Red Lion Tavern Reviews

Great selection of German beers on draft and bottle selection has even more. The sausage was good and the huge Bavarian pretzel was great and only $5 during happy hour. They serve it with Obazda cheese spread which is hard to find in the states. The cheese spätzle or kaesaspatzle wasn't very good and tasted more like macaroni and cheese. The beer garden was pretty cool but there was a lot of cigarette smoke. I'll go back for the beer and pretzel for sure. When the waiter heard me speaking German, he pulled the lemon off my Weiss bier. I liked that.

I have lunch with my artist friend Mickey every once in a while. Not having seen him since May and we not having been to the Red Lion in 20 years it was time to head up Glendale Blvd. Nothing has changed, in fact there was a couple having lunch who were making their first return visit in 40 years who said their menu favorites are still being served. Ok now for the review, we hoped to have Köstrizer Schwarzbier on tap but they were out. The Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu Optimator was a good substitute. They had a special Oktoberfest appetizer Gurkensalat. This was excellent, its sort of a German Tzatziki with cucumber, sour cream, dill and onion. Not wanting to get overfed we ordered the lunch sausage plate. I had Weißwurst and Mickey had the Knackwurst and they were substantial. Accompanied by warm sauerkraut, German potato salad, sharp Düsseldorf style mustard and bread there is nothing else you need or want. Well, I was hoping for a Doppel Korn Schapps but that is getting as hard to find as hens teeth.

great beer and soccer!!!! beer me wench!

Went on a Monday night in March, 2012. We were pleasantly surprised to find it was quiz night. Full crowd and we came in 2nd. Parking is limited but an attendant keeps it safe. I lived in Germany for 4 years and love German food and beer. This place is authentic in spots but definitely Americanized (or L.A.-ized) in others. My hefeweizen beer was served in a proper glass, Franziskaner brand, but it should have 1.5" or so of long-lasting Schaumkopf (foam) on top and it had almost none. The German waitress said something to the effect, "Many of our customers don't like it that way." Sadly, that's probably true. I went for the Schweinhaxen (Eisbein) because it's hard to find. It was truly excellent: fork-tender, very meaty, cooked just right (although it was "gerauchertes" instead of rotisseried). Very tasty dish, served with sauerkraut and mustard.

I love this place! A landmark that opened in 1959, it has that old time feel to it. I went on a Saturday night with 4 girlfriends and sat in the middle room. It was so cozy and authentic looking. I was impressed that they had some vegan options, so I could eat something other than lettuce. They have great beers, and the waitress was a sweetheart.

We were visiting the area and had dinner here with friends. Deceiving looks from the outside. It looks small but is quite large on the inside. There are four floors. The first floor has a bar and some tables. Second floor has a small bar and some quiet sitting areas. The third floor is an outdoor area under a tented roof. There is a bar here also. (They do allow smoking in this area). We did not see what the fourth floor looked like. Interior décor is your typical German flair with lots of dark woods and ornate carvings. We chose to sit in the outside area. Reminded me of restaurants I ate in during a trip to Germany. Our waitress was very attentive and quite funny. She engaged our party in conversation and had quite a sense of humor. Started with an order of potato pancakes as an appetizer. Very good! My daughter and I had the Sauerbraten with dumplings and red cabbage. It was very good, and was a good portion. Topped it off with a liter of my favorite beer, Spaten. Others in our party had an assorted sausage/bratwurst platter. (Way too much to finish! Took home leftovers). Also had a vegan German pizza (didn't know there was such a thing) and a vegan bratwurst. All our meals were very good. No complaints. Ended the meal with apple strudel topped with ice cream for dessert. All in all a great German meal.

The Red Lion is a better bar than restaurant. But either way you get your daily fill of German food, German beer, and local hipsters.

Stopped in on weekday to have a beer. Indoor bar area is dark and upstairs outside area is hot. Nice beer selection and saw people eating bar style food that looked ok. Service was bad and beer glasses smelled like sausage and had greasy fingerprints. Had to ask for check 5 times. You see what you think.

