We haven't been to the Bavarian in for awhile so we took advanrage of Jefferson County Restaurant Week to pay a visit There are three dining areas and a bar, plus outside seating in spring and summer. Large beer and wine selection with their own craft brews too Menu has a German/Austrian flair with North Amercian staples too Food is good, very flavorful, generous portions Our server was super friendly and great at first, yet as the evening progressed she had too many tables and service slowed dramatically What we ate *Bavarian Inn Sausage Sampler: Sliced Veal, Beef, & Pork over Sauerkraut *Classic French Onion Soup *Sauerbraten: Marinated Beef Roast with Almond-Raisin-Ginger Sauce Potato Dumpling & Red Cabbage *Fennel & Tarragon Crusted Pork Chop: Darmesan Potato Puree, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Honey Tarragon *Chocolate Mousse Cup, *Crème Brulee My rating rationale +.5 Service +1 Food~Taste/flavor/quality +1 Presentation +1 Atmosphere/vibe +1 Value read more

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We were lucky to get a seat without a reservation. The waiter did not pay attention, one set of utensils, forgot the water, slow to refill the water. When you are as busy as this place is, having one of three bar tenders as your server makes for a long wait for everything. We started with the crab pretzel - omg the amount of salt was horrid, I have had better dip at dive bars. We ended going somewhere else for dinner, the wait here was ridiculous! Ambiance, a little loud but it looks very nice. read more

Worth the trip! Went with a crowd of friends, we had drinks on the patio while waiting for our table, great selection of beers and mixed drinks. Nice decor, accommodating tables. Onto the service, our server Danica was GREAT!! She explained everything on the menu, was quick to get our drinks and refills, as busy as it was she didn't rush us to order and talked to us. The food was delicious! I started with the French onion soup to start, it was great and topped with not only the cheese it had fried onions on top which gave it a nice crunch. I followed that up with Sauerbraten with a deep flavorful sauce, red cabbage and potato dumplings, Yummmmmm! After all that I gave in and ordered the apple strudel ala mode, very tasty, and a nice crust! Overall the whole experience was great! Worth the hour and a half ride. The Bavarian Inn is a must try, once you do you'll want to keep coming back. Enjoy!! read more

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5 star experience start to finish. Came here on a friends recommendation for anniversary dinner while staying in nearby Charles Town casino. We should have stayed at Bavarian Inn ! Fantastic German food and exceptional staff made a memorable experience. We toured the beautiful property and love the infinity pool and bar. My wife kept saying in the car ride back to Charles Town " We should have booked our room here instead of that casino" She is already planning a return visit ! read more

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Went last Saturday with a group of 14 people. We sat outside and had drinks until everyone arrived. Our waitress was very sweet and worked hard to make us happy I had the weinerschnitzel, but with the mushroom gravy. Really enjoyed the crunch of the schnitzel, and the smooth sauce. It came with red cabbage (great) and speatzle (good). Forgot to mention the breads and butters. I wouldn't have been happy eating just that! Others in our group had the sauerbraten, pork chop, Jaegershnitzel, onion soup, abs sausage sampler. They thought the pork chop was too thin, but enjoyed the other dishes. The chocolate cake looked great. We shared the warm apple strudel with ice cream and loved it. Would recommend. read more

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This is a wonderful Inn. The area is beautiful. Some of the hotel rooms have balconies that overlook the river running through town. They have a German restaurant in the cellar. The food is comforting and the atmosphere is rustic. The service is good. read more

Thanksgiving 2025 at the Bavarian Inn was a total win! We dined in the formal Dining Room, and from the moment we walked in, it felt like stepping into an old-world holiday postcard. Cozy, festive, and full of charm. Our reservation shifted from four to three at the last minute, and the staff couldn't have been more gracious--seated promptly and with zero fuss. Service throughout the meal was warm and welcoming. We all started with the Curry Crab Soup. While it leaned a bit tepid and salty for my taste (my friend agreed--my husband loved it!), the entrées absolutely stole the show. My Prime Rib was fabulous--perfectly cooked and full of flavor. My husband and our friend ordered the Jaeger Schnitzel, and wow... absolutely wonderful. This kitchen clearly knows how to handle meat. Dessert sealed the deal. We shared pecan pie and Black Forest cake, and while both were good, the Black Forest cake was outstanding--rich, classic, and the perfect grand finale . After dinner, we took a six-mile stroll along the Potomac and then circled back for beers at the bar--because why not end a great Thanksgiving on a high note? A fantastic day all around. Highly recommend for families, special occasions, or anyone craving a festive, feel-good meal. We're already talking about coming back over Christmas weekend! read more

