Oktoberfest Fort Worth returns to Panther Island Pavilion September 23-25. If counting down the days until Oktoberfest feels like the “wurst,” try a few of these German-themed activities to help you get in the festive mood.
Spaten Bier at Flying Saucer Fort Worth
Fort Worth is home to the original Flying Saucer. Our hometown Biergarten will have Spaten, a German premium lager, on tap during the month of September. We recommend pairing the beer with Flying Saucer’s Beerfeast Board (pretzels, grilled bratwurst, sauerkraut, spicy mustard and queso).
Live German Music at Edelweiss
Edelweiss German Restaurant is one of Fort Worth’s German food stalwarts. The decades-old restaurant offers a traditional Biergarten atmosphere and lively tunes of accordionist Mike Borelli Thursday through Sunday nights. Borelli is joined by bandmates Bernd Schnerzinger and Helga Beckman Friday and Saturday nights. The festive live music is best enjoyed over traditional German dishes like rouladen, schnitzel and several types of sausage.
Visit Little Germany
Little Germany is a great destination for families. There are classic American dishes like corn dogs for the kiddos and hearty German fare for those pining for beefsteak, spaetzle and Vienna Schnitzel. Grab a pint of Spaten to wash it all down and you're good to go. Plus, the restaurant was voted “Readers’ Pick” for Best Hole in the Wall by Fort Worth Magazine in 2019!
German Wein at Reata Restaurant
The next time you visit Fort Worth’s famous Reata Restaurant, ask for a German varietal. Most Texans are familiar with Riesling, but the Rhine Valley produces a wide range of dry, semi-sweet, sweet white wines, rosé, reds, and sparkling wines.
Bavarian Pretzel at World of Beer
World of Beer’s Bavarian Pretzel could double as a steering wheel. It’s an apt comparison: You’ll need “both hands on the wheel” to handle this bad boy. The giant pretzel is baked soft on the inside, and it’s crispy and salted on the outside. You can enjoy this oversized German appetizer with house-made stone ground mustard or World of Beer’s New Belgium Fat Tire beer cheese.
Swiss Pastry Shop
Don’t let the title fool you, the bakery and restaurant serves knackwurst, fondue and a pork schnitzel sandwich (the Will Rogers), among other entrees. The cakes, including the Black Forest macaroon cake, are equally sehr gut.
Ol’ South Pancake House
Ol’ South Pancake House isn’t the first place locals think of when it comes to German traditions, but their signature German pancakes (fresh-squeezed lemons, powdered sugar, and whipped butter) are as close as we’ll get to a German breakfast without the $1,500 airfare. If the cakes are too hefty for you, the Dutch Babies are smaller versions.
