Best Munich Wirtshaus & Beer Halls: A Complete Guide for Travelers

Every visitor to Munich wants to raise a glass for a Prosit, or cheers, while enjoying delicious Bavarian food. And you can do just that in the cozy, wood-paneled Wirtshaus (traditional inn or pub). The pubs are the heart of Munich’s social life year-round. The Biergarten is undoubtedly the king of Munich and Bavaria, especially during the summer. But over the long winter months or on a rainy day, the comfort and ease of the Wirtshaus is where you long to be.

In the Munich Wirtshaus, you get a different experience. Inside these pubs, the buildings are full of history, the traditional food is tasty and filling, and the atmosphere can only be described as having a certain Gemütlichkeit.

In this guide, I’m providing an overview of traditional Bavarian restaurants in Munich. I’m highlighting some of the most authentic and delicious Bavarian food, from famous Munich beer halls to my favorite quiet neighborhood spots.

As someone who has explored Munich extensively over multiple trips, I’ve made it a personal mission to find the most authentic Wirtshäuser (that’s plural for Wirtshaus!)—from the world-famous halls to the true local haunts. This guide is a collection of my personal favorites and the essential lessons I’ve learned along the way.

What to Expect: A Guide to Dining in a Munich Wirtshaus

A Wirtshaus is simply a pub. Some often have a full-service Biergarten (outdoor seating) that is open when the weather is good.

Similar to most full-service restaurants in Germany, you can typically seat yourself and the staff will take your order. In recent years, restaurants have become busier. Many are no longer allowing guests to seat themselves. Restaurants that prefer to seat guests generally make it very clear, with a sign or a host stand.

Many also require reservations (Reservierungen) for evenings or weekends. Check ahead to see if reservations are accepted, and consider making one if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant. If seating yourself, make sure the table doesn’t have a note on it that it is reserved. If it does, check the reservation time; pubs typically don’t care if you use a table before a reservation so long as you’re gone before the starting time on the reservation.

If the Wirtshaus uses larger tables for communal seating, you may share a table with other diners. If that’s the case, a friendly and polite “Ist hier frei?” (“Is this space free?”) is recommended before seating yourself with others.

Also, keep an eye out for Stammtisch. Local groups that meet regularly in a Wirtshaus typically have a standing reservation for a specific table. In some pubs, the tables will be denoted with a decorative sign or plaque.

Because Wirtshäuser are full-service, standard German tipping is recommended. That is, round up the bill to the nearest Euro and add 5-10%. When settling the bill, it’s common to say how much you’re paying, not how much change you would like back.

Now that you know how to find a table and order like a local, let’s get to the best part: the food!

The Menu Decoded: Must-Try Bavarian Dishes

There are some classic Bavarian dishes that you’ll want to try in a traditional Wirtshaus.

• Schweinshaxe: Perhaps the most impressive and notable Wirtshaus dish: the roasted pork knuckle. These are crispy and often quite large, so many restaurants offer them as a half.
• Wiener Schnitzel and Schnitzel Wiener Art: The classic breaded cutlet. In Bavaria, Wiener Schnitzel uses a veal cutlet and is often served with roasted potatoes and a cranberry-like sauce using lingonberries (known as Preiselbeeren).
• Käsespätzle: Similar to macaroni and cheese, the dish combines egg noodles and cheese and is often topped with crispy fried onions and served with a side salad.
• Bauernente: This roast duck dish is a favorite of my husband and is typically served with red cabbage and Kartoffelknödel.
• Schweinebraten: Slow-roasted pork with a crispy crackling crust, usually served with a dark beer gravy.
• Knödel: There are two main types of these German dumplings: Semmelknödel (bread-based) and Kartoffelknödel (potato-based). They’re a common side dish.
• Apfelstrudel: I’m not sure this famous dessert needs an introduction. But in case you’ve missed it, it consists of pieces of apple and raisins wrapped in the thinnest of pastries.
• Apfelkücherl: This tasty dessert fries beer-battered slices of apple. It’s often served warm with ice cream. It’s a favorite dessert of mine!

There are also some traditions that are unusual for some foreign travelers. For example, it’s not uncommon for restaurants to put a basket of pretzels on your table. Unlike in the United States, these are not complementary and will be added to your bill.

