Restaurants in Munich

One of a number of Munich restaurants run by gourmet company Käfer, this high-end Bavarian eatery was fully renovated in 2013 and has a long history of famous chefs and guests. Although it is one of the most upmarket restaurants in Munich, the delicious Bavarian dishes with a kick of innovation can be comfortably enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere. This big traditional restaurant is divided into 12 rooms, so accommodating group sizes from a romantic two to a jolly 40 is no bother.

Dining at Matsuhisa Munich, the award-winning signature restaurant of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, is a luxurious experience. Diners arrive at the mezzanine restaurant by climbing a grand marble staircase, which opens out onto a lavish setting with fine crystal and china, flowers and fruit nestling on the wooden tables. The Japanese-Peruvian cuisine is just as sumptuous.

Schuhbecks Fine Dining is located in the former traditional Munich favourite Boettners. Enjoy the sophisticated French-Japanese cuisine of its chef Maurice Kriegs in a relaxed ambience. 

Located in the shadows of the Frauenkirche’s twin towers, this unashamedly Old World tavern is one of the city centre’s best options for a traditional feed. If you’ve ever wanted to try schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), this is the place to do so, and as the eatery is affiliated to arguably the best of the city’s big six breweries, namely Augustinerbrau, the beer’s pretty good too. It’s a cosy, warmly decorated restaurant, and one that draws far more than tourists through its doors.

Dallmayr is the city’s top delicatessen, drawing in well-heeled Münchners with its lavish displays of fruits, vegetables, fish, cheeses, meats, chocolates and celebrated coffee. What’s more, its onsite restaurant, cafe-bistro and champagne bar offer the chance to indulge in their fine fare, so visitors can enjoy it without having to don chef whites. Its light and airy first-floor eatery is an elegant lunch spot, serving up quality items such as seafood and carpaccio, all washed down with something from its 700-strong wine list.

United under one roof of the Mangostin restaurants are three exotic experiences: Papa Joe's Colonial Bar and Restaurant, serving colonial food; the Keiko Japanese Pacific Room and the Lemon Grass room with Thai cuisine and an open-wok kitchen. All three are in the same price range and offer Asian delicacies, from sushi, tempura and bento to a variety of stir fries and noodle dishes. Décor is oriental with East Asian sculptures and plants decorating the space. The biggest attraction, however, must be the huge Mangostin garden on balmy summer evenings, and the sensational Sunday brunch buffet (reservations essential).

A laidback choice situated close to the university, Café Puck is popular with the student crowd who are drawn by the affordable, but good quality fare. The breakfast menu is particularly extensive, offering everything from French brioche to New York BLTs, and as the day wears on you can expect everything from pasta to wiener schnitzel (breaded and deep-fried veal) for main courses. Its location is also ideal for those heading to any of the nearby Pinakothek art galleries.

It may not be one of the more elite restaurants in Munich but Chinesischer Turm is definitely among the most famous and popular. Situated in the picturesque English Garden and open all year round, the ‘Chinese Tower Restaurant’ serves a diverse range of menu items, from Bavarian staples and fresh salads to international dishes and modern culinary creations. There’s also a large outdoor area, as well as some bright, Mediterranean-influenced dining rooms.

Probably the most famous brewery and restaurant in Germany, the world-renowned Hofbräuhaus caters primarily for tourists, although it still attracts some Bavarian stalwarts. It sprawls over three floors, with the typical beer hall boasting long wooden tables and dramatically low chandeliers. Vaulted ceilings, rustic décor and live oom-pah music make this a highly atmospheric venue. During the summer, it is possible for guests to sit outside in the courtyard. The beer is superb, as are the hearty local dishes, including the tasty Munich speciality, ‘white sausage' served with sweet mustard.