Status: OPEN
Kaiserhof German American Restaurant in San Diego, California is a story of a son finally making his father’s restaurant his own. After Restaurant Impossible helped owner Peter Bolter stop living in his late father’s shadow, this 40-year German institution has flourished with sales up 35%.
German Tradition in San Diego
Kaiserhof was opened in 1980 by German immigrants Horst and Paula Bolter, bringing authentic German cuisine to San Diego’s Ocean Beach neighborhood. The restaurant became an institution, winning “Best German Restaurant in San Diego” multiple times over its four-decade history.
When Horst passed away, his son Peter took over in 2016. But Peter couldn’t let go – he was afraid to change anything about the restaurant, from the menu to the decor, fearing he would disturb his late father’s vision.
The Episode (Season 20, Episode 8)
Air Date: October 14, 2021
Filming: June 2021
Location: 2253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA
Robert Irvine found a restaurant trapped in time and an owner paralyzed by grief. The carpet was worn, the menu was stale, and Peter was hiding behind his father’s legacy instead of building his own.
This episode wasn’t about fixing a broken restaurant – it was about helping Peter finally take ownership of a successful one.
The Transformation
The Restaurant Impossible team modernized Kaiserhof while respecting its German heritage:
- Tore up the old carpet
- Modernized and revamped the menu
- Updated the decor while keeping German authenticity
Most importantly, Peter made a promise: to improve as a leader and finally call Kaiserhof his own restaurant – not just his father’s.
Thriving Results
Peter kept his promises:
- Sales up 35% since the makeover
- Peter now treats staff with respect
- Finally has pride in the restaurant as his own
- #1 ranked Central European restaurant in San Diego on Tripadvisor
- 836+ Yelp reviews mostly positive
Kaiserhof continues winning awards and serving authentic German cuisine to San Diegans who have made it their neighborhood institution.
Visit Information
Address: 2253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
Hours: Wed-Sun (Closed Mon-Tue)
Cuisine: German American
Neighborhood: Ocean Beach
Known For: Authentic German dishes, schnitzel, German beer
View Kaiserhof on Google Maps →
Kaiserhof proves that the best way to honor a parent’s legacy is to make it thrive, not just preserve it. Peter’s father would be proud.
Last verified: January 2026
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