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The Best Beer Gardens and Beer Halls of Munich

Munich is inextricably associated with beer and beer drinking, with all the trappings of the beer culture. There are scores of beer gardens and beer halls here, several quite popular with locals and visitors alike, offering surprisingly good choices all round. But for those venturing into Munich for the first time, here's a primer for sampling local beer, beer food, and the best of the Munich beer gardens and beer halls. Prost!

(Photo source: Hofbräuhaus)

Beer Garden Etiquette

Beer is usually served by Mass (one liter) or, if requested, by Halb (half-liter). Ordering anything smaller will raise eyebrows. Colas are available in some beer gardens, but non-drinkers will not be sniggered at when asking for an Apfelschaftschorle – apple juice and soda water mix. It is much healthier and more refreshing than cola. A Radler (literally “cyclist”) is halfbeer, half-lemonade.

The typical food in beer gardens is large, soft pretzels and sausages in all forms, served with potatoes and sauerkraut. A Munich favorite is Weißwurst (white sausage). It is traditionally only served in the morning and correct etiquette is not to eat the skin and to eat it by hand. It goes well with sweet Bavarian mustard, and, of course, beer. Payment is usually due at delivery. In most beer gardens, it is permissable to bring your own food, but never your own drink.

It is common to share tables with strangers in busy restaurants; beer gardens with their long tables and bench seats are no exception. Simply ask if there is free space – Platz frei? However, never sit down at a Stammtisch even if it is completely empty. This is a table reserved for members of a society or group and sitting there is by membership or invitation only.

Top 7 Beer Halls and Beer Gardens of Munich

Hofbräuhaus

The best-known building in Munich is the Hofbräuhaus, Platzl 6, 089-290-1360, www.hofbraeuhaus.de. Its best features are also the worst – its international fame and popularity. It can be packed at night with international visitors, who think getting hopelessly drunk and singing out of tune is the German idea of having a good time. It can also be packed with locals and visitors having a good time – it is often simply a case of good or bad luck on the day. You may prefer reserving a table at the more formal restaurants on the upper levels, or visit for lunch. An oompah band usually plays at all hours. (€-€€€)

(Photo source: Hofbräuhaus)

Augustiner Gaststätten

The Augustiner Gaststätten, Neuhauser Straße 27, 089- 2318-3257, is probably the most famous beer hall in Munich after the Hofbräuhaus. Augustiner beer was brewed here up to 1885. Parts of the building are Art Nouveau, and the beer garden is particularly pleasant. (€-€€)

Paulaner im Tal

The Paulaner im Tal, Tal 12, 089-219-9400, is a nostalgic restaurant with terrace and beer garden serving local cuisine with a reasonable vegetarian selection and some Austrian dishes. (€-€€)

Löwenbräukeller

The Löwenbräukeller, Nymphenburger Straße 2, 089-526- 021, is close to the Hauptbahnhof and next to the brewery itself. It has a rustic locale and pleasant beer garden. The food is unapologetically Bavarian. It tends to draw fewer foreign tourists than the breweries in the Old Town area. (€-€€)

Bratwurstherzl

The Bratwurstherzl, Dreifältigkeitsplatz 1, 089-295-113, is a traditional bratwurst restaurant at the Viktualienmarkt with self-made sausages grilled over beech-wood fires. (€-€€)

Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl am Dom

A very pleasant similar establishment is the Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl am Dom, Frauenplatz 9, 089-295-264. It serves Nürnberger Bratwurst (finger-sized grilled sausages) and Bavarian cuisine. Ask for cola and you will receive the server’s assurance, with a pained face, that no cola has ever fouled this fine establishment. (€-€€)

Englischer Garten

The second-largest beer garden in Munich is at the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Pagoda) in the Englischer Garten. It seats about 6,000 people! You can bring your own food, but not drinks! Several other smaller beer gardens are scattered through the park.