Oktoberfest has returned to German Gymnasium for 2025, bringing a taste of Bavaria to the heart of the city at King’s Cross. Until 30th October, the celebrations will be in full swing with German food, drink, and music, set against a backdrop of one of the most striking dining rooms London has to offer.
German Gymnasium has worked once again with its long-standing partners at James Clay and Sons to secure a true taste of Germany, with Warsteiner and König Ludwig on tap throughout the festival. Head Chef Alexander Thiel has curated a special Oktoberfest Spezialitäten menu for the occasion, drawing on the flavours of his native Germany. Options include Schweinebraten, a roast pork collar with red cabbage and dark beer sauce), and Rinderroulade, a braised beef roulade served with bread dumplings. The menu will be available daily from 11:30am in the Grand Café and on the terraces, inviting guests to dine alongside a freshly poured stein no matter the hour.
The festivities opened on Friday 19th September with a live performance from German Gymnasium’s resident Oompah band, filling the restaurant with the sound of brass and Bavarian toasts. The band will return every Friday evening throughout Oktoberfest to provide the lively soundtrack to the season. And as an extra special touch this year, diners who arrive dressed in lederhosen or dirndl will be rewarded with a complimentary stein of bier.
Housed in a Grade II-listed building that once hosted the first National Olympic Games, German Gymnasium houses a ground floor Grand Café which offers an all-day dining experience, while the upstairs restaurant explores regional German cooking in greater depth. Since 2022, Executive Chef Alexander Thiel has shaped the menus with a focus on quality ingredients and a respect for the dishes he grew up with – keeping Londoners and visitors from all around the world coming back to immerse in great food, a memorable atmosphere, and an authentically German experience.
Oktoberfest runs until 30th October at German Gymnasium, 1 King’s Blvd, London N1C 4BU. You can find out more and book your space for the celebrations right here.
