Michigan Family Travel

After a fun-filled day at the Bavarian Inn Lodge Waterpark, my boys and I set out for dinner at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant—and even the walk there felt like part of the experience. It’s about ten minutes from the Lodge, winding past the covered bridge and the bird sanctuary where brightly colored peacocks strut about. We stopped to feed them with a handful of seed (bring a quarter if you go) before continuing on. The short stroll made the transition from waterpark fun to dinner magic feel seamless.

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Inside a Bavarian Dream

Crossing the restaurant threshold is like stepping into a Bavarian storybook. The dining rooms glow with warm woodwork and murals, servers greet guests in traditional Bavarian dress, and German tunes float through the air. My boys looked around wide-eyed, noting how different it felt from “regular” restaurants. It was like being transported—not to modern Germany—but to a fairy tale version of it, with a touch of whimsy and old-world charm.

A Feast That Doesn’t Stop

We, of course, ordered the world-famous Family Style Chicken Dinner ($32.99 per person). This is the meal that has drawn more than 20 million guests since 1888—and it’s easy to see why. Course after course arrived at our table: baskets of stollen (fruit and nut bread) and backofenbrot from the on-site bakery, noodle soup, coleslaw, pasta salad, cranberry relish, and a Michigan seasonal salad.

Then came the main platters—crispy fried chicken, buttered noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked dressing, and the vegetable of the day. It felt endless in the best way possible. My boys couldn’t get enough of the buttered noodles and fried chicken, while the fruit bread sparked their curiosity but didn’t win them over. The portion sizes were generous, and I loved that anything from the first serving could be boxed up for later.

Sweet Ending and Sleepy Walk Back

Dinner wrapped up with a simple scoop of housemade ice cream. After so many courses, the sweetness was just enough to finish the evening on a high note. We lingered at the table, soaking in the atmosphere before making the walk back to our room at the Lodge. By the time we crossed back over the covered bridge, full bellies had turned into sleepy smiles, and it wasn’t long before everyone was sound asleep.

More Than Just Chicken

While the chicken dinner is the signature draw, the Bavarian Inn also features authentic German entrées like schnitzel, sauerbraten, and bratwurst. For anyone looking to go beyond the classics, these dishes bring another layer of Old-World tradition to the table. Paired with a local beer or wine, they’re a reminder that this restaurant is both a family gathering place and a destination for food lovers.

A Fairy Tale Setting

The Bavarian Inn Restaurant is less a meal and more a tradition. It’s woven into the experience of visiting Frankenmuth: the fairy tale setting, the endless platters, the warm service, and the history behind it all. My family’s evening here felt complete—from feeding peacocks on the way over, to watching servers in Bavarian attire bustle around the dining rooms, to heading back across the bridge after ice cream.

It’s the kind of dinner that lingers, not just because of the food, but because of how it makes you feel—like you’ve stepped into a Bavarian fairy tale where families gather around the table and eat until they’re happily full.

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