Came here on a Sunday night for dinner with a decent sized party and had no problem getting a reservation and a table. To start with service, I think Gabriella was the name of our waitress and she was as sweet as could be! Great service all around, was able to answer any questions, was attentive, and even great with the kids with us. It's hard to pick just one thing on the menu when everything sounds as good as it does, but alas here I am. For appetizers we got wings, onion rings and potato pancakes, with the potato pancakes being the star of the trio. You also get pretzel rolls complimentary, and they are a game changer, I could come here for just those! For a main I got the chicken stroganoff and I've had the Jaeger schnitzel previously, both are delicious but I think the schnitzel edges out as the winner by a small hair. Also tried a small taste of the double chocolate cake, and although it's quite rich, it really is a delicious cake. The atmosphere is about as authentic rustic German as it gets, and during the holidays they have all kinds of fanfare too. Parking right out front is limited to the street on busy wellwood, but you can also park in the back where there are a few municipal lots nearby which are much easier to get in and out of. This place will always be in the back of my mind when I'm thinking of somewhere to go that's a little bit special for a celebration.Parking: Parking right out front is limited to the street on busy wellwood, but you can also park in the back where there are a few municipal lots nearby which are much easier to get in and out of.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Pancakes, German Chocolate Cake, Jagerschnitzel
Stephen OBrien
If you want great German beer and authentic homemade German food go here! The food and desserts are excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
gregg knepple
Had a blast. You will too. Great place, great people, great food. Recommend to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ronald Hoage
Is best german food around.Pastrami sandwiches outstanding.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Sauerbraten & Dumpling
Michael Barbara
MY FRIENDS WERE HERE TUESDAY AND LOVED THE IT . I JUST C AS ME IN FROM PENNSYLVANIA FOR THE WEEKEND. MY FRIEND SAID I HAVE TO TRY IT. I CANT STOP BRAGGING ABOUT THIS PLACE. THE SERVICE WAS AWSOME THE FOOD WAS OUY OF THIS WORLD. THE BEST GERMAN FOOD I HAVE HAD IN YEARS . ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10 .I GIVE THE VILLAGE LANTERNEA 20 PLUS . THANK YOU SO MUCH .YOU GUYS MADE ME AND MY FRIENDSLIKE FAMILY ???????❤
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bill Stewart
My wife and I went here for my birthday this past Sunday, and we were incredibly disappointed. I really wanted to like this place, but unfortunately, neither one of us can recommend it. The appetizers were delicious, but took 45 minutes to arrive... The potato pancakes were crispy and delicious. The Reuben Egg Roll was surprisingly good (I had been skeptical of this one). Our entrees arrived just over an hour later, and by then we weren't really hungry anymore. My wife's wurst platter was a mixed bag... the sausages were good, but her sides were WAAAAAY too salty. My Jagerschnitzel had potential. It was cooked nicely and was tasty, but the mushroom gravy was terrible. It was bland and needed to simmer a little longer to cook out all of the flour. My veggies were clearly made from fresh, not frozen, but they were incredibly bland... if they had any butter or seasoning at all, we couldn't taste it. The red cabbage that I ordered as an extra side (for $7!!) was super overcooked... it was maroon instead of purple, mushy, and nearly flavorless. The sodas were totally flat... not one bubble in the glass. The entire experience took well over 2 hours... What a disappointment!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Gary Repetto
Food and atmosphere were excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Frank DeMartino
If u like German food its
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Jeffery Vitkun
Stopped in with a friend of mine for the first here. What a great place! As soon as I walked in, I had a smile on my face. I love how the place is set up. Very friendly staff. Even struck up conversations with people in the bar area about their food and drinks here. The food is amazing. The atmosphere is so warm and friendly. Service is perfect. Never rushed to order. I highly recommend going here ?
The only thing that was good was the pastrami egg roll. Shnitzel was like a rock, salad dressing was just bland and weird. I won't be back. What a sad thing for a German restaurant.
