How authentic is the German biergarten?

[naturegirl]

We'll be camping during out trip, so we'll only eat one dinner out. I'm leaning toward the biergarten. We lived in Germany for a couple of years (non-military) and DS1 was born there. We really miss the food and atmosphere of a biergarten. I would also love to show DS1 a little bit of where he spent the first 18 months of his life. Will we be disappointed if we go there?

I don't expect 100% authentic food and atmosphere, but I would be disappointed if it's super cheesy and doesn't even resemble a real biergarten.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I think it is rreasonably authentic. And also there is a dance floor in front of the band where children can dance (or whatever) to the music.

A few years ago I was with a group and all five of the adults had been in Germany in the Army, and we all had a blast. There were two kids in the group and the also enjoyed themselves even though they had never been to Germany.

 

[naturegirl]

There were two kids in the group and the also enjoyed themselves even though they had never been to Germany.

I'm also liking the thought of my boys being able to dance, they would love that.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Never been to Germany, but my grandfather was German and was VERY picky about his German food. In fact, there was only one German restaurant in the area where he would eat, because their food was authentic (they were from Germany). The food at Biergarten is DEFINITELY comparable to the German food I had as a kid! My grandfather would have loved this place! I have never been to Germany so I don't know if the atmosphere is authentic, but it really does feel like you are outside, and the entertainment is fabulous! We're going back to Biergarten for dinner next month!

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I think that the food is pretty authentic, particularly the rouladen, wursts and German-style potato salad (they also have an Americanized version that is pretty bland). The sauerbraten was a bit Americanized, but still pretty tasty. The spatzle is also awesome if you get it when it's fresh; spatzle does not hold well on a buffet line! The dumpling, pork roast, etc. are all really good and hew pretty closely to authentic German recipes.

I think your son will love the setting. It's our family's favorite place, and while the food is delicious, we love the atmosphere and the entertainment even more. As PPs have mentioned, the kids can dance up a storm, and my DD5 is still talking about the kids she met and danced with three weeks ago. The service is warm and friendly and not rushed at all, which makes it even more fun. It's certainly a place I'd encourage you to try!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

The wursts are definitely authentic. I once saw a Geier's truck just by the Germany backdrop of Epcot and I think that's who their supplier is. We have a Geier's where I live and they are the real deal.

Having visited Germany and mostly eaten tourist-type food (at the Christmas markets) I would say the saurkraut and potato dumplings are authentic as is the red cabbag and the rouladen also. The german potato salad didn't taste authentic IMO and the Black Forest Cake is very dumbed down.

The atmosphere is very nice and festive. I think you will enjoy it.

 

[sand2270]

The sauer braten smells and tastes just like the pot roast my italian grandmother learned to cook from my german grandfather's mother... I think that counts.

I loved Biergarten...my daughter and I danced when the band played, had a lot of fun.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

...the Black Forest Cake is very dumbed down.

I agree with this. In my opinion the desserts, in general, are not Biergarten's strength. The strudels are OK, but nothing special, and nothing leaps to mind as "don't miss." I'm usually too stuffed to care by dessert time, however!

 

[mmtska]

My MIL is German, as is my DH's grandmother. As in they both were born there, and Oma spent 20-odd years there. They both loved Biergarten! DH really wants to go, so we have to make a point of eating there the next time we go.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Last time we were seated across from a young lady who'd been raised in Germany and just in the US for a few years. She thought it was authentic.

 

[judaloo]

We just ate at Biergarten a couple of weeks ago. It was our first time, and we enjoyed it. My husband goes to Germany a couple of times a year for work, and he said it was pretty authentic.I thought the bratwursts were delicious, as was the Pot and Pork roasts. The pretzel rolls were a favorite with all of us. The band does a good job of involving the kids in dancing. It was pretty cute..my husband had purchased a couple of beers for us while we waited for our table. Of course, since that counter was outside they were in plastic cups. We were seated right after that and the first thing our waiter did was INSIST on bringing us a mug. He said he "could not allow us" to drink beer from a plastic cup. I thought that was really a nice touch

 

[ilovejsparrow]

My dad lived in Germany for years, and he loves the Biergarten! We always have to eat there (not my fav..) but he always tells us how much the food and atmosphere remind him of his time there. It's nice that Disney put so much thought into making the World Showcase really authentic!

 

[LaniesMom]

My dad was born in Austria and my mom is from northern Germany and each time we've gone to Epcot we make a point of going to the Biergarten because they both enjoy it so much. My mom makes many of the foods on the buffet at home and we tease her that WDW could give her a run for her money! Granted, some items are hit or miss, but from what we've experienced, we have not been disappointed at all. And my Dad is a picky eater.
My daughter was 15 months old last November when we took her and she loved the entertainment!
A big plus--The beer comes in nice, heavy German glasses that are fun to "prost" with. We will be taking my daughter back there this coming November as we are going back because I got the 40% off PIN
Best wishes to you!

 

[CruznLexi]

We lived on 2 Military bases when I was a child so I grew up with German food. Husband is from Europe so the Beirtgarten is very real and the food is pretty close to what you would get.

 

[Noel22]

Although I get German food everyday, I love the biergarten.The location is comparable to the Oktoberfest in Munich. And the food is very German-like, too

 

[Pixiedust34]

My dh grew up eating German food and spent time in Germany while in the army. He loved Biergarten!

 

[adidas97]

Good German food. Last year my dad and I went. Growing up we always had Oktoberfest parties with REAL German food. I never was a fan of Sauerkraut, but last year I had a dish (forgot the German name) that was a layer of sauerkraut, pork shank and then potatoes. It was so good, when we got home I emailed Disney guest services and they sent me the recipe. I will be cooking it this year for Oktoberfest.
Also in the Boston area this is a great German Club that has festivals throughout the year, and their food is similar to Biergarten.

 

[floridianer]

Another german here

As Noel22 said, the food is pretty good and authentic. It is bavarian style, which only represents a part of germany actually but this is the most known part of it and the "Octoberfest" is known almost everywhere...
I guess that this is the reason why everything "german" is actually "bavarian" in the US

We have been last year and we really liked it. Food was good and the show was ok (we don´t live in Bavaria and so we are not used to THAT kind of MUSIC )

Overall it is a really good experience and we always enjoy talking a little bit german again while sitting there with a nice Franziskaner Weissbier in my hand

Go for it! It´s really worse a try!

 

[NMAmy]

I lived in Germany for a year, in Bavaria. I was three doors down from a biergarten that I frequented fairly often and yes, the atmosphere is very similar as well as the food. Wurst salat is my favorite and they do a very nice version at the Biergarten. It's one of our favorite restaurants at WDW.

 

[baumeister]

Hello,

I'm from Germany near Heidelberg.
We will spend our 7th vacation in Disney World in a few weeks.
I know the food at Biergarten.
I have to say that the food isn't very authentic.
Sorry.

But it is a nice experience.