Bavarian Chef

Wonderful food, large portions, I didn't see a single group leave without to go boxes. I was expecting a traditional German beer hall style but it was more fine dining style. I had braised pork shank and my wife had the half duck. It was all delicious.

We have been dying to come here for years, it was well worth the wait!

I made a reservation a week in advanced and we were glad we did because it quickly got busy for prime lunchtime.

The specials were impressive and the duck was some of the best I’ve had. I haven’t had duck prepared like this since I was in France over a decade ago. Felt like I was vacationing abroad!

We enjoyed the beer taster flight and dessert too. We’ll definitely be back for special occasions!

The Bavarian Chef offers a delightful taste of Germany with its traditional food recipes. The menu is a culinary journey through Bavaria, featuring hearty dishes like schnitzels, sausages, and sauerbraten. The pleasant atmosphere and attentive service enhance the dining experience. Whether you're a fan of schnitzel or sauerkraut, this establishment is a fantastic place to savor authentic German cuisine. The cozy interior, complete with Bavarian decor, adds to the charm. Don't forget to pair your meal with a refreshing German beer or a glass of Riesling. Overall, the Bavarian Chef is a must-visit for those seeking a taste of Germany in a warm and welcoming setting.

We dined here 9/23 and loved everything. We’ve lived in Germany and appreciated the authenticity of the menu and the care taken with the preparation of the food!

My husband was in deep emotional love with the Schweinshaxe ha ha

The selection of wines and liquors is great too

Since moving to Virginia, we have been trying to find a go to resturant for german food. We came across the Bavarian chef on an online add and decided at the last minute to make the trip. We are very happy we did!

On a busy Friday night they were able to accommodate a party of two near the bar area. The restaurant was busy with several large parties, however, service was fast, friendly and efficient.

While the decor was dated, it reminded me of the many great German restaurants we visited every fall in NJ.

The food was beyond delicious! While not as tender as I have had in the past the flavor of the sauerbraten was quite possibly the best I have had. The sides were all excellent as were the portions. We both had leftovers to take with us that did not go to waste.

The black forest cake was just like my mom used to make, very tasty.

When the bill came, we were very satisfied for the quality and quantity for the price. This was a great experience made even better by the scenic drive coming from Beaverdam. This will be our new go to german restaurant for sure!

What a fantastic place to stop by for a great & hearty meal. None of the 3 of us could finish our meals & had to pack up and take so much good food home with us. We’ll plan future trips through the area to make sure we have time to stop in for a meal on our way.

Food is truly authentically German and delicious.
Desserts are amazing as well.
Reminded me of my years in Germany.
Always find time to eat there when in Madison VA.

Wow! If I could give this place more than 5 stars, I would. The food was amazing, the portions were MORE than generous, and the price was right. I had a “restaurant week” special that was delicious, and the beer selection was quite delicious. I left feeling more full than I ever have. The desserts were some of the best I’ve had in years. Our water glasses were never empty, and the service was prompt and friendly. I WILL be coming back.

Definitely exceeded expectations!! if you love German food, this is the place to go. Authentic and DELICIOUS. We are not from the area, but will certainly be planning a special trip back in the future to make sure we eat here again.

I’ve been hearing about the Bavarian Chef since the late ‘80s and only managed to get up there in 2023… boy was that a mistake!

I wish I had explored it earlier. WoW! My grandmother was the last to cook German food for me and she was really good. I didn’t image any restaurant could match her skills. But the Bavarian Chef did (don’t worry grandma, your sauerbraten is still my favorite).

Huge portions (that make great next day lunches) and desserts worthy of a special trip. Consider me a regular and a fan!

Food is superb!! Went there for our Anniversary. Well worth the over 1h drive!! That's how good the food is.
We had the Mandel Schnitzel with sides that are served home style.
A beer garden was added with German style outdoor benches and tables. Just like at the Oktoberfest.
The only con I have is that the inside of the Restaurant could use a well deserved update.

It's been maybe 5 years since we have ate here. And it's the same service and the same food 100% YUMMMM! Since we have been they have added outside seating that looked really nice, I even thought about asking to sit out there but I didn't. We will be back hopefully sooner then 5 years haha. It's been a few hours and I feel like I just finished eating and I have enough food left over for tomorrow lunch and dinner.

Excellent food, great taste, huge portions.

Got the sausage sampler for appetizer. Jager Schnitzel and the meat platter special ( can’t remember exact name) for mains.
For dessert we got the Sacher torte.

The appetizer would be a good main for one. The mains are enough for two.

The place is clean and the layout and decor is lovely.

Oasis on the highway.

Here’s the story, I had just finished hiking 9 miles in Shenandoah. I had burnt +2k calories and had my destination set to a burger joint in Charlottesville. As I was driving down the road, I saw a big sign BAVARIAN and then I noticed the lot packed with cars and I hooked the next left i could and turned right around and dropped in. All indication was that this was going to be a good spot.

A grand hefe weizen and a wiener schnitzel later and I was sound as a pound, happy as a clam, calm as a cucumber, and sittin’ pretty on the deck watching the cars pass through.

The beer was crisp and bright — signs of a good distributor and quality taps. The food was rich and light. The service was quality and hospitable.

Lord knows if i’ll ever pass through again but i’m sure glad i did get a chance.

A pretty good German restaurant! We ordered pork shank and Bavarian platter - both were not on the menu but provided in the list of today’s special. Pork shank was great with the fried onion on top. Bavarian platter was also delicious with chicken cordon bleu, sausage and brisket. For the sides, we could order 4 sides, so we ordered creamed corn, green beans, glazed carrots and zucchini. All of them were great! The dessert was just so-so. The service was pretty good. Will recommend to call in advance and make a reservation.

Wonderful service and delicious food. No one left hungry and we had plenty of leftovers. I appreciated that they had a separate menu that identified all Gluten Free options / modifications. Our server was very attentive and fast. We're kicking ourselves for passing by the establishment before and not stopping- excited to go back next time we're in town!

Finally had the opportunity to eat at this establishment, and I was thoroughly impressed. The atmosphere, staff, and seating was very inviting. The waitress was over-the-top and extremely knowledgeable. We settled on the pretzel appetizer and beer flight for starters. For dinner, I had the vegetarian portabella schnitzel and my date had the sausage platter. For sides, we had the green beans, whipped potatoes, potato salad, and red cabbage. For dessert, we had the Grand Marnier Torte. Everything was unbelievably delicious! My only complaint is that it was too far from us to take extra dessert home before it would melt! Definitely recommend and will be dining here again in the future.

The price is $$$, but the food flavor and portions are equal to what your paying for. The atmosphere is nice with German music playing and nicely wallpapered and paintings/Muriel’s on the wall. Definitely worth the trip and a return trip. Everything ordered tasted made from scratch.

Food - 5/5
Service - 5/5
Value - 5/5
Atmosphere - 4/5

I’ve had family living in Bavaria and this is authentic food. They have many imported Paulaner beers (THE classic brand of German beer) and all the classic dishes. A broad menu and interesting specials, some with seafood. A big dessert menu. While the prices do seem high, they give you massive portion sizes and it’s actually a great value in total. For $50/person, we may me able to make 3 total meals/person with leftovers. The atmosphere feels very German and they play cheerful polka but in some rooms, the structure does seem a bit aged. The best food within a 30 minute drive, undoubtedly

Did the restaurant week menu.. what a deal! Pork shank appetizer, venison medallions, lemon curd cheesecake and the wonderful sides (cream corn!). My Wife had a wonderful rib eye for her entree. This restaurant is a true treasure!