I'm here a lot because of the live music. I keep giving the food another try but it's always a disappointment. The waitresses are not very attentive. It is very hard to get their attention and they never check back with you to see if everything is ok. Tonight I ordered a chicken caesar wrap because I saw someone with a chicken Caesar salad that looked good. However, once my wrap arrived all I tasted was chicken and lettuce. I asked for dressing because none seemed to be on the sandwich and I didn't see or taste the shredded cheese that had topped the salad. Finally, I had asked for mashed potatoes instead of fries but I was served fries. I didn't bother returning them but they were very salty and not very tasty. Disappointing.
Ilona Novak
Very good as always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pretzel Bread, Jagerschnitzel
Dawn L.
I have to say that this was my very favorite German restaurant on LI. But I think that they are slipping. A group of 4 ladies and I went there for lunch today. I raved to the group about how good this restaurant is. Most of us were disappointed. I ordered the pork schnitzel. There was almost no pork. They are cutting the pork so thin that it almost doesn't exist. They batter and coat it in breadcrumbs and fry it, so it looks like a large portion, but it is almost all fried breadcrumbs. Another lady sent her weinerschnitzel back because there was almost no veal inside the fried breadcrumbs. I understand that the restaurant has to make a profit, but this was extremely disappointing. On top of this, there was a large party in the back room, that had to have a reservation, but the restaurant didn't prepare with enough staff. Our food came out cold and an entree was completely forgotten. Then side dishes were forgotten. I really hope this was a one time situation. I will give them another try. I want to love this place, because I have for so many years, but ....
Scott R.
Never let down here. Quality German food with great service to match....busy, busy busy. I usually sit at the bar, plenty of room if I decide to pop in last minute. Better to call in advance for a reservation at a table. Great selection of beer and can't go wrong with any menu choice.
Iryna Ilchyshyn
Such an authentic place. Food is very good, specially if you trying german dishes. Portions are considerably bigger than usual restaurants. You would be pleasantly surprised wish service and vibe of the place. Village Lantern is one of the gems of Long Island.They always decorate so well for Christmas
Came here on a Sunday night for dinner with a decent sized party and had no problem getting a reservation and a table. To start with service, I think Gabriella was the name of our waitress and she was as sweet as could be! Great service all around, was able to answer any questions, was attentive, and even great with the kids with us. It's hard to pick just one thing on the menu when everything sounds as good as it does, but alas here I am. For appetizers we got wings, onion rings and potato pancakes, with the potato pancakes being the star of the trio. You also get pretzel rolls complimentary, and they are a game changer, I could come here for just those! For a main I got the chicken stroganoff and I've had the Jaeger schnitzel previously, both are delicious but I think the schnitzel edges out as the winner by a small hair. Also tried a small taste of the double chocolate cake, and although it's quite rich, it really is a delicious cake. The atmosphere is about as authentic rustic German as it gets, and during the holidays they have all kinds of fanfare too. Parking right out front is limited to the street on busy wellwood, but you can also park in the back where there are a few municipal lots nearby which are much easier to get in and out of. This place will always be in the back of my mind when I'm thinking of somewhere to go that's a little bit special for a celebration.Parking: Parking right out front is limited to the street on busy wellwood, but you can also park in the back where there are a few municipal lots nearby which are much easier to get in and out of.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Pancakes, German Chocolate Cake, Jagerschnitzel
If you want great German beer and authentic homemade German food go here! The food and desserts are excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a blast. You will too. Great place, great people, great food. Recommend to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Is best german food around.Pastrami sandwiches outstanding.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Sauerbraten & Dumpling
MY FRIENDS WERE HERE TUESDAY AND LOVED THE IT . I JUST C AS ME IN FROM PENNSYLVANIA FOR THE WEEKEND. MY FRIEND SAID I HAVE TO TRY IT. I CANT STOP BRAGGING ABOUT THIS PLACE. THE SERVICE WAS AWSOME THE FOOD WAS OUY OF THIS WORLD. THE BEST GERMAN FOOD I HAVE HAD IN YEARS . ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10 .I GIVE THE VILLAGE LANTERNEA 20 PLUS . THANK YOU SO MUCH .YOU GUYS MADE ME AND MY FRIENDSLIKE FAMILY ???????❤
