Unearth The Voyage
Every day feels a little like Oktoberfest at this longtime Pennsylvania favorite. Family-owned since 1977, the café has built a loyal following with traditional German dishes, imported European specialties, and an atmosphere that stands out from anything else in the area.
The menu features classics such as sauerbraten, Jägerschnitzel, bratwurst, and other authentic favorites that keep diners returning year after year. Beyond the restaurant, visitors can browse a selection of imported foods and specialty products that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Part café, part cultural experience, and part neighborhood gathering place, it’s the kind of destination that turns a simple meal into something much more memorable.
A Mall Restaurant Unlike Anything You Have Seen Before
Most mall restaurants blend into the background, but Dunderbak’s Market Cafe at 121 Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township, PA 18052 announces itself the moment you notice the canvas ceiling designed to look like an Oktoberfest tent in Munich.
The walls are lined with cuckoo clocks, large photographs of German castles, and flags from various European countries. Trinkets and décor collected over more than four decades of operation give the space a layered, lived-in warmth that no chain restaurant could replicate.
The polka music playing softly in the background is not a gimmick. It is a deliberate commitment to the café’s motto: “Where every day is Oktoberfest.” The restaurant underwent a full renovation in 2006, but the spirit of the original 1977 opening remains completely intact.
First-time visitors often pause at the entrance just to take it all in, and regulars say that familiar rush of warmth never gets old.
The Remarkable Story Behind a 1977 Original
November 11, 1977 is a date that matters a great deal to the Lehigh Valley community, because that is when Dunderbak’s first opened its doors inside the Lehigh Valley Mall. That makes it the oldest independently operated business in the entire mall, a title it has held through decades of retail turnover and changing consumer habits.
The name “Mr. Dunderbak’s” once belonged to a larger franchise, and today only three independent locations bearing a version of that name still exist across the country. The Whitehall Township location is owned and operated by Bill Baker, and the family-run nature of the business shows in every detail, from the carefully maintained décor to the consistency of the food.
Customers who visited as children now bring their own kids, and some have been making the trip for thirty years or more. That kind of loyalty is not accidental.
It is the result of a family that genuinely cares about every single plate that leaves the kitchen.
The Oktoberfest Atmosphere That Never Clocks Out
There is something genuinely transportive about sitting inside this café when the rest of the mall is buzzing with shoppers. The canvas ceiling overhead mimics the iconic tents of the Munich Oktoberfest, and the polka soundtrack creates a rhythm that makes the whole meal feel like a small celebration.
The décor is not just decorative. It tells a story of a place that has been curated with intention for nearly fifty years.
Cuckoo clocks tick on the walls, German castle photographs hang in heavy frames, and the overall effect is one of stepping into a cozy Bavarian corner that happens to exist inside a Pennsylvania shopping center.
What makes the atmosphere work is that it never feels forced or theme-park-like. It feels genuinely affectionate toward German culture, the kind of affection that builds over decades rather than being installed overnight.
The cozy booth seating and the warm lighting complete a setting that feels like an escape from the ordinary.
Bavarian Classics That Belong on Any German Menu
Sauerbraten, wienerschnitzel, pork and kraut, Bavarian goulash, potato pancakes: these are not dishes you typically find at a mall restaurant, and yet Dunderbak’s serves them with a confidence that suggests they have been making them for a very long time, which of course they have.
The Jägerschnitzel arrives with a rich, savory gravy that has earned devoted fans among regular visitors. The Bavarian goulash is thick, warming, and deeply flavored, the kind of dish that feels like a proper meal rather than a snack between stores.
Potato pancakes come out crispy at the edges with a soft center, and the German chocolate cake is a dessert worth saving room for.
The menu does not rely on novelty or trends. It relies on technique and fresh ingredients, and the results speak for themselves.
Dishes come out hot, portions are generous, and the flavors are the kind that make you plan your next visit before you have finished your current one.
The Wurst Selection Deserves Its Own Spotlight
The wurst sandwiches at Dunderbak’s have built a reputation that extends well beyond the Lehigh Valley. The Bavarian Bratwurst and The Dunderbrat are two of the most talked-about items on the menu, and for good reason.
The bratwurst is grilled to order, and the snap of the casing when you bite into it is the kind of detail that separates a good hot dog from a great one.
A kraut dog topped with sauerkraut has become something of a signature item, one that long-time customers specifically make the drive for even after moving out of the area. The bacon jam option on the bratwurst is an unexpected twist that works surprisingly well, adding a sweet and savory layer that elevates a classic.
Even the simplest wurst order feels intentional here, not rushed or thrown together. Every sandwich is assembled with care, and the quality of the sausages themselves reflects a kitchen that sources thoughtfully and cooks with pride.
Wild Boar, Pierogies, and a Menu Full of Surprises
Beyond the traditional German fare, the menu at Dunderbak’s holds a few surprises that catch first-time visitors off guard in the best possible way. The wild boar burger has developed a passionate following, with many customers calling it the best burger they have had in the entire Lehigh Valley region.
Pierogies appear alongside quesadillas and a Bavarian Angus beef burger, creating a blended German-American menu that has something for nearly everyone at the table. The Hofbrau platter is a popular choice for those who want to sample several flavors in one sitting, and pickle fries as an appetizer have become a go-to starter for regulars.