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This is a review on their 2025 Christmas Menu Service was great and the food came out the kitchen quite quickly with no delays. Food was delicious - the only criticisms were that the 2nd course of winter salad was over dressed and that the asparagus was over done and very soggy. Other than that the meal was delicious and a great Christmas Eve meal for our family. read more

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The Bavarian Inn is the spot to go in the Tri-State area for great German cuisine! Their Sauerkraut Garnished (a selection of sausages that are out of this world), the Jager Schnitzel and the Reuben sandwich are some of the gems available in this comfortable setting reminiscent of an Alpine lodge. Whichever item(s) you choose, prepare to be happy! Appetizers (the crab pretzel...yessss), entrees, and desserts are hard to choose from, because everything is THAT good. Their wait staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. The food, atmosphere, and service are stellar! Don't wait! Go! read more

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The chicken was cold and a bit "rubbery." The ambiance was very nice. Crisp linen, upscale environment. Service was good. This was a few years ago, I have not returned since. read more

"This place gets 7 stars for the house cat alone." I believe this is one of the few places that I've always wanted to visit and for a long time but hadn't yet because tbh I had planned on it several times over the years but each and every time something happened and caused me to cancel or was that God making me wait to come with my bestie. We were supposed to stay here on my birthday a couple months ago but we opted for another place due to the weather not cooperating for the adventure we wanted to go on for that specific trip. We were heading to a cafe to grab a coffee and something light to eat when we happened to drive by it without even thinking about it on that particular day and I am so glad we did too. This is such a special place. It was like stepping back into another time. The whole atmosphere is dreamy and every employee I encountered were very welcoming and friendly. We were just wanting to come in for a beer and enjoy the views of the river while sitting outside but we ended up ordering that Bavarian Brother's Crab Pretzel and OMG was it amazing. They also brought us some house made bread with a couple different butters and they too were amazing. We ordered a flight of beer with four of their tasty beers but also ordered the BAVARIAN BROTHER'S PRICKLY PEAR CIDER for my girlfriend and she hasn't stopped talking about how good it was and how it is her favorite beer that she's ever had and the funny thing is she didn't even like beer before she met me, haha ;) This place is an absolute gem and I can't wait to come back and stay and enjoy everything this place has to offer this summer, and most likely fall, surely during the winter, and most definitely in the spring. I don't know what that amazing little cats name is but it definitely loved that crab meat on the pretzel and I was very happy to share it with it and I look forward to sharing my next meal with it too. Btw: is it a she or he? Thanks for the great service, spectacular food, and top notch beer. We'll see you again very soon... read more

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Nice old restaurant in Shepherdstown. Maybe Tuesdays aren't their day. Our group had a variety from the menu. Rubin was good, Alpine Burger was good, the traditional German dish's were good. Short Rib Ravioli was O.K. The surf and turf was overdone. Crab was soggy and Steak was overcooked. Service was nice but distracted. 3.5 out of 5 is fine. read more

Do not go here. Last weekend they were out of all kinds of items on their menu and now we returned this weekend and they couldn't seat us and were rude saying we could order carry out from their menu at the bar. I live here and frequent but lately they have been terrible. They had tables open. But didn t care read more

Always great food! Love the atmosphere! Price is on par for everything that comes with the Bavarian Inn ! Will always come back! Some of the best service in the Eastern Panhandle! read more

Great food and atmosphere!!! Service was great. Nothing like authentic German cuisine!!!

Hidden treasure. Cool place, great food. The bread and spread started was delicious. Best soft pretzels cooked perfectly. We tried the Lobster, Shrimp, Crab Roll sandwich with fries, and Brother's Burger with potato salad, and got the Apple Strudel to go. Chad was our server. He did an excellent job and was super friendly. Found another great place tonight. We will be back to try more delicious meals. The setting was relaxing and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. read more

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We booked a one night stay at the Bavarian Inn as a summer getaway. We had not been there for many years. The location on the cliff overlooking the Potomac can't be beat. We asked for a Potomac view room, and they gave us Room #34, which had a wonderful view. The room was very clean, the beds were comfy, and the bathroom has been modernized. (The only hiccup we had was in operating the TV--we had trouble getting basic channels or using our streaming accounts). We arrived about an hour and a half before the 4 pm checking time, so we got a couple of beers and sat outside to enjoy the views. They called shortly after that our room was ready, so we had an extra hour at the pool, which is awesome. There are plenty of lounges and umbrellas, the water temp was perfect, and the guy from the pool bar brought around complimentary fruit skewers. We felt very spoiled. The infinity pool directly overlooks the river, so you can see kayakers way down below. This morning, we had their included continental breakfast out on the patio. It was lovely. We played a little pickleball, read for a while at the pool, and were then sad to go. I think we will make a repeat visit next year. read more

