The Dakota Inn Rathskeller
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Hours
Thu
4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Is this restaurant good for bar scene?
Details
CUISINES
German, Bar, European
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service
Contribute
4.0
79 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
28
Average
7
Poor
4
Terrible
7
Scott M
Detroit13 contributions
Oct 2022 • friends
We dined in a group of 7 and received excellent service. It was a slower Thursday evening but raucous nonetheless. This is a drinking/party venue as much as a restaurant. The song-along live music was fun and the staff attentive. Food was solid ethnic fare. We ordered family-style and had leftovers, so portions were generous. It was too loud to enjoy much dinner conversation but that is clearly not why most people come here.
Written November 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Huron68
Berryville256 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
I used to go to the Dakota Inn often when I lived in the Detroit metro area. It was always fun and good food. We tried it for dinner and it was as good as ever, maybe even better.
The old time piano player was entertaining and the service was superb. The German wines were very good and the dinners were excellent. Apple Strudel was wonderful.
Written October 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James M
Sterling Heights6 contributions
Feb 2024 • friends
This was my first time here and it was wonderful! The service was spot on and the food was delicious. There is an organist and sing a long if you wish to join in. Very fun. The business is run by third generation of the family and still going strong. A Detroit treasure for sure.
Written February 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jrs1712018
Grosse Pointe Farms11 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
My husband and I had dinner at the Dakota Inn Rathskeller last night February 15, 2020 after a 40 year absence. After 40 years not much has changed. The restaurant really needs to be updated. And, by that, I mean the bathrooms. The 2 very small stalls in the ladies room had no toilet paper in either one. Neither stall is handicapped accessible at all. I had just had a knee replacement and had a very hard time using the restroom with no grab bars. The sink had a hot and cold spigot so you had to quickly go from one to the other in order to wash your hands! The food was very mediocre to say the least, very bland and a very limited menu. Plus, they do not have free refills on their soft drinks ($2.25 each)!! Will not return for another 40 years.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark156
63 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
Dakota Inn mislead me about availability of reservations. DIR pretended that I had a chance of a table and had me repeatedly, call, follow up, and wait for a response that never arrived. I have since learned that if you do not have a reservation months in advance your chances for a table are zero (I attended the sing along with friends who had reservations a few years back and had a great time). I called again on the day of my requested date and the answering machine now stated that they were fully booked but there would be standing room and, again, maybe a table. This was the case from the beginning and DIR should have been upfront/tell the truth. The game is to fill an adjoining area of the restaurant with standing room, without a view of the musician or the projection of the words for the sing along. No Thank You.
Written December 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hans P
1 contribution
Sep 2022 • none
I have been at this Restaurant a number of times with good service & food.. This last 9/23/22 had to have been the worst in food and quantity. We ordered the family style dinner@ $96.00 and found that we only got a cup of Sour Kraut, a cup of Red Cabbage and a cup of Spaetle for four people. I know food costs have gone up, on Kraut and Spaetle ? It was a extremely poor value for the money. The Rolladen was made from Chopsteak , I should have been thin rolled up beef .This was presented , cut in half in a vertical position. This chef must have graduated fro Hamburger University. I left about$200.00 for the evening, never again.
Written October 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LLA1962
Clinton Township374 contributions
Mar 2022 • couples
Awesome food here. I’ve had Schnitzel and Saurbrauten numerous times. Delicious German potato salad. A must to come here for great German food.
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mikeloyson
Saint Clair Shores36 contributions
Dec 2019 • business
The food was quite delicious. The restaurant was very busy but had only one server. She was efficient, but had no help, so things took longer than necessary.
Surely an establishment like this should be able to afford another server and, perhaps, someone to bus and clean tables.
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom W
Roseville2 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
They had a person that played piano and sing-a-long which was fun if you like that kind of entertainment. There was a long wait for food which was over an hour. The wait staff was slow, even getting drinks.The schnitzel was alright, i had better. My spouse had the rouladen which was slightly dry. The soup and German potato salad was warm not hot. Expected more from a German restaurant.