The Best Traditional Restaurants in Munich

The Local Favorite: Wirtshaus im Braunauer Hof

Wirtshaus im Braunauer Hof is a longtime establishment near Isartor. Roughly a decade ago, a new team took over and breathed fresh life into it. Today, Braunauer Hof is a friendly and modern Wirtshaus that is centrally located but not overly popular with tourists. The food is delicious: traditional but not outdated.

Frauenstraße 40, 80469 Munich

World-Famous & Lively: Hofbräuhaus

Hofbräuhaus needs no introduction. The classic Munich beer hall has been a tourist top spot in the city for decades, both for its delicious beer and atmosphere, as well as its complex and lengthy history. The restaurant has a lively atmosphere: seat yourself at the large communal tables while a brass band plays traditional music and revelers consume beer by the liter. The spot is extremely popular, especially with tour groups, but it’s worth a visit at least once. It does not accept reservations, so it can be difficult to get a table at peak times.

Platzl 9, 80331 Munich

The Historic Classic: Augustiner am Platzl

Diagonally across from Hofbräuhaus on the busy tourist square Platzl is the Augustiner am Platzl. While somewhat less well known than its neighbor, the Wirtshaus is still extremely popular. The Augustiner beer brewery is the oldest in Munich and the last privately owned. Augustiner beer is one of the most beloved brews in the city. But the tavern is known not just for its beer but also for its food! The pub has friendly staff and Bavarian decor that makes it feel traditional, especially when there’s a band playing.

Orlandostraße 5, 80331 Munich

Best for Weisswurst Breakfast: Schneider Bräuhaus

Located in Tal between Marienplatz and Isartor, Schneider Bräuhaus has an open beer hall feel. The interior is festive, with ironwork and large windows with stained glass. Schneider is also one of the few Wirtshaus in central Munich that opens early. They offer a small breakfast menu, featuring the classic Weisswurst, available starting at 9 am.

Tal 7, 80331 Munich

Best Day Trip from Munich: Ayinger Bräustüberl

Looking for a Munich day trip out of the city to see a true small Bavarian town? One of my favorites is in the town of Aying. While it requires a short S-Bahn ride, this trip is a pilgrimage for beer lovers and offers a taste of the Bavarian countryside. The Ayinger Bräustüberl, in the center of town, is a charming small pub with a full-service Biergarten out front. While tourists flock to the big beer halls in Munich, you’ll feel like more of a local in this cozy spot.

Münchener Str. 2, 85653 Aying

Map of the Restaurants

Frequently Asked Questions about Munich’s Wirtshäuser

What is the difference between a Wirtshaus and a Biergarten?

A Wirtshaus is a traditional indoor pub or inn, often with historic wood-paneled interiors, serving food and drink year-round. A Biergarten (beer garden) is an outdoor space for drinking beer, which is typically only open in good weather. Many Wirtshäuser have their own attached Biergärten.

Do I need to make reservations at restaurants in Munich?

While not always required, making a reservation (Reservierung) is highly recommended, especially for dinner on evenings or weekends, or if you want to eat at a specific popular restaurant. However, keep in mind that some restaurants do not accept reservations.

Can I pay with a credit card in Munich’s traditional restaurants?

While many tourist-focused places now accept credit cards, Germany is still a cash-heavy society. It’s always a good idea to have enough Euros with you, especially in smaller, more traditional establishments.

Is tipping expected in Germany?

Yes, tipping is customary for good service. The standard practice is to round up the bill and add a tip of about 5-10%. Tell the server the total amount you want to pay, including the tip, rather than leaving cash on the table.

What is a Stammtisch?

A Stammtisch is a table that is permanently reserved for a group of local regulars who meet there consistently. These tables are often marked with a special sign or plaque and should not be used by other guests.

Anyone looking for an authentic taste of Bavarian culture needs only head to a Wirtshaus. In addition to the delicious food and free-flowing beer, visitors step into the special and unique Bavarian pub culture.

Now I’d love to hear from you! Which dish are you most excited to try on your trip to Munich? Or if you’ve been, do you have a favorite Munich Wirtshaus that didn’t make my list? Leave a comment below!

Save this post for later on Pinterest!

All opinions and photos are my own.