Top Ways To Celebrate Oktoberfest In South Florida

Oktoberfest is an annual 16-day beer festival from Germany. Today this festival from the 1800s is celebrated around the world including in South Florida. These restaurants feature delicious, authentic German fare as well as refreshing German wines and of course beer. South Florida is also home to two incredible Oktoberfest street fairs extending over a week long offering food, drink, music, contests, raffles and other wonderful activities for the entire family.

Annual Coral Gables Oktoberfest
60 Merrick Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 774-1883
www.oktoberfestmiami.com

Dates: Oct. 3-13, 2013

The 19^th year of this incredible event features 11 days of fun, food, music and beer from Germany. The festivities are hosted by Fritz & Franz Bierhaus and they take place on the plaza in front of the German restaurant. The activities include live performances by Austrian bands, yodeling contests, bratwurst-eating contests, raffles and more. Admission is free to this event and the hours are from 11 a.m. to midnight from October 3-13. The mayor of Coral Gables, Jim Cason, will do the honor of the opening keg tap on Thursday, October 3 at 5 p.m.

Annual Las Olas Oktoberfest
2861 E. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
(954) 467-0671
www.bierhaus.cc

Dates: Sept. 20-29, 2013

This is another Oktoberfest celebration hosted by Fritz & Franz Bierhaus. The Fort Lauderdale location hosts this festival September 20-29 on the famed Las Olas Boulevard at the Riverside Hotel Lawn. The second year of this festival will feature live bands, delicious German fare, contests and more. This is an incredible event appropriate for the entire family.

Schnitzel Haus
1085 N.E. 79 St.
Miami, FL 33138
(305) 754-8002
www.schnitzelhausmiami.com

Located on the Kennedy Causeway, this excellent German restaurant features a warm atmosphere in an intimate environment with plenty of authentic details and accents from the German culture. The tasty menu features plenty of German specialties including schnitzel, spaetzle, bratwurst, Bavarian sausage and German chocolate cake. The authentic cuisine may be accompanied by the extensive selection of German beer and wine. The friendly staff creates an atmosphere that keeps guests returning all year long.

Related: Best Neighborhood Bars in Miami: Coral Gables

Old Heidelberg Restaurant
900 W. State Road 84
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
(954) 463-6747
www.heidelbergfl.com

This is a long-time favored restaurant by locals and tourists alike. Old Heidelberg features top German cuisine on Marina Mile with dishes such as German potato soup, potato pancakes, bratwurst, German pork roast and beef stroganoff. The drinks stay in theme with plenty of German wine selections by the glass or bottle as well as German beer. Most nights feature wonderful live music entertainment.

Hofbrau Beer Hall Miami
943 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 538-8066
www.hofbraumiami.com

Hofbrau Beer Hall is a wonderful restaurant featuring authentic German cuisine as well as Bavarian light and dark beer. This location is directly linked to the original Hofbrauhaus Munchen in Munich which is actually owned by the government of Bavaria. The friendly staff creates a warm atmosphere while each employee dons traditional attire from the region further adding to the authenticity of the environment. This is a fun place to watch sports games and it features specials including happy hour.

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Chanoa Chen is a well-published blogger and online journalist on topics ranging from luxury lifestyle living to fashion shows and trends. A self-proclaimed Miami Beach fashion expert, she is also working on launching her first jewelry line, Boki Love. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.