Milwaukee is known for its rich history, and nowhere throughout the city will you find more history than our restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a giant pretzel, German sausage, or a boot of beer, this restaurant has it all — and it also happens to be the oldest restaurant in Milwaukee. Check out the story behind it.

Welcome to Mader’s Restaurant, a Milwaukee gem since 1902.

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook Mader’s German Restaurant and Knight’s Bar have been in operation since 1902, and are still serving up authentic German cuisine today.

Charles Mader founded Mader’s in 1902.

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook When it was founded, Mader’s was a bar and restaurant where you could get a porterhouse steak for 20 cents — or six for a dollar. The majority of Milwaukeeans at the time were German immigrants, and beer was their drink of choice.

When Prohibition began in 1920, Mader’s took a hard hit.

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook

Charles Mader’s wife, Cecilia, had to keep the restauraunt afloat.

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook She spent her time perfecting rustic and authentic German dishes from their homeland to keep the place alive. The wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, and crispy pork shank had to hold up without the pairing of a stein. In 1933, when prohibition ended, Mader’s was there to serve the first legal brew and announce the break of the ban on Milwaukee’s public radio.

After the great depression, times changed.

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook Though the famous Charles Mader passed in 1938, the family took over and the restaurant has been flourishing.

Mader’s is now famous for their food, their boots of beer, and their giant pretzels!

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook Whether you’re looking for a traditional German dinner, or just a stein and a pretzel, Mader’s has it all.

If you stop in their bathroom, you can see all of the famous guests who have dined here.

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook From the Kennedy family and Frank Sinatra, to Chris Farley and Brittany Spears —Mader’s is a gem that has been experienced by many of the greats.

Now, you can find Mader’s pride all over Milwaukee.

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook Mader’s takes over the City of Festivals in the summer, and you’re sure to see them at German Fest. Grab their famous bratwurst wherever you find them!

Mader’s is a classic German restaurant that is still growing to this day.

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook They’ve remodeled quite a bit since 1902, and have added dining spaces such as the “Jaeger Stube,” featuring this famously huge chair. Whether you’re there for their famous Sunday Viennese Brunch, a traditional dinner for the whole family, or simply enjoying a beer while looking around at all the antiques, Mader’s will make you feel right at home.

Mader’s Restaurant might be the oldest, but it’s still the best.

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook If you’re in Milwaukee, this is one place not to be missed!

There it is, Milwaukee’s oldest restaurant! Have you been to Mader’s? What’s your favorite thing about it? Let us know in the comments!

Mader’s Restaurant / Facebook

Mader’s German Restaurant and Knight’s Bar have been in operation since 1902, and are still serving up authentic German cuisine today.

When it was founded, Mader’s was a bar and restaurant where you could get a porterhouse steak for 20 cents — or six for a dollar. The majority of Milwaukeeans at the time were German immigrants, and beer was their drink of choice.

She spent her time perfecting rustic and authentic German dishes from their homeland to keep the place alive. The wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, and crispy pork shank had to hold up without the pairing of a stein. In 1933, when prohibition ended, Mader’s was there to serve the first legal brew and announce the break of the ban on Milwaukee’s public radio.

Though the famous Charles Mader passed in 1938, the family took over and the restaurant has been flourishing.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional German dinner, or just a stein and a pretzel, Mader’s has it all.

From the Kennedy family and Frank Sinatra, to Chris Farley and Brittany Spears —Mader’s is a gem that has been experienced by many of the greats.

Mader’s takes over the City of Festivals in the summer, and you’re sure to see them at German Fest. Grab their famous bratwurst wherever you find them!

They’ve remodeled quite a bit since 1902, and have added dining spaces such as the “Jaeger Stube,” featuring this famously huge chair. Whether you’re there for their famous Sunday Viennese Brunch, a traditional dinner for the whole family, or simply enjoying a beer while looking around at all the antiques, Mader’s will make you feel right at home.

If you’re in Milwaukee, this is one place not to be missed!

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