Quaint, longtime restaurant serving classic German, French & American meals amid scenic river views.
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Reviews
Troy Mathis
Had reservations at 7. Arrived at 6:55 seated at 7. Parking lot looked like they were slammed but once inside there were a lot of tables open. Party of six. Drinks were delivered within 15 minutes and we placed our order at 7:15. While waiting for our food we got two more rounds of drinks, waitress had our drinks wrong the third time. If not for the good company and conversation we probably would have been ready to get up. An hour and 20 minutes later our food arrived. My wife’s meal wasn’t even what she ordered but after waiting over an hour for the plate she wasn’t about to complain and wait another hour so she ate it. The food was really good however.
One couple that was with us had been there before and knew that if you wanted dessert you had to order it by the time the second round of drinks came so most of us ordered dessert, gambling we’d have room later. We didn’t so had to take it home. Everything was pretty tasty. The wait time was un-exceptable. We didn’t complain about anything and the gentleman who I think was an owner came over at the end to ask how it was. We still didn’t complain and tipped the waitress 20% despite getting drinks wrong, food wrong, and setting the wrong plates down in front of us.
I suspect the madam of the establishment is the only one cooking and doing it one table at a time, not sure. Despite the good food, my wife and I probably won’t visit again unless friends want to go. Service is key in food service, regardless of where you’re from.
… moreOne couple that was with us had been there before and knew that if you wanted dessert you had to order it by the time the second round of drinks came so most of us ordered dessert, gambling we’d have room later. We didn’t so had to take it home. Everything was pretty tasty. The wait time was un-exceptable. We didn’t complain about anything and the gentleman who I think was an owner came over at the end to ask how it was. We still didn’t complain and tipped the waitress 20% despite getting drinks wrong, food wrong, and setting the wrong plates down in front of us.
I suspect the madam of the establishment is the only one cooking and doing it one table at a time, not sure. Despite the good food, my wife and I probably won’t visit again unless friends want to go. Service is key in food service, regardless of where you’re from.
Carrie Williams
The food here is simply amazing. The Tyrolean Chicken Breast is what I recommend. It practically melts in your mouth! The view is fantastic as well. The owners are very friendly and hospitable. This is a great place to take that special someone on a nice date with a view of the lake. We will definitely be back soon!
… moreBonnie Schweitzer
Chef/Owner Noelle has perfected German food. Wow, the food is amazing-fresh and homemade. We’ve been to many German restaurants, but this is at the top for us. This gem in Camdenton, MO overlooking the Lake is a bit out of the way, but well worth the trip! And co-owner Daniel is the perfect host adding humor and complete customer service. We had a fabulous evening here, but please make a reservation. It makes it easier for them to plan. Thanks!
… moreSteven Williamson
Went last night (31 Mar 2017) my wife and I had just gotten married. Service was poor, our group was split to 2 tables with 2 separate waitresses yet we were still charged the mandatory tip. Food was poor and all of their soft drinks were flat. We tried the coke, Dr pepper and Sprite. The only thing I can give them is the Sauerkraut Soup. Everything else was either fair or poor. WILL not be visiting the establishment ever again and I caution others that read the reviews before entering such as us. Such a horrible dinner experience especially for a newly wed.
… moreC.T. Sorrentino
If visiting the Lake of the Ozarks, as far as restaurants are concerned, I highly recommend a trip back to Camdenton and Der Essen Platz (German for “the Eating Place”) for some excellent and affordable German fare.
They have a small, but affordable wine and beer list, and the food is excellent. I started with the Weihenstephaner Korbinian Dopple Bock ($6.50 – .5 litre), a dark, rich, robust beer with hints of chocolate and coffee, it was excellent.
The soups are very good and homemade. I tried the German tomato soup which was better than most tomato soups, but nothing I would order again. The schnitzel dishes are amazing. I had the schnitzel cordon bleu (pork cordon bleu – two breaded cutlets with ham and cheese in the middle, then baked and covered with a cream mushroom sauce) and my wife had the Jaegerschnitzel (pork cutlet served with Hunter’s Sauce, a savory brown gravy made with Jaegermeister and mushrooms).
Dinners are accompanied by soup or salad, warm homemade bread, and vegetables, potatoes, or spaetzel (a German potato dish similar to gnocchi only smaller). The Bavarian wheat loaf is homemade and delicious, so do not be too shy to ask for another! I also tried the German potato pancakes with hunter sauce (normally they come with applesauce, but I prefer the savory pancake with gravy).
