So where do German beer lovers in Sydney go when they’re heading out or restocking at home? It’s often hit and miss if you’re just stumbling around. Even bars labelled as German beer experts often don’t deliver what you’d expect: a few bottles of standard brands, often served in the wrong glass, but nothing too exciting. The same goes for the major bottle shops, which probably get their supplies from the same handful of importers. This list guides you to the best places in Sydney to get great German beer on tap in the correct matching glass, and to liquor stores that don’t just have a few dusty cans but a broad and changing range of the thousands of German beers.
Which bars and restaurants in Sydney serve original German beer?
When you search for German restaurants near me in the Sydney area, you are presented with many options. On closer inspection, or when visiting those venues, we’ve noticed that many just market themselves as German without offering an authentic experience. That might still be fine for many, but it won’t give you the real thing. That’s why you won’t find The Bavarian, the Munich Brauhaus and the Gasthaus Schnitzel in the list below. This is our curated list of authentic German restaurants with great German beers on tap.
After years in Schofields, Jagerstube has moved to the CzechoSlovakian Country Club in Kemps Creek. It still serves authentic German and Austrian food in a big Bavarian beer hall, often with Hofbräuhaus-style music. A great place to come with a larger group.
Jagerstube
320 Devonshire Rd
Kemps Creek NSW 2178
02 9725 7777
Facebook pageDirectionsYou won’t leave the Bohemian Euro Restaurant in Narellan hungry. That is for sure. They offer a warm atmosphere and serve generous portions of the best German cuisine has to offer. Wash it down with delicious German beer on tap.
Bohemian Euro Restaurant
5 The Northern Rd
Narellan NSW 2567
02 4648 4211
Facebook pageDirectionsPeople rave about the great food, beer and service of the only authentic German beer hall in the Shire. The venue is fairly small, so book your table or be prepared to stand at the bar for a while before you find one.
Mia’s Cronulla German Beerhall
2/45 Gerrale St
Cronulla NSW 2230
0400 004 073
miascronulla.wixsite.comDirectionsIt doesn’t serve alcohol, but the list would not be complete without this German bakery in Wentworth Falls. Founded by German immigrants from the Stuttgart region, it offers pretzels, bread and pastries just like in Germany, baked fresh every morning.
Bakery Patisserie Schwarz
30 Station St
Wentworth Falls NSW 2782
02 4757 3300
Directions
Which liquor shops in Sydney offer the best range of German beers?
Obviously you’ll find some popular German beers in the big liquor chains like Dan Murphy’s, First Choice, Liquorland and BWS. If you know what you want and they stock it – great! However, if you like to try new things and discover some of the lesser-known gems, you’ll have to go elsewhere. Also, a brief word on the can vs. glass discussion. If you want to drink it like Germans do, there are limited excuses for buying beer in anything but a glass bottle. The two excuses are: 1) you are taking them to a rock festival, or 2) you are carrying them in a backpack on a multi-day hike. Other than that: go for the bottle. It also avoids the plastic liner used inside most cans, which some drinkers prefer to steer clear of.
Liquor Mart in Petersham has specialised in imported wines and beers since 1967. It has a decent selection of German beers in glass bottles.
Petersham Liquor Mart
41 New Canterbury Rd
Petersham NSW 2049
02 9560 2414
petershamliquormart.com.auDirectionsFounded as a start-up in 2009 by two beer lovers, Beer Cartel rode the craft beer wave and now stocks more than 1,000 beers. Alongside its big online business, it has stayed true to its bricks-and-mortar store in Artarmon.
Beer Cartel
9/87 Reserve Rd
Artarmon NSW 2064
beercartel.com.auDirectionsThe Oak Barrel is one of the oldest independent bottle shops in Sydney, family-owned since 1956. It doesn’t have the largest range of German beers, but it’s always a good place to find something you haven’t heard of before.
The Oak Barrel
152 Elizabeth St
Sydney NSW 2000
02 9264 3022
oakbarrel.com.auDirections