This is what passes for a German Beer Garden in the USA. But it is something else, and that something else is not bad. It is one of my favorite places to go to in LA. Good food, outside garden in back, and very good beer. It can get very crowded and hard to find a table on the weekends.

This place is located in the trendy Silver Lake. The food is good and so is the beer that they have available. Lots of european beers.

If you've had the opportunity to partake in great German food, this is the place to head. They have great German beer (especially Hefeweizen, on tap) and the food is amazing. You have to try the bratwurst and schnitzel. They are both outstanding and with a side of German fried potatoes downed with a Hefeweizen.....what more could you ask for? We lived in Germany for 8 years and found the food an people great. The service here is especially good, any questions on what to eat just ask her. Prost and gut Essen!!!

Bitburger!

While visiting family in Los Angeles we were taken to the Red Lion Tavern for German cuisine. I found this place so authentic I thought that I was back in Germany. Even our waitress had a German accent. I ordered the German Weiner entree with sauerkraut and German Potato Salad and my wife ordered the Bratwurst. Our meals were so good. I especially liked the spicy mustard that came with the entree. After visiting Germany last Fall, this brought back some memories.

I have been going to the Red Lion for many years, except for the last few. I went in May for an early dinner. The two seating choices were downstairs, which was quite dark, and outside, which turned out to be quite smokey (from cigars and cigarettes). This was very unfortunate as their food (German comfort food) and service are good. I definitely recommend the food but probably will not go back to the restaurant for a while as there are plenty of places to dine in Los Angeles that don't have the smoke.

this place is weird but i dig it. designated driver!!!!!

If you are into authentic German food, make a trip to the Silverlake area. This restaurant is dark inside with several bars and eating areas. However, upstairs and outside is a great summer patio area. Grab a beer or flavored Schnaps to get the party started. Then proceed with a classic German menu to further enjoy a different experience! Not your typical LA destination!

Cool atmosphere on the roof bier garden. We reserved a table for 10 and it barely accommodated. The seating wasn't very comfy and we were squished together. The service however was great. All the servers were very attentive. Food is good. The appetizers are the best. We had the sausage platter and warm pretzel. Both excellent and outshines the dinner we had of schnitzel which was just okay. I am glad I tried this place but not sure I will return unless I just have a craving for some good sausages.

We drive here regularly from Thousand Oaks. The food and service are fantastic! However, there was a customer at the bar outside today that had his dog with him. Normally I wouldn't think anything of it, but every so often the dog would start coughing(sounded like it was choking or hacking up a lung). It became clear that this was a regular thing for the dog. It was disgusting and very gross to listen to. Several other patrons were bothered as well. I can't believe they weren't asked to take the dog outside or leave!!!

Four stars only because of the black beer.

After visiting LA area, my wife and I decided to stop here on the way home. We sat on the second floor which is actually considered an outdoor bar area. We grabbed a seat and ordered. I grabbed a half liter Warsteiner Verum. A great mild German pilsner beer. My wife had the Schnitzel A La Holstein : Schnitzel topped with a fried egg and anchovies, served with boiled potatoes and red cabbage. Pretty tasty. Anything with an egg on it is that much better. I had the Bratwurst: dark brown beef/pork sausage, served with sauerkraut, German potato salad and mustard. Also a great meal. Couldn't finish the sausage but my mouth wanted to keep eating. Overall a great German meal. The only down side was that they allow smoking in that area which was not apparent when we sat down - only when the guy next to us lit up. Didn't know that was allowed in LA. I would recommend this place for the great sausages and beer. Cheers! (To Travel Is To Live)

Great Bar

We were visiting my brother in LA and they suggested drinks here as they are frequent guests. There is quite an impressive schnapps and Bier list, all authentic. The smells from the kitchen were irresistible, so we ordered some food too, some of the best I've tasted outside of Germany. We sat in the main restaurant downstairs, next to the piano bar. The piano man played non-stop and was quite good. The decor & atmosphere are old-school and interesting, with curiosities everywhere. Upstairs I found a small cozy bar with an actual working cigarette machine! I wandered in and out of several rooms. Intrigued by the decorations and collections. A large heated outdoor beer garden was hopping & jumping with groups of younger drinkers who looked like they were having a great time!

