Hours
THURSDAY – SATURDAY:
3pm-CLOSE
Celebrating over 35 years as a top Madison restaurant and banquet hall!
Essen Haus, Madison’s authentic German restaurant & trinken halle, invites you to take a trip to Germany without ever leaving Madison. Experience German food, bier and culture from the time you arrive until the time you say Auf Wiedersehen. Essen Haus proudly features 16 rotating German tap bier selections (available in half-liter steins, full liter mugs and the famous 2 liter boot), a wide variety of bottled imports, German & American cusine, live oompah music and a friendly staff dressed in dirndls & lederhosen. A perfect location for banquets, holiday parties, special events or simply a fun night out. Prosit!
Proud Member of Madison Originals Restaurant Group.
Our History
After the Civil War, passenger trains began stopping in Madison and the city underwent a period of incredible growth. East Wilson Street, just a few blocks away from the first train station, became Madison’s first German neighborhood. The Germania House, a two story hotel catered almost exclusively to German travelers and workers.
By the late 1800s, however, the area had fallen into disrepair. The train station in the neighborhood promoted the transient lifestyle and taverns and houses of ill-repute populated the area.
This trend continued for nearly another 100 years. This changed in the 1980s when Bob Worm saw something great and fun for the block. From this vision, Spass Platz (Madison’s Place for Good Times) was born.
He bought the building that became the Essen Haus, and later bought the Come Back In and the Up North Saloon, along with the historic old Wilson Hotel, which he named the Ruby Marie after his mother. The Lakeview Deli & Bakery is nestled in the first floor of the Hotel Ruby Marie where hotel guests enjoy complimentary breakfast.
These days this block of East Wilson offers a unique destination for locals and tourists alike. Known for its great German food, live polka bands, and boots full of beer, Essen Haus helped turn a once thriving area back to its original roots of fun times and cordial hospitality.