Ok if you are not a bar person, just stop now & find somewhere else to drink water or whatever. This place ROCKS! I had the greatest time during the weekend of Purdue/Michigan (Take into account that I attended a small Liberal Arts school i.e. I don't give a flying f*ck about college football.) I had a great time going to watch my Arsenal match earlier and walked around for a bit trying to find this place. Once we got here the beer & spirits kept flowing. Oh yes besides having a plethora (3 Amigos!!!) of suds there is an intimidating amount of spirits to choose from. I'm a snobbish bourbon drinker & I couldn't complain about the selection. I also met a ton of people who work in and around Ann Arbor's restaurant industry so you know the place is money... read more

Nice, relaxing place...usually go there twice in a week for their lunch specials which are good for the price 7 bucks, meatloafs, chicken caesar salad, blt wrap, turkey reuben are the ones i tried the most read more

I've been to this place a hundred times at least, usually for a happy hour deal or to grab lunch.  The last time we visited the basement area, the Rathskellar.  Most of the bar seating was full but towards the middle there were 2 chairs that were leaned up against the bar (and drinks with coasters on top were in front of the chairs) and two chairs that were unoccupied.  My husband asked the barback if the 2 empty chairs were taken and he said "No." so we sat down.  At some point someone took one of the "occupied" chairs and I figured that was their problem.  We had after all, sat in empty chairs.  About 15 minutes later 2 very drunk girls came back and the one had an absolute fit that her chair was gone.  I said we sat in the 2 next to them that were empty and the owner, Monica (who was bartending) came over and yelled at my husband to "give up his chair and give it up now!"  Wow.  My husband is a very nice man and would have given up his seat (to anyone) anyways! Thanks for screaming like a banshee and making us feel very unwelcome... again!!! because... no surprise, Monica does this kind of thing all the time.   I understand that Monica has to deal with really drunk college kids all the time, but why take it out on her other regulars? It seems that if you're not one of her VIP groupies, good luck getting as much as a smile from her, you'll more likely find verbal assault slung your way and good luck if she's drunk.  Yeesh.  These people get trashed and try to get free drinks from her every night so I have no idea why she would favor them to people like us that are always there as well and that always pay our whole tab and tip very well. Oh well, not my concern.  The 2 stars is seriously because the rest of the staff do their best to make you feel welcome and I've had some fun times there during the day right after they open (they open up late now at 4pm). This place can be a fun time to come with a group of people (I'll only come if my friends insist on it from here on out) but be prepared for it to get rowdy. Stick to the upstairs dining room if you want to avoid the chaos. They have pretty good food and the happy hour deals are great but sometimes this place is a mess. read more

Lots of beer options, legit delicious German food. Justin the waiter was awesome- super attentive, fast and knowledgable about the menu and drinks. read more

I haven't officially eaten a meal here, but it's been a nice dependable place to go for a few drinks; we've only been to the restaurant floor, though, not the top or basement. I wasn't extremely impressed with my kaese spaetzle or the other barfood-like appetizers, but it's pretty awesome that spaetzle is available as a option! I liked all the beers that I tried, though I can't remember there being anything particularly special (not that I would know, necessarily). It doesn't get too loud or crowded, which is nice, and seems to've become a sort of handy back-up option if we're in the Main St. area. read more

Do not miss out on Club Above. They have the best salsa dancing on Saturdays! http://youtu.be/REQDdAwLSIg

Good German food! Great place for a family meal. Not a good date spot. I've never been upstairs.

I dropped by here for the infamous "Das Boot." I found this place a bit claustrophobic and uncomfortable. Maybe since there are no windows, and it's awkwardly decorated? Five of us split a boot, and immediately left after we were done. read more

[3.5 stars] Unfortunately this place went down a notch after my return visit. Coming here at 7 or 8 is different than coming after midnight. It was packed but my group of 8 or so was able to find a table by the darts area. Some of us played darts and that was a good time. Same good music and jukebox availability as well. Since it was packed we had to get drinks at the bar which took awhile cause it was crowded. The floor was also extremely sticky everywhere. And the tables weren't spectacular either. Although when a guy projectiles vomited in the hallway and they found someone to mop it up those five feet of floor shined. So I guess I still like Heidelberg, but more as a starter and not as my late night last stop. read more

Went here for lunch. My server was really nice. The iced tea was fresh brewed. My Rueben was just ok but my soup a chicken tomato basil was great. read more

I'm not quite sure why I'm giving this place two stars. After this evenings happy hour, I can say that they do cheap beer but everything else is a misfire. That staff was inattentive, the food is dry and very salty or otherwise bland and it seemed that homeless people kept walking in. The place stinks and is not somewhere I want to be. read more

Okay, the options are limited when it comes to German places in downtown Ann Arbor, but this one is not too shabby. You definitely feel like you're in a German theme; just don't expect the food to knock your socks off! read more

It was fine. The food wasn't amazing, I would rather eat the food at German Park. It's a neat place to drink at.

