staff we decided to try out their beer tasting paddle. For a very affordable price, it comes with 4 different kinds of beers in tester-sized glasses. This is a great way to get to know what beers they offer and to find your favorite one before ordering a larger serving for yourself.
If you find that beer is not quite your style they also have a selection of wines to choose from. Whether it’s red or white, they have bottles from all over such as Germany, Spain, France, Australia, and Chile. Also, if you happen to be celebrating a special occasion they also have champagne or sparkling wine as well as schnapps, whisky, tequila, cognac, and many more. If those aren’t to your liking then don’t fret, there’s also a whole list of delicious classic cocktails to choose from.
Since we were group dining out we decided to order their sharing plates. Eager to try a little bit of everything we ordered just that! A bit of this and a bit of that and everything was delicious. The mixed cheese and cold cuts platter with a variety of bread was a great way to start us off. However, soon we quickly moved into the thick of things and dove straight into the meat. The sausage platter to share was a crowd favorite. Although there is a lot of sausage, you’ll never get bored since there are different kinds and it is accompanied by some pickles and sauerkraut to cut through the heaviness of the meat.
Aside from the sausage platter we had to sample their flank steak and it is surely something I will never hesitate to order again. It came with a couple of fried eggs, a bed of potato rounds, and some mixed vegetables garnished with some crispy onions on top. The beef itself was tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection. The presentation is impressive and it definitely tastes as good as it looks!
Dinner would not be complete without a taste of their pork knuckle. This dish is so well known around the world for having both the crisp and crunch as well as the tender meat and delicious gravy. The Brotzeit pork knuckle is something you must order at least once. The crackling was glorious and the meat was soft, a perfect combination! It came with a side of potato, sauerkraut, and some pickles which helps balance out all the flavors with its slight tang and acidity.
If you are not a big meat eater and prefer seafood, they do have a few choices available such as beer-battered fish fillet and breaded prawns for appetizers. There’s also a mixed seafood salad if you are looking for something lighter. If those are not tempting enough try out the smoked salmon rosti, Garnelen Thermidor, or grilled salmon with potatoes and mixed vegetables which all look very inviting.
When it comes to sides you will be spoiled for choice. Aside from the classic sides such as fries, rice, salad, and roasted vegetables, they also have sauerkraut, rotkraut, potato salad, spinach spaetzle, and many more.
A meal is never complete without dessert! The theme of sharing carries on until the very end since you can order a dessert platter to share. If you can’t decide well then why not get them all! However, if you do want just a quick sweet nibble the options are black forest cake, custard with strawberries, apple strudel, chocolate cake, and what they call an Emperor’s Pancake which is served with some jam and sauce. And if cakes aren’t your speed then take your pick from their ice cream selection.
Now that we have covered the food let’s quickly talk about the ambiance and staff. The restaurant and bar setup is quite laid back with all the wood and some bench seats. Think of a pub but a little more upscale and less cramped. The televisions will also provide some entertainment if you are a sports fan. The staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable when it came to the drinks. Especially when navigating the different types of beers, you could always ask them for some guidance.
Overall, it was a memorable dinner and many drinks and laughter was had. We went home full and very much satisfied. If you haven’t been to Brotzeit yet, take your friends or family and enjoy exploring their extensive menu!