UPDATED June 2026
- Where to find the best German food in Waterloo Region.
- Five restaurants and bakeries serving Bavarian-inspired meals and baked goods..
- Enjoy authentic German flavours year-round, beyond Oktoberfest.
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest may only come around once a year, but great Bavarian food is always on the menu in Waterloo Region.
Thanks to the region’s deep German roots, local restaurants, taverns and bakeries continue to serve up authentic Bavarian flavours long after the festival tents come down. Whether you’re craving schnitzel, sausages, pretzels or fresh-baked rye bread, these local favourites offer a taste of Bavaria any time you visit Waterloo Region.
Where to Sample Oktoberfest
Concordia Club – The Schenke Restaurant
Step inside The Schenke at Concordia Club and you’ll find one of Waterloo Region’s most authentic Bavarian dining experiences. Located within Kitchener’s historic German cultural club, this welcoming restaurant serves up traditional favourites in a warm atmosphere that celebrates the region’s German roots. The menu features hearty classics including schnitzel dinners, cabbage rolls, spätzle and beef roulade, all prepared with old-world flavour in mind.
Can’t decide what to order? The Concordia Platter offers a delicious sampling of German specialties, making it an ideal choice for visitors looking to experience a true taste of Bavaria.
Edelweiss Tavern, Kitchener
If you know, you know: while the Edelweiss Tavern is a great place to catch live music and watch the game with friends, it’s also one of Waterloo Region’s go-to spots for schnitzel. The tavern’s menu features several takes on the Bavarian classic, from traditional schnitzel dinners to the popular Hunter Schnitzel Dinner. Looking for something uniquely local? Try the Grilled Cheese Schnitzel, topped with Wellesley apple butter (a Waterloo Region favourite and the product featured at the annual Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival.) Pair your meal with a cold beer and discover why this longtime community gathering place has been welcoming guests for generations.
Olde Heidelberg Restaurant & Tavern, Wellesley Township
If you’re named after a German city, you’d better be serving food that lives up to the name! In the village of Heidelberg in Wellesley Township, the Olde Heidelberg Restaurant & Tavern does just that. Best known for its legendary pork hocks, this destination draws diners from across the region for hearty, slow-roasted German comfort food done right. Pigtails, sausage and other traditional favourites round out the menu, all served with tangy sauerkraut on the side. It’s old-world flavour, served generously in a village that wears its name proudly.
Metro Restaurant, Kitchener
“Best Schnitzel Place in Town since 1961” isn’t just a slogan at Metro Restaurant, it’s a long-standing local claim backed by generations of satisfied diners. Known for its wide variety of schnitzel dishes, this favourite takes classic Bavarian comfort food and runs with it, from traditional schnitzel to creative toppings and hearty platter combinations. Whether you prefer your schnitzel simple or stuffed, there’s a version here for every craving. It’s hearty, flavour-packed, and built around one very clear specialty that keeps people coming back for more—and more than a few “Wunderbar!” moments along the way.
Bread and Bretzel Basket, Waterloo
When German Master bakers are behind the counter, you know you’re in for something special. At Bread & Bretzel Basket, traditional recipes and time-honoured baking techniques are at the heart of everything they make, from fresh breads and buns to cakes, pastries and chocolates. Their signature Berliner, a light German-style donut filled with raspberry compote, is a local favourite and the perfect companion to a cup of coffee. Whether you enjoy it in the café or take a box of treats home, every bite offers a taste of authentic German baking tradition.
Grainharvest Breadhouse, Kitchener, Waterloo and St. Jacobs
If you’ve ever enjoyed a giant pretzel at Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, there’s a good chance it came from Grainharvest Breadhouse. As the maker of the festival’s official pretzels, this local bakery produces thousands of the beloved Bavarian treats for Oktoberfest each year. The good news? You don’t have to wait for Oktoberfest to enjoy one. Grainharvest bakes its famous soft pretzels fresh year-round at its retail locations, with traditional, cheese and apple cinnamon varieties to choose from. Pick one up for a quick snack or take a few home to share, and enjoy a taste of Oktoberfest whenever the craving strikes!