Munich food guide
Click to view our top 10 German foods!
Click to view all the food we tried in Germany!
Click to view our German food glossary!
Munich, the grand capital of Bavaria, is often what comes to mind when people think of German food. Bavarian cuisine at the heart of Munich’s culinary identity evokes images of chewy pretzels, grilled sausages, delicious Knödel (dumplings), and cold Helles served by the litre. Whether you're settling into a centuries old beer hall or relaxing in a leafy beer garden, you'll be immersed in Bavarian tradition and Gemütlichkeit (that untranslatable sense of cosiness and good cheer).
One of the city’s enduring charms? Dirndls and Lederhosen aren’t just for Oktoberfest. Waitstaff often wear them year round, and locals still don traditional folk attire for festivals and special occasions, adding some heritage flair to everyday meals in traditional restaurants and beer gardens.
Beyond the beer culture, Munich brims with cosy bakeries, bustling markets like the Viktualienmarkt, and modern restaurants that blend Alpine roots with refined flavours. Everywhere you look, Bavarian culture is proudly on display, from the food and drink to the clothes people wear with pride.
In this guide, we’ll take you through some of our favourite restaurants and beer gardens in Munich.
Best Place for a Currywurst.
If you’re craving currywurst in Munich, head straight to Klenzestrasse, unofficially dubbed (by us) Currywurst Street. Here, just steps apart, you’ll find two of the city’s best currywurst restaurants, each with its own cult following.
📍 Bergwolf
A no nonsense institution for classic Berlin style currywurst. Expect crisp, golden fries and a choice of three heat levels for your Currywurst. Their tofu based vegan wurst is great, with a texture that holds up well under the generous ladle of sauce. Beyond currywurst, they serve a variety of other sausages to keep you happy.
Bergwolf
Things get a little wilder here. Chunkier fries, louder staff (you’ll be yelled at when your order is ready), and a notorious five-level spice challenge for the brave. Level four requires signing a waiver; complete all five and you’ll earn a place on their Hall of Flame. The vegan option which is seitan based is arguably better than the vegetarian sausage. A must for chili heads with a high pain threshold.
Gute Nacht Wurst
While we typically focus on recommending restaurants that serve traditional cuisine from the country in question, Chopan in Munich offers such an exceptional dining experience that we felt it deserved a special mention.
It’s one of those places where everything is just cooked to perfection. Located near the Gasteig cultural center, Chopan provides a taste of Afghan cuisine in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The menu can be a bit confusing, with many dishes appearing in different configurations, but you really can’t go wrong here. It’s best to book in advance as the restaurant is often busy.
We recommend starting with the Borani Kadoo, tender pumpkin gently braised in a sweet spicy tomato saffron sauce, served with freshly baked afgan bread.
For the main, choose one of the options where you pick one of three delicious sides, potato, aubergine, or spinach, paired with grilled chicken and your choice of rice.
Chopan
A traditional Bavarian gem, part traditional restaurant, part laid back self service beer garden. There’s plenty of space to relax, but the real draw is the food.
The beer garden serves excellent potato Knödel (dumplings), a variety of sausages, tangy potato salad, all classic Bavarian comfort food. You’ll also find Krustenbraten and Schweinshaxe, and don’t miss the giant pretzels. Wash it all down with a crisp Hofbräu beer or a refreshing cold Spezi.
Inside, the restaurant offers a broader menu, including all the above plus dishes like Fleischpflanzerl (meatballs), indulgent Käsespätzle (German mac and cheese), and their massive Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes). Be warned, the Kaiserschmarrn takes time to prepare and is meant for sharing with at least two people, but it’s so good, I’d challenge anyone to finish it solo!
Hofbräukeller
Right next to the Frauenkirche, this is one of our favourite Bavarian restaurants in central Munich. It’s on the pricier side, but worth it for the quality and the location. It gets busy, and in true Bavarian style, you’ll often be asked if you're happy to share a table, part of the charm, really.
The menu is packed with traditional dishes, including a few you won’t easily find elsewhere in Munich, like Sauerbraten (beef roast in a tangy gravy) and Tafelspitz (boiled beef with horseradish). More familiar classics include:
Schweinshaxn – crispy pork knuckle
Schweinsbraten – roast pork with crackling
Leberkäse – hot sliced meatloaf
Weißwurst – white sausage
Nürnberger Würstl – grilled spiced mini sausages
Käsespätzle – German mac and cheese
Schnitzel – breaded cutlet
Augustiner Klosterwirt
Dreimühlen is a wonderfully traditional, small Bavarian restaurant loved by locals in Munich. It exudes a relaxed, unpretentious charm, with cosy indoor seating and a terrace perfect for warmer days. The atmosphere is authentic, with very reasonable prices for the generous dishes it serves.
It has an extensive schnitzel menu, among the best we had in Munich, but the sausage selection is just as impressive. Traditional Bratwurst, giant Currywurst, and house made links pair beautifully with classic sides. There’s also a vegetarian Knödelgröstl that’s filling, crispy, and full of flavour. It’s a rare find in Munich, but really well done here, with dumplings, potatoes, onions and egg.
If you’re after a genuine local dining experience with great outdoor seating, lively Bavarian flavours, and absolutely no frills, Dreimühlen is a top pick, especially for schnitzel lovers.
Dreimühlen
Viktualienmarkt
Right in Munich’s Old Town, this historic daily food market offers a mix of fresh produce, Bavarian classics, and global treats, plus a lively beer garden where you’re welcome to bring your own market goodies (just buy the beer!). It’s open Monday to Saturday, roughly 8 am–8 pm, though some stalls close earlier. Just a 3 minute stroll from Marienplatz station, the market features stalls and shops selling everything from fruit, cheese, spices, meat, and fish to soups, pastries, and flowers.
Some of our favourite places are…
Famous for its ox roll (Ochsensemmel), plus a lineup of Bavarian sausages, Bratwurst, Weißwurst, Currywurst, and sides like Bratkartoffeln, potato salad, and sauerkraut.
A nice lunch spot serving warming traditional soups like Flädlesuppe (pancake strip soup), Maultaschen (think ravioli) in broth, and more, served with either bread or a pretzel.
Stop by one of the many stalls and grab a traditional Bavarian breakfast of a Leberkässemmel or Weißwurst with a pretzel and sweet mustard, delicious!
Kleiner Ochsenbrater
