The best places to eat in Munich range from cozy neighborhood cafés in Maxvorstadt and Glockenbach to traditional beer halls serving Weisswurst and Schweinshaxe, plus a strong lineup of steakhouses and international restaurants in Haidhausen and Schwabing. Whether you want a quiet coffee break or a full Bavarian feast, this guide covers it all.
Munich’s food scene is bigger than pretzels and beer, though those are a great place to start. This city serves up everything from Israeli mezze plates to New York-style steaks, all within walking distance of its most famous beer gardens. Here’s your guide to eating well in Munich, however you like to do it.
Scroll down to find out all about Munich’s best food spots
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Best restaurants in Munich
If you’re chasing top restaurants in Munich beyond the obvious tourist spots, head to Haidhausen, Neuhausen, or the Glockenbach quarter. These neighborhoods are packed with small, independent places that locals actually recommend to their friends.
Nana in Haidhausen (Metzstraße 15) serves Israeli food built for sharing. Order a few mezze, a glass of wine, and settle in for the evening. Make sure to try the red and green shakshuka and the hummus plate that regulars rave about.
For pizza, AMEA in Neuhausen (Blutenburgstraße 112) bakes Neapolitan-style pies with a 72h dough ferment and its own house-made creams. It’s a small spot, so book ahead if you’re coming as a group.
Craving something different? Fink’s Südtiroler Knödelküche near Gärtnerplatz (Klenzestraße 40) turns South Tyrolean dumplings into a full meal, with more than ten savory fillings, from bacon to porcini mushroom, and four sweet options for dessert.
These are just a starting point. Every part of Munich, from the Au to Schwabing, has its own local favorites worth exploring on foot.
Steakhouse Munich: where to get a great cut
Munich takes steak seriously, and you’ll find everything from casual chain restaurants to white-tablecloth dining rooms built entirely around the meat.
El Gaucho am Viktualienmarkt is the city’s go-to for an Argentine-style steak night. You’ll often get to choose your cut straight from a meat cooler, and the wine list is extensive. Feel free to let the staff guide you if you’re unsure.
Block House has been a reliable name in German steakhouses since 1968, with several locations across Munich, including Block House Elisenhof. Expect fair prices, generous portions, and a menu built around classics like rib-eye and rump steak.
For something a little more polished, Little London Bar & Grill brings a British brasserie feel to the city center. Think wood interiors, a serious gin and whiskey selection, and fish and chips alongside its steaks. It’s on the pricier side, but the service matches the bill.
Bavarian food in Munich you have to try
No Munich trip is complete without trying real Bavarian food, and the best places to do that are the city’s traditional Wirtshäuser (taverns) and beer halls.
Start at the Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s open-air market in the city center. Its central beer garden isn’t tied to one brewery. Instead, it rotates through the city’s six major breweries roughly every six weeks, so you can try a different beer each visit while snacking on fresh pretzels, cheese, and produce from the stalls.
Head to Hofbräuhaus for the full experience: a massive beer hall, live music, and hearty dishes served to around a thousand guests at a time. It’s touristy, sure, but plenty of locals still go too.
Augustiner-Keller on Arnulfstraße, close to Munich’s main train station, is a quieter alternative with a large chestnut-shaded beer garden and traditional dishes like roast pork and pretzels served alongside its own Edelstoff beer, tapped straight from wooden barrels.
For a proper Weisswurst breakfast, Bavarians will point you to Bratwurstherzl near the Viktualienmarkt. Order it the traditional way: peel the sausage from its skin (or “zuzeln” it, if you’re feeling brave), dip it in sweet mustard, and pair it with a warm pretzel.
If you have a sweet tooth, look for Café Frischhut, a no-frills bakery near the Viktualienmarkt that’s been serving Schmalznudel (a light, fried Bavarian pastry) since the 1970s. Go early. Locals know to get there before the afternoon.
Cafés in Munich for coffee, cake, and slow mornings
Looking for cafés in Munich to slow down between sightseeing stops? The city has plenty of cozy spots built for lingering over coffee and cake.
Café Jasmin in Maxvorstadt (Steinheilstraße 20) has a 1950s interior and cozy armchairs, plus a cake selection worth the visit alone.
Die Waldmeister on Barer Straße is a favorite for long breakfasts and changing daily specials, with big communal tables and a wood-lined interior that keeps things relaxed.
If you need Wi-Fi and a place to work for a few hours, Mary’s Coffee Club on Türkenstraße offers all-day breakfast, plenty of natural light, and a laptop-friendly setup, though it’s better to leave the laptop at home on weekends when it gets busy.
Over in Glockenbach, Café Lozzi on Pestalozzistraße pairs a book-lined, lamp-lit interior with vegan cakes and some of the best fries in the neighborhood.
And if you want a mismatched, come-as-you-are kind of place, go to Café Kosmos on Dachauerstraße. It is known for low prices, its roof terrace, and all-day crowd of people working, chatting, or just people-watching.
FAQs
Are restaurants in Munich open on Sunday?
Most restaurants, cafés, and beer gardens in Munich stay open on Sundays, though hours often run shorter than during the week. Some traditional taverns, like the historic Augustiner Stammhaus beer hall, close on Sundays, so it's worth checking a restaurant's hours in advance if you have your heart set on a specific spot.
What food is Munich famous for?
Munich is famous for Bavarian classics like Weisswurst (white sausage), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), Schweinebraten (roast pork), pretzels, Obatzda (cheese spread), and Knödel (dumplings). All of these pair naturally with the city's beer culture, and you'll find them on menus at traditional Wirtshäuser and beer halls across town.
Is food expensive in Munich?
It depends on where you go. A Weisswurst breakfast or a snack at a bakery can cost just a few euros, while a main course at a casual restaurant typically runs €15 to €25. Steakhouses and upscale spots can push €30 to €50 or more per person. Beer gardens tend to be budget-friendly, especially if you bring your own Brotzeit (a small picnic), which is a long-standing Bavarian tradition at many outdoor beer gardens.
Where to eat in Munich?
For the best mix of options, head to the Viktualienmarkt for Bavarian classics and a rotating beer garden, Glockenbach for cafés and international restaurants, Haidhausen for standout independent spots like Nana, and the area around the main train station for steakhouses and easy access to public transport.
What's the best area to stay for Munich's food scene?
Staying near the city center or main train station gives you the shortest walk to the Viktualienmarkt, Augustiner-Keller, and the Old Town, while still being close to neighborhoods like Glockenbach and Maxvorstadt for cafés and restaurants.
Can I find vegetarian or vegan food in Munich?
Yes. Even traditional Bavarian taverns now offer vegetarian versions of classics like cheese Spätzle and bread dumplings, and cafés like Café Lozzi in Glockenbach serve fully vegan cakes and dishes alongside their coffee menu.
Do I need to make reservations for restaurants in Munich?
For small or popular restaurants, like Nana or AMEA, it's worth booking ahead, especially on weekends. Larger beer halls and beer gardens, like Hofbräuhaus or Augustiner-Keller, are usually easier to walk into without a reservation.
What's a typical Bavarian breakfast?
A classic Bavarian breakfast centers on Weisswurst, sweet mustard, and a soft pretzel, traditionally eaten before noon. Many locals still follow this rule, so head to a spot like Bratwurstherzl near the Viktualienmarkt earlier in the day for the full experience.