I love this bar, it's casual, has nice patio seating and delicious sausage platter. Beers are great and we always have a good time.

I just flew in and some friends and I went to this place. Casual, great food, and good beer. I totally loved this place. I was super hungry and this is definitely the place that hit the spot. We got the pretzel, some sausage, and the fish and chips, all amazing!

Beerfest!!! Go for it and get a stein! Love the beer but I don't like German food!! Good place for fun or drowning your sorrows!!

Really like the atmosphere here, authentic feel, not necessarily the food, but the service and over all vibe. Worth a visit if you like a busy patio, cold non-american brews and hearty food. Our advice to the kitchen: Could be more veggie options!

Every Monday I had a tradition. I would come here with my grandfather where he would order me a coffee, himself a dark beer (Kostritzer) and we would share a plate of potato pancakes followed by apple strudel. Not the healthiest habit but a fun one at least. When I became of age to drink, I would meet friends here for a drink. You may meet interesting characters here at times. I've met alcoholics (no surprise), expats, Polish acrobats associated with Cirque du Soleil, TV writers, performance artists. After all this is L.A. The food is still excellent and the beer still cold and in abundance. I highly recommend, especially the beer garden upstairs.

If you don't mind a dark bar this place is for you. After a long day at Runyon canyon and the observatory German food is just what the doctor ordered. My husband ordered a flight of beer- $10 was a touch steep but he wanted a sample of some different beer and couldn't decide on just one. We ordered the sausage platter, Hungarian goulash, and schnitzel with gravy. It was all delicious. I loved the spicy German mustard that accompanied the sausage and the ghoulish beef melted in your mouth. Our server also brought over a large basket of bread which was a mix of wheat and sourdough. We really enjoyed our dinner and had the leftovers for lunch.

don't expect too much, the food is not German at all, but the beer is authentic and if you hang outside you'll have a good time in a supposed to be German pub

My Lady asked if I felt like any particular food type that evening, and I replied that I had long had a craving for some good German food. As usual, she knew just the place to satisfy me. We soon found ourselves at the Red Lion, an unobtrusive place in a business-oriented neighborhood. The restaurant's street level floor was packed with people enjoying the wares of the place, and we wandered up the stairs to find a warm and hospitable cave-like room that was unoccupied. Our server, the lovely and gracious Shira, brought us menus immediately, and we treated ourselves to a bottle of one of their house wines, which proved to be a fine choice. The menu itself was a delight, offering many dishes which I have loved in the past. I ordered my favorite meat dish, Sauerbraten, while My Lady chose the Hungarian Goulash. We also chose to have some potato pancakes as an adjunct. Our food arrived in a relatively short time, and we dug into it. The Sauerbraten was perfectly prepared, as good as I've had (or prepared myself) anywhere. My Lady's Goulash was flavorful and tender, and the rotkohls accompanying the dishes was great. We loved the potato pancakes, even better with some saurbraten gravy ladled over them. It was a feast of major proportions, and we had a good-sized box of leftovers to take home. This was a food experience of great quality, involving inviting surroundings, excellent and very friendly service, and marvelous food. Needless to say, we'll be returning to sample the rest of the menu!

I took my wife on a date to the Red Lion Tavern on a Friday night, knowing it's a different experience than your typical restaurant. I had been there once before some five years earlier and I'd enjoyed a lot, so I figured it was a safe bet. First things first; parking is an adventure. Not necessarily the restaurant's fault, just poor planning that's typical with most businesses in the area (Silverlake/Glendale). The restaurant's parking lot was full, so we ended up having to park on the street about two blocks away at a cheap $1/Hr rate. No big deal. We walked into the restaurant which was surprisingly empty in the downstairs dining room, but then again we arrived at around 6:30 pm which for this place is early even on a Friday night. It got more crowded as the evening wore on. There's also a "beer garden" upstairs which is like an open bar area with tables, where smoking is allowed (it's an open air area). It's more of a social atmosphere there, kind of like a club, but we stayed away as we don't like the smoking bit. The overall service is ok. The waitresses are dressed in traditional German dresses which makes the place seem a bit more genuine. The ambiance is like that of an old time pub; it even smells like one. The food is good but not particularly special. I had the smoked pork loin which was just a tad on the dry side, but still fairly enjoyable. They do have a large selection of German beers, which if you're a beer aficionado you will appreciate. The crowd is the most interesting part of the place. Very eclectic by any measure, with people dressed in anything from average to amusing garb. Again, a bit of a club-like scene. All in all nothing bad, just different from a traditional restaurant. I would recommend it to anyone interested in a different experience other than the usual restaurant. I would suggest going later in the evening when things pick up a bit more, but keep in mind this place doesn't take reservations so you might have to wait to get a seat. Cheers!

