Old Europe - European restaurant in Washington - 2434 Wisconsin Ave NW, USA

Great experience for a special birthday! Our waitress was really helpful explaining some of the German dishes. Mr Alex came out and sang happy birthday to our dad who turned 80. And our mom worked at old Europe restaurant in the 60s. It was a great experience!

We visited Old Europe on a Friday evening, around 5pm. It wasn’t very busy, and I was a little concerned walking in due to the small size, but quickly felt right at home. It’s a small place, being in business since I think she said 1948, although run by different people, whom I might add, had been working there. So, it’s been kind of passed down, if that makes sense. The atmosphere is very warm, cozy, and friendly. There are a lot of decorations consisting of model ships hanging from the ceiling, portraits of persons from long ago, coats of arms placed around the restaurant, plenty of hunting trophies mounted on the walls, along with a super large hunter’s cuckoo clock watching over everyone. Our server, I can’t remember her name, took our orders for some beer and potato pancakes. My wife got a half liter of Paulaner and I got the Weizenbier. The wait was not quick, but like at a friend’s house, arrived just in time. Different types of bread and butter came out to the table along with different types of mustard. My wife ordered the Ungarisches gulasch mit spätzle and I ordered the old Europe’s sausage combo. Now what’s really cool is, the owner actually walks out to deliver the food. He came out, dropped off our food, checked on us, along with others that were eating, answered questions for us, then went back into the kitchen. I got a really good feeling eating here. It is like eating at your German grandmother’s house. The food was delicious. As we sat, the owner walked by again and I asked him if he ever served hasenpfeffer, to which he replied, no. Most of the customers weren’t fans of rabbit I suppose. He did say he had something and would be right back. We ordered some after dinner digestif. My wife had a Wild Cherry Schnapps (Berentzen) and I had a Kirschwasser (Schladerer), a Black Forrest cherry brandy. The owner returned with a taste of Venison stew. Wow. It was great. I barely got a bite, before my grandson ate the rest and slurped up all the juices. Our server came out with a desert tray with cakes, mousse, cheesecake, black forest cake, among others. We got the black forest cake to share. This place is our new favorite German restaurant. It was as if we were in their home and being served a great, family dinner. Highly recommend you visit, take your time, and enjoy the atmosphere, food, drinks and company. Loved it and will be back.

Go, go, go! For an authentic German evening go to Old Europe, the minute you walk in the door you are taken back to a time of a classy restaurant with German roots, from the steins on the walls, the country coats of arms, the German towns, and the art work, all this before you even sit down. Then the beers, what a choice, the menu is superb too, so much to choose you will want to go back again and again. We chose the charcuterie board, then the chefs special of the day and a flight of beers. All I can say is, this restaurant has been there 75 years and you know why when you eat here, it is an institution in its own right on Wisconsin Ave. You will not be disappointed. Next time in DC this is back on our list of restaurants to visit.

You literally feel like you walked out of DC and into a small family tavern in Germany here. The dishes were good. Friendly and attentive service. Would have hoped for more than four beers on tap, but at least they are good quality and varied styles.

Absolutely wonderful food and service. All of the food was cooked great and service was so good we didn’t have to make any requests. And the dessert was wonderful! I’ll definitely be coming back here!

First time here we had a per set menu for our party and where things was wonderful. The beer selection very true german beer and wine

Fantastic restaurant. The interior is warm and comfortable with a lot of decor that feels like a nice dinner room in a European location. Order a special and was really happy with the meal. The spätzle was tasty and the german potato salad was fresh. The whole meal tasted really great and did not feel over stuffed or too full at the end. I'll be headed back here for sure.

Old Europe wasn’t great, or even good. I’m confused by the restaurant’s longevity and high rating. I had the chicken weiner schnitzel, apple red cabbage (“rotkohl” to regular German cuisine patrons), and warm German potato salad. The schnitzel was fine I suppose. The rotkohl was so sour/tart I couldn’t eat it; there wasn’t a hint of sweetness. The potato “salad” was a boiled potato diced in vinegar with nothing else. After years of eating German food in different American cities and made by my German family, I can confidently say this restaurant was the most unappetizing German cuisine I’ve had. My husband enjoyed his meal a little better than I enjoyed mine. He gave it a 3/5, but conceded he wouldn’t be back if he lived in the area. I also wouldn’t return to Old Europe or recommend it. You can find much better food elsewhere.