18 Best Restaurants In Munich For Traditional German Food

German food is best described as hearty, comforting, and heavy. Heaping plates of slow-roasted meats that swim in rich gravies served with fist-sized dumplings or piles of braised sauerkraut, along with platters of shiny, smokey bratwurst with zesty mustard and perfectly crisped schnitzel with flecks of sea salt and a mound of potato salad are just a few of the things that make Germany a glutton's delight. Meanwhile iconic street foods like currywurst and doner kebab come with distinct origin stories, serving as an edible representation of Deutschland's rich history. And that's not even counting the bread — tangled pretzels, chestnut-hued pumpernickel, cute little bröchten, and fluffy milchbrötchen entice even the strictest of dieters.

Wash all that down with a beer, and you'll be hooked on German cuisine for life. And in the southeast state of Bavaria, the 500-year-old purity law of Reinheitsgebot — the regulation that protects German beer and keeps it "pure" — still reigns supreme. As you can imagine, the Bavarian capital of Munich presents the perfect lineup of restaurants to indulge in regional foods and brews. Whether you're looking for a quaint tavern or a sprawling beer hall, Munich has you covered. Get to feasting and prost-ing at any of these long-loved Munich eateries.

No visit to Munich is complete without a few steins and a hearty meal at the world's most famous beer house, Hofbräuhaus. A Munich mainstay since the 16th century, Hofbräuhaus is perched right on Platzl and is the epitome of Bavarian food and beer. The legend goes that a Bavarian duke was so obsessed with Bavarian brewing traditions that he decided to commission his very own state brewery; not long after, Hofbräuhaus was born. 

According to Introducing Munich, Hofbräuhaus is so emblematic of the city that it attracts more than 35,000 visitors each day from all around the world. Start with a stein of an ice-cold Münchner weisse with a piping hot bowl of kartoffelsuppe, a deliciously rich potato soup stewed with other root vegetables, and loads of fresh parsley. Then move on to any of its sausage specialties made from house butchery — we suggest the plate of the traditional Munich sausages made from veal and served with sweet mustard. 

Some days you want a swanky spot with crystal chandeliers and a jaw-dropping wine list. Other days you want a quaint and cozy lodge that whips up homestyle delights, and for that, there's Weinbauer Inn. Tucked away on a quiet street not far from the lush grounds of the Englischer Garten, Weinbauer Inn has been serving up some of Munich's finest meals since 1861.

Get started with a few sips of any of its local brews and munch on some obazda, a traditional Bavarian snack made with cream cheese, brie, butter, and plenty of paprika. Then for the main, there's no better choice than the zwiebelrostbraten, a Weinbauer delight of beef loin smothered in a sweet and savory onion sauce with crispy German fries.

Augustiner Bräustuben is a sprawling beer hall and filled to the brim — in other words, it's exactly what you want if you're looking to indulge in traditional Bavarian fares and brews. Situated near Hackerbrücke and housed in the brewery of the same name, Augustiner Bräustuben is known and loved for its classic brews and filling plates.

Say a prost or two with any of its house brews served in icy glass or smooth stone steins (depending on the beer), some of which are drawn directly from wooden barrels. For the main course, you'll want to come hungry so that you can feast on the signature Augustiner beef onion roast made with slow-roasted tenderloin smothered in braised onions and a big ol' hunk of creamy, cheesy egg noodles known as spätzle.

Housed near the high-reaching towers of Frauenkirche, in what used to be Munich's Augustinian monastery, whose monks began brewing nearly 700 years ago, Augustiner Klosterwirt prioritizes Bavarian food and beer traditions of both the past and present. Over the centuries, Augustiner Klosterwirt has become synonymous with the city's best ambiance, beer, and food.

Get started with a half liter of Augustiner Helles — a lager light tapped from a wooden barrel with a pleasantly malty taste —and a bowl of old school leberknödelsuppe, a brothy soup of liver dumplings. If your appetite can manage, opt for the Klosterwirt sausage platter, a beast of a meal made up of grilled Munich and Nuremberg sausages and brats with potato salad, sauerkraut, and tangy horseradish. For a lighter fare, though, there's the crispy veal schnitzel with wild cranberry sauce.

Located on Max-Joseph Square, right across from the grand Munich Opera House and Bavarian National Theatre, with sweeping views of all three, Spatenhaus an der Oper is a swanky, refined restaurant that is just as much about ambiance as it is food. For the best table, as for a window seat on the second floor, otherwise, the ground level's square views make for prime people-watching real estate.

Spatenhaus an der Oper is famous for its schnitzel, but the crispy suckling pig with braised red cabbage or Bavarian duck with potato dumplings and gravy are also sure to please. For drinks, you'll find the usual suspects for beer, along with an impressive wine list with varieties from Spain and Italy, along with regional German wines. Be sure to seal the meal with a post-feast brandy; we recommend the Bavarian-made Grassl gentian schnapps.

Just a couple of blocks from Marienplatz is one of Munich's most enduring traditional restaurants, Zum Dürnbräu. Not many historic buildings survived the Second World War, but Zum Dürnbräu did, and thanks to that, the location has been serving thirsty and hungry patrons as far back as 1487.

