By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Apr 26, 2022 at 9:31 AM

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

Pretzel from Kegel's Inn
(photo c/o Kegel's Inn)
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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

Munich meat and cheese board
Munich meat and cheese board (photo c/o Visit Milwaukee)
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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

pretzel at Mader's
Pretzel at Mader's (photo c/o Visit Milwaukee)
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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

Milwaukee Brat House pretzelX

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

Milwaukee Pretzel Company Pretzels
Bavarian Beast soft pretzel (Photo c/o Milwaukee Pretzel Company)
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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

Pretzel at Old German Beer Hall
Bavarian pretzel (photo c/o Old German Beer Hall)
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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

Pretzel at American Family FieldX

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

pretzel at SportClub
Milwaukee Pretzel (photo c/o SportClub)
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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

pretzel from The Vanguard
Soft buttered pretzel (photo c/o The Vanguard)
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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

pretzel at  Von Trier
Bavarian pretzel at Von Trier
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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.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

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 each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, 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.