Scoot down to this bar and grab Das Boot! Smoke some weed when you're done and you'll be sure to puke! With delicious German beer that's always on tap. Good times at the Heidelberg and das is dat! read more

We were so impressed with the service. Tony was out bartender/waiter. He had excellent recommendations of beer/wine pairings. Our food was delicious and fast. We would definitely recommend! read more

Went 12-7-2012 with my wife. Had not been here before and I've lived in Ann Arbor for over 20 years. Beer: excellent. Very friendly and helpful bartender offering plenty of beer tastings to get the ones we liked. Food: we simply went with the cheese and sausage plate before heading out to eat at another place. Average. Nothing on the plate appeared to be made in-house or specially purchased for their plate. Basic cheeses and sausage. I liked the liverwurst.. Service: very good. read more

BEST GERMAN FOOD! The ruckceller is a great hang out. My W.W.II Reenacting buddies and I would go here after a long weekend of camping and fighting fake Germans for some much needed down time. We would even go in uniform. The service is top notch and it's just an all around fun place to be and hang out. read more

It has been a long time since I have had German food this authentic. Aside from great beer, I use the Spaetzle as a test for German restaurants. The berg's noodles were firm and flavorful, ulike the watery mush many places serve. The Rouladen had a great balance of flavors, as it should have, with the pickle subtly rounding out the brisket. The red cabbage was fresh and tasty. Great value and great food. read more

We had family in from out of town and wanted to take them out for German food. Haven't been in to the Heidelberg in a few years. The last time we went there, they had a full Herman menu and we had some good food. This time it was a major disaster. We walk in and are each presented with an iPad that we are told lists the food and drinks. The food menu only listed 3 German dishes and no sides. The sign out from said it was happy hour until 10, so we asked what the specials were- the waitress told us it does not matter because it ended at 6. We told her about the sign and she said oh I'm training - I'll find out when the other staff person gets back. She did find out- we ordered some drinks and picked our meals out on the iPad. She then brought live another tablet and told us to use that one to place the orders. The menu on that tablet WAS NOT THE SAME as the one on the iPads and did not contain the tofu options listed on the iPad version. The out of town guests ordered the rouleden and the locals meat eaters ordered the schnitzel. I tried to order the tofu sandwich but they no longer have tofu. We also ordered two appetizers. The online ordering system sucks and there is no way to make any order modifications. You also have to pay before your order placed. We waited about 20 min after placing our order when the waitress came out and said they are out of rouleden. So folks changed their orders to schnitzel as well. I asked if we could get the appetizers before the meal- she said we just bring things out when they are done but she would check. She then brought out deep fried hard pretzel bites and bacon. The group got the schnitzel a bit later and it was not edible - extremely over cooked and hard. Our out of town guests left disgusted with the food. Extremely disappointed in the service, the lack of German menu, the inconsistent menus on different tablets, and the food quality. Also bathroom smelled strongly of urine. read more

Quickly: A few good craft brews and German imports, Check; average German food featuring overly-cooked meat, Check; A middle age female bartender with a low gravelly cough with that disturbing sound of phlegm rattling around and the enthusiasm of a Wildebeast resigned to being eaten by a river full of Nile Crocodiles, Check. But seriously, someone please pay attention and give a flip. I am so tired of half-assed efforts. I've been in the food service business for 36 years. I am appalled by service and quality these days. This could be just and anomaly for this place; but I doubt it. I started with a 20% gratuity in mind, I left after 35 minutes down to 15%. That was a couple of dollars on my bill; but add that up for 30 or so checks over the shift -- if you can muster them. If you want a few drinks, it's probably alright. If you want good German food I'll conjure the spirit of my grandmother. read more