If the weather is nice, have a seat outside and choose from its barreled beers like the Franziskaner wheat beer or Spatenbräu Helles. If you're all done with beer for the day, you'll find a Riesling made just up north in Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate and dry red Domina from Bavaria's Franconia region. Zum Dürnbräu's menu stays on a steady rotation, but you can always rely on Bavarian favorites like deliciously gooey spätzle with fried onions and slow-roasted duck with a generous helping of burgundy-tinted cabbage.

Situated on the grounds of a 16th-century mill, just a hop and a skip away from Marienplatz, you'll find Pfistermühle, one of the capital's best destinations for gourmet German food. Picture fresh fish straight from Zungenbecken Lake's Ammersee, pasture-raised veal from upper Bavaria, and Tegernsee cheeses utilized to create new spins on traditional German fares with dainty garnishes and artsy plating — you've got Pfistermühle.

Go for lunch and dine on its juicy ochsenfilet, a dish of ox with a savory knochenmark (bone marrow) crust and a house shallot sauce. If you're feeling adventurous, make a reservation for dinner and ask for the unique multi-course dining experience that currently includes tasty options such as chanterelle-crusted veal and red shiso sorbet. Finish it all off with a recommendation of any of Pfistermühle's German wines, such as the weisburgunder from Pfalz or a ubiquitous Riesling.

Located in the heart of Old Town, Nürnberger Bratwurst-Glöckl am Dom has been grilling up some of the city's tastiest bratwurst for 130 years running. Nürnberger Bratwurst-Glöckl am Dom literally translates to Nuremberg sausages by the Cathedral bell, and as its name suggests, the restaurant specialty is Nuremberg-style sausages. These bitesize bratwursts are famous for aromatic flavors of marjoram, pepper, ginger, and cardamom and hail from the emblematic city of the same name.

Start off with a stein of some chocolate-hued dunkel and the Obatzter plate of specialty cheeses, or if you love symmetry, go for the Augustiner dunkelbiersuppe, a warm soup made up of Augustiner dunkel beer and rye bread. While the Nuremberg sausages are certainly a crowd favorite, the house pork sausages are also a real treat. Both go wonderfully with a heaping plate of potato salad.

Tucked just outside the city center, not far from the Isar River, Wirtshaus Maximilian feels like an escape into a Bavarian fairytale; the cozy tavern setting is brought to life with the crackle of an ornate antique fireplace and warm lighting. Prioritizing seasonal ingredients and regional dishes, Wirtshaus Maximilian's menu is carefully thought out and includes a variety of both German and Austrian dishes, namely from Bavaria and Tyrol.

Go ahead and grab a pint of the crisp and refreshing Erdinger weissbier and get ready to dig into some legendary Munich schnitzel. Made from paper-thin veal rump and a crackling pretzel crust with a side of spicy horseradish and sweet mustard, Munich schnitzel is one of life's best pleasures and, fortunately, one of Wirtshaus Maximilian's specialties. Don't leave without trying an order of the kaiserschmarrn, an Austrian dessert of shredded dough layered up with caramelized apples and plums.

Just a couple of steps from Fraunhoferstraße, Gaststätte Burg Pappenheim has a 145-year-long rep for hearty comfort foods and frothy steins of Bavarian brews. Like the tangy wurst-salat (sausage salad), Gaststätte Burg Pappenheim gets Bavarian food just right.

A big draw is the restaurant's cheese and cabbage spätzle made with peppery mountain cheese straight from Tegernsee. The cabbage adds a unique vegetal touch to an otherwise neutral plate. Order a few of the rost bratwurst with any of the Augustiner barrel-tapped brews, but be sure to save room for the mighty schäufele. It is a specialty popular in Bavaria's Franconia region, comprised of a massive slab of pork shoulder drenched in dark beer sauce and served with potato dumplings. Think of schäufele as an unofficial rite of passage to really understanding how much Germans love pork.

Located between the Deutsches Museum and Gasteig, Wirtshaus in der Au oozes Bayern with its candelabra-esque chandeliers, lederhosen and dirndl-donning staff, stein-lined walls, and high vaulted ceilings. Beer and brats aren't the only specialty at this hideaway, however — the real star of the show is live jazz and knödel dumplings that pack a punch.

Start a pint or two of its famous Auer Kraftbier, a house specialty dark beer clocking in at 12.6% original wort. Alternatively, you'll find a great craft lemonade selection with creative concoctions like raspberry-rhubarb and apricot-lemon. Slurp up a bowl of the speckknödelsuppe made with bacon dumplings steeped in rich broth and then move on to your choice of dumplings, like the spinatknödel made of spinach and served with a tangy cherry sauce.

Head to the heart of Schwanthalerhöhe, and you'll find Servus Heidi, a quaint German wirtshaus that weaves both modernity and tradition into all of its dishes. Their philosophy is rooted in sustainability and an organic-first approach to dining; all of its ingredients are sourced from local farmers and small regional producers.