Unfortunately, we were so full by the time dinner was over, we did not have time for dessert, but I am sure they are amazing as well. Owners Noelle (the chef) and Daniel (front of house) are warm, friendly, and helpful, so do not be afraid to ask questions. And do n ot forget the view over one branch of the expansive Lake of the Ozarks, a romantic setting for a special occasion or a weekend dinner … Guten Appetit!
Lake of the Ozarks Camdenton Der Essen Platz German Weihenstephaner Korbinian Dopple Bock schnitzel pork cordon bleu cutlet Jaegermeister spaetzel Bavarian wheat loaf German potato pancakes hunter sauce (normally they come with applesauce, but I prefer the savory pancake with gravy).
Unfortunately, we were so full by the time dinner was over, we did not have time for dessert, but I am sure they are amazing as well. Owners Noelle (the chef) and Daniel (front of house) are warm, friendly, and helpful, so do not be afraid to ask questions. And do n ot forget the view over one branch of the expansive Lake of the Ozarks, a romantic setting for a special occasion or a weekend dinner … Guten Appetit!
CombatCritic gives Der Essen Platz 8 BOMBS OUT OF 10 … bombs are good!
… moreThey have a small, but affordable wine and beer list, and the food is excellent. I started with the Weihenstephaner Korbinian Dopple Bock ($6.50 – .5 litre), a dark, rich, robust beer with hints of chocolate and coffee, it was excellent.
The soups are very good and homemade. I tried the German tomato soup which was better than most tomato soups, but nothing I would order again. The schnitzel dishes are amazing. I had the schnitzel cordon bleu (pork cordon bleu – two breaded cutlets with ham and cheese in the middle, then baked and covered with a cream mushroom sauce) and my wife had the Jaegerschnitzel (pork cutlet served with Hunter’s Sauce, a savory brown gravy made with Jaegermeister and mushrooms).
Dinners are accompanied by soup or salad, warm homemade bread, and vegetables, potatoes, or spaetzel (a German potato dish similar to gnocchi only smaller). The Bavarian wheat loaf is homemade and delicious, so do not be too shy to ask for another! I also tried the German potato pancakes with hunter sauce (normally they come with applesauce, but I prefer the savory pancake with gravy).
Unfortunately, we were so full by the time dinner was over, we did not have time for dessert, but I am sure they are amazing as well. Owners Noelle (the chef) and Daniel (front of house) are warm, friendly, and helpful, so do not be afraid to ask questions. And do n ot forget the view over one branch of the expansive Lake of the Ozarks, a romantic setting for a special occasion or a weekend dinner … Guten Appetit!
Lake of the Ozarks Camdenton Der Essen Platz German Weihenstephaner Korbinian Dopple Bock schnitzel pork cordon bleu cutlet Jaegermeister spaetzel Bavarian wheat loaf German potato pancakes hunter sauce (normally they come with applesauce, but I prefer the savory pancake with gravy).
Unfortunately, we were so full by the time dinner was over, we did not have time for dessert, but I am sure they are amazing as well. Owners Noelle (the chef) and Daniel (front of house) are warm, friendly, and helpful, so do not be afraid to ask questions. And do n ot forget the view over one branch of the expansive Lake of the Ozarks, a romantic setting for a special occasion or a weekend dinner … Guten Appetit!
CombatCritic gives Der Essen Platz 8 BOMBS OUT OF 10 … bombs are good!
JJ Helphrey
We have been eating at Der Essen Platz for years. Daniel and Noelle have always made us feel like family. The food is phenomenal! Noelle’s sauces, and her strudel is amazing!
… moreKatherine Davis
Wonderful German food. Awesome beers, comfortable setting. Delicious made from scratch entrees, soups and desserts. Excellent service. Definitely coming back again.
… moreMichele Delanty
Wow. Glorious view of the lake and hills, with hummingbirds right at the window feeders; elegant and intimate atmosphere; professional staff; true German entrees and sides. My son and I celebrated our German roots with sauerbraten, strudel, schnitzel, Black Forest ham, fried apples, German potato salad, and more.
… moreEric Winkler
Let me preface this by saying I’ve been to Germany several times. I’m also a foodie, and eat out often. I’ve been a part of restaurant reviews for The Kansas City Star.
I was really looking forward to eating at Der Essen Platz, as I love mom-and-pop, independently run businesses. Also I love German food.
However, I can say unequivocally that Der Essen Platz had the worst service I’ve ever experienced in my life. It was at times completely incompetent, and at others downright rude.
Earlier in the day, we called and left reservations for 6:30. We arrived at 6:15. We were scolded for getting there early. Then we were shooed off to the bar. People got there AFTER us and were seated before us. We were never offered drinks at the bar. We were finally seated about half an hour later. It took at least another half hour of us sitting at the table before we were offered drinks. When our drinks finally came, I was tired of waiting and wanted to place our order. The gentleman who was our server REFUSED to take our order. He said he had to take them in order. So we waited again.
Oh, and he also told us we should be happy because we had our drinks now. In the meantime, the table next to us finished and was re-seated. We finally ordered. We couldn’t help but notice that he poured the drinks for the re-seated table next to us. I guess he couldn’t be troubled to pour drinks for scum like us.
We noticed that table-after-table of people who got there AFTER US were getting their meals. Our server brought out what we thought was our food, and started putting it on our table. I had my fork drawn and was about to start eating, but then he realized he was delivering food to the wrong table. He was delivering the food meant for THE RE-SEATED TABLE to US. He realized his error and gave it to the re-seated table.
We had been there at least 45 minutes longer than them. When the aforementioned re-seated table FINISHED their meal BEFORE ours even came, we had had enough. We put some money on the table and left. I can’t make much of a comment on the food, as we were only served appetizers in the nearly 2 HOURS we were there. The Kaese Spaetzle was OK, but didn’t taste any better than something I could have got at ALDI. The black bean soup I got was fine but way over-salted.
Also, we were POLITE DESPITE THE DREADFUL SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE VISIT. I treat everyone who waits on me–whether it’s someone at McDonald’s or whether it’s at Room 39 or Lidia’s or Justus Drugstore–with respect! I always say “Sir” or “Ma’am.”
Suffice to say, this was the worst dining experience I’ve ever had in my life. As a proud German, it really makes me angry. If you want quality German food (with service equal to the high prices you are paying) I would suggest Gruenauer in Kansas City, or another great one is Suppenkueche in San Francisco. Das it wirklich sehr schade!
… moreI was really looking forward to eating at Der Essen Platz, as I love mom-and-pop, independently run businesses. Also I love German food.
However, I can say unequivocally that Der Essen Platz had the worst service I’ve ever experienced in my life. It was at times completely incompetent, and at others downright rude.
Earlier in the day, we called and left reservations for 6:30. We arrived at 6:15. We were scolded for getting there early. Then we were shooed off to the bar. People got there AFTER us and were seated before us. We were never offered drinks at the bar. We were finally seated about half an hour later. It took at least another half hour of us sitting at the table before we were offered drinks. When our drinks finally came, I was tired of waiting and wanted to place our order. The gentleman who was our server REFUSED to take our order. He said he had to take them in order. So we waited again.
Oh, and he also told us we should be happy because we had our drinks now. In the meantime, the table next to us finished and was re-seated. We finally ordered. We couldn’t help but notice that he poured the drinks for the re-seated table next to us. I guess he couldn’t be troubled to pour drinks for scum like us.
We noticed that table-after-table of people who got there AFTER US were getting their meals. Our server brought out what we thought was our food, and started putting it on our table. I had my fork drawn and was about to start eating, but then he realized he was delivering food to the wrong table. He was delivering the food meant for THE RE-SEATED TABLE to US. He realized his error and gave it to the re-seated table.
We had been there at least 45 minutes longer than them. When the aforementioned re-seated table FINISHED their meal BEFORE ours even came, we had had enough. We put some money on the table and left. I can’t make much of a comment on the food, as we were only served appetizers in the nearly 2 HOURS we were there. The Kaese Spaetzle was OK, but didn’t taste any better than something I could have got at ALDI. The black bean soup I got was fine but way over-salted.
Also, we were POLITE DESPITE THE DREADFUL SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE VISIT. I treat everyone who waits on me–whether it’s someone at McDonald’s or whether it’s at Room 39 or Lidia’s or Justus Drugstore–with respect! I always say “Sir” or “Ma’am.”
Suffice to say, this was the worst dining experience I’ve ever had in my life. As a proud German, it really makes me angry. If you want quality German food (with service equal to the high prices you are paying) I would suggest Gruenauer in Kansas City, or another great one is Suppenkueche in San Francisco. Das it wirklich sehr schade!
Dan Keefer
Food was great. Recomend reservation as they never know how many people will come in. Highly recomend the potato pancakes with fried apples and a dollup of sour cream. All good.
Casual dress and won’t break the bank.
… moreCasual dress and won’t break the bank.