Ludwig's Garten **CLOSED**
(215) 985-1525
1315 Sansom St
Philadelphia,
PA
19107
39.9499
-75.1626
Neighborhoods: Center City East, Center City
Reviews & Ratings for Ludwig's Garten **CLOSED**
15 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 15 reviews
Ludwing's has gone out of business.
by Contributor
September 26, 2008
This authentic German eatery offers the best of Deutschland, including a fine rotating beer selection.
In Short
The dining room is decorated in dark wood, portraits of King Ludwig II and his retinue, and landscapes of Bavarian castles. Bring an empty stomach, but don't bring vegetarians. Ludwig's is authentic German and features a generous bounty of wursts and a weighty variation of noodles. The kraut's the best in the city. Food lovers will agree that the best part of Ludwig's is the bar. Twenty draught beers rotate on a regular basis.
Ludwigs Closed
by eldondre
March 19, 2008
As it turns out, the kitchen went downhill because this place was for sale for three years. It finally sold to the owners of the nearby Vintage Wine Bar and will reopen by April 2008 as Time. Supposedly it will retain the current set up (bar on left, dining on right) with a lounge upstairs.
A faded star
by julian117
July 27, 2007
I used to be thrilled that Philly finally overcame its prejudice and accepted German cuisine and that Ludiwg's heralded the way. In the beginning, I recommended everyone I knew to visit Ludwig's, but that was a long time ago when this Austrian/German restaurant did decent things to attract clientele like offer free pretzel sticks with Emmenthaler cheese dip and offer service with a smile. And what happened to make that shining star fade? I think the owners let a little success go to their heads. After visiting Ludwig's a couple of times after an absence, I experienced things I never thought possible and which are responsible for my "below average" rating. The German ambiance is great (despite the fact that they removed the largely German music that I loved before and replaced it with American radio station music), but what's the point in having cool German weapons and paintings when your booth light doesn't work and you can't even see the ambiance! Ludwig's has raised it's prices, not only of the food (average price of dish is around $20--with smaller portions than before) but also of the beer (average price of beer is around $6-7.) And watch out for their beer "menu." Most of the time, they don't have half of the beers on the menu. Last time I went, they did not offer any Happy Hour beer prices. I've been to many Philly restaurants/bars like Ludwig's (as I'm sure have you), and that's just plain weird. The waitresses change abnormally frequently (not a good sign), and are so run off their feet that they usually don't have a lot of time for you. So, if you'd like to experience a taste of the good 'ol Old Country, go up to the Northeast. Oh, and if you were thinking of expressing your concern to the management, don't. The last time I tried, I got a very rude e-mail response. Ah, how the mighty have fallen!!!
- Pros: German bier (when you can get it), German atmosphere
- Cons: Overpriced, bathrooms disgusting, waitresses curt and slow
Come for the beer, skip the service and food
by grkchow
December 19, 2005
I don't know why I do it, but I always come here for the fantastic beers, then end up getting something to eat...which invariably brings disappointment. Years ago I would have said 'great beer, great food', but the quality has really decreased, while prices have risen. Eat somewhere else first, then come in and have a couple really good German beers. Oh, and don't expect the best service in the dining room either, sit at the bar.
- Pros: Beer, Beer, Beer
- Cons: Food, Food service, Food prices
good food, low class staff
by morgan1
March 18, 2005
went to hear our favorite band on st patricks day and was shocked and dissappointed when the band was asked to stop playing in the middle of a song by two intoxicated female bartenders. even though the patrons were enjoying the music the bartenders objected to the bands not playing irish tunes. i feel that not only did management run the band out but also most of the customers that had come to hear them play and patronize the establishment.
sadly we were enjoying the food and the atmosphere when this disgraceful event occured. ludwigs needs to hire new help before we return.
- Pros: good food
- Cons: low class personnel
Best place in Philadelphia
by wirelesscoyote
February 25, 2005
I go to Ludwigs at least twice a week. The beer selection is absolutely amazing, the staff is extremely helpful (Don't know what to order? Ask them! They will help with a big smile! - They even have a multiple beer sampler), and the food is excellent.
Want a great meal and amazing beers? Go to Ludwigs!
- Pros: Amazing Beer, Service and Atmospher, Amazing Food
Go for the beer
by jimrad
February 23, 2003
If youve heard that German food is heavy & uninspired, then this place will confirm that notion. Neither the Sauerbraten or pork entrees were worth the money, with side dishes costing an additional $2.50 each. Although the sauerkraut and red cabbage were good, the potato dumpling was a baseball-size lump of tasteless dough, and the spaetzle, long thick heavy strings of an equally tasteless mass. On the other hand, The Austrian Village, also reviewed on this site, will let you experience this cuisine as it should be.
- Pros: Good beer
- Cons: Long wait, Blah food
Beery beery beery
by dhutch19148
January 26, 2003
Less beer for the chef. More attention to training the servers in the bar.
- Pros: Decent German food
- Cons: Parking $$$$, Chef not well focused
Beer Heaven
by mschuhinka
January 17, 2003
The food is very good and very authentic, but it's all about the beer! A great place to enjoy German draft beer.
Ludwig's FORgarten
by fredrickcb
January 10, 2003
After reading all of the glowing comments about this restaurant I was completely disappointed on my first (and last) visit today. There may well be large selections of good German beer, however, the food and service left a lot to be desired. It appears as though beer is the main attraction, and that is fine, but Ludwig's shouldn't hold itself out as a good German restaurant, Madder's in Milwaukee is a good German restaurant, Ludwigs is a beer garden. The food was plentiful but less than outstanding as German fare.
