Oktoberfest

by sfgirl06 - 1 Review - 261 Lists

Updated: September 05, 2008

Exchange your wimpy pint glass for a liter-sized, boot-shaped beer stein and raise it to the annual celebration of German heritage (i.e. beer, sausage and polka): Oktoberfest. You won?t need a flight to Munich to join in the festivities, but you may need an Alka-Seltzer and a few hairs of the dog that bit you. Prost!

On this page:Reasons to Drink, Places to Eat.

Reasons to Drink

Places to Eat

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended Schroeder's Cafe
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    240 Front St, San Francisco, CA 94111 (map)

    This Financial District staple claims to be the oldest and largest German restaurant around. But there's more on the menu at this popular after-work hangout than spatzle and schnitzel--come by on a Friday for live polka starting at 6pm.

  2. 2 4 Star Rating: Recommended Walzwerk
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    381 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)

    Dine on jager schnitzel with spatzle, sauerbraten with sauerkraut and all manner of unpronounceable East German delicacies at this pocket-sized, dictator-themed Mission eatery. But show up early, as the restaurant often has lengthy lines come dinnertime.

  3. 3 3.5 Star Rating: Average Gestalt Haus
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    3159 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

    A hip Mission bicycling crowd (and their hard-drinking friends) packs this Munich-style pub for liters of cold beer for less than $10 and German sausages to soak up the alcohol. The quirky spot on busy 16th Street also sells vegan dogs for those who want a more PETA-friendly snack with their pilsner.

  4. 4 3 Star Rating: Average Schnitzelhaus--CLOSED
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    294 Ninth St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)

    Locals who appreciate big beers and huge helpings of meat head over to this family-run SoMa eatery that specializes in schnitzel, sausage and a handful of traditional German and Austrian dishes. The beer list includes nearly 20 imported draft or bottled options.

  5. 5 4 Star Rating: Recommended Suppenkuche
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    601 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

    The emphasis at this popular Hayes Valley restaurant is on traditional Bavarian cooking--huge portions of brunch, lunch or dinner options--served up in an almost pub-like atmosphere. The pork, potatoes and pickled herring make an excellent base for the headache-inducing, two-liter beer boot.