While in the Cincinnati area with your family, make a point to visit the Hofbräuhaus in Newport for lunch or dinner. The food is delicious, the beer is refreshing, and the atmosphere is comfortable and fun!
The Food
Recently, the Hofbräuhaus in Newport hosted us for lunch on a weekday, and we were pleasantly surprised by the large variety of food options available and by how delicious everything was.
German Food
In my opinion, there is no better appetizer on earth than a warm, soft, salty pretzel with cheese. Because of this, my absolute favorite part of the meal was sharing the best one I’ve ever had with the rest of my family.
The Hofbräuhaus’ giant pretzel appetizer comes with 3 dipping sauces as well: obatzda cheese (seasoned cheese and butter spread), Bavarian mustard, and homemade bier cheese (soooo yummy!).
During our visit, the lunch buffet was available, and this is quite the deal! For $11.99 per person, we enjoyed all we could eat of the following:
- Fresh salad bar with toppings and dressings
- Pasta salad
- Two kinds of hot soup
- Three varieties of juicy würstl (sausages and bratwursts)
- German potato salad
- Two types of schnitzel (fried, thin meat)
- Sauerkraut
Everything on the buffet was fresh and delicious!
If you’re not dining at the Hofbräuhaus when the lunch buffet is available, you’ll still be able to enjoy authentic German food on the regular menu. Some options include:
- Sauerkraut balls
- Potato pancakes
- Several types of würstl (sausages and bratwursts)
- 4 different schnitzel dishes
- Fried cabbage
American Food
Grandma and grandpa were dining with us, and they like to stick with traditional American food, so they were happy about the flavorful barbecue chicken and juicy hamburger that they ordered for their meals. There are several other more traditional menu options available such as:
- Club sandwich
- Dinner salad
- Baby back ribs
- Mashed potatoes
- Fish sandwich
- Chicken sandwich
Kids Menu
The Adventure Kids, while willing to try just about anything dangerous when it comes to activities, are not so willing to be adventurous with their food choices. Luckily, the Hofbräuhaus had them covered with $5.99 kids meal choices that included all of their dietary staples:
- Hot dog
- Cheeseburger
- Mac and cheese
- Pizza
- Grilled cheese
They also have schnitzel on the kids menu for those who want to try something different. And, the $5.99 price includes a small soda. The Adventure Kids were very happy with their food.
Also, if you’re looking for gluten free items, several are available at Hofbräuhaus as well.
The Bier
If you like beer, then you must give these biers made from 400-year-old Bavarian recipes a try! The Hofbräuhaus has 4 different biers they brew in house and serve all year. They also have special seasonal biers to tickle your fancy.
These people are serious about their beer and about sticking to Reinheitsgebot (German Purity Law). Except for the water, all of the ingredients for the Hofbräuhaus biers come straight from Germany. Their brew masters’ commitment to excellence shines through in the smooth and refreshing tastes that Hofbräuhaus guests love in every gulp.
The Tour
During our visit, Service Manager David gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewing process. It was so much fun! If you’re interested in touring and learning about the centuries-old process of creating the Hofbräuhaus biers, follow them on Facebook or Instagram, or visit their website for information about upcoming tours. Did I mention the tours will include samples? Yep, you need to check this out.
The Atmosphere
During my early and mid-twenties, my friends and I visited the Hofbräuhaus several times on weekend nights, and we always had a great time! But, admittedly, it was not the kind of time that I would want my kids to be around. However, during the days, weeknights, and even the early evening on the weekends, the Hofbräuhaus is a completely family-friendly restaurant.
During our lunchtime visit, we found the waitstaff to be laidback and over-the-top accommodating and all of the facilities to be sparkling clean. Even when one of the Adventure Kids dumped his whole cup of milk all over the floor, no one seemed bothered. The waitress immediately cleaned it up and replaced his drink with a smile on her face.
The Band
In the main dining hall, there is often a live German musician or band playing family-friendly jams on weeknights and weekends. We did not get to hear them on this visit, but we look forward to dancing and singing along with them on future visits.
The Location
The Hofbräuhaus is located in Newport, Kentucky, which is just across the river from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. If you’ve never been to this area, you’ll be surprised by how much is here! In the riverfront area where the Hofbräuhaus is located, we LOVE the Newport Aquarium. There is also an entertainment complex called Newport on the Levee, which includes a movie theater, restaurants, and retail shops.
There is no shortage of things for families to do in Newport. Right at the top of that list is a visit to Hofbräuhaus.
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