Heidelberg Haus in Indianapolis

A few months ago my husband and I spent 2 glorious days exploring Heidelberg, Germany, and we hope to return one day. Little did I know we could get a glimpse of Heidelberg just by traveling across town!

Heidelberg Haus is a family-owned German restaurant, bakery, and gift shop that has been on the east side of Indianapolis for over 50 years.

It is a treasure trove of German delights!

From the moment you pull up and see the festive murals on the side of the building to walking in the front door and being surrounded by an eclectic array of German treats and decor, a trip to Heidelberg Haus is the next best thing to visiting Deutschland itself.

Restaurant

Be sure to arrive at Heidelberg Haus with an empty stomach as you will want to fill up on authentic German cuisine.

We sat at one of the quaint tables scattered throughout the establishment and were waited on by several friendly waitresses decked out in traditional German garb.

This waitress, who is the owner’s sister and a long-time employee, was kind enough to indulge us in a photo.

The menu includes numerous variations of traditional German sausages paired with hot German potato salad. From bratwurst to knockwurst to frankfurters to kielbasa. Many can be ordered as a single sausage, or try a double to really get your fill. The prices are very reasonable, and the portion sizes are just right…but try to save room for dessert!

Brent opted for the traditional German Style Bratwurst (a double) and I went with the Hot Brats. Paired with their stone ground mustard, both were quite delicious. The hot brats definitely had some kick to them, so opt for a milder version if you don’t care for spicy food. I like it hot…so this was the perfect dish for me!

While Brent absolutely loves all things German, I’ll admit I’m not usually a huge fan of potato salad. But I cleaned my plate at Heidelberg Haus! The warm homemade German potato salad was soooo good…I’m changing my stance on this popular side dish.

Bakery

Even though we were full after our hearty lunch, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to drool over the display cases full of delectable sweets. Assorted cookies, breads, and pastries fill the display cases and make decisions very difficult.

Then there are the mouthwatering cakes that also resemble works of art. From German chocolate to black forest cake to everything in between…there goes my diet!

In the end, I selected a piece of bavarian chocolate cake, two pastries, and an assortment of cookies to go. Over the next few days, Brent and I sampled our way through these yummy baked goods.

After all, it was research for the blog, and we were happy to indulge!

The bavarian cake was particularly delicious, but we honestly enjoyed every bite of our take-home German treats.

Gift Shop and Grocery Store

While the food definitely steals the show at Heidelberg Haus, I’d be remiss if I didn’t showcase the enormous display of German knick-knacks and authentic gifts that fill every nook and cranny of the establishment.

You could easily spend an hour or more winding your way through the store as you explore the eclectic array of beer steins, playful gnomes, and punny signs.  You can also find numerous wood carvings and springerle molds. With items the owners have collected over the years, the store seems as much antique store as it is a gift shop.

We thoroughly enjoyed reading the signs (mainly the ones in English since my German is pretty minimal), and Brent contemplated starting a beer stein collection. I know where I’ll be shopping for his Christmas present this year!

While I plan to leave the German cooking to the culinary masters at Heidelberg Haus, those who are a bit more adventurous in the kitchen will love the grocery section. With an array of German staples you surely won’t find at your neighborhood Kroger, I’m confident Heidelberg Haus has just what you need to whip up an authentic German meal.

Heidelberg Haus even has a German Language Video Center where you can purchase classic German movies. And it includes a studio that can transfer your VHS tapes to a more modern version of digital media or repair broken VHS tapes. Perfect for preserving memories from the old country!

Are you ready to make a trip to Heidelberg Haus?!

What You Need to Know

Heidelberg Haus
7625 Pendleton Pike
Indianapolis, IN 46226
Phone:(800) 252-1957
Phone:(317) 547-1230

Open 7 days a week; closed on major holidays and race day:

Monday thru Friday – 8:30am to 7:00pm
Saturday – 8:30am to 5:00pm
Sunday – 11:00am to 5:00pm

Have you traveled to Germany? Visited Heidelberg Haus in Indianapolis? I’d love to hear all about your German excursions! Comment below!

Brent and I do hope to make it overseas to visit Germany again one day. But in the meantime, we will be making frequent visits to Heidelberg Haus for a taste of Deutschland right here in Indiana!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

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