The only reason why I chose this place for a drink is because I read that it was ranked one of the top 15 beer gardens in the US. Don't get me wrong, it is a good atmosphere but not spectacular. The draft beer selection is good but not a big selection. It is not that big inside either.

Good atmosphere and professional service. Excellent ham hock but pork schnitzel was dry on both orders. Not sure about return visit.

Went here for an early dinner on a Saturday night. Wow! Lived the atmosphere and the decor. I felt like we were in a small tavern along the Rhine. Food and service were homey and nice. The pretzel was close to what we had in Germany- really good! I'm definitely going to go back! FYI- lunch prices until 6pm!

We made our way down to the red lion for some birthday drinks. I had the best time, the upstairs patio was booked up for a private event so we just sat downstairs and got drunk on there delicious beer cocktail options. The piano player even sang me happy birthday.. The only downfall was the waitress, she was a bit crass but apparently that's the LA way, (I'm Canadian) and she charged us an 18% gratuity, she wasn't even around that much... I would of tipped her well regardless but she just threw it on there without warning!!

I lov ethe Beer garden in the back. Good solid German food and a kooky scene.

Great vibe, great beer selection, great Brats!

At the Red Lion. If you like German food this is your place in the Southland. Service is somewhat slow and no one really greets you when you walkin the door. There is also an issue with flies in the upstairs dining area. They attack from all directions. Great food do something about the service and the flies.

Great happy hour environment :)

This place is a MUST go! This is the perfect place to eat some delicious german food like sausage and sauerkraut. We had the Sausage platter in appetizer and it was a huge plate with 3 delightful sausage (bratwurst, knackwurst, smoked bockwurst, served with pickles, peppers and mustard). This is perfect for a group with beer but we were just two (my boyfriend and i) so the platter was enough for both of us. The service was really kind.

Mainly going for the beer and patio here but there are a couple of good things to eat.

This place is all about Germany: authentic food, beer, ambiance and it is pretty good. The food is simple, but delicious: sausages, schnitzels, red cabbage, potato and with lots of beer and music you'll experience Bavaria like evening ( no need to cross Atlantic Ocean) Nice location too-- Silver Lake -- home of hipsters, artists and celebrities.

A really fun place to go with a bunch of friends for big beers and brats.

All about the sausage platters and the beer on draft.

i work in burbank and hollywood every few months and a friend just took me to this gem....use to live in heidelberg, schnitzel was great, red cabbage, farmers bread, upstairs patio, great beer, music at night.....give it a try....

Very nice atmosphere and easy to get to. Parking is adequate. Food was tasty and if I am in the area again, would eat there! Price is reasonable as well!

It's Octoberfest, so the atmosphere was more festive than usual! Great food -think potato latkes for a starter- and good German beer. The 4 of us had different meals and all we delicious, and filling. I don't eat sausages or beef but my sons and husband loved them - I had chicken and it was perfect. Although there inside eating downstairs at the bar, we preferred the beer garden upstairs. Prfect temperature for relaxing, and sharing a meal, with our two sons.

