The Rathskeller: Bavarian flair in downtown Indy
Published: May 12, 2009
Long considered the best German restaurant in the city, The Rathskeller has been serving up authentic Bavarian food and fun in Indianapolis since 1894.
Located in the basement of the famed Athanaeum building (designed by Clemens Vonnegut, grandfather of author Kurt Vonnegut), the Rathskeller boasts both original German cuisine and traditional American and Continental-style entrees in an authentic setting.
Quirky fireplace gargoyles, German axioms painted on walls and beer steins along the restaurant’s windowsills add to The Rathskeller's Old World charm.
Customers can dine in one of seven rooms or spend time in the indoor Kellerbar or drinking German suds at the outdoor Beirgarten during the warmer months with live music up to five nights a week.
During typical warm summer Indy nights, the Rathskeller is the place to be — especially if you’re a fan of the best collection of German beers in Central Indiana — 68 at last count. Because of alcohol-sales regulations, children are no longer allowed in the Beirgarten area..
On the appetizer list, the Hot Wurst Platte is not to be missed. It features a sampling of bratwurst, bBockwurst, kielbasse and German wieners served with homemade sauerkraut and red cabbage with a generous helping of spicy mustard.
Among the more popular dinner entrees are jaegerschnitzel, which comes smothered in mushrooms and a wine-based sauce; schnitzel, a breaded and fried pork cutlet; and kassler ripchen — smoked pork chops cooked in a sweet apple-raisin sauce.
For dessert, popular choices include German chocolate cheesecake, apple strudel à la mode, homemade bread pudding and Sacher Torte, a double-layered chocolate cake separated by a layer of raspberry sauce and covered in dark chocolate icing.
Parking's only $1 in the Athanaeum parking lot, but even when it's full because of area events, street parking is plentiful.
Reservations for dinner are suggested. Dinner specials and events are listed on the restaurant's website.
- by Jim Brown , Indianapolis Reporter for HelloMetro
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