We were at the Mohrenplatz Wirtshaus in the biergarten on Thursday, August 21st, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
This is a beautiful new restaurant in Garmisch with a large biergarten, where one should be able to enjoy a nice meal in a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. Unfortunately, this was not our experience. Although the food was adequate - I'll give the food three stars - two people in our party of four ordered hirschbratwurste (deer sausage) but received Nueremburger rostbratwurstl instead. Also, the beer we ordered was not chilled correctly; too warm. However, the primary problem was not the food, but the waiter.
Several different people waited on our table outside in the biergarten; at least three young women and one waiter. The women were pleasant enough, but the waiter came across as arrogant and condescending. Although we had already told one waitress that we would order our food when the rest of our party arrived in a few minutes, the waiter came along and asked whether we would be ordering food. The impression we got was that if we were not going to order food, we should finish our beers and leave. Since when does somebody get chased out of a biergarten for drinking a beer? Later, when we had just finished our meals - and were in no hurry to leave as is the custom in Germany - the waiter came along and asked if we wanted an after-dinner schnapps. On the face of it, there is nothing wrong with that, but again, the waiter's demeanor was gave the impression that now that we had finished our dinner, we should have a schnapps, pay our bill and be on our way.
Before you chalk up my perceptions to "cultural differences" or a language barrier, please understand that I have been coming to Germany for nearly 30 years, I have lived in Germany for over 7 years, I have visited Garmisch-Partenkirchen for about 24 years, and I speak decent German. I know when I'm being treated correctly and when I'm getting the snob-treatment, which was the case on this evening. I don't know whether the waiter acted the way he did because we are Americans, or maybe because we are foreigners in general, or if he just has a personality flaw. I have experienced this prejudice on many occasions in Germany, but of course it has no place at a restaurant in an international resort area. I'll be sure to warn the other Americans here about the service at Mohrenplatz Wirthaus.
Let me contrast our experience at Mohrenplatz Wirtshaus & Biergarten with the dinner we had at Zur Wildschutz, located directly across the Mohrenplatz, two days earlier. Not only was the food much superior for about the same price per plate, but the service was excellent. Our waitress knew her job, she was attentive, kind and friendly. I would recommend this restaurant over "Mohrenplatz" any time, but be sure to make a reservation; Zur Wildschutz is always full. Good food and great service leads to a full restaurant! read more