Very surprised to find such a great German place tucked in a residential neighborhood. You can tell this is mostly regulars and folks in walking distance. The upstairs "biergarten" patio is very very smoky so we stayed downstairs. The downstairs was a dark and cozy wood paneled pub space with traditional Bavarian goods all around. Good beer selection and authentic food!! Great spot for my German cravings

My appetite for German food and its historic restaurants knows no bounds, and Red Lion didn't disappoint. The interior is sureal, with artifacts that probably haven't been disturbed for 20-30 years. Beer was better than the food, and both were good. Had the sausage platter, so can't comment on the more traditional fare (until my return). For first-timers, it's worth knowing that there is a much larger "bier garten" room upstairs behind the downstairs dining room. Parking lot was convenient, and service was adequately European (don't expect anyone in here to be a mind reader).

Went here for the first time with some friends visiting from out of town. Food was delicious, ordered the beef tartare and shared a boot with 2 friends. My server was friendly and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend this spot!

Its got a beer garden!!!

Fun crowd, relaxed and varied. Hearty food and great service - but service with an edge. It's Silver Lake, so relax and have fun!

Some things never change, and when it comes to this restaurant, that's excellence. The food is delicious, the service is perfect. Try the fried pickles, they are the best surprise on the menu. Shank plate is fabulous, breaded loin is delicious. If you like a German pub, this is the best place in town. great, safe parking also. Cheers!

Having missed Oktoberfest I was delighted to enjoy an Oktoberfest beer still on tap and equally delighted to pig out on a sausage sampler that was too much for two people. All for a reasonable price. The service was great and the atmosphere friendly. There are a lot of areas you can sit that make for a different experience, the patio is open and casual, there is an upstairs bar area that is a little more cozy and confined and a downstairs bar that is a little more open and has table seating. I was meeting someone but had no hesitation about going in ahead alone and taking a seat, so I would have no problem recommending it for a female traveling alone.

Have driven by this place quite a few times within the last couple of years. Have been to Germany a few times, and love the food and beer. After reading reviews, was hoping this would be a real treat. Party of four, we chose the upstairs garden/patio room. It was early evening, and there were already a few people downing their suds. No one came to our table, so one of us went over to bar area to order a pitcher of beer and menus. We were told she was only one working that area right now. The beer was good. It was a true German beer, and was perfect. We ordered four dinners and were anxious for the feast to begin. Some cold dry bread was brought to the table, and oh, can I add tasteless? I have week old bread in my cupboard right now that has more taste than this stuff did. Dinner came, and I knew with one look, that it was going to be bad. I had the jagerschnitzel with mushroom sauce. It came with red cabbage and potatoes. The meat on my plate was burnt on bottom side, and was thin and "hard". The mushroom sauce was the strangest looking stuff I have ever had. White and chunky, no mushroom flavor. Cabbage was old and worn out looking, but was the best part of the dinner. Potatoes ended up being mashed with some type of brown gravy. I thought we were supposed to get broiled or boiled potatoes. All the members of our group did not like their dinners, and we were all pretty unhappy with our food. It was almost embarrassing when the waitress came by afterwards and grabbed for the tip, as soon as hubby wrote out the credit card amount. I would not eat here again. If I wanted to sit outside and drink a cold one, I might do that. But I don't live in the neighborhood, so I don't see that happening. Sad, because we were excited to go here, in a real good mood, and it went downhill fast. I have no idea how others rate this as authentic. Just because you have a few barmaids that have an accent, doesn't make the food good. This was truly a bad dinner...

Old school since 1959. I had purchased a Living Social coupon which was expiring soon and I wanted take advantage of the special before it expired. The four of us went on a Saturday night and we took a table without having to wait. Our waitress took our coupon and she was super sweet. She brought us the coupon special which included a sausage platter and two German steins filled with beer. This was already plenty of food but we also ordered a small German pretzel which wasn't small, pork sandwich plate, and a chicken schnitzel plate. This was more than enough food and we were full and that was after sharing plates. They do not cater to anyone wanting pizza, or Mexican food, this is strictly German cuisine.

3-story German Pub with a fairly authentic selection (they actually serve headcheese). Turns into a great night scene with a fun brew-pub atmosphere on the outdoor patio upstairs. Get there early to get a table, because this place is hell to navigate when it starts to get full. The Schnitzel (fried pork chop) is a specialty of the house and quite possibly the second-best in L.A. Everything comes with fries or mashed potatoes and sourkraut or coleslaw.

