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Mader's
Review
About
Mid-America's most honored German restaurant. Since 1902, this Milwaukee landmark has been serving American Presidents, and celebrities. America's finest German cuisine. You'll dine surrounded by a $4 million collection of medieval suits of armor, wood carvings, oil paintings, two-handed swords, crossbows and magnificent stained glass. Ranked by TripAdvisor, and every publication in our state that ranks dining spots as Wisconsin's best German restaurant. Free valet parking. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @madersrestaurant. See you soon!
Features
CUISINES
German, European, Central European
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Delivery
Discover
Free off-street parking
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Parking Available
Private Dining
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Street Parking
Table Service
Takeout
Television
Valet Parking
Validated Parking
Visa
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Free off-street parking, Parking Available, Street Parking, Valet Parking, Validated Parking
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 9:00 PM
Sunday
11:30 am - 8:00 pm
Monday
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Tuesday
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Wednesday
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Thursday
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Friday
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Saturday
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Contribute
4.3
1,856 reviews
Excellent
1,109
Very good
404
Average
189
Poor
94
Terrible
60
FamilyTraveler1969
Indiana91 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
If a classic, traditional German restaurant is something you like, or want to try, Mader's cannot be beat. The old world atmosphere puts you in the mood to forego your usual lighter fare and go right to the German sampler. Our very helpful waiter, Will, arranged for us to share the generous sampler and the schnitzel (always order the sauce for it) was excellent, the sauerbraten exceptional (and very tender), and the rippchen very good. Among the sides, the red cabbage and sauerkraut wonderful, the spaetzle okay and the potato dumpling a bit dry and bland. Valet parking is convenient and the attendant friendly and helpful.
Written 25 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paige R
Nashville408 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
I'm a food tour guide in downtown Nashville. I love trying new foods and had never experienced an authentic German restuarant like this before. I had eaten a little earlier, so I wasn't super hungry and since it was really cold outside, I chose two cups of soup, the oxtail and the liver dumpling. My boyfriend had the weinershnitzel with spaetzle, sauerkraut and red cabbage. Of course I had to try bites of everything. I have to admit, I don't think I'm a huge fan of German food, but definitely want to return to try some more things, as I feel like the offerings here are really legit. We didn't have a reservation, but snagged a couple seats at the bar where Christy, Trinity and Colton were KILLING IT! It was a holiday weekend with so much going on in the area, they were slammed. They ran out of ice, straws and cherries... and still kept smiles on their faces while providing great service to all.
Written 3 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hiro P
Munich1 contribution
Sept 2024 • couples
Absolutely loved my experience! The ambiance was cozy and inviting, making it perfect for a night out. The food was simply delicious, bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. Service was top-notch, attentive without being intrusive. Highly recommend!
Written 24 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack and Jill H
2 contributions
Sept 2024 • friends
Waited 20 minutes for bartender to acknowledge we wanted to place a drink order. Our friends were finally seated and we needed to join them. The one waitress, who was wearing an ill-fitted dress, took our drink order after 15 minutes waiting and then never gave us our drinks after 20 more minutes. Naturally, when we finally saw her again, we motioned her for our drinks. To our surprise, she motioned back with outstretched arms and yelled “I’m busy over here.” We had the common sense to walk out.
Service continues to drop while prices continue to increase just about everywhere. More satisfying googling from home how to make your own ethnic food than dealing with anunprofessional waitress wearing an ill fitted dress.
Written 2 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike H
Sioux Falls43 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
Had such high expectations. We love German food and were excited to experience Maders. We were thankful to get in and received a great greeting. But after that, the service was average and most importantly, the food was average. We got two different types of sampler meals, and both were not very warm, had bland flavors, and just didn’t do anything to warrant a good rating. So sorry, but I just hope to let others know what to expect. It is a nice setting, has a ton of history, and I wish them well. The portions are good, but the taste just isn’t there.
The gentleman that served us was not attentive, but he was busy doing cleanup, serving big tables, etc. We spent $150 and cheese curds and burgers next door would have been so much better. Again, sorry, but we were so surprised and disappointed. Good luck.
Written 20 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Foodybite
Washington DC15 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
My husband and I have been longtime customers of Maders. We recently visited for the first time since the pandemic. We were greatly disappointed to the point that will probably not return.
