Every day there’s something to celebrate here in Milwaukee – and today, it’s the pretzel. After all, it’s National Pretzel Day, a date set aside to honor the deliciousness of a time-honored snack that it’s estimated Americans consume at a rate of about two pounds per year.
Although National Pretzel Day honors pretzels of all spots and stripes, including the crunchy kind, we’re partial to the Bavarian-style soft pretzels that are served (fittingly) at countless places around town. After all, they’re generally large and shareable, so you can enjoy them in the company of friends. Plus, they’re perfect served up with a local beer.
There are plenty of spots around town to find them. But in the spirit of the day, we've curated 10 of the best spots to get your pretzel fix – today or just about any day.
1. Beer gardens
All hail the summer beer garden! Just about all of Milwaukee’s beer gardens offer up some form of soft pretzel, usually served dipping sauce. You can get this one directly from Kegel's Inn (and their beer garden), as well at the Lakefront Beer Garden they are operating at the War Memorial starting Memorial Day weekend. Check out our guide to local beer gardens for more information.
2. Bavarian Bierhaus
700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, (414) 236-7000
thebavarianbierhaus.com
There are plenty of pretzel-based options at the Bavarian Bierhaus, including 10-ounce pretzels which you can pair with spreads like Helles Lager bier cheese, obatzda, or spinach artichoke dip for an additional charge. If you’re a bit hungrier, try the Munich meat and cheese board featuring assorted cold cuts and cheese, gherkin, radishes, a pretzel, rye and sweet mustard.
3 Mader's
1041 N. Old World Third St., (414) 271-3377
madersrestaurant.com
If you want old school charm, and a pretzel to boot, head to the Knight's Bar at Mader's where you'll find a jumbo pretzel served alongside German-style mustard, as it should be. Don’t forget to add a German brew on the side.
4. Milwaukee Brat House
1013 N. Old World 3rd St., (414) 273-8709
4022 N. Oakland Ave. (414) 539-5826
milwaukeebrathouse.com
Get hungry. Milwaukee Brat House’s Jumbo Bavarian Pretzel is a monster. It’s served with sharp cheddar cheese sauce, house-made beer cheese soup, and spicy beer mustard.
5. Milwaukee Pretzel Company
8050 N. Granville Woods Rd., (414) 944-0849
milwaukeepretzel.com
There might be no better place to get your pretzel fix than directly from Milwaukee Pretzel Company, the local shop which brought traditional Bavarian style soft pretzels to the Cream City. Head to their website and you’ll find any number of options to fulfill your deepest pretzel desires, from soft pretzels in various sizes to pretzel bites and pretzel buns, Even better, you can get them delivered to your home shipped anywhere in the U.S.
6. Old German Beer Hall
1009 N. Old World Third St., (414) 226-2728
www.oldgermanbeerhall.com
Another spot to find a giant shareable pretzel is the Old German Beer Hall, which serves "Groß Brezn," a legendary 10-ounce pretzel that has origins in Munich. Add obatzda and sweet mustard for a slight upcharge.
7. Restaurant To Be Named Later
One Brewers Way, (414) 902-4201
rtbnl.com
You can find pretzels at a variety of stands at American Family Field on game days. But you can also get your pretzel fix any day of the week at Restaurant To Be Named Later, where they serve up the MKE Giant Pretzel with cheddar cheese sauce and ale mustard.
8. SportClub
750 N. Jefferson St., (414) 808-1588
sportclubmke.com
Head to SportClub where every day presents an opportunity to celebrate the art of sport. Their Milwaukee Pretzel, served up with both honey mustard and cheese sauce is also something to celebrate.
9. The Vanguard
2659 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 539-3593
vanguardbar.com
What’s better than a soft pretzel? A warm soft buttered pretzel from The Vanguard. This beauty is served with cheddar schmear, red miso honey mustard or cheez wiz.
10. Von Trier
2235 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 272-1775
vontriers.com
Another classic spot to enjoy a big, soft delicious pretzel is at Von Trier, which serves a locally made Milwaukee Pretzel Co. soft Bavarian pretzel accompanied by beer cheese, honey mustard and stone ground mustard.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
