Devour Munich

The capital of Bavaria, Munich is full of impressive architecture, world-class art, and prosperous industries. Home of Germany’s renowned Oktoberfest celebration, there’s a lot more to Munich than huge beer gardens and lederhosen. Bike through the old town, visit Frauenkirche, and indulge in various Bavarian meals that you simply can’t find outside of this region. From popular beer halls to Michelin-starred restaurants, here is a list of my top places to eat in Munich.

Augustiner-Keller

Credit: Augustiner-Keller

With over 7,000 seats, this beer garden is constantly buzzing with life. Say Prost (cheers) with a chilled mug of brew and traditional Schweinebraten (Bavarian roast pork). Savory pork roast is slathered with a thick gravy and served alongside a fluffy potato dumpling and krautsalat, German ‘coleslaw’ served warm with soft cabbage and smoky bacon bits