Grab a table in its sunny beer garden or slide into one of its cozy booths inside; either way, you'll want to start with a bowl of its Wurzelsupperl, a root vegetable soup slow-cooked in veal broth. Then move on to a hearty plate of zwiebelrostbraten; literally translated as "roast beef with onions," this Swabian classic is sure to hit the spot. Unlike many other places on this list, Servus Heidi also has a number of vegan options to choose from, such as the Bayrischer hot dog and portobello schnitzel.

Smack dab on Marienplatz, complete with elaborately painted ceilings and a swath of underground dining space that feels more medieval than 21st century, Ratskeller has been wowing the hungry folks of Munich and otherwise for centuries. Its menu boasts loads of Bavarian and German fares, while also highlighting more specific regions such as Franconia.

Treat yourself to a stone mug of the Franziskaner Kellerbier — you're dining in a keller (cellar) afterall — and a bowl of the long-hailed Ratskeller kartoffelsuppe. For the main, there's no better option than the Munich wollwurst, a plate of super savory skinless veal sausages in gravy and velvety mashed potatoes. If you're not in the mood for sausage though, Ratskeller also makes a mean sauerbraten, a traditional German dish of roast beef that has been marinated for hours on end, giving it its signature sour and sweet taste.

Part charming inn, part rustic tavern, and a 100% Bavarian, Görreshof Wirtshaus is one of the best places to experience true Bavarian cuisine in Munich. With its candle-lit tables, wooden beer barrels ready for tapping, and steady scent of roasted duck throughout, Görreshof Wirtshaus wows in atmosphere and food alike.

Go ahead and grab a glass of the Kaltenberg weissbier leicht or the Augustiner pils and a plate of the Munich sausage salad as a starter. You're spolit for choices when it comes to the main, but we recommend the fleischpflanzerl, a dish of German-style meatballs smothered in a beer gravy and a big ol' hunk of mashed potatoes, or the weiner schnitzel with fried potatoes and cranberry sauce. Save room for dessert and dig into some old school apfelstrudel.

Housed in the 4-star Freisinger Hof Hotel tucked away in the quiet Bogenhausen neighborhood near the verdant grounds of the Englischer Garten, Restaurant Freisinger Hof is a swanky, sophisticated spot to get your German fix. You'll find a whole range of Bavarian and Austrian specialties along with international favorites like creme brûlée and tiramisu.

Start with a selection from any of its German and Austrian wines — if you're looking to tack on a more immersive wine experience, tastings in the onsite cellar can also be arranged. Boiled beef is Freisinger Hof's specialty, so for the main event, we recommend the tender and marbled scherzel made up of mouthwatering top sirloin served in a copper pot with piquant horseradish and slow-roasted potatoes. If boiled beef doesn't spark interest, the oven-roasted half duck with potato dumplings and stewed cabbage and apples is a great runner-up.

Located on the same street and number as its name, Steinheil 16 is a Maxvorstadt favorite hailed for its casual atmosphere, solid schnitzel, and fried sides perfect for washing down with a cold Bayerische biere. In addition to classic Viennese-style schnitzel, you'll also find a soy schnitzel option and other vegan menu items.

Order a plate of the cheese spätzle with crispy onions for a starter and an Augustiner hell vom fass beer to match. For something a little lighter, start off with the salad of baked schnitzel, cranberries, and tartar sauce. The best option would be to order the Viennese pork schnitzel that comes with the usual suspects — crispy, salty french fries, and fiery mustard — though the turkey schnitzel and meat-free schnitzel also make great choices.

Situated in a rustic barn in the bucolic countryside of Glonn, Wirtshaus Zum Schweinsbräu provides a dreamy glimpse into Bavaria's strong culture of farm-to-table dining. While technically just outside the Bavarian capital, this nature-first Michelin Green Starred eatery is an honorable mention well worth the venture.

Wirtshaus Zum Schweinsbräu isn't only loved for its dedication to traditional Bavarian pork dishes and a strong philosophy of organic, seasonal food; it's also admired for its atmospheric setting that includes an onsite brewery, cafe, and surrounding green fields dotted with pigs and lush vegetable gardens, all of which are woven into every aspect of a meal at Wirtshaus Zum Schweinsbräu. For the full experience, opt for the surprise menu in which you can choose between three, five, seven, or even nine courses of custom dishes. If you're not too much of an adventurous eater, however, ask about its daily dishes, which often include favorites such as venison stew and crispy pork roast.

Milk chocolate wood-paneled interior with warm lighting, stained glass details, and woodsy, old-world accents bring Wirsthaus Rechthaler Hof to life. Just a few steps from Hauptbahnhof and Karlsplatz, this über cute tavern is well worth a stop while in Munich.

For a fun starter, go for an Ayinger kellerbier and the currywurst with house fries, Swiss sausage, and Bavarian pretzel, or the tiroler gröstl plate of beef roast bites. Be sure to save room for the jägerschnitzel loaded up with bacon and mushrooms and served with a generous side of creamy and buttery flour noodles. If your appetite isn't up for this, the classic sausage plate comes with six adorable bitesize brats loaded with deep, peppery flavors and the tangy bite of a sauerkraut sidekick.