The service extremely slow and the food was very bland. The waitress had to make the cheese and sausage appetizer herself because the regular staff member was off that day. Besides all of the food being tasteless, the kassler rippchen was very dry. Midway through the long wait for dessert (apple studel), we were informed it was still baking in the oven!
We do not/cannot recommend this restaurant!!
Written 21 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda M
Michigan36 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
We visited Mader's back in September when we were in town for a concert. Having been to Germany, my late mother was German, I grew up knowing what authentic German food is like. This is NOT it. It is commercialized and Americanized. Portions are far LARGER than what you would get in Germany and NOT freshly made. The schnitzel was dry and tough! The spaetzle was extremely mushy with zero flavor. The streudel tasted like it had been in the fridge for days, was clearly "nuked", the outside was warm and in the inside was bone cold. This is frustrating for me, as someone who absolutely LOVES traditional German food. Please have your chefs go to Germany, go to Bavaria, go to the small towns and eat there! Bring back AUTHENTIC German food. We were not impressed and will not be returning. Auf Weidershen
Written 14 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vooten
Mequon12 contributions
Feb 2025 • couples
Food on a downhill slope.
Birthday dinner at Maders. I have been here many times in past years. History,,ambiance and service were still very nice…however..the food was less than average. I had the German sampler. Sauerbraten was tough,stringy and fair in flavor. Kassler Rippchen was dry as was the schnitzel. Potato dumpling was flavorless . I also ordered liver dumpling soup which I love but hardly ever see…also tasteless broth and dumplings. I’m admittedly fussy..but know good food. When you spend over $200 for a couple….higher standards are expected. Not sure I’m willing to go back.
Written 26 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie T
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • couples
The food was delicious, the service left much to be desired. We had a reservation for 7 p.m.. The restaurant was busy and hosting at least 1 large group and 1 small group There was 1 hostess to seat everyone. We arrived 15 minutes early and it took 15 minutes to be seated. That’s fine, we were early, but that’s not why it took so long to be seated. After being seated, it was another 15 minutes before we met our server. We ordered a bottle of wine. 25 minutes later, she brought the wrong bottle. 10 minutes later we found out they were out of the kind we ordered. 10 minutes after that we received our bottle of wine. We had to request that our server take our order. Shortly after we met our server, we received some water. Our glasses weren’t filled once by staff after that. We had to go to the bar to get water refilled. At some point (after waiting at least 45 additional minutes for our food) our server apologized for the delay and asked if she could bring us some bread. We thought it was nice gesture and was complimentary. Nope. She charged us for the bread (which was delicious but we wouldn’t have ordered it). After being in the restaurant for about 2 hours, we finally got our food. Again, the food was delicious, but if we hadn’t had a bottle of wine at our table, we would have walked out and gone somewhere else. We were at Mader’s for almost 3 hours, most of which was waiting for service. Guests at a table near us arrived after us and were ordering their dessert long before we received our meal. The restaurant was full. I’m not sure it was entirely our server’s fault that service was slow, but the very least I would have expected is water service at our table and an occasional update on the progress of our food. Our server walked by our table many times and rarely stopped, only to deliver wine and food. The wait staff was doing all of the water service (what little there was), all of the table bussing, and all of the serving. There should at least have been a couple of staff solely for water service and bussing dishes. I hope this was an unusual event and the staff was surprised at the number of guests (there was a large convention in town at the Baird Center). I am from out of town and am not likely to be in town again soon, but if I am, I will be hesitant to dine here.
Written 2 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ewe_W_Ohh
Neenah60 contributions
May 2023 • couples
We both ordered the German sampler--schnitzel, sauerbraten, and Kassler rippchen. They arrived LONG after we ordered, and all of the meat was cool, as if it had sat for awhile after preparation. After we complained to the waitress. Both she and later the manager offered to cook the whole thing again, but we had waited long enough. We ate the cool food, which was completely unexciting. We were offered free dessert, and we chose the Black Forest torte, which was the only wholly satisfactory thing we had. Service overall was quite slow, even though we ate in early evening, with only a handful of people there. I can only suggest the owners change the name of the restaurant, because this sure isn't the great Mader's beloved by Milwaukeeans and visitors alike.
Written 27 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristin Mader
Dear Guest,
Thank you for taking the time to write. I'm very sorry to hear that you had a long wait for food that was not to your expectations. This certainly isn't our standard.
