Leavenworth, Washington is a thriving community that millions visit each year, whether for the outdoor activities, entertainment, or tasty food. From German cuisine to European chocolates, guests have several delicious options to choose from. Here are the best.
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Andreas Keller Restaurant
Restaurant, German, Austrian, European, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Fast Food, $
Attracting locals and tourists alike with its authentic German cuisine since 1989, Andreas Keller Restaurant is a Bavarian-styled dining venue featuring nightly musical entertainment, which adds to an already charming environment. Opened by David Forchemer and now run by his daughter, Heidi, the menu features many recipes direct from Germany, which are made with the best quality ingredients possible. Dishes that gastronomes can take delight in are pickled herring served with bread and the schnitzel cordon bleu — breaded pork cutlet stuffed with smoked pork, Swiss cheese, and mustard topped with cream sauce and served with spatzle noodles. There is also a delicious array of house-made desserts, such apple strudel.
Café Mozart
Cafe, Restaurant, Steakhouse, European, Gluten-free, Vegetarian, Vegan, $$
Café Mozart is a lovely restaurant specialising in upscale European cuisine with an emphasis on German, Austrian and French fare with a Northwest flair. The owners, Richard Zucktriegel and Christina Forchemer-Zucktriegel, have created an ‘old-world’ atmosphere that is filled with live piano music; the location also offers diners beautiful views of Waterfront Park plus downtown Leavenworth. Discerning diners can feast upon delectable dishes such as kaesespaetzelewith Appenzeller cheese and fried onions, and the Idaho rainbow trout fillet accompanied by toasted almond butter and Lyonaise potatoes. There is also a tempting array of desserts, including apple strudel, plus an extensive wine list.
Leavenworth Sausage Garten by Cured
Established in 2011, Leavenworth Sausage Garten features delicious locally made sausages by Cured, which is owned by the folks at Visconti’s. Procuring the best quality ingredients available for the sausages, guests can savour a host of brats, including bratwurst, currywurst, kielbasa, chorizo and veggie sausage to name a few. These flavourful sausages are served on a freshly baked bun and include a host of toppings, including onions, sauerkraut, pickles, and an assortment of tangy mustards. This ‘garten’ would not be complete without beer, and guests will be happy to know that several micro brews are on tap, such as Deschutes White IPA and Dunkelweizen. A beautiful outdoor space with overhead misters to cool diners off when it’s hot, this is a fun and delicious spot for the entire family.
Mountain Home Lodge
A stunning resort nestled in the Cascade Mountains, Mountain Home Lodge offers guests a home away from home. With cabins and guests rooms, this resort also has a dining room — with impeccable service plus an extraordinary view of the mountains — featuring delicious contemporary cuisine made with the best locally sourced ingredients, including those from the on-site orchards and organic garden. The prix fixe menus change every week, with a past highlight being fresh salmon filet with tomatoes and couscous, yogurt-dill-chive-lemon sauce, roasted broccoli with asiago, plus grilled summer corn and zucchini. Making sure everyone is comfortable, special dietary needs are happily accommodated. They serve dinner on Saturdays only, which may be attended by anyone during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, and reservations are required.
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München Haus
Restaurant, European, Fast Food, German, Gluten-free, Beer
Once a small venue selling fresh Kettle Korn on Saturdays, München Haus is now a fun and relaxing place giving both locals and tourists a ‘taste of Germany’ in the Pacific Northwest. Featuring a beautiful outdoor courtyard and beer garden adorned with fresh flowers, people can feast upon an assortment of delicious premium all natural sausages, from pork to veal to veggie, apple-cider kraut, a variety of mustards from amber ale to garlic and onion, plus side dishes. Beer lovers will appreciate the beer list, which includes a number of award-winning craft beers from the local Icicle Brewery Company plus German beers. Throughout the summer, this restaurant provides guests with live entertainment three days a week, creating a lively ambiance the entire family, including the four-legged members, will enjoy.
O’Grady’s Pantry
Restaurant, American, Healthy, Fast Food
Part of the Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort, O’Grady’s Pantry is a lovely spot to sample delicious breakfast and lunch dishes. Open seven days a week, this eatery is a self-service restaurant that features an array of items, including pastries, quiches, soups, salads, sandwiches, plus other entrées, which can be enjoyed indoors or outside. With an emphasis on all-natural and organic products, guests can try tasty highlights, such as ricotta hotcakes with organic maple syrup; a croissant sandwich filled with smoked turkey, cranberry sauce, Camembert, and spinach; and a variety of seasonal desserts. Guests will also find espresso drinks, tea, juice, plus regional wines and beers.
Rudloof’s Pizza und Brats
Yes, even pizza parlours are inspired by Bavaria in Leavenworth. A popular eatery with both locals and tourists, the delightful Rudloof’s Pizza und Brats specialises in, as the name suggests, pizza and sausages. Full of Bavarian charm, this eatery provides diners with indoor and outdoor spaces where they can sample delicious cuisine made with the freshest quality ingredients. Touted as serving the largest brat in town, highlights include the half-pound ‘wunderbrat,’ which is a choice of bratwurst or kielbasa served with house-made sauerkraut and a choice of condiments and the Bavarian pizza topped with stone ground mustard, bratwurst, sauerkraut, plus green and red peppers. Side salads and other treats, both savoury and sweet, round out the edible offerings at Rudloof’s.
Schocolat
Located inside the historic Edelweiss building — the first Bavarian building in Leavenworth — Schocolat is a speciality shop featuring mouth-watering gourmet chocolate. Using the best ingredients available, all of the chocolates, which are preservative-free, are made daily and in small batches ensuring freshness and excellent quality. With numerous chocolates on display, including milk, dark, and white varieties, guests can try house specialities, including Belgian truffles and pralines, both of which are filled with delicious ganache. Other highlights include chocolate-covered caramels, brandied pear caramels, citrus truffles covered in white chocolate, and English toffee to name but a few. They also sell their delicious edibles online during the cooler months.
The Gingerbread Factory
Bakery, Restaurant, American, Healthy, Gluten-free, Coffee, Tea , Pastries, Fast Food
Part of Leavenworth’s culinary scene since 1989, The Gingerbread Factory provides locals and visitors alike with sweet treats and tasty breakfast and lunch seven days a week. This charming restaurant and bakery — with a façade that resembles a gingerbread house — features a host of delicious savoury items from quiches to sandwiches and wraps to deli salads plus a tempting array of baked goods, which includes gluten-free options, from cookies to sweet rolls. Savoury highlights to note are the breakfast quiche with potatoes, onion, bacon, and cheese and the chicken pasta salad, and for those seeking to satisfy their sweet tooth, try the cinnamon roll, raspberry scone, or peanut butter chocolate chip cookie to name a few. To ensure freshness, all of the sweet edibles are baked throughout the day.
Visconti’s
Restaurant, Italian, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Vegan, Fast Food, $
Visconti’s is a casual yet elegant dining establishment featuring delectable innovative Italian cuisine. Using the freshest ingredients procured from local purveyors, this restaurant serves a wide range of lunch and dinner items — from salads and panini to pastas and succulent entrées — to guests seven days a week. Diners can feast upon dishes such as clam linguini sautéed in garlic, herbs, extra virgin olive oil, and white wine and the classic wood-fired pepperoni pizza made with in-house cured pepperoni, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. Catering to many tastes, Visconti’s also features gluten-free pasta and luscious desserts, plus an award-winning wine list. If the weather permits, guests may dine alfresco on the third-floor balcony, which provides picturesque views of Leavenworth and the Cascade Mountains.
