German · Whittier / Eat Street

Black Forest Inn

★ 4.2 · 1178 Google reviews · $$

Authentic, handmade German and European cuisine established in 1965. Award-winning restaurant known for Wiener Schnitzel, Sauerbraten, Spätzle, and Black Forest Cherry Torte, with a beloved outdoor beer garden and strong ties to the local arts community.

The Room

What it's actually like

BFI is beloved as an authentic German restaurant and Twin Cities institution with a loyal customer base. The food quality is consistently praised, particularly German specialties like spätzle and potato pancakes, and the atmosphere is genuinely warm and community-oriented. However, some reviews highlight inconsistent service speed and occasional quality variations, and a small segment of negative reviews cite outdated execution or reheated dishes.

old-world Germanwarm-heartedauthenticneighborhood gemtraditional
Diners keep mentioning
Spätzlehomemade pretzelbeer flightspotato pancakesbratwurstReuben sandwichbeef rouladen
Ambiance
cozy-rustic
Noise level
quiet
Dress code
casual
Outdoor seating
Yes
Good for
family dinner, date night, anniversary celebration
Reservations
direct

Wait reality — Service can be slow during off-peak hours with notable waits between courses, though staff is generally friendly. Best to visit during Octoberfest or busier evenings when service is more efficient.

Derived from 39 recent Google reviews — not marketing copy.

Menu

What's cooking

Specialties

Black Forest Cherry Torte
Bratwurst
Handmade from scratch using time-honored southern-German recipes
Sauerbraten
Spätzle
Wiener Schnitzel
Details

Find it

Address
1 East 26th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404, Minneapolis, MN
Phone
612-872-0812