New Braunfels wears its German heritage proudly, and nowhere is that more evident than in its restaurant scene. If you’re craving authentic schnitzel but aren’t quite sure where to find it, I’m here to help!
This Hill Country town serves up some of the finest schnitzel in Texas, each restaurant bringing its own twist to this classic dish.
Before we dive into where to eat, let’s talk about what makes schnitzel special.
What Is Schnitzel?
Schnitzel is a traditional German and Austrian dish consisting of a thin cutlet of meat—typically pork, chicken, or veal—that’s been pounded thin, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried until golden and crispy. The name comes from the German word “schnitzel,” meaning “slice.”
The classic version is Wiener Schnitzel, made with veal and served with a simple lemon wedge. But schnitzel has evolved into countless variations, each topped with different sauces that transform the dish.
Jäger Schnitzel comes with a rich mushroom gravy. Texas Schnitzel adds a local twist with jalapeño-spiked cream gravy. Käse Schnitzel gets smothered in cheese sauce.
Now, let’s see where New Braunfels does it best.
1. Krause’s Cafe
Location: 148 S Castell Ave, Downtown New Braunfels
Krause’s Cafe sits in the heart of downtown New Braunfels, housed in a vibrant Biergarten setting with over 100 beers on tap.
The Bavarian-style beer hall, complete with long communal tables and German flags representing New Braunfels’ founding families, creates an atmosphere that feels authentically German while remaining distinctly Texan.
The Schnitzel Lineup
Krause’s offers four schnitzel options, each priced to give you serious value:
Texas Schnitzel ($18): A hand-breaded pork cutlet arrives golden and crispy, draped in jalapeño gravy that adds a subtle kick without overwhelming the dish. It’s served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Jäger Schnitzel ($18): The classic hunter-style preparation. Your hand-breaded pork cutlet comes smothered in a rich mushroom sauce that’s earthy and savory. Paired with roasted Yukon potatoes and red cabbage, this is comfort food at its finest.
Käse Schnitzel ($18): This one swaps pork for chicken and adds a creamy beer cheese sauce on top. Served with French fries and broccoli, it’s a lighter take that still delivers on flavor.
Wiener Schnitzel ($20): The traditionalist’s choice. Made with veal cutlet instead of pork, this version stays true to its Viennese roots.
Why Krause’s Stands Out
Krause’s Cafe has mastered schnitzel execution—the pork comes perfectly breaded and fried to a golden crisp. The portions are generous, the sides are thoughtfully chosen, and the price point makes it accessible for everyone.
Plus, there’s something special about eating schnitzel in a proper German beer hall with live music playing and a cold German beer in hand.
2. Alpine Haus Restaurant
Location: 251 S Seguin Ave, Historic Downtown
Alpine Haus feels like stepping into a different era. This restaurant is housed in a 164-year-old historic building in the heart of downtown New Braunfels, and the old settler’s home maintains much of its original charm.
Exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and intimate dining rooms create a cozy, romantic atmosphere that’s perfect for a special dinner.
The Schnitzel Experience
The restaurant’s price range is $31 to $50 per person, positioning it as the upscale option for schnitzel in New Braunfels.
Alpine Haus schnitzels are prepared in the traditional style: a pork loin, chicken breast cutlet, or veal cutlet, made to order, pounded thinly, lightly breaded, and grilled to perfection.
Each schnitzel entrée comes with fresh-baked German bread, your choice of house salad or soup, and sides including potato dumplings, spätzle, potato salad, or fried potatoes, plus either red cabbage or sauerkraut.
Here are some of the schnitzels they offer:
Jäger-Rahm Schnitzel ($20.99+): Alpine Haus Restaurant’s favorite: pork or chicken schnitzel topped with mushroom gravy. This is the hunter-style preparation that reviewers consistently rave about.
Cordon Bleu Schnitzel ($20.99+): A cutlet layered with black forest ham and Swiss cheese. This is Alpine Haus’ take on the classic, turning schnitzel into something even more decadent.
Schnitzel Sandwich ($20.99): One of the most popular menu items is the schnitzel sandwich—a lightly breaded pork cutlet with sauerkraut set between two slices of German baked bread.
What Makes Alpine Haus Special
The execution here is exceptional. Their attention to traditional preparation methods shows in every bite—the cutlets are pounded thin enough to stay tender while achieving that signature golden crust.
Their historic setting, careful preparation, and commitment to authentic Bavarian techniques make Alpine Haus the destination for a memorable schnitzel dinner. It’s pricier than the other options, but you’re paying for an elevated experience in every sense.
3. Fork & Spoon
Location: 651 N Business IH35, Suite 1150 (Marketplace Shopping Center)
Fork & Spoon is New Braunfels’ answer to the question: “What if we served excellent German food in a casual American breakfast and lunch spot?”
Since 2006, this local favorite has been feeding New Braunfels residents everything from French toast to authentic German entrees in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.
The vibe here is completely different from Krause’s beer hall atmosphere or Alpine Haus’ romantic intimacy. Fork & Spoon is where locals go for a hearty meal without the fuss.
There’s outdoor seating, a cozy interior with a fireplace, and service that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit.
The Schnitzel Selection
Fork & Spoon makes schnitzel accessible and approachable. Here are some of their most notable offerings:
Jäger Schnitzel ($17.99): Pork schnitzel smothered in Jäger (hunter) sauce, a rich mushroom gravy that’s deeply savory. It comes with two classic sides, or you can upgrade to a signature side.
Texas Schnitzel ($17.99): Pork schnitzel covered in “Texas sauce”, a cream gravy loaded with onions and jalapeños.
German Sampler Platter ($30.99, good for two): Can’t decide? The sampler includes pork schnitzel, a cup of goulash, bratwurst, and currywurst, served with your choice of Jäger or Texas sauce. It’s the best way to experience multiple German specialties in one sitting.
Why Fork & Spoon Stands Out
The key here is consistency and value. Fork & Spoon delivers quality German food without pretension and at prices that make it a regular go-to rather than a special occasion splurge.
The breakfast schnitzel options are particularly noteworthy—not many places let you enjoy crispy pork cutlet with your eggs and coffee at 8 AM.
Making Your Choice: It Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
So where should you go for schnitzel in New Braunfels? It depends on what you’re after:
Choose Krause’s Cafe if you want the full German beer hall experience with excellent schnitzel at reasonable prices.
Choose Alpine Haus Restaurant if you’re celebrating something special or want the most authentic, refined German dining experience.
Choose Fork & Spoon if you want great schnitzel in a relaxed, no-frills environment at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
It’s as simple as that!
The truth is, you can’t go wrong with any of these. New Braunfels takes its German food seriously, and each restaurant brings something valuable to the table—literally.
Now stop reading and go eat some schnitzel. Your only real mistake would be not trying all three.
Featured image credit: Lukas via Pexels