Ludwigs Biergarten Mountain View

Finally an authentic German restaurant. Being of German origin, I have tried many restaurants in the Bay Area that claim to offer authentic German food - unfortunately, most are a bit disappointment.

Ludwig's is different. They make their own sausages and even make some of their own sauces. I love their food, the atmosphere and everything about this place!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food. Beer. Good.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Very close to a true European Beer Garden. Authentic German food and beer on tap. Goulash was fantastic. Don't bother with the nontraditional menu options!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fun German themed restaurant and bar with large outdoor beer garden type area. Authentic German food.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Really mixed bag on the food. Red cabbage was amazing - maybe the best I've ever had. Spatzel was legitimately awful and tasted like dirt. I got two sausages and one tasted like a hot dog while the other was fantastic. Veal schnitzel was pretty good. I'm sure if you came here often, you'd narrow down the best items to make this place 5 stars.

Appreciated that they had both German and local beers to choose from.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Not cheap, but very delicious! Unique and yummy food, draft German beer. Do recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

perfect place! super nice to just hang out at but the food is delicious and authentic as well!! really enjoyable and definitley my favorite place in mv. try the swabian 'mac and cheese'!
also love the owner - ideal vibes for a good restaurant :))

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Good food

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing -- I always feel like I'm in Germany when we go here!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bratwurstplatte - Sausage Sampler - Feeds 2 People, Apfelstrudel Mit Vanillesauce - Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Currywurst-Pommes - Bratwurst with Curry Sauce and Fries, Freshly Made Pretzels

German beer garden in downtown Mountain View is legit--even my friend from Germany says so. 4.5

Food: 4.25 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 4.5
Cost to worth it rating: 4 ($18 for 2 sausages w sides, $30 full schnitzel with sides)
Opentableable: no
Return worthiness: yes

Highlights
- Sausages: SO good. Get to pick from a few. My faves are the Ludwig's Fränkische which is like a thicker bratwurst and the
Käsekrainer that has little cubes of melty cheese inside 5 stars
- Pretzel: warm and great version, bit smaller than expected. Like the flavor of the beer cheese sauce but it's a thinner versions 4 stars
- Burger: my son has had it and it's good with good fries too. 4 stars
- Schnitzel: large and flat breaded pork but not so much flavor. Nice with spetzel. Cool they have options for a half portion or veggie version if that's your thing. 3.5 stars
- Lots of beers to choose from: including the oldest brewery in the world
- Mulled wine in winter: very tasty with great spices 4.5 stars
- Friendly new female owner who appreciates her customers
- Open outdoor seating with some coverage and traditional picnic tables. Also some tables indoor for a different vibe.

Lowlights
- Bit of a wait for food: when we went they were open but the kitchen wasn't yet
- Qr code menu has an order button but you can't order

Fun place to hang out and we'll be back.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Way too many benches for the limited staff and kitchen. Should not take over an hour to get food after putting in an order. At least bring the appetizers out to keep us from leaving ?

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 1

Do not come during the German holiday market. The place was extremely packed, and we were initially excited to try the food. However, after waiting for over an hour, our order still had not arrived. Each time we asked about the status, the only response we received was “we don’t know” or “at least another 20 minutes.”

We were there with kids, who became tired and hungry, and we ultimately had to leave without receiving any food—after more than an hour of waiting. If you plan to visit, avoid coming on holiday market days.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The Schweinshaxe was dry and tuff. My wife remembered Schweinshaxe from her time living in Germany and this version wasn't up to that standard. We sat inside and the service was inattentive. We asked for extra plates and they gave us two tiny bread plates.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

Good time with friends and got to meet the owner, Gisela. A friend of mine who is Bavarian confirmed that the food is good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ludwig’s Biergarten is such a delightful spot! We started with the pretzel, which was reasonably priced, though the selection of sauces felt a bit expensive. I ordered the pork schnitzel—it was delicious, but I was surprised that it came as pork tenders with scrappy pieces rather than one solid cut. I chose spaetzel as my side and thought it was very bland. Super disappointed and wished I ordered fries instead. I did appreciate that you can choose a full or half order.

Service was very good, and my husband really enjoyed the two-sausage combo; both sausages were very tasty. Overall, the food was a smidge on the pricey side, but the beer was reasonably priced with lots of great options. A fun place to relax and enjoy a good meal.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5