The buzz: New from the former manager of Bei Otto, this German eatery brings boisterous beer garden vibes to Ekkamai.

The vibe: The two-story corner townhouse is as homely and approachable as they come. At the front, an outdoor dining area comes strewn with fairy lights and wooden tables that look straight out of an Oktoberfest celebration. Inside ramps up the tavern vibes with a preponderance of timber, red bricks and, to top it off, a taxidermied deer head. Head upstairs for a communal-style dining hall or stick it out on the ground floor where you can keep an eye on the open kitchen and order direct from a compact-sized bar. The waitresses cut a refined look in their German traditional costumes—nothing like the skimpy versions you may have seen before.

The food: Sausage and pork knuckle are the name of the game. Their homemade Nuremberg sausages (B320) feature spice blends flown in from Germany, while the pork knuckle (B520) is fried to crisp, crackling satisfaction—both are served with a slightly sweet dark beer gravy and mashed potatoes. The hefty fare continues with the Viennese-style crumbed pork escalope (B320), but for something a little lighter, try the seared salmon on saffron risotto with green asparagus (B560). Check in for seasonal specials, like the current chanterelle promotions.

The drinks: Needless to say, there’s plenty of beer to go around—order a stein of Hofbrau (B240). Wine by the glass—try a German Dornfelder red (B250)—and by the bottle—Italian Canonico Saleto (B1,450)—is also available.

Why we’d come back: German restaurants are still light on the ground in Bangkok and they don’t come much more welcoming than this one. Prost!