It was amazing just how I wanted them to make it, this food was so good! I loved it the wurst platter was the best especially the knackwurst so I suggest going here the decor was way to Bavarian but it was nice and the waitors and waitresses were nice kind and well dressed it was an amazing experience read more

Came here for lunch on a Wednesday. Mo totally took care of me. Had the wurst sampler which came with sauerkraut, rotkohl, and a potato pancake. What more could you want? It was delicious. They have an extensive list of beers on draft. The service was impeccable. read more

This was my second visit here, this time I sat in the dining room, not the bar. The restaurant has changed to digital menus which are difficult to use and clunky. My wiener schnitzel was tough and took way too much chewing, my spaetzle was good, but applesauce terrible. The defining moment of my visit was when 2 minutes after signing my bill, a bus boy comes around grabs our empty glasses and says "this is your sign (to leave)" this comment caught me off guard and I was dumbfounded that someone could possibly say that when I had just paid the bill, there was no line for the restaurant, and I still had part of my drink left. The service to begin with was not great for a Saturday night, but this comment from you bus boy will keep me away forever. The bathrooms were cramped and dirty, you have a paper towel dispenser, but you just put a roll of paper towel on the counter and it gets soggy and gross. Sorry Heidelberg, I loved my visit the first time, but you gotta do better before I would recommend you to anyone. read more

One of my favorite places to chill with a drink in a relaxed environment. Love the historic vibe the place has, and staff is very friendly!

Had the sauerbraten, it was so tender I didn't need a knife. Get the spaetzel as a side - yum The kids had the sliders and loved them. Service was friendly, but a little slow. read more

I'm sorry, this was gross. I like German food and this was disgusting. The stroganoff looked and tasted like dog food. The Wiener schnitzel was, well I don't know what it was and the wurst tasted like a Johnsonville brat. Service was very friendly! I can see going as a college student and think it would be a fun place to have a beer in a boot but otherwise avoid! read more

Can't believe the price charged for some of these entrees that were only "decent". Ordered sausage and cheese app that was basically lunchmeat (slices, not cut up link sausage - really? $9.50 for lunchmeat, cheese, and spicy pickles?) Rouladen was OK, but 1/2 order was very small and side order of onion rings was 2 ONION RINGS. C'mon! Holstein Weiner Schnitzel was dense, dry, lukewarm, and fried egg on top was tiny and way overcooked. German potato salad was basically seasoned flat-top fried potatoes you'd get at Angelos for breakfast. Very disapointed in whole experience - save for the Weihenstephan Hefe-Weissbier, which is probably one of the best beers I've ever had. Never been to Heidelberg before, and those I've talked to our trip there have had the same experience. Seems the best days are behind this place. Sad. Such high hopes, based on tradition. read more

I went here with a group of about 20 last night for a friend's birthday. I ordered a wurstwich with the sausage the waiter recommended and potato pancakes. The wurstwich was pretty terrible -- basically a glorified hot dog. The potato pancakes were like hockey pucks. The worst part was that it took the staff 45 minutes after we finished eating to get the checks to us. I realize that I was in a big group, but we were there for more than 2 hours before we were finished eating; they had plenty of time to get the checks ready ahead of time. I will not be going back. read more

First time patron...older gentleman bartender didn't seem happy we were there. Strange, as we were the only ones there...think they would like some business. Server was nice but seemed in over his head. Ordered cheese and sausage platter as appetizer ($10). Says nice variety of cheese and meats from around the world. 4 slices of cheese and 4 slices of meat...tiny slices. Stated comes with basket of bread ( never received after numerous requests). Stated comes with variety of crackers. We asked server for crackers to go with platter...he brought us 3 packaged saltines like you would get at Wendy's to go with chili. Said that was only crackers they had. Paid $10 for enough cheese and meat for maybe 1 person. Beer selection was good. read more