The menu is also thoughtful about dietary needs, with vegetarian and gluten-sensitive options clearly marked throughout, which takes the guesswork out of ordering for guests with restrictions. The Munich Wurst and Pasta is another crowd-pleaser that bridges European flavors with American comfort food in a way that just works.
The European Deli and Market Section Worth Exploring
One of the most underappreciated aspects of Dunderbak’s is the deli and market section that operates alongside the restaurant. This is where the café earns its reputation as a source for hard-to-find European imports that simply do not show up on regular grocery store shelves in the United States.
European cheeses, imported cured meats, specialty sauces, cooking mixes, and freshly baked German rye bread are all available to take home. For anyone who grew up eating these foods or who spent time traveling through Germany and Central Europe, the market section offers a taste of something genuinely difficult to find locally.
The rye bread alone draws dedicated shoppers who have no intention of eating at the restaurant. They arrive specifically for the bread, pick up a few imported items, and leave happy.
It is a reminder that Dunderbak’s functions as both a dining destination and a small cultural outpost, connecting the Lehigh Valley community with flavors that come from somewhere far and specific.
An Extensive Beer List That Impresses Enthusiasts
The beer program at Dunderbak’s is genuinely impressive in scope. With over 100 bottled options sourced from sixteen different countries and twelve specialty draft lines, the selection reflects the same international curiosity that drives the food menu and the market shelves.
German beers anchor the list, and Spaten Oktoberfest is available on draft year-round rather than just during the traditional autumn season. Belgian options also feature prominently, giving enthusiasts a broad range to explore beyond the familiar domestic choices that dominate most casual dining menus.
The beer-to-go option is a practical touch that regular visitors appreciate, allowing them to grab a bottle or two for home alongside whatever they picked up from the deli counter. Long-time customers note that the selection has shifted somewhat over the years, but the remaining lineup is still considered formidable by anyone who pays attention to what they are pouring.
The breadth of the list continues to be one of the most frequently praised aspects of the entire experience.
The Staff That Keeps People Coming Back
A restaurant can have a beautiful atmosphere and a strong menu, but it is the staff that determines whether a guest becomes a regular. At Dunderbak’s, the service has consistently been one of the most praised elements across years of customer visits, with servers described as attentive, patient, and genuinely warm.
The team goes out of its way to help guests navigate the menu, including accommodating specific dietary needs like gluten-free requests without making the process feel complicated or unwelcoming. Servers check in regularly without hovering, and the overall pace of service feels relaxed and intentional rather than rushed.
The training culture at Dunderbak’s appears to produce staff who take real ownership of the guest experience, and that consistency across multiple visits is rare in any restaurant, let alone one inside a shopping mall. First-time visitors often leave feeling like they have been welcomed into a family operation, because in a very real sense, they have been.
Desserts and Coffee That Round Out the Experience
Skipping dessert at Dunderbak’s is a decision that most first-time visitors regret. The German chocolate cake is a standout, rich and layered in a way that feels like a proper finish to a Bavarian meal rather than an afterthought.
The café also operates a coffee bar, which makes it a natural stopping point for shoppers who need a mid-afternoon reset. A strong cup of coffee paired with a slice of cake in a room full of cuckoo clocks and polka music is a combination that sounds odd on paper but works completely in practice.
The dessert counter draws its own crowd, and regulars consistently remind newcomers not to leave without trying something sweet. The Bavarian mushroom soup followed by pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy, finished with German chocolate cake, is a meal sequence that several visitors describe as one of their favorite dining experiences in the entire region.
The dessert menu is compact but delivers exactly what it promises.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Visit
Dunderbak’s Market Cafe is found on the lower level of the Lehigh Valley Mall at 121 Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall Township, PA 18052, and can be reached by phone at 610-264-4963 or through the website at dunderbak.com.
The café is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM, Sunday from noon to 6 PM, and Monday from 11 AM to 4 PM. Arriving during mid-week lunch hours tends to offer a quieter experience, while weekends can draw larger crowds, especially around the holiday shopping season.
The seating is self-service, meaning guests seat themselves, which keeps the entry process casual and relaxed. Prices fall in the moderate range for a sit-down restaurant, and portions are generous enough that many guests take home leftovers.
The market section is accessible even for those not dining, so a quick stop to browse the imported goods is always a worthwhile addition to any mall visit.
Why This Place Has Earned Its Loyal Following
Nearly fifty years of continuous operation inside a shopping mall is not an accident. Dunderbak’s has survived the decline of mall culture, shifting food trends, and the pressures of inflation by staying committed to what it does best: serving honest, flavorful food in a setting that feels genuinely special.
Customers drive over an hour to get a kraut dog they cannot find anywhere else. Families return for decades, passing the tradition down to the next generation.
Visitors who stumble in while shopping leave already planning a return trip. That kind of loyalty is built plate by plate, visit by visit, over years of consistent effort.
The combination of authentic German cuisine, hard-to-find European imports, a warm and distinctive atmosphere, and a staff that clearly loves what they do creates something that transcends the typical mall dining experience. Dunderbak’s is not just a restaurant.
It is a community institution with a canvas ceiling, a polka soundtrack, and a very long memory.
