I recently stopped over in Fort Lauderdale on a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and visited the fabulous Mai-Kai, of course! I was also able to dine at a German restaurant in town that I’ve wanted to check out for a while – Old Heidelburg.
photo by The Jab, 2014
The restaurant has been open since 1988, in a large building that once was a New England Oyster House, one of many locations of the restaurant chain in Florida. The photo above shows the restaurant from the road, but the entrance is actually in back next to the parking lot. On entering you are greeted by a hostess in traditional Bavarian costume (a dirndl), who escorts you to your table in the dining room, a long room with dark wood paneling and beams, heavily shellacked wooden tables (which look like the tables in the Molokai bar at the Mai-Kai) with carved wood partitions, lamps in various styles, pictures of Bavaria and other German subjects on the walls, interesting bric-à-brac, and festive streamers.
photo by The Jab, 2014
photo by The Jab, 2014
The menu is very extensive, but the restaurant specializes in food from Bavaria, particularly the roasted meats popular in the 425-year-old Hofbräuhaus beer hall in Munich (and its offshoots), such as lamb shanks, schweinshxe (a huge pork shank), smoked pork loin, schweinebraten (roast pork), sauerbraten (marinated roast beef), roast suckling pig, roast goose, and roast duck. They also offer many schnitzel (fried cutlet) variations, seafood (usually great in South Florida), sausage plates, chicken, steaks, and more. And don’t forget to leave room for house made apple strudel!
lamb shank with red pepper sauce, spaetzle, and red cabbage – photo by The Jab, 2014
The lamb shank I had was excellent, as were the sides of spaetzle and red cabbage. I chased it with a Krombacher dark from their good selection of German beers on tap, served in glassware appropriate to the beer you are having. And I like that they still use vintage plates from the New England Oyster House.
photo by The Jab, 2014
There is a festive atmosphere in the place, with live entertainment nightly in the bar. It is like being in a real German tavern when you are inside because most of the friendly staff are from Germany and speak to each other in German part of the time. I got the impression that they have a lot of loyal regulars who frequent the place, which is not surprising judging by the good food and service and friendly atmosphere. To sum it up in one word, Old Heidelburg offers a feeling of gemütlichkeit!
Old Heidelburg
900 SW 24th Street (State Road 84), Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
954-463-6747
Open Mon-Fri 11:30am – 10:00pm, Sat-Sun 4:00pm – 10:30pm
(bar open later, until approx. 11:30pm Sun-Th, 1:00am Fri-Sat, always call first)
I have been to Old Heidelburg many times pre and post Princess Cruises. I will be there about Oct 12th after a Panama Cruise and will go in for the Lamb Shamk. Thanks.