Cafe International
A Reuben, German wurst plates and a spot overlooking the Chattahoochee
The short answer
Why people come
Cafe International sits on South Main Street, a short walk from the downtown shops, with the Chattahoochee running behind it. The menu is the draw. It mixes a deli sandwich list (a Reuben, a French Dip, a pastrami-and-ham pita called the Camel Rider) with German plates like wurst platters and Wiener Schnitzel, so a table with one person craving corned beef and another craving bratwurst is easy to please.
The cafe's website describes the place simply as "overlooking the Chattahoochee," and the town's river runs right behind South Main, so ask for a table by the water when you arrive.
Sandwiches
The Reuben is the one the menu brags about, and it's built the way a Reuben should be: corned beef marinated in the kitchen's own dressing, grilled, then layered with imported Swiss and sauerkraut. Sandwiches come with a pickle and chips, and you can swap the chips for a side for $3.
| Sandwich | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Reuben | Lean corned beef marinated in the cafe's own dressing, grilled with imported Swiss and sauerkraut. The menu calls it best in town | $15 |
| Rachel | A turkey Reuben with sauerkraut and Swiss, marinated in house Thousand Island | $15 |
| Camel Rider (house special) | Hot ham and pastrami with imported Swiss on pita, lettuce, tomato and an herb oil and vinegar dressing | $14 |
| French Dip | Thinly sliced roast beef and melted Swiss on a French roll, with au jus | $13 |
| Alpine Bar-B-Que | Hickory-smoked pulled pork on a toasted brioche bun | $12 |
| Beyond Bratwurst | Vegan bratwurst in a warm pretzel bun with sauerkraut and Swiss | $12 |
Plates, wurst and sweets
For a bigger meal, the wurst platters are the best value: a bratwurst or knockwurst runs with two sides and a pretzel roll. The menu explains that the bratwurst is made with pork and veal plus parsley, while the knockwurst is beef and pork, seasoned and smoked. Sides include German potato salad, red cabbage, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
| Dish | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| German Wurst Platter | One, two or three bratwurst or knockwurst with two sides and a pretzel roll | $16 / $18 / $20 |
| Schlacht Platter | A pork chop plus bratwurst or knockwurst, two sides, pretzel roll | $25 |
| Wiener Schnitzel | Breaded veal, sauteed, two sides and a pretzel roll (gravy $2 extra) | $23 |
| Pan Seared Trout | Lemon pepper or blackened, with two sides | $23 |
| Atlantic Salmon | Lemon pepper or blackened, with two sides | $23 |
| Bavarian Pretzel | With beer cheese | $11 |
| Chattahoochee Board | Pretzel with bratwurst, knockwurst, beer cheese, sauerkraut, red cabbage, German potato salad, jalapenos and spicy mustard | $30 |
| Apple Strudel or German Chocolate Cake | Dessert | $7 |
Prices come from the menu PDFs on the cafe's website and can change. There's also a vegetarian-friendly side of the menu (black bean burger, hummus, spinach dip, a Beyond Burger) and a kids menu at $6 for ages 12 and under.
Good to know
Cash saves you money
The menu adds a 3.99% service charge to all sales and waives it if you pay in cash.
Call for hours
The website doesn't list hours. Call (706) 878-3102 before you plan a meal around it, especially outside summer and fall.
Plate sharing
Splitting an entree carries a $1 plate-share charge.
Dietary questions
The site has a contact form for dietary concerns and event questions. Gluten-free bread is $2 extra.
Cafe International questions
Where is Cafe International?
It's at 8546 S Main St in Helen, GA 30545, on the Chattahoochee side of South Main Street.
What's the signature dish?
The Reuben, at $15, made with corned beef the kitchen marinates in its own dressing, with imported Swiss and sauerkraut.
Does Cafe International have vegetarian options?
Yes. The menu lists a black bean burger, a Beyond Burger, Beyond Bratwurst, hummus, spinach dip, a mac bowl and a black bean quesadilla.
Are there extra charges?
A 3.99% service charge applies to all sales and is waived if you pay cash. Splitting a plate costs $1, and gravy on schnitzel is $2 extra.
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