Written 31 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Drew H
Madison139 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
This review only pertains to the Christmas Day buffet.
Mader's Christmas Day buffet may be the biggest ripoff I've ever experienced with a restaurant. I called a month in advance to make reservations for Christmas Day, no one ever told me it was a buffet, it was implied it was the regular menu with regular service. I was very disappointed to see a buffet as the only option when we got to the restaurant. This buffet was about $60 per person ($60!!), it was outrageous! Also, the food available could have been better, it wasn't hot and I even had to ask for red cabbage, there was no sourkraut either. The trays were poorly labeled and we had to lift each lid top ourselves to get what we wanted. For $60 there should've been people there lifting each lid tray for you and explaining what each food item is.
Biggest ripoff of my life.
Written 27 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristin M
Drew H,
I'm sorry that you had a bad experience on our most popular day of the year. Mader's has always offered buffet only on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, and Mother's Day. Red Cabbage and Sauerkraut are part of our buffet offerings. It is possible that we were replenishing the trays at the time you were visiting the buffet section. In the future please ask for a manager if things are not to your expectations. Thank you for taking the time to review us. Kristin Mader
Written 4 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Johnny Trekkie
San Diego11450 contributions
Oct 2023 • friends
This 120+ year old German restaurant looks incredible inside and outside, we just had to check it out! I've been to Germany three times, and just got back from Munich's Oktoberfest!
But some research we saw that the main dishes, however, were more on the upscale pricier level so we opted to just visit the bar area for appetizers and happy hour beers...though we learned the hard way that happy hour is only $2 off draft beers, no food specials...doh! At least they had some good German beers on draft, a 1 liter "Ein Mass" glass costing $14 after the $2 discount. The $14 Reuben rolls, with corned beef, sauerkraut, cheese, deep fried in a batter...tasty, meaty, and delicious! The $15 Giant Pretzel really is humungous! Bartender served with a genuine big smile, as well as the runners. The interior decor is amazing, definitely worth a look and great place for a German beer, and a dinner splurge.
Written 12 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CasaMyrna
10 contributions
Aug 2024 • family
Maders is not what it used to be. I ordered the German Sampler. The potato dumpling was mostly bread and appeared to have been scooped out of loaf pan., doughy and tasteless. The sauerbraten was stringy and tough. The potato pancakes had no flavor and I think they were made from frozen shredded potatoes. The red cabbage was like mush. I didn’t taste the sauerkraut as it looked like another scoop of mush. I will say the wiener schnitzel was good but not worth the $10 up charge for veal. All in all my $53.95 (plus tax and tip) lunch was a huge disappointment. We will not be returning.
Written 23 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hobbes63069
Waukesha288 contributions
Nov 2022 • none
Took our family here before a show nearby. This was where we went when I was a child, but they are nothing like I remember. The cheese and crostini appetizer came with toasts so hard as to break a tooth. We upgraded to the veal in the schnitzel and shrimp, but there was too much breading and very little veal. What was there was tasteless and overcooked. The 3 shrimp were good, but we were supposed to get asparagus which the waitress said they were out of, so we got about 3 slivers of carrots. For almost $50 they should be ashamed of themselves. Never again.
Written 27 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DanRuth_11
Scandia43 contributions
Jul 2022 • none
To celebrate our German heritage during a visit to Milwaukee, we made a reservation for two at the famous Maders. A few days later a couple of friends said they would like to join us so I called and changed the reservation to four - “No problem.” The night before dinner, the other couple dropped out due to an illness. I called to Mader’s again to change it back to two _ “Thanks for letting us know”.
We arrived the next evening on time and found the main entrance locked with a sign on the door saying “Closed for private party”. What????? We found an adjoining door to Mader’s bar. Inside we found a senior staff person who said we could not have made a reservation because of the private party. I explained the reservation’s history whereupon she pulled out the reservation book. She studied it for some time before telling us that we in fact we had two reservations - she would find us a table after all.
Well, the table was in the bar area. After a hot, humid day, it had no air conditioning. With Brewers baseball on the nearby TV, the place had the feel of a sports bar.
All of this would have been tolerable EXCEPT this place is charging high-end, formal, French restaurant prices for sausages, pretzels and kraut. The obscene pricing was no surprise because I had read Trip Advisor reviews before hand, But the prices should have come with a table in the formal dining room, with table cloth, flowers and a candle. Instead we didn’t even get an apology.
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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