Nomsters, I finally made it to Rathskeller in Elkridge, and I’m honestly mad at myself for waiting so long. This is Howard County’s German spot, tucked into Main Street, and it’s been around since 2019 doing schnitzel, house wursts, giant pretzels, and a whole German beer-and-wine list.
Minje and I came hungry and left completely stuffed, and we genuinely loved everything we ordered. The Cordon Bleu Schnitzel was the showstopper, but that butter pretzel and those potato cakes are right behind it. If you’ve never had proper German comfort food out in the burbs, this is the place, and it comes with a big, breezy biergarten to boot. It’s the kind of hearty, homey meal that feels like a little trip without leaving the county, and I already know I’m going back to work through the rest of the menu. Consider this your sign to go!
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What Makes Rathskeller a Standout German Spot
Here’s what sets Rathskeller apart: as far as I can tell, it’s the only real German restaurant in all of Howard County, so it’s not like you’ve got a dozen other options for schnitzel out here. It lives in the basement of a historic 19th-century building on Main Street (there’s even an old jail cell out on the patio, which is such a fun detail), and it all leans into that old-world tavern feel.
The wursts all come from Binkert’s, a longtime German meat market up in Rosedale, so the sausages are the real deal and not some generic supermarket link. Add in a serious German beer and wine list, a spacious biergarten, and hearty portions across the board, and it’s a genuinely special spot, not just a novelty.
What to Order at Rathskeller
Here’s everything Minje and I got, and I’m happy to report, we didn’t have a miss in the bunch.
Cordon Bleu Schnitzel ($26)
This was the star of the meal. It’s crispy schnitzel topped with ham and gruyere, so you get that extra-crispy cutlet with gooey, melty gruyere on top, and it’s every bit as good as it sounds. It comes with two sides, so we did the RK salad (that dressing is yummy) and the spatzle n’ cheese, which we absolutely LOVED, think German mac and cheese and you’re there.
Highly recommend this one, especially if you’re new to schnitzel! If you want to branch out, they also do a Jager (mushroom sauce), a Rahm (creamy white wine sauce), and a few others.
Hank’s Butter Pretzel ($12)
Buttery magic, served with a side of cheddar sauce. Fair warning, this thing is a LOT bigger than we expected, so we only got through about half of it before tapping out, lol. It’s a perfect starter to split with the table, and it could easily double as a meal on its own. If you’re a soft-pretzel person, this is a must-order.
Potato Cakes ($6)
A total must-try, and such a steal at six bucks. They come with a side of creme fraiche, and the cakes were fried to crispy, golden perfection, so yum! This is the kind of humble side dish that ends up stealing the show.
Debreziner ($9) and the Wursts
If you’re a sausage fan, get a wurst. The Debreziner’s a spicy pork sausage with garlic, paprika, and red pepper, and we had ours on a pretzel roll with sauerkraut (both are small upcharges), with a side of spicy mustard. They offer five different Binkert’s wurst flavors, so there’s something for every heat level. Great, snacky, and full of flavor.
What Does Rathskeller Mean?
Fun bit of trivia: a “rathskeller” is a German word for a restaurant or beer hall in a basement, traditionally under the town hall (rat = council, keller = cellar). So the name here isn’t just cute, it’s literal, since the restaurant really does sit in the cellar of a historic building. Once you know that, the whole tucked-away basement setting makes even more sense. It’s the kind of detail that makes a meal here feel like a proper little outing.
The Vibe and Experience
The setting’s a huge part of the charm. Downstairs it’s warm and cozy, and out back there’s a big, spacious biergarten that’s perfect when the weather cooperates, plus they do live music on weekend evenings. It’s a great fit for date night, a group hang, or a low-key family dinner, and there are two on-site lots so parking’s never the stress it is at a lot of spots.
They’re even dog-friendly on the patio, with a whole menu item for your pup, which I thought was the sweetest touch. If you’re building a bigger night out in the area, Manor Hill Tavern in Ellicott City does half-off pizzas on Mondays if you want another laid-back option nearby.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍5782 Main Street, Elkridge, MD 21075
- Hours: Monday to Thursday 11am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 9pm, closed Sundays
- Reservations: accepted, and worth making on weekends or for bigger groups; you can book through their website
- Parking: two lots on site, super convenient
- Drinks: German spirits, small-production German and Austrian wines, imported German beers, plus local German-style brews, and a late-night happy hour on weekdays
- Outdoor dining: a spacious biergarten with weekend live music (weather permitting)
- Good to know: there are gluten-free options (schnitzels can be grilled), it’s dog-friendly on the patio, takeout and delivery run through DoorDash and GrubHub, and party platters are a great call for groups
Is Rathskeller Worth It?
A hundred percent yes. If you want hearty, comforting German food with a fun setting and a proper biergarten, Rathskeller’s a total gem. It’s great value for how much food you get, the schnitzel’s a genuine standout, and the whole experience feels like a mini escape. Bring a group, come hungry, and don’t skip those potato cakes.
That’s my full rundown, Nomsters. If you’re making a day of it out here, Spice N Curry’s unbeatable thali lunch is another Elkridge favorite of mine, and you can find plenty more ideas in my guide to the best restaurants in Howard County. Have you guys been to Rathskeller yet? Let me know your go-to order in the comments, and if this made you crave schnitzel, send it to your favorite eating buddy.