I've been to Heidelberg a dozen times and each time it has been getting worse. Drinks are overpriced, food is poor even for bar standards and service is miserable. Be ESPECIALLY careful if you order a boot. Once a group I was with ordered a smaller boot but was given a larger boot. After finishing it a a busboy wearing a staff shirt came and took the boot. When we asked for our check the waiter said we'd be charged $70 for stolen boot. Embarrassed and afraid to ruin the night, I quickly paid the charge for a large boot we NEVER ASKED FOR for and that was removed by A STAFF MEMBER. I told myself I'd never go back, but I did. Recently after a friend finished a boot, I witnessed a barback take the finished boot and clean it. Shortly after a bartender came and accused us of stealing the boot. The bar staff was very rude and immediately tried to charge my group $70 for stealing a massive 2.0 liter boot even though our entire group was still standing at the bar. Bar staff used profane language and wouldn't listen to our story. They finally relented only when our group standing along the bar was effecting their sales and tips. TLDR: AVOID HEIDELBERG SCAMS AND RUDE SERVICE read more

The food was pretty good, but service was very slow. The restaurant only had 4 other tables of diners with 3 servers in front of house. It took quite awhile to receive our food and we were never offered bread with the dinner. The worst part was waiting a looong time to get our bill when we finished. We actually had to get up and ask for it. We asked for boxes to take our left-overs and the server offered to package them for us. Very dissapointed that he dumped both of our dinners into one box. read more

Food in the restaurant is ok. Place to be is the basement bar with a nice selection of drinks.

The Downstairs, the Rathskeller, is a great place to find good beer for a lot less and the best happy hour ever! You have not fully lived the Ann Arbor experience if you have not ordered "The Boot" (make sure you bring some friends) read more

Heidelberg is worth the walk down to Main. Don't waste all of your undergrad time on South U, this place is great and there are other good spots downtown as well. This place serves up some extremely alcoholic beer. Try the Spaten Optimator in a glass boot (for which you'll have to ante up a credit card for a $50 deposit). The atmosphere is great though. Good dart area, food is satisfactory, but the beer lineup, the quick, knowledge, and friendly service, and the great German beer basement/cavern atmosphere make this place worthy of 5 stars. Highly recommended. Boot required. read more

There is something about this place I really like but I cannot pin it down. Perhaps people are friendlier here than most places? The basement tends to have a more "hippie" feel then a lot of Ann Arbor bars. Perhaps that is why people here are friendly, they are just stoned and chilled! They lose a star for turning the upsairs into a poker room. We used to see hot females and cool dudes dancing and getting drunk to live music (fun times!) -now it is just degenerate gamblers and middle aged drunkards getting in their daily fix. read more

Yummy. Having been born and raised in Germany, I am hooked to this place. The Rouladen and German fired potatoes rock. (Though, the touch of cinnamon in the red cabbage was a little over the top. Really? That I don't know from the Old Country, not even on Christmas...) Good German food in New York? Forget it. On Long Island? Where? In Tucson or Phoenix? You are kidding, right? Lived for 11 years in each of these locations and tried every single one of them. Ann Arbor's Heidelberg? I'd go back anytime. Ehrlich. read more

After going to Heidelberg Germany I was very excited to try this place out. Although the scenery outside wasn't the same the inside was just as fun. I was only there for a night cap but thoroughly enjoyed myself in the basement area, the Rathskellar. Great place to drink some solid beers and hang with friends. The booth are a "bit cozy" but didn't hamper any fun. I will be returning to try some of their Germany food that looked and smelled amaze-balls. read more

5 stars for their Rathskellar happy hour. That's the time to come. For all I know the menu food is vomit, but the basement happy hour is cheap beer and booze, some nights there's free tacos or wings (not a culinary delight by any stretch but food helps if you're really pounding booze before sundown). There's darts and a crappy jukebox. read more

Wow. I understand that for some places, rudeness in the staff gives the place a quirky, unique atmosphere. However, I would not expect to be accussed of stealing, as the bartender, Monica, acccused 3 of my friends. I have never been so compelled to write a review in my life. Do not go here, and if you do, don't tip. read more

When my 10-year-old nephew from Wisconsin was visiting and set on eating German food in Ann Arbor, we walked from Top of the Park to the Heidelberg at 9:30 p.m., not expecting to be served that late on a Tuesday night. Much to our pleasant surprise, we were greeted immediately and told that we could get food until 1:30 a.m. Our server was very attentive and accommodated everything we wanted. The German-style entrees were only to be served until 10 p.m. but he convinced the kitchen staff to prepare our second round of food at 10:15 p.m. Everything was delicious. The best rouladen I've ever had (that includes home-cooked rouladen made in Germany)! The German potato salad is amazing--we ended up getting 3 orders of it! Will definitely go to the Heidelberg more often. read more