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mallory A
Roseville98 contributions
Nov 2019 • none
I went with my husband and parents for the 1st time on 11/09, which is the day they were celebrating the USMC birthday (my father is a marine). It was an awesome place to go eat. We all loved the general atmosphere. The staff were all so nice and amazing. Even all the other patrons were friendly and fun. The piano sing along was awesome, we were in a different room but hope to get closer next time. We got the family serving of everything. The food was great. We also got the Kasepatzle by recommendation of the waitress and it was reallllly good! We will defiantly be going back many times. Would highly recommend!
Written November 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeaconTraveler
269 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
In search of an old-school Detroit restaurant, we happened upon the Dakota Inn. It sounded like the perfect place to celebrate a friend's birthday. We made a reservation and arrived at 7:00 on a Saturday night. The restaurant feels like it is in the middle of nowhere, but it is easy to find. There is a secure parking lot with an attendant. The building and sign by themselves are retro cool and worth having a look. In the small vestibule is the green Michigan Historical Marker noting this is a historic site. The interior is not large, but it is like stepping back in time. Heavy wood furniture, painted murals, and stuffed animals heads create the atmosphere. We were immediately shown to our table. The restaurant was about two thirds full with a variety of patrons, younger and older. Our waitress was fairly slow and not very attentive, but we were not in a hurry and were there to enjoy the ambiance, so we didn't mind. We ordered drinks from the bar, which were fine, but had to ask our waitress to bring us waters. We all ordered dinners with the salad. My advice is to skip the salad and have one of the other options like soup. The salad was very small and skimpy. The consensus of our group was that the food was just mediocre. The rouladen was quite dry, and the sauerbraten was very tender but very sour. Now I know that is the point of sauerbraten, but the vinegar and sourness overpowered the dish. I have had sauerbraten at other German restaurants that was very good, and this was not. The spatzle that was served with it was not very substantial as it was a longer, thinner spatzle. The very best part of the dish was the red cabbage. If you like cabbage this was a very tasty side dish. I would come back just for the cabbage. For dessert we ordered the very disappointing German chocolate cake. I know this is not a traditional German dessert, but my love of coconut made my decision. It was a pathetic square of chocolate cake with a thin layer of frosting that resembled and tasted like something you would get in a cafeteria. The entertainment, however, was kitschy and delightful! The piano player interacted with and engaged the audience, encouraged everyone to sing along, and generally tried to ensure that everyone who was open to the fun had a good time. We were pleasantly surprised when a waitress even belted out a tune. In conclusion, if you are looking for a fun evening, are open minded, and love quirky places, you must go to the Dakota Inn. If you are looking for really good German food and great service, look elsewhere. I would definitely go back for the fun, but not for the food.
Written August 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BillMcAdam
Michigan118 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
Stopped by the Dakota around 7Pm on a Saturday night and found the main dining room full of folks having a good time. Wife ordered Schnitzel and I chose Rouladen, both dished were very good and the Reuben soup very unusual and excellent. The hot apple strudel for dessert with ice cream was excellent. Only miss was the staff being shorthanded, only saw two waitresses working the room. Easy to forgive when you see the owner helping out bussing tables!! The Organ Player who led the sing alongs was a plus, keep things lively. parking is very secure and well lighted with an outside attendant.
Written August 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarkBarb213
Knoxville4 contributions
Jun 2019 • couples
What a treat to enjoy good German food in a restaurant that has been family owned and run for 86 years.
Written June 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul F
2 contributions
Apr 2019 • family
I absolutely love this restaurant, its like a time capsule. There is so much stuff on the walls to look at, and the piano playing was a lot of fun. The staff was kind and patient with my group (first timers) and other guests were very kind as well. I honestly felt like i was at a family reunion.
Written April 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RPS
York614 contributions
Mar 2019 • family
First time at the Dakota Inn Rathskeller and enjoyed the now 85 year old business. Very good service throughout, decent German menu and good German Beer. Must make reservations, place fills up quickly. Nice crowd, we enjoyed the piano music and singing the German songs. Decent Jaegar Schnizel and sauerbraten, Tried the cheese and sausage platter as a starter. Nice fenced in parking lot for security. If you like German beer and food, check this place out.
Written March 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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