Munich is Germany’s third largest city, and it’s one of the best cities in Germany for trying both traditional German cuisine and internationally-inspired dishes. You can find upscale fine dining and laid-back, lively restaurants throughout the city, including traditional beer halls and gardens. Bavarian cuisine is the focus of the more traditional restaurants, with a heavy emphasis on sausages, pork, and plenty of beer. The best restaurants in Munich include establishments offering German, Greek, Mexican, French, and more cuisines so every traveller can find something they’ll love.
Good Restaurants in Munich: Bavarian Cuisine
Munich is the capital of the region of Bavaria and is well-known for its Bavarian food. Bavarian cuisine strongly focuses on meat, particularly pork, with dishes like schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) and schweinebraten (roast pork) frequently found on the menus of traditional Bavarian restaurants. Potato dumplings, beets and cabbage salads are some of the most common sides you’ll find, as these are the types of vegetables that could traditionally grow in the region’s climate. Beer is often a key part of the experience, with many taverns in the region affiliated with or operated by a brewery.
Hofbräuhaus
Address: Hofbräuhaus München, Platzl 9, 80331 München
Hofbräuhaus is a must-visit attraction in Munich, even if you’re not after a full meal. It’s the oldest (and probably the most famous) beer hall in the world and, naturally, boasts delicious beer, served by welcoming servers dressed in traditional dirndl outfits. Besides the beer, Hofbräuhaus is an amazing place for a hearty Bavarian meal with generous portions. Try their roast pork, giant pretzels, and bratwurst to experience some of the best of Bavarian cuisine.
Bratwurst-Glöckl am Dom
Address: Frauenplatz 9, 80331 München, Germany
Bratwurst-Glöckl am Domis one of the most popular food destinations for tourists in Munich, and for a good reason. Tourist-friendly with an authentic touch, you’ll find a range of traditional and indulgent German food, including open-fire roasted bratwurst, homemade cheese, and desserts like Kaiserschmarrn: shredded pancakes with raisins and apple compote, topped with icing sugar. If you’re visiting with a group, their meat plate is an excellent way to sample a variety of offerings. With plentiful portions and excellent beer, for a memorable food experience, you can’t go wrong with Bratwurst-Glöckl am Dom.
Ratskeller
Address: Marienplatz 8, 80331 München, Germany
If you’re visiting Munich, there’s a good chance you’ll spend some time exploring Munich’s Old Town, and while you’re there, Ratskeller is the perfect restaurant to soak up a historic atmosphere. In German, a Ratskeller is a bar or restaurant in the basement of a city hall (or close by), and Munich’s Ratskeller is one of the best you’ll find in the country. They focus on delivering amazing food experiences with simple and delicious authentic regional dishes. Although beer is obviously the main focus of their beverage options, you can also find a range of wines and non-alcoholic beverages.
Cool Restaurants in Munich: International Cuisine
While you may want to focus on trying traditional German food and experiences during your trip, you may also find yourself craving something a little different. Munich has plenty of restaurants offering delicious meals from around the world. You’ll find French-inspired options at Michelin-starred restaurants and Greek restaurants that serve some of the best Greek cooking you’ll ever taste outside of the country itself. Amongst these options, you’ll find formal, upscale establishments and laid-back, lively restaurants, so no matter what you’re in the mood for, you can find it in Munich.
Spatenhaus an der Oper
Address: Residenzstraße 12, 80333 München
Spatenhaus an der Oper sits just across the road from Munich’s Opera House and National Theatre offers both Bavarian and international cuisine. The upstairs seating area is more formal and refined, offering both German and international cuisine, while the downstairs seating area is a bit more rustic and focuses on Bavarian food. They also have their own beer and a lovely outdoor seating area that’s an excellent spot to sit during lunch on a warm day. It’s a wonderful place to try if you’re catching a show at the Opera House, but if you are looking to get a pre-show meal, be sure to book in advance. The restaurant is often full during these times (and remember to specify whether you want to book the upstairs or downstairs area).
Preysinggarten
Address: Preysingstraße 69, 81667 München
You can find the restaurant/cafe Preysinggarten at the trendy quarter of Au-Haidhausen inside a gorgeous 19th-century building. The menu includes dishes from a range of European cuisines with a particular focus on Mediterranean food. Highlights include the minestrone, steak in gravy and fresh salmon, with great vegan and vegetarian options available. It opens at 11 am, and the outdoor terrace seating area is perfect for a lunchtime meal or afternoon catch-up.
Preysinggarten is one of the most popular locations on the list, so book your table ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
Pageou
Address: Kardinal-Faulhaber-Straße 10, 80333 München
Pageou serves globally inspired dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients cooked and combined in fresh ways. Their steaks and braised beef dishes are a particular highlight, and excellent seafood and vegetarian options are also available. Although it’s a more upscale restaurant, the atmosphere is very relaxed, and if you’re visiting in warm weather, you can book a table in the courtyard out the back to soak up some sunshine along with your meal. Private rooms are available if you’re looking to book lunch or dinner for a function.
Tantris
Address: Johann-Fichte-Straße 7, 80805 München
With two Michelin Stars, Tantris is well worth a visit for any traveller visiting Munich. Serving up haute-cuisine inspired by French culinary traditions, this Munich institution has been a local and tourist favourite since the 70s. Their set menu has four or six courses during lunchtime and six or eight courses for dinner, with each course flowing seamlessly into the next. A unique feature of their iconic decor is the walk-in glass wine cabinet that makes up their extensive wine collection, and you can always trust their recommended wine pairings.
Pescheria
Address: Pettenkoferstraße 1, 80336 München
Pescheria is a rustic restaurant that serves fresh seafood dishes in a Mediterranean style. The restaurant is very laid-back, with friendly, welcoming servers who are happy to provide recommendations and tips suited to each visitor. Fried calamari, shrimp, crab pasta, and fish soup are just some of the delicious meals on offer. They even have whole fish displayed on beds of ice, and you can choose which one you want for your meal. They also offer kerbside pick-up takeaway and are open from 6 pm to 1 am, Tuesday through Saturday.
Kalypso Restaurant
Address: Agnesstraße 8, 80801 München
The Kalypso Restaurant will take you off the streets of Munich and whisk you away to a Greek island with its outdoor dining area and lively atmosphere. If you’re craving Greek food, this is one of the best places in the city to find it and you can also get excellent wine and ouzo. Grilled octopus, ribs, and tzatziki with garlic pita are a few of the delicious options you’ll find on the menu, and the portions are plentiful. Kalypso is popular with locals and tourists alike, so book a table in advance, especially if you want to sit outside.
Where to Eat in Munich: Vegan and Vegetarian Options
Bavarian cuisine heavily emphasises meat, and the region’s climate means beets, potatoes, and cabbages are the main staple vegetables. For this reason, vegan and vegetarian travellers may worry that a city like Munich won’t have as much to offer them. Still, luckily there are several restaurants throughout the city that not only have vegetarian options but entirely focus on serving delicious, flavourful vegetarian and vegan meals inspired by cuisine from around the world. So whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just looking to break up the meat and seafood-based dishes that tend to be at the forefront of other restaurants, these options offer great food, amazing atmospheres and unforgettable experiences.
Blitz
Address: Museumsinsel 1, Access via Ludwigsbrücke, 80538 München
With a chill atmosphere, friendly staff and bright decor, Blitz serves up Mexican-style vegetarian and vegan meals that are packed with flavour. Their offerings include delicious tacos, ceviche, and fajitas, and you can take a break from Munich’s beer with delicious margaritas and cocktails. The portions are very generous, and the flavour combinations are bold and creative. In addition, they’re affiliated with the Blitz techno club, so you can get a great meal before heading out for a night of clubbing at one of Munich’s most popular nightlife destinations.
Prinz Myshkin
Address: Hackenstraße 2, 80331 München
Another restaurant focusing on excellent vegetarian/vegan options is Prinz Myshkin, an excellent establishment just a few minutes from Marienplatz. Truffle pasta, tofu stir fry and vegan chocolate cake are just a few delicious dishes on offer. Minimalist decor, a varied menu, and friendly staff come together to make Prinz Myshkin the perfect stop for any traveller. It’s open from 11:30 am to 11 pm, so you can stop by for lunch or dinner.
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