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This feels like more of a 4.5, but very easily able to be rounded up to five. We had read about this place and its renovation years ago, but haven't been able to make it happen until now, I'm really glad that we did. The updated rooms are quite spacious and overlook the river, while also overlooking a very loud bridge interestingly. It feels elevated, the staff is focused on making sure you have a good time, and there is a quaint charm that hasn't gone away even with renovations. The infinity pool was a nice touch. I think the cleaning could have been a smidge better. But overall super fun getaway!! read more

Was excited to try, sadly disappointed. Attended the restaurant for Mother's Day. Presented with a 4 course pre-set menu with no alternative options. Only two gluten free entree options and one of the two were cooked in the same fryer as gluten items. Out of the 4 courses only 2 had gf. A bit of a disappointment. Beautiful scenery. read more

We made lunch reservations on Christmas Day for a party of 4. The restaurant and pub area are very cozy and both areas were beautifully decorated. They sat us right away and handed us a prix fixe, 4-course menu. Unfortunately, they didn't inform us of that when we made our reservations, but we probably should have assumed since it was Christmas Day. They offered 2 menus: one at $75/pp and a "Christmas Dinner" at $65/pp. The portions were decent and the food was decent - but I wouldn't describe the meal as exceptional. Our waiter, Alex, was exceptional. He was extremely attentive, very kind, and knowledgeable. I wouldn't write this place off, but it's not top of my list. I felt it was pretty pricey for the quality of the meal. Overall, very nice 4 out of 5 star restaurant. read more

We used to come to the BI for good dinners and special occasions. It's sad to see that food quality has gone down lately. For a $27 steak, you only get 5 small pieces of steak. Fries were cold and half full. Service was super slow - for lunch on a Monday, we waited for an hour to get our food served. There were only a few tables occupied. I personally really want this place to continue its legacy but it's very disappointing and sad to see this happening. read more

Bavarian Inn - Fries are cold and half full of the basket - Hotels Near Me - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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Extreme disappointment. I have wanted to eat here for years, but 1-1/2 hour drive is a bit much. Finally made it for the weekend breakfast. 3 of us all ordered the Chesapeake Omelet. We asked if they could add some hollandaise sauce to each. To start with, the Hollandaise was orange and tasted horrible. They must have opened the wrong jar for the sauce. The crab had previously been a crab cake, and it was dry and over fried. Nothing fresh about it. The egg part of the omelet was nice. The high point of the meal was the coffee. All the stars above were based on the coffee. If I go back to the town, I'll try crab cakes at the other restaurant that offers fresh lump backfin. They should be ashamed using the cheapest crab for their crab cakes and not using fresh crab in this omelet instead of their leftover crab cakes. read more

We've eaten here three times in the last year, one year apart, in fact, and it's always top notch. Servers are excellent, entertainment is great, both are very friendly, and the food is delicious. We both had the sauerbraten this time (February 21st) , because it was so good the first time, and the price was even better (three courses for $30) and it was every bit as good. We took leftovers along. The creme brulee was also scrumptious, as were the soups. We loved our waiter, whose name I've unfortunately forgotten; I ordered a bourbon I'd never seen before and he hunted it down even though it meant going to the store room. We saw keyboardist Jayne O'Hara last year, and she was back this year, and we so enjoyed her performance. The previous year we stayed at the Inn and also saw a young play the next night, and he was also great, friendly and accommodating. read more

Super food and raw bar the area exudes both German and Washington DC area charm at the exact same time

Excellent place ! Here on business and this was a treat! Excellent dining experience, staff is fantastic! Thank you for allowing us to dine so long! The restaurant is fabulous inside and out. The food was exceptional Gluten free items good selection I forgot to take a photo of the sausage sampler but it was excellent. I would definitely dine here again! read more