I am German and this place is authentic. The sausages on the sausage platter (an excellent choice) tasted the same as if I were eating a wurst on a German train platform. Great selection of beer and very friendly waitstaff.

great if you love german food, otherwise just go for the beer.

Red Lion Tavern is a German restaurant with the beer garden to prove it. The menu is all about wurst, roulade, cabbage, and potatoes. The bar carries at least 3 Spaten beers on draft, as well as Kostritzer Schwarzbier and many other basic German beer choices. It is also a pretty nice tavern, where you can either hang out with a bunch of other people at the cozy downstairs restaurant/dining area, or head up the stairs to the wide open and spacious beer garden upstairs. It's clearly a place for locals, and it's not unusual to have pub quiz night going on downstairs, or pre-Dodgers game preparation going on in the beer garden. But there is enough separation between the two main areas that one rarely affects the other, so whatever your speed you can find a place to sit and enjoy yourself. Two things make Red Lion stand out as a place worth going to time and time again. The first thing is the food. Of course there are sausage platters and roulade and many other things that you would expect. And these are generally pretty good, usually above average in terms of flavor and value. But there are also some truly outstanding items. I recommend in particular Red Lion's version of currywurst. It is not a classical currywust that you would get at, say, Konnopke's Imbiss or Curry 36 in Berlin. Instead of being served in a paper tray, the wurst is served on a roll. Instead of using the traditional curry ketchup (really, that's all it is), Red Lion instead uses a curry gravy to flavor it. On one hand, this is really weird because it is completely unlike a Berlin currywurst. But on the other hand, it's insanely delicious, and I say this as someone whose favorite place to visit in Berlin is currywurst stands. Red Lion's currywurst ends up tasting a bit sweeter, but also a bit more complicated in flavor, without losing the essential weirdness of currywurst. It's kind of amazing. The second thing that makes Red Lion stand out is the service. I have never, ever, encountered a nicer wait staff than the two younger guys working in the upstairs beer garden. Great timing, helpful with answers to questions, always attentive but never intrusive, they're just fantastic. I hope no one ever steals them away, and I hope that if ownership ever changes hands that these guys get to run the place. If I lived nearby, I would be here all the time. But as it is, I'll visit whenever I'm in the area. Whether you're in town for a Dodgers game, or just tired of dodging hipsters in Silver Lake or Echo Park, kick back with a beer at the Red Lion Tavern. And order the currywurst.

gotta love this place

Wow. Great ambiance. Sausage out of this world . Bavarian pretzel with special cheese dip and mustard. We had a blast. Reasonable. Second visit saved room for dessert which included apple strudel with vanilla sauce. Jack Black, the actor, had been there that day.

The biergarten behind this very unassuming exterior is a hidden delight. Great German food, hearty servings of rib-sticking goodness. Great bier and wine selections. Prices are very low for LA!

great place to hang out with your buds and find a good german beer!

Relaxed German tavern with an outdoor patio good for big groups. Came here on a group of three on a Monday around 2 and sat ourselves outside. They have self-service water with condiments at both sides, and there are plenty of tables good for big groups. Street parking as well as a small lot was available. Credit cards and cash are accepted. There are bathrooms available inside and there is an indoor dining space as well, although no one was sitting in there when we went. It was happy hour at the time we were there, and so we opted to grab some fish and chips (comes with three pieces of fish) and potato pancakes (comes with 3 pieces as well). The fish and chips came piping hot and the curry ketchup was sooooo good (you get this from the condiments table). The potato pancakes were nicely fried and came with sour cream, apple sauce, and a jam. We also had a Groupon deal for a sausage platter which was good to serve three people who had just gone on a hike at Griffith. There were three different types of sausages, all of which were cut up into smaller pieces and were all equally delicious. Overall, it’s a casual spot to grab some German food and drinks

GREAT German joint. Where else can you get a split pea soup with a weiner sticking out of a beer stein? This is the greatest place for watching World Cup Soccer. You really feel like you're in another country with the nonchalant German decor. I am obsessed with the goulash soup, the red cabbage & the spaetzle. I like to put the spaetzle in the soup and eat up! Yummmmmmm!

