It’s fall, and Oktoberfest will soon be right around the corner! That always turns my mind to hearty classics like bratwurst, spaetzle, and potato pancakes – which is why it’s always great to not have to wait for the festival. There’s an old-school restaurant in Stanhope that is turning out German classics with old European charm for over forty years. The Black Forest Inn, a family-owned location, is easily the best German restaurant in New Jersey thanks to a combination of excellent continental cuisine and an atmosphere that makes you feel like you just stepped off a time machine into a rural German hunting lodge from decades past. But it’s not all old-school – the menu has a few modern twists that make it worth coming back to the Black Forest Inn time and time again.

Surrounded by trees, the Black Forest Inn feels like it's out of place and time in northern New Jersey.
Jiyun Shin/Google Local
That feeling is confirmed in spades when you step inside, and find yourself in an ornately decorated German lodge that feels like it's right out of an old-school village from a fairy tale.
Cheryl Avanzato/Google Local
The menu is still full of countless German classics, but there have been some modern updates. There's even a German pizza on the menu!
JDF/Google Local
However, you definitely won't go wrong if you stick with the classics. A sausage sampler provides three hearty links, each bursting with a different flavor.
Andrew D/Google Local

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Sauerbraten is one of the most unique German delicacies, a slow-roasted beef dish in a tangy marinade and topped with a rich and sweet brown gravy.
Eric K/Google Local
The potato pancakes here are an absolute must-try as a side - like the best hash browns you've ever had!
Lewis Pyburn Jr/Google Local
There is no German Chocolate Cake on the menu - that's actually an American creation! - but the apple strudel and other desserts are an amazing way to end your meal.
A Flotard/Google Local
There are so many quirky old-school touches in the decor that every time you eat here, the odds are you'll notice something new.
Matt Lamont/Google Local

Have you visited the Black Forest Inn located in Stanhope? Let us know about your visit to this iconic German restaurant in New Jersey in the comments section! You can visit the Black Forest Inn website for the full menu, and check out the Black Forest Inn Facebook page for up-to-the-minute details on how they’ll be celebrating Oktoberfest. Stanhope is also an amazing place to hike and dine, and it’s home to an acclaimed bed and breakfast – the Whistling Swan Inn.

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Black Forest Inn, 249 US-206, Stanhope, NJ 07874, USA