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Disappointed on Our Anniversary -- Reservation Mishandled and Poor Quality Experience My wife and I have been trying to visit the Bavarian Inn for some time now, and we were finally able to make it happen this year for our anniversary. Unfortunately, the experience left us disappointed and frustrated -- and it fell far short of what we hoped would be a special night. I called Friday just before 4:30 PM to book a reservation for Sunday evening. I was told 7:00 was busy and was offered 7:15 instead -- no problem. I was then asked if I preferred formal or lounge dining. I asked about the dress code for formal and was told, "just don't wear sweatpants." I opted for formal and thought nothing more of it. We arrived early on Sunday and found the gift shop, an odd little room poorly lit and uninviting, filled with random merchandise -- including a Taylor Swift/Kelsey plush ornament, which felt entirely off-brand and more like someone didn't know what to do with the space. After a quick browse we grabbed seats at the bar. I had the Bavarian Brothers Oktoberfest, which I found had a noticeable tartness to it -- not typical for the style. A properly brewed Märzen should be clean, malty, and smooth -- not sour or acidic. Tartness in this style usually points to brewing flaws: contamination from wild bacteria, excessive lactic acid, or fermentation issues like acetaldehyde, which imparts off-flavors resembling green apple or vinegar. None of that should be present in a traditional German lager. I followed it with a Dunkel, which was fine. My wife ordered the lager but it was unavailable, so she settled for the pilsner. We also shared some appetizers: the truffle fries (delicious but a very small portion) and the sausage sampler, which was a big letdown. The sausages seemed waterlogged as if they have been in a steam tray for entirely way too long, sliced into slivers, and laid unceremoniously on top of sauerkraut. Flavorless and unimpressive, I hate to be this critical but I've had better bologna from the super market. No sear, no snap, no flavor. A German restaurant that can't even execute sausage properly is a bad sign and it made me begin to wonder if I should rethink what I had planned on having for my dinner entrée. I noticed someone order the chicken sandwich -- it looked fantastic, and I debated ordering it myself, though I felt odd ordering pub fare at a German-themed restaurant. I was now conflicted as to what to order. As our dinner reservation time approached, we closed our tab and approached the host stand. I asked about the large number of guests wearing name tags and was told a Washington committee was in town. They then brought us to our table -- right across from the host station and next to the ramp to the lounge. I immediately said, "Wait, our reservation was for the formal dining room." I was told, "No, our note says lounge seating." Never having been here prior how would I know that there were two seating areas with different reservation blocks had I not asked for the formal dining area? Why wouldn't I have asked for formal seating for an occasion such as an anniversary? The staff was completely dismissive and it was clear they had mishandled my reservation. My belief is that whoever took my reservation didn't realize the formal dining room was booked for the event, took my reservation anyway, and didn't bother to call me back or correct the error. The table they seated us at was just 15-20 feet from the bar where we had already been sitting. Same menu, same noise, same atmosphere. I might as well have stayed at the bar. To be fair its not such a big deal to sit somewhere else but the table provided was terrible and the entire situation had left such a bad taste that I doubt I could have enjoyed myself so I thought it was best to remove myself and try to salvage the evening. We found an Irish pub just 10miles down the road and had a wonderful evening complimented with great food & tasty beverages. This was supposed to be a memorable evening for our anniversary. Instead, it became a reminder that sometimes places with a good name and pretty setting don't always deliver where it counts: hospitality, consistency, and care. We likely won't be returning. read more

My husband and I had an Amazing night stay and dinner at the inn. I got a delicious German dinner. . read more

Bavarian Inn - Rooms - Hotels Near Me - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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Cool place in an unexpected location. Definitely worth a try! Service is awesome, prices are tolerable, food is pretty authentic German. Deserts and brunch are awesome! read more

This review is for the restaurant. Barvarian Inn has become a favorite special occasion spot for getting together with family who live nearby. It's charming and classic and has a somewhat upscale feel when you sit inside the main dining area. They have a nice selection of wines and German beers to accompany the great food. I decided to go with the pan seared halibut this time which was really flavorful, though slightly dry. It came with spaetzle, so I still got to enjoy a taste of Germany while staying on the healthier side. They always have some great featured drinks and this time I went with the featured Sauvignon Blanc. which was nice and crisp. I love the variety of bread before the meal including the soft pretzels--yum! Make sure to walk around the grounds a bit to take in the beauty of the inn and the views of the Potomac River. I'd love to stay here sometime for the full experience. The infinity pool looks so lovely. read more

Bavarian Inn - Pan seared halibut - Hotels Near Me - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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This is strictly a food review only. I have yet to experience the rest of this place. This was a decent food experience which makes me want spend an entire weekend here. Find out why? After a semi tedious hike at Maryland Heights, me and my friends decided to give this place a try. This place is in a very small historic and semi gothic place called Shepherds Town in West Virginia. The place is beautiful and right from the entrance it captivates you in its distinct vibe. Coming to the food there are three different seatings, the bar, the fine dine and I was just too hungry to remember the name of the last one. We selected to sit in the fine dine place. I just tried the signature burger and it was delicious. The brisket was tender, the sauce was dripping and I made a mess on the table but it was totally worth it. Server was amazing as well and very courteous. 4.7/5 is my score of this place. Definitely will be back read more