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I went here for my birthday this past Sunday, and we were incredibly disappointed. I really wanted to like this place, but unfortunately, neither one of us can recommend it. The appetizers were delicious, but took 45 minutes to arrive... The potato pancakes were crispy and delicious. The Reuben Egg Roll was surprisingly good (I had been skeptical of this one). Our entrees arrived just over an hour later, and by then we weren't really hungry anymore. My wife's wurst platter was a mixed bag... the sausages were good, but her sides were WAAAAAY too salty. My Jagerschnitzel had potential. It was cooked nicely and was tasty, but the mushroom gravy was terrible. It was bland and needed to simmer a little longer to cook out all of the flour. My veggies were clearly made from fresh, not frozen, but they were incredibly bland... if they had any butter or seasoning at all, we couldn't taste it. The red cabbage that I ordered as an extra side (for $7!!) was super overcooked... it was maroon instead of purple, mushy, and nearly flavorless. The sodas were totally flat... not one bubble in the glass. The entire experience took well over 2 hours... What a disappointment!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Food and atmosphere were excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If u like German food its
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Stopped in with a friend of mine for the first here. What a great place! As soon as I walked in, I had a smile on my face. I love how the place is set up. Very friendly staff. Even struck up conversations with people in the bar area about their food and drinks here. The food is amazing. The atmosphere is so warm and friendly. Service is perfect. Never rushed to order. I highly recommend going here ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Schwabisch Meat Platter, Stuffed Cabbage, Pretzel Bread
The only thing that was good was the pastrami egg roll. Shnitzel was like a rock, salad dressing was just bland and weird. I won't be back. What a sad thing for a German restaurant.
Restaurantji Recommends
I'm here a lot because of the live music. I keep giving the food another try but it's always a disappointment. The waitresses are not very attentive. It is very hard to get their attention and they never check back with you to see if everything is ok. Tonight I ordered a chicken caesar wrap because I saw someone with a chicken Caesar salad that looked good. However, once my wrap arrived all I tasted was chicken and lettuce. I asked for dressing because none seemed to be on the sandwich and I didn't see or taste the shredded cheese that had topped the salad. Finally, I had asked for mashed potatoes instead of fries but I was served fries. I didn't bother returning them but they were very salty and not very tasty. Disappointing.
Very good as always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pretzel Bread, Jagerschnitzel
I have to say that this was my very favorite German restaurant on LI. But I think that they are slipping. A group of 4 ladies and I went there for lunch today. I raved to the group about how good this restaurant is. Most of us were disappointed. I ordered the pork schnitzel. There was almost no pork. They are cutting the pork so thin that it almost doesn't exist. They batter and coat it in breadcrumbs and fry it, so it looks like a large portion, but it is almost all fried breadcrumbs. Another lady sent her weinerschnitzel back because there was almost no veal inside the fried breadcrumbs. I understand that the restaurant has to make a profit, but this was extremely disappointing. On top of this, there was a large party in the back room, that had to have a reservation, but the restaurant didn't prepare with enough staff. Our food came out cold and an entree was completely forgotten. Then side dishes were forgotten. I really hope this was a one time situation. I will give them another try. I want to love this place, because I have for so many years, but ....
Never let down here. Quality German food with great service to match....busy, busy busy. I usually sit at the bar, plenty of room if I decide to pop in last minute. Better to call in advance for a reservation at a table. Great selection of beer and can't go wrong with any menu choice.
Such an authentic place. Food is very good, specially if you trying german dishes. Portions are considerably bigger than usual restaurants. You would be pleasantly surprised wish service and vibe of the place. Village Lantern is one of the gems of Long Island.They always decorate so well for Christmas
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5