another place I go for ambiance and good food, the beers can be deceiving, easy to forget the beers are much bigger than average

Gemütlichkeit is a German word meaning "a situation that induces a cheerful mood, peace of mind...". Thanks Wikipedia. I like the feel of this place; lots of cultural ambiance with the plethora of Germanic decor and the waitresses in traditional dress. The beer is all German, some you've had, some probably not. The food is typical German fare without much surprise. I did have a special today that took a pork schnitzel and put it between a soft pretzel and topped with sour kraut. The taste was fine, but they should have drained the kraut for a few minutes as it totally soaked the sandwich. Nonetheless, I so enjoyed sitting out in the beer garden enjoying the festive atmosphere and sipping a couple of the last beers from a final keg that I barely noticed. This is not my first time, and I will find myself coming here periodically whenever I need a German fix full of gemütlichkeit. Speaking German is not required, but many among the staff can. Travel abroad without leaving home. Fun.

great casual spot to have a beer with friends

Beergarten, schnitzle...need I say more?

The beer. The Brats. The gruff female servers in costume. Good times.

The Red Lion is more about fun and beer than fine dining or fancy atmosphere. I enjoy the dependable flavors of the Nürnberger Bratwurst and my non-sausage eating friend loves the moist, great-flavored, rotisserie chicken (both are generously portioned). The service is usually wonderful, but it can be spotty at peak times. One drawback is that I have found some of the patrons on the patio to be obnoxiously loud at times. As a result, we tend to opt for the quieter indoor dining rooms.

Like being in Germany! The food is very authentic and quite tasty. GReat beer selection.

We've enjoyed this restaurant for years, but the service--never wonderful to begin with--was so awful this evening that I'm not sure we'll ever come back. We arrived early--just as the dinner rush was starting--and when no one acknowledged us, we seated ourselves. Eventually, the bartender came over and left menus, and, after awhile, took our order for our meal. I admit that we had a Groupon, but in addition to the Groupon items, we ordered two side dishes. The beers and our platter came out reasonably soon, but after 45 minutes, we asked about side dishes. 15 more minutes went by and we stopped the waiter who now seemed to be working our side of the restaurant. Some time after that, he dropped two small side dishes at our table and walked away. We ate them, had to go back to the bar to close our our bill and left. I have rarely felt like I was so unwanted at a restaurant. The dishes--the sausage platter, the schnitzel and the red cabbage--were fine and their beer selection is very, very good. This is the only reason they are getting two "stars." It was just an awful experience,

This pub/restaurant is a very nice place to go if you are looking for a meal at a reasonable price. The food was delicious. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The lady who plays piano and sings is very entertaining and easy to listen to, she has a wide repertoire of songs to suit all tastes of music. .

This place is no BS German. The owner is from Germany and greeted us personally. We sat on the patio and really enjoyed the cool breezes and fountain. The beer is German, drought, cold, and delicious. The food is even more amazing. Go for the sausage platter and potato pancake. The apple streusel is the best I have ever had. On top of that, the service was amazing. Great spot!!!

The Red Lion Tavern has been around for some time. We love it and go whenever we are near there. The place is older and it shows, but it is always super clean and just ever so friendly. Some go there just to have their beer. They have a great selection. They also have a full bar. We go there for the food. They have great German food. They also have burgers if you want, but their German food is just great and the best around there. The place is comfortable and the seating is super. It does not often get packed. You can dine in, take away or have it delivered. We love to dine there. The service is just so nice that you want to be there. Their Beerstein Soup is so good if you just want soup and some bread. It is also a great starter. It is split pea soup with a wiener and a great roll. Speaking of soup, you must try their Vegetarian Goulash which has vegetarian sausage, potatoes and vegetables in tomato-based sauce. Their main courses are great. Try their Schweinebraten Tender, which is great roasted pork loin smothered in gravy sauce. Served with red cabbage and mashed potatoes and it is filling so share. It is the best. There are no bad dishes there. Have a great time.

No service and lies about food. Told food coming out three times and after an hour still nothing. Server was rude and not bothered

Fun, German bar to hang out in and watch the soccer game.