Bavarian Inn - The Bavarian Brother's Signatures Burger - Hotels Near Me - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

My husband and I have been going to the Bavarian Inn for the past 15 years. We always have reserved the "Presidental Suite". Since the renovations it has lost its Bavarian Charm. This will be our last year visiting the Bavarian Inn. Too bad the parents were still not in charge. read more

This place is great!! Both the food and service are wonderful. I have gone here for a nice lunch with my mother, drinks with friends, for a large catered party for my wives birthday and everything in between and every time it was five star. read more

Not an authentic flavor to the meat.very little sour and maybe not marinated long enough.no Bavarian salad like the previous owners had that was outstanding.ordered a Tito's on the rocks that tasted like water on the rocks.sorry but won't be going back. read more

Bavarian Inn - Sauerbraten - Hotels Near Me - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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Food was okay. The service was awesome. My husband and I enjoyed having lunch at this place. read more

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High end German cuisine right next to the Potomac River, what else can you ask in the heart of Shepardstown? A few years ago I drove pass Bavarian Inn on the way to Antietam battlefield with my classmates from Harpers Ferry. Saw the restaurant and the hotel sitting atop the Potomac. Fast forward to 2022, I was out to Harpers Ferry again for more training and some classmates suggested the Bavarian Inn for our final night of dinner. It was a perfect nightcap at the Bavarian Inn. The restaurant itself is pretty classy. The service was impeccable and the food delicious. You also get nice views of the Potomac and surrounding areas. Our waitress was awesome, she was able to split the check 6-ways for us which helped for everyone at the table. I had the raw oysters, a beer and the Weiner Schnitzel plate. The menu itself wasn't too expensive, you'd probably pay more in LA for a meal like this. Overall everyone was super happy. Will definitely be back on my next trip out to WV. Plenty of parking, easy to get to from Charlestown (15-20 mins drive), credit card okay. Great atmosphere. Call in for a reservation if you have a big group coming in. Bar available inside. read more

We were in town for the marathon, but when we saw the after party was being held here, we knew we had to go for the Sauerbraten. Fantastic choice with just a very slight bit nowhere near overpowering ginger snap flavor. Out wait staff were very attentive without being over bearing. Overall very nice experience. read more

Splendid ambiance and service! The biscuits are delicious and overall the food was too. read more

Bavarian Inn - Crab omelette - Hotels Near Me - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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Came here with friends to try out some local places we haven't been to in a while. The renovation has totally changed the place. Good food and great service! read more

Fine German food and beer on the Potomac River in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Yes, I'm finding it a little unexpected but then I remember that much of this area was settled by German immigrants in the 18th century. The same people? I have no idea. I was able to find parking and the entrance to the restaurant. The hostess informed me that without a reservation, they would not be able to seat me but the bar area is open seating. Good enough! I found a stool at the bar, removed my mask and got ready for deliciousness. Starting off with their Mecklenburger pilsner (I live in Mecklenburg County, how could I not?) which was cold, delicious and perfect for a pilsner. A few minutes later, my appetizer order of wurst arrived. A good portion for a starter, there were three or four different types of sausages piled on top of a stack of sauerkraut and dressed with mustard. It was perfect with the beer! I did not explore the grounds and I did not stay in the hotel, but I can say that my experience at the restaurant was five stars. [Review 15604 overall - 56 in West Virginia - 1108 of 2021.] read more

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Came here with a large party where we used their private room and ordered a buffet off their catering menu. They have plenty of parking and were ready when we arrived. Service was pretty good and everyone seemed taken care of just fine. The room overlooks the surrounding area and pretty scenic. Our buffet consisted of salad, tomato basil soup, chicken piccata, sauerbraten, spaetzle, root vegetable medley, and assorted mini desserts. The salad and soup was really good; I particularly like the cold marinated mushrooms. I'm usually not a fan of sauerbraten and still not, but the chicken was actually pretty good. Usually most chicken breast dishes in a buffet is so overcooked that its inedible. This was actually fairly moist and the caper sauce was good. Spatzle was also good and sauces from the sauerbraten and chicken mixed in well. They also brought some bread, biscuits, and butter and I kept devouring those biscuits with the tomato soup. Overall, a good time and good meal. read more