In a warm and inviting atmosphere, the premium cafe known as Otto's German cafe serves traditional dishes from Germany. We use the freshest locally sourced meat and fruit, as well as the highest quality organic and environmentally responsible ingredients, to create a cuisine that changes with the seasons. Our beverage program offers a comprehensive selection of German and Austrian wines, as well as craft beers and cocktails that are made from scratch.
Great beverages! The staff was nice and attentive. Even got a Pappy 15 year for a very fair price. Delish!
Before coming, we called the restaurant to make a reservation, but we were told they do not accept reservations, so we came as walk-in guests. When we arrived, the restaurant was mostly empty with plenty of visible open tables.
The hostess asked us to wait for a moment while she “figured things out.”After making us wait, she came back and told us they could not accommodate us because they didn’t have a table for four.
That explanation simply didn’t make sense considering how many empty tables were available. If there was truly no way to seat us, we should have been told immediately instead of being left waiting only to be turned away.
What made the experience even more disappointing was the feeling that our family—with a baby in a stroller and a young child—was not welcome. Based on our experience, this did not feel like a family-friendly or baby-friendly restaurant at all.
Being turned away despite the restaurant appearing mostly empty was frustrating and disappointing. Unfortunately, this was a very poor first impression, and we will not be returning.
Otto’s was one of our better meals in Fredericksburg. The restaurant is intimate, polished, and much more refined than the traditional beer-hall version of German food.
We started with the sauerkraut balls, which were excellent. Crisp outside, rich inside, and one of the more memorable things we ordered. The Brot und Butter also became a funny little misunderstanding because we did not technically mean to order it, but it arrived and was very good, so no real harm done.
For the main course, I had the schnitzel. It was good, well prepared, and very filling, although in hindsight I wish I had gone with the duck schnitzel. That felt like the more distinctive Otto’s choice and probably the move for next time.
The rest of the meal was similarly rich, generous, and satisfying. Otto’s is definitely expensive, but unlike some upscale places where you leave admiring the plating and still thinking about a sandwich, we were completely full. We boxed the leftovers and ended up eating every bit of them back at the room later that night.
Service was warm and professional, and the overall atmosphere felt special without becoming stiff.
My only real caveat is price. Otto’s is not casual German comfort food pricing, but the food quality, portion size, and experience helped justify it more than expected.
Overall, a great stop for a more elevated German meal in Fredericksburg. Next time, I am getting the duck schnitzel.
I called Otto’s German Bistro before coming and specifically asked if they take reservations. The lady on the phone told me they do not take reservations and that it is first come, first served.
Because of that, we arrived right at 5:00 PM with 2 adults, 1 child, and a baby. When we got there, the same staff told us to wait a little. After waiting about 5–10 minutes, they then told us they were not taking a “big table.” We were not a big party at all, just a small family.
What made the situation even more confusing was that the restaurant was only about 50% full at the time. If they were not able or willing to seat us, they should have told us clearly from the beginning instead of making us wait.
Overall, this was a very strange and disappointing experience. The communication was poor, and the way we were treated did not feel professional or welcoming at all.
The food was just okay with high prices and small portions. We don’t mind paying a premium for food that is incredible but this missed the mark. The pretzel was doughy and almost tasted undercooked. The bean soup was underwhelming, nothing stood out in the flavor profile of the soup. My sweetie got the little pizza bread, which was very good.
Our server, Tiffany was excellent. She was personable and attentive.
This is a small restaurant with limited seating, when we arrived there was a large boisterous party near the door so it was very hard to chat comfortably but after they left it was very easy to hear each other.
The tables are close to one another, the couple behind us were close enough to reach out and touch.
Oh, and all of this was at 7 PM, long before serving fatigue should set in. Maybe it’s a small town, but if you’re server at a big name restaurant, let’s make 8:30 the cut off for not giving a crap anymore.
The cheesecake, ooooo the cheesecake!! The bartender said they're known for it and that is well deserved. It was like no cheesecake I've ever had before. It was rich, creamy, deep. The glaze on top was incredible. I thought another reviewer was exaggerating when they said it was the best cheesecake they've ever had... It is mine too!
I loved my hibiscus ginger beer mocktail. I love that while I'm trying to avoid/limit my alcohol intake, the bar had some unique mocktails on the menu that looked pretty, too! It helped me not draw so much attention to the fact I wasn't drinking on our anniversary.
We didn't see any tables available inside when we went to make a reservation online. We saw patio seats available. We were torn between one of the more casual restaurants and this one. I wanted more of a quality food experience for our anniversary date as I assumed it would be more romantic, and it was.
316 East Austin Street, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624, United States
