The “best” Austrian/German in the city

[bocce]

I want to go to the best Austrian or German restaurant in the city. Any recommendations?

[ellenost]

Try Danube or Wallse--both have great food. Danube is fancier and more expensive. I go to Danube for special occasions.

[Nehna]

Blaue Gans for sure.

[nancythenice]

Loved Wallse.

[Rodrigo]

I'll second the Thomas Beisel recs. It's right across the street from BAM, so it's the perfect dinner/movie combo. Fresh food, authentically prepared. There's a nice variety of beers and the atmosphere is slightly Alpine. Well worth the trip. (They don't take visa or mastercard however).

[gutsofsteel]

Blaue Gans or Cafe Sabarsky.

Thomas Beisl is good, and Wallse is an upscale restaurant that can be very good.

Don't bother with Silver Swan, Rolf's, Zum Stammtisch, Killmeyer's. All four of those serve mediocre food. Lorelei and Lederhosen and Zum Schneider are basically beer halls that serve decent German pub type food.

Danube is completely inauthentic.

[NAtiveNewYorker]

Danube is authentic...but upscale. From the salt rolls to the cucumber salad on the side.

[jdmetz]

Agree on Blaue Gans. Can be a bit of a wait if it's crowded, but the wurst, specials, and strudel have been especially good.

[mbaldwin]

Blaue Gans in my new favorite. Hit it regularly for dinner during the week. The quality / price ratio makes it a bargain in my book.

I've always been impressed with Wallse. Occasionally a dish wasn't up to expectations, but that happens everywhere.

[Lucia]

Blaue Gans is the best Austrian for the money. While I really enjoyed my meal at Danube, it bore a hefty price tag that didn't necessarily fit the food and service. My meal at Wallse was actually somewhat disappointing, but I had the tasting menu.

[guttergourmet]

In Manhattan I like Silver Swan, Lederhosen and Zum Schneider-haven't tried Lorelei. Of course there's Wallse which is good. Haven't been to Danube. In Queens my sentimental favorite is Chalet Alpina on Metropolitan Ave.

[bocce]

Is Walse up to its reputation? I've passed by it a few times and it looks great but worry its all hype.

[NAtiveNewYorker]

It's excellent but sometimes the hype gets ahead of the place. The rabbit spaezel is excellent.

[mas]

i've had several fantastic meals at wallse. the only dish i had that wasn't fantastic was a pancetta-wrapped monkfish. it was somewhat overcooked and just not that flavorful. but otherwise, i have been nothing but impressed. the service is always fantastic, the atmosphere is sophisticated but very comfortable. and the best part of the meal has always been the sommelier. he knows his stuff and loves to talk about his wines.

but it's definitely a "nice restaurant" as opposed to a bier and schnitzel place. though....their wiener schnitzel is what i think of when i think of that dish.

[NAtiveNewYorker]

Danube and Walse

[fassforus]

Zum Schneider on Ave. C and 7th st. is ok. The Käsespätzle(spatzle with cheese, onions and bacon) is really good. They have a good selection of beers as well.

[MaspethMaven]

Lederhosen on Grove Street has nice food and a good selection of beers. Decor is a bit kitschy, though.

Silver Swan has more upscale atmosphere.

Rolf's food is mediocre at best, but its soooo festive around the holidays.

Lorelie (a bar, mostly) has reliable wursts.

In Queens, Zum Stammtisch, on Staten Island, Kilmeyer's.

[jen kalb]

what about Danube or Thomas Biesl (latter in Brooklyn)