A popular tavern with surprisingly good German entrees that are all reasonably priced. Schnitzel, Bratwurst, Spaetzal and all the German traditional foods. Featuring an impressive selection of beers on tap.

We liked this place. We both had the jaeger schnitzel and it was very good, tender and flavorful. Delicious gravy. There was a later issue when we saw out credit card charge. We'd been charged double on the tip, but after calling, the manager assured us he would take care of it right away, and he did. We had good service and there was easy parking which can be a pain sometimes in Silver Lake. One star deducted for the pretty awful Napoleon for dessert. Came to us dry, hard and cold from the fridge. Microwaving only left it a runny mess. Fresher desserts, please.

we took a driving tour of LA on a cold and rainy Sunday in Jan. it was perfect. no one on the road. we were with a native Los Angelino. He took us here for lunch. It was like being in Germany. the pretzel was insane and you must have one!!! the food is great. the Jaegermeister shots were oh, so good. it was very dark down stairs but it was a cold and rainy day anyways.

The Red Lion Tavern is a MUST if you enjoy beer, German food, and meeting cool people. Spaten, pretzels, Spaten, sausage platter, potato pancakes, Spaten and Spaten. My boyfriend and I always meet someone interesting and very nice. The decor can strike a conversation too! Prost!

I went here with a Dutch friend and she verified that this is authentic German food. It has a haufbrau feel upstairs and an intimate restaurant downstairs. Great local place, very casual.

This is one of the last German restaurants in the Los Angeles area. It is a shame so many have closed. The food here is very good, and every night there is a specialty item.The sauerbraten was wonderful, and the side dishes were also very tasty. There is an extensive selections of German beers. It is a great place to sample German cooking.

nice restaurant quick service good food, and drinks all yummy and well presented. Thanks for made our experience so very enjoyable,

excellent service and friendly - saturday special:Samstag – Nürnberger Bratwurst 3 pork/veal sausages served with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes/Weisswurst thick veal/pork sausage, served with sauerkraut, mashed potatoes w/gravy, and sweet mustard (substitue kraut for Spätzle ) - Dunkel dark beer/Hofbrau Maibock light/finished with Walnut Nussecke Cake traditional German marzipan pastry (to go) - great fun/ tasty/ good price/ totally enjoyed !!!1

We visited this tavern/restaurant just before Christmas. We ordered the sausage platter and a pretzel. The sausage platter was served with a variety of sausages, mild peppers and pickles. It was a nice variety for three people to enjoy as an afternoon large snack. We enjoyed some good German beer with the sausage platter. The pretzel was huge with the nice crunch on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. The server was very accommodating and helpful on suggestions.

This restaurant offers a good variety of German beers on tap, as well as some traditional German cuisine (Bavarian). The food is good, the beer is good...but the place gets very crowded. It's fun to go there though!

This place may be showing it's age, but hey, with the German food and beer......what's not to love? Das boot anyone?

Great German beergarden on a hot summer day in Silverlake!

This place is over the top fun. I love German food and beer, and both are great here. Just don't be in a hurry!

fun German place

The Red Lion sounds like an English Pub, for sure. That’s because it was, in its history. If you walk in through the front entrance, you feel like you’ve stepped into a little bit of England—it’s dark and cozy. But if you’re here for the biergarten atmosphere you’ll be directed up the narrow stairs to a little bit of Munich—at least as Americans, who haven’t been there, would imagine it! The biergarten is not really a garden at all, but it is pleasant and bright with a large canopy to protect its guests from the elements. There are both long tables for groups of friends and small tables to welcome individuals and couples. The beer selection is very much on the German side and naturally, very good. We also enjoyed a sausage platter and a Bavarian-style pretzel. Our waitress was kind and pleasant. On a personal note: A couple of years ago I began collecting lists of Biergartens in America and consequently created my own “passport booklet” of twenty-two biergartens across the USA. I ask our server or bartender to sign the page and take a photo of us, which I insert later. The Red Lion was our first, and I’ll review the other 21 as I make the trek across our great nation. (Hey, one has to have some goals during one’s retirement years!!!)