The Willow Tree Cafe in Cherwell

Great food & service. Soooo much fun!

Food and services was exceptional!

AMAZING! Service was great, waitress was knowledgeable about gluten and dairy free options.

I can't say how much I love this place. Great food, atmosphere and service .

Food was very good. It reminded me of my time Germany.

4.5/5! Came in for a food review. I got the Jägerschnitzel and he got the sauerbraten! 🥰 I thought this was delicious and loved it! The beer 🍺 was great too. I have a bit of a bias as I have a love for a specific German place (maybe one day I will review it!) and also have been to Germany before, but this was still good! 👍🏻 I would definitely return and they have a great market with authentic items nearby. TikTok Reviewer: acaicaitlin

A great place. Good food great staff and atmosphere. Be sure to visit the market

The food was ok, not as good as I expected for how packed the place is and for how many awards they have. Nothing crazy good but nothing terrible, with this in mind the food gave me THE RUNS! I had leftovers two days ago that I ate thinking that maybe my first round of runs wasn’t because of the food from here but it’s happening again. I don’t even have a weak stomach. If you’re looking for a laxative go here I suppose. The service is pretty ok, not awful not amazing. The place was overall ok, my stomach isn’t necessarily content but let’s just say it’s case specific to me and not because of the quality of food? One of the hostess’s was rude to my mom which I didn’t appreciate but the smaller blonde hostess girl was very kind which we appreciated. The mashed potatoes are great here, as a mashed potato lover I can say confidently that these were pretty good and different from any i’ve had before. Overall I wouldn’t come again but I wasn’t completely displeased

Great tasty food. Coffee is fab. Great service by Rebecca, great recommendations.

Had a large group of people for lunch and we were seated right away and the waitress took great care of us and the food was great.

Amazing food great beer very low key chill atmosphere

The food was incredible! We do not drink beer but enjoyed the German pretzel with mustard and cheese, the goulash soup, and the pork shank over potatoes and sauerkraut. They make their own mashed potatoes using no dairy, but with bacon and apples, so they are very sweet and unlike anything I've ever tried before. The goulash soup was like the rich sludge at the bottom of a pot roast pan and had no tomato flavor to it (very thick gravy stew-like consistency). They have their own root beer. We were very disappointed to hear that all of the sausage is labeled as containing dairy (it is shipped in directly from Germany). The waitress told us that this restaurant is top three German restaurants in the entire United States. The building is small; the first time we tried to eat here, the wait time was over 45 minutes outside of peak dinner time hours. We were much more successful on our second attempt, but were disappointed that the service wasn't faster considering how empty the place was at 4:00 p.m. on a weekday (we did overhear that they had two large parties of over 20 people coming in later, so perhaps they were busy prepping for that). We loved the experience but due to the price will likely not return (spent $85 including tip for two people without alcohol).

Very good German food and beer 🍺🍻

The food is always so good here!! They seated us in the back away from the band, but it's still a little hard to have conversation when the band is playing, although fun.

Great food. Upscale place and patrons.

Busy downtown street party today, but in my wheelchair, we were seated somewhat promptly, though there was bantering a few minutes at the seating station while we waited there some 5 minutes. It was busy outside but tons of empty inside seats, so I don't understand our wait. The band was WAY too loud . We were so glad they quit. Service was extraordinary. I wish I got her name, but her red dyed head was shaved on one side. She was ANAZING!! I'll be back with my Mother's name Bastien!! 😌

You could eat the sauerbraten without any teeth! What a delicious meal, Sauerbraten, spaetzle, and red cabbage! Great menu with all the usual offerings found at an authentic German restaurant. An excellent selection of German beer is offered as well.

Most enjoyable place for dinner in downtown sanford, fantastic atmosphere, great food, good drinks, heart and soul of sanford

Great food, service & atmosphere.

What an amazing gem of a restaurant! The atmosphere is so friendly and fun, the service was amazing (a special thank you goes out to Bryan!), and the food was incredible! My family and I made sure to all order different menu items so we could try a bit of everything. My mother even said that they had the best potato pancakes she has ever eaten! I thoroughly enjoyed the Jaeger Schnitzel with Red Cabbage (my favorite!) and German Potato Salad. Then, for dessert, we tried the apple strudel, bread pudding (our whole group's favorite dessert!), and the black forest cake (so light, it melted in your mouth!). We cannot wait to go back and feel at home at Hollerbach's!

Came in a couple of weeks ago...Food used to be good.....my Jäger tasted like the bottom of a burnt pot .....Zwiebel was subpar at best.....service was horrendously slow and not very friendly.....too bad! Damn Hollerbachs!!! what happened? I would have complained if a server would even pay attention to us. That's ok we will never come back.....took the loss and walked out soooooo disappointed.....sad

Food was ok, not true German food. Restraints was way to loud and overstimulating.

I have dined here twice and have been lucky enough to have the same waitress, Azul! The food is absolutely amazing! The staff are all very nice but our server Azul is very welcoming and knowledgeable. She definitely goes the extra mile for her guests! I travel 2 hours to enjoy the authentic food!

Service & atmosphere were great. Food could've used a little more seasoning. Waitress said the grill was very small & so all of the menu was not available. Very disappointed

The outdoor patio seating was vast, and the cool weather did it justice, service was slow, but the food was excellent 👌after a day of vacation activities the liter glass Stein was a perfect way to unwind.

What a fun and DELICIOUS restaurant! I will be back very soon! 10/10 recommend

My family and I have been loyal patrons of the Willow Tree since it first opened. Visits usually feel welcoming and comfortable, reminding me of weekend family gatherings during my childhood in Milwaukee. With my mom immigrating to the U.S. from Germany in 1950, potatoes and hearty German fare have always been close to my heart. Recently, I invited a friend from out of town to experience Willow Tree, describing it enthusiastically as a fantastic destination with excellent food and friendly people. Unfortunately, our recent visit on a Friday evening at 5 PM did not meet expectations. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty, we were seated in an isolated corner—which was initially fine. However, our waitress’s attitude quickly dampened the experience. When my wife and friend ordered the Goulash, our server bluntly warned us that the dish had changed significantly, with smaller portions, emphasizing she didn't want any complaints. I ordered red cabbage and sauerkraut as my sides. Surprisingly, the server advised me to reconsider my choice because "no one orders these sides together," even going so far as to mutter under her breath that I was making a mistake when I insisted on my original selection. It was an uncomfortable interaction to say the least. When my friend’s liter of beer arrived noticeably flat, we considered returning it but ultimately decided we didn't want to interact further with our server unless absolutely necessary. Overall, we were all disappointed with the experience. Perhaps there has been a change in management, or maybe Theo has stepped back to let his daughter handle operations. Regardless, both the quality of the food and the welcoming atmosphere have noticeably declined. I've encountered issues with the older German woman with red hair and glasses before, but previously, the excellent food compensated for the service shortcomings. Now, with both food and service deteriorating, I sadly will no longer make the 40-minute drive from Apopka, nor can I continue recommending the Willow Tree.

Good food. I remember the food being better.

Great food, fantastic atmosphere..just like in a summer German town, except no one speaks German 🤣

Journey was outstanding. Thanks ☺️

4-12-25 We had a taste for some magnificent German food. Where else would we go besides Hollerback's. Sunny and Roseanna, our waitresses, took wonderful care of us. They were so nice and we had fun visiting with them. My wife had the delicious schnitzel. I have the sauerbraten. The serving was so large that I took half of it home with me. We ate in the smaller bar on the first floor. The decor reminded me of bars that I had stopped in when I was in Germany and Austria. Looking forward to having dinner at the rooftop beer garden the next time that we go. . 11-2-24 We have stopped in many times in the last couple of years. We had heard about the remodeling and wanted to see the new areas. We ate in the first-level bar and it was wonderful. There was a screen that was showing the singers and musicians in the main dining room. Of course, we sang along! Our dinner was wonderful, as always, and the apple strudel was very special. I am from Wisconsin and of Austrian descent. Eating at the Willow Tree Café reminds me so much of home. We've been there many times. Often on Saturday nights, with the polka music playing. Boy, can my wife dance the polka. It's hard to decide what to eat time. So, I close my eyes and use my finger intuitively to point at the menu. Whatever my finger wants, I order. I finger has never been wrong.

As a German the food has a lot to be desired about. The atmosphere is awesome and would come back just for the atmosphere alone. The service was not very friendly though

Authentic German restaurant. Good food. Good entertainment

What a great German restaurant. Authentic food, great selection of beers. Wonderful atmosphere authentic outfits on the staff. Live music.

Always great food! I come here every time I am in the area.

Loud, Good food, slow getting help.

Excellent food and beverage and the service was exceptionally

Loved the friendly wait staff and atmosphere, the music was a ++! We will be back again soon❤️❤️❤️

I am a longtime patron of this establishment. Until recently, this restaurant was among my favorite eateries. Over the multiple years that I have eaten here, the food was not only only delicious; but also plentiful. However, with that said, I have noticed that the portions have been reduced in size from the previous ample sized servings down to those of appetizers. My order yesterday included both German egg noodles with gravy, and potato pancakes. The plateware has been reduced in size for both entrees and appetizers. My food selection yesterday included the German noodle with gravy, along with potato pancakes. In the past, the entree and the two side orders would be served in separate dishes. Yesterday both entree, and side orders were placed on single smaller dish. The portion size of the side orders were also drastically smaller than in my previous visits over the years. On the positive side, the food was still delicious; but I was deeply disappointed with smaller serving sizes (with no decrease in pricing).

This place is always been a gem. But let me tell you what. When you are craving some chocolate cake and decide to have it delivered. Definitely order it from here. This homemade chocolate cake is divine and the slices is enough for four days. I have absolutely never tasted a chocolate cake. This delicious in my life.

Best German restaurant in Central Florida for both food and atmosphere!

Great service. Food was delicious.

Really delicious German food in a fun atmosphere.

Had schnitzel and currywurst. Fantastic, along with the beer.

Reminded us when we were stationed in Germany.

Visit this place for German vibes. Love trying the drinks and appetizers. The musicians are super cool and have a beautiful vibe the way they play their instruments and make everyone's day.

delicious food and beer! We're never disappointed. Take dessert home if you're too full. And visit the deli/mart nearby

Great food. Delicious and exotic. Small town feel with a cuisine that packs a big punch! Quaint yet cultured. Historic and modern all at the same time! Where else are you going to find authentic German cuisine in Central Florida? Only at Hollerbach’s!!

Visited this establishment as part of a High School Reunion. We primarily stayed upstairs as that area was reserved for our group but I’ll definitely be back to enjoy other parts of the restaurant

Super dog friendly place! Great German food!!

What a grand time we had here! Bring your family, bring your friends! Prost!

Perfect spaetzle and great wursts Friendly service Reasonable prices Can’t go wrong BEST lunch before boarding the cartrain

The food was great! Tried the potato pancakes, wasn't sure if they were supposed to be cold, but had a great taste.

Awesome German experience. I met my wife in Erlangen West Germany. Hollerbach is our favorite German restaurant. Awesome market and deli also (Magnolia Market) Awesome portions. Worth the money. We drive from Melbourne several times a year.

Good German food, Kolsch (and other beers) available. Staff pleasant and attentive.

Excellent service and delicious food !!

Authentic German food served in a beer hall atmosphere. We enjoyed the live music on a Thursday night. Service was excellent. Good selection of beers and cocktails.

Highly recommend. Stopped in last night after picking up family visiting at airport food was fabulous, entertainment was authentic and fun! Our waiter Heinz was wonderful. Very attentive and helpful. If you want a find authentic German restaurant experience this is a must do! We will definitely be back one day!

Oh what fun and Heinz was a great waiter and he sings. Thanks for a fun night with great food and family.

Re: Experience 4/10/25 5:45 PM I wonder how a restaurant with such a high approval rating gave us such a bad experience. First of all, we made an online reservation but there was no record of it. Fortunately, it was an uncrowded Thursday evening so there were seats to be had. We were recommended to a two-person table near the kitchen with a distant view of the stage. Perhaps the restaurant was short staffed but after being given water, we waited a good deal of time for her to return for our order. The food was not what we expected. After dinner the band provided a good atmosphere, so I wanted to take a few short videos of the activity and since there were numerous tables available. my wife and I thought we could change seats to get closer to the band. We were immediately told that the table was reserved. We asked if there were any unreserved seats closer to the band so we could take the videos and were told there were none. We felt sad and upset at the rudeness associated with this experience. This was our first visit, and it left us with an unpleasant memory. W Janusz

Great place for some Great German atmosphere & food!! Prost!!

Awesome food and drink! The Band was fun, and the atmosphere was the Bomb!

Good food and service. A lot to eat

Great food, friendly staff, cool location.

Great food. Great service. A local favorite.

I love this place. Great vibe, the live music is fun seeing all the older people doing the Chicken Dance was cool. The best part is definitely the authentic German food. Everything on the menu is yummy.

I used to live in Germany, and Hollerbach's is the most authentic German restaurant I've ever been to in America. It's a fun place and always attracts a crowd, and the food is excellent, worth traveling for.

Everything was great at this place. Food was delicious. Beer was perfect. Server was great. Can't wait to go back.

The best German food I've ever had!

Great astral. True German house. I recommend it.

The lodge is a great place to socialize and grab a few beverages

The best restaurant around! The whole family loved it.

Fantastic schnitzel and red cabbage. Would like to try the currywurst on a future visit.

14$ for a pretzel? Was not worth it, didn’t taste good at all….

What a wonderful experience. When we finished, we left with happy feelings 😊

Spend your hard earned money here. The chef knows exactly what he's doing. We had lunch here and the Ruben was out of this world. The servers are fantastic. 5/5 experience for lunchtime on a Thursday.

We had Imani as our waitress and she did a phenomenal job. I am a Reuben Sandwich connoisseur and this spot has officially deranked my number 1 spot and took its spot. Best Rueben I have had in my life.

Loved it, great family atmosphere here. Lively music and good food.

So much fun! Can’t recommend enough. The staff were so friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was so lively and authentic. Food was absolutely delicious!! Will make this a staple when passing through.

One of my favorite places to eat! We eat here for Birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Great food and service. Highly recommend

Good food and enjoyable atmosphere

Visited from Jacksonville, FL (and hour and a half away) for my dad's 84th Birthday. The service, food and atmosphere was great! Highly recommend!

This place was great! I’m leaving a 5 star for anyone looking to have a good German meal in the heart of downtown Sanford.

So much more than an authentic German restaurant offering great food, wonderful staff, reasonable prices, huge portions, fun, great beer, clean restrooms..... Also has a bakery, groceries, German clothing & music. Very enjoyable. Plan some extra time to look around and just enjoy. Can't wait to get back for more Gemütlichkeit.

First time here and it reminds me of restaurants home (Germany), the Kaesespaetzle were amazing. My hubby 's Schnitzel was great too. For dessert we split the Apfelstrudel and it was wunderbar.

Potato cakes weren't as good as usual. Not sure why. German chocolate cake was excellent. I wish the upstairs had lunch hours.

Best outside of Germany. Been there dozens of times. Always exceptional.

A real fun place to eat and the portion sizes are huge

First time here and this was an excellent experience! The waitress was VERY knowledgeable of the menu and Gluten Free items, including the dessert items in the market. The food was fantastic, all for of us kept racing about what we ordered.

The food was amazing! The atmosphere was great! The people were also awesome! They have a great selection of food and drinks! Definitely recommend and will be going back soon!

Waitress was amazing, had great recommendations. Beer was fantastic. Very fun place to eat.

Excellent food at a good price with a great atmosphere. Servers were prompt and polite.

Enjoyed the food, vegetarian option also available.

Great food, drink, and atmosphere. Prices are reasonable. Love that my dog can join me. Only wish I lived a little closer so I could go more often. Live music inside (we sat outside). There was a really nice open air market right next door the day we visited. Very nice experience.

Expensive for what it is. I get some of the dishes will be more expensive, but we went for lunch and got sandwiches. They were not anything impressive. The bread basket was also disappointing overall. Their root beer cost 5 bucks no refills and was just like any other root beer. I was excited to try something different. Our waitress was nice, but the host staff was kind of rude.

Food is great. My grandfather was born & raised in Germany & each time we go to Florida we take the 2 hr ride to go get a taste of home for him

5 Stars across the board. Amazing food, especially for gluten sensitive folks like myself! Staff is always stellar, fast and accomodating no matter how packed! Atmosphere is a highlight, Polka People are Happy people!

Great authentic German food at reasonable prices, and great service! Visit the their German market, just around corner. It is a "must see!"

The service was rude. After waiting more than 15 minutes to order or meals, when we got our food after 40 minutes it was all only lukewarm and not as good as it had been on past visits. We tried to go upstairs first not knowing that they changed the upstairs menu to a limited menu only able to be ordered from a qr. The upstairs staff was short and dismissive instead of letting us know that the menu there was limited. Very disappointed and will not be going back.

My favorite restaurant outside of Germany. So good.