September 20, 2024, 5:11 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Soon, it will be time again in Munich: O’zapft is! Many visitors to the world’s biggest folk festival also look forward to regional specialties – whether in liquid or solid form. The new top ten list of the most popular Bavarian restaurants in Munich shows where Oktoberfest fans can get into the culinary mood.
Pork knuckle and bread dumplings, spaetzle and onion beef, pretzels, and Obazda, served with a freshly tapped beer. Indeed, these hearty dishes of Bavarian cuisine are famous far beyond the country’s borders. Of course, the delicacies taste particularly good in Bavaria itself, preferably in the appropriate setting of a cozy pub. Furthermore, the Tripadvisor travel community has selected the ten best restaurants in Munich serving Bavarian food. Perfect for anyone who wants to lay a solid foundation before visiting the Wiesn – or who can’t find room in the crowded Oktoberfest tents.
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The 10 best Bavarian restaurants in Munich
1st place: Zwickl
In first place is Zwickl at Viktualienmarkt, a modern restaurant that creatively combines Bavarian dishes with ingredients from all over the world. “A great alternative to the usual pubs,” raves one guest in his Tripadvisor review. “Located directly on Viktualienmarkt, somewhat hidden in the inner courtyard. Dishes are very well presented on the plates. Here, however, one pleasantly stands out from the usual. Leafy salads are served with dried flowers.”
2nd place: Görreshof
In the second place is the traditional old Bavarian restaurant Görreshof, where Tripadvisor visitors appreciate the rustic atmosphere in the library room. In the words of one Tripadvisor reviewer: “All the dishes were excellent! If we lived in Munich, we would certainly be regulars! Schnitzel and apple pie are particularly recommended!”
3rd place: Zum Dürnbräu
Another traditional Bavarian restaurant is Zum Dürnbräu, housed in a 500-year-old building. One guest writes: “Here you can still get ‘Saures Lüngerl,’ ‘Gebackener Kalbskopf,’ and the ‘Milz-Bries-Wurst’ (mostly breaded and ‘baked,’ but sometimes also sourly boiled). You have to find the place first; then, you’ll keep coming back.
4th place: Wirtshaus Ayingers
Wirtshaus Ayingers, which has its own family brewery, is also very popular with guests. “Hearty, top-quality Bavarian cuisine (pork knuckle, pretzels, mushrooms, salads, all very good!). Rustic, friendly atmosphere. A must when we’re in Munich,” raves one Tripadvisor user.
5th place: Wirtshaus In Der Au
In fifth place is Wirtshaus In der Au, which serves Auer Kraft beer – Karl Valentin’s favorite beer. From a guest’s review: “Quaint pub with real Bavarian flair. Excellent for a hearty breakfast, a snack at lunchtime, or the many delicacies in the evening.”
6th place: Pfistermühle
Wiesn fans with a hankering for grape juice will find a large selection of wines in addition to “contemporary Bavarian cuisine” at the cozy Pfistermühle. One Tripadvisor user writes: “Bavarian classics are carefully modernized here, and the ingredients, some with provenance, speak for regionality. Decent selection of open white and red wines.”
7th place: Augustiner Bräustuben
Augustiner Bräustuben claims to be Munich’s oldest brewery, with over 670 years of tradition. From a guest’s review: “We were here during the Oktoberfest. So, of course, it was quite full, and the atmosphere was exuberant. There was also live music in between. Nevertheless, drinks and food were at the table within a reasonable time. Everything was fresh, hot, and delicious.”
8th place: Ratskeller
The Ratskeller on Marienplatz is also very popular: in the more than 1,700 reviews on Tripadvisor, many guests praise the “very rustic Bavarian atmosphere, regional dishes” and the “attentive service.” One guest writes: “The Ratskeller is centrally located, and the cellar vault is so huge that you could almost get lost. The daily menu is varied and offers reasonably priced (regional) dishes. Very attentive service. I will be back. Highly recommended.”
9th place: Spatenhaus
The Spatenhaus is next to the Munich State Opera and offers home-style cooking for every taste in its lower section. “Genuine Bavarian cuisine – all friends from the north must have been here! From Nuremberg roast sausages on cabbage to suckling pig in beer sauce with dumplings!” raves one guest on Tripadvisor.
10th place: Schneider & Sohn
Fans of Weizenbier (wheat beer) should plan a visit to Schneider & Sohn. This restaurant came in 10th place in Tripadvisor’s ranking of the best Bavarian restaurants in Munich. “We always enjoy eating at Schneider, and they always serve great and very tasty dishes! The beer is simply one of the best wheat beers in the world (which is just my opinion, of course)!” says one visitor on Tripadvisor.
The German original of this article was published in 2015.