If Zehnders is one pillar of the Frankenmuth dining scene, the Bavarian Inn Restaurant is the other, and it is right across the street. The Inn dates its family-style chicken dinners back to the early twentieth century, and its sprawling complex of Bavarian-timbered buildings anchors Main Street. Inside you will find several themed dining rooms, a European-style menu with schnitzel, sausages, sauerbraten and spaetzle alongside the chicken, and a bakery and gift shop that sells pastries, cookies and imported goods. The signature landmark is the clock tower and glockenspiel at the Bavarian Inn Lodge next door, whose carillon plays tunes and sets figures in motion at scheduled times to tell the Pied Piper of Hamelin story. Standing in the street with a crowd, watching the figures spin at the stroke of the hour, is one of the most photographed little rituals in town and a free one at that.
The restaurant rewards visitors who want a bit more than the chicken. The menu has a strong German side, including bratwurst platters, pork dishes, potato pancakes and red cabbage, and a generous beer and wine list with local Michigan bottles. Dining rooms are decorated with painted scenes and carved wood, and the staff wear costume, which fits the mood.
You can choose the family-style chicken dinner, which comes with shared sides and refills, or order from the regular menu if you prefer your own plate. Children are well catered for, and the atmosphere is slightly more sit-down than the larger rival, which makes it a good pick if you want a calmer table.
The glockenspiel is worth timing. It plays on a regular schedule through the day, with a carillon of bells and an automated show, and it draws a small crowd on the sidewalk, so arrive a few minutes early to find a spot. The tower is also a convenient meeting point if your group splits up to shop.
Rooms in the lodge beside it keep visitors within steps of the restaurant, the indoor pool and the covered bridge, and the proximity is a big reason this part of Main Street is the heart of any weekend. If you plan to stay, our lodging notes cover the options.
As with the other famous dinner, reservations are advisable for dinner on weekends and holidays, and walk-in waits can stretch. Lunch is generally easier, and the bakery is open between meals for coffee and something sweet. Allow time to browse the gift shop for German imports, cuckoo clocks and Christmas pieces. Dress is casual, parking is available on the property and nearby, and the whole complex is a short walk from the Cass River and the covered bridge.
Between a meal here, a stroll to the river and a few minutes watching the glockenspiel, you can build a pleasant half day without ever getting back in the car. Check current hours and show times with the restaurant before you plan around them.
One more practical note
The street outside the clock tower becomes a small stage when the show begins, so if you are traveling with young children, stand toward the edge of the crowd where they can see over the rail. The tower is lit at night, and the evening show is a gentle way to end a day of shopping. If you need a break from the main dining room, ask about the smaller rooms and the bakery counter, which are calmer, and allow time to wander the grounds, where flower beds, painted facades and alpine details reward a slow walk before or after your meal.
What to expect
The experience
A sit-down family-style chicken dinner or German a la carte menu in Bavarian dining rooms, with a free glockenspiel show outside.
Best time
Lunch for shorter waits; dinner on weekends needs a reservation.
How long
Plan about two hours including the clock tower.
Tips
Check the glockenspiel times, reserve ahead on weekends, and try the German side of the menu if you want a change from chicken.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want chicken or German classics in a classic setting.
- Families
- Children enjoy the clock tower show and the costumed staff.
- Couples
- A cozy sit-down dinner with a walk to the river afterward.
- Pair with
- Zehnders, the covered bridge, River Place Shops.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
What is the glockenspiel?+
A clock tower with a carillon and figures that act out the Pied Piper story at scheduled times each day. It is free to watch from the street.
Is chicken the only option?+
No. The menu also includes German dishes such as schnitzel, sausages and sauerbraten, plus other mains.
Do I need a reservation?+
For dinner on weekends and holidays, yes. Lunch is usually easier.
Can I stay next door?+
Yes. The lodge sits beside the restaurant and clock tower, which keeps the covered bridge and shops within walking distance.
Is there a bakery or shop?+
Yes. A bakery and gift shop sell pastries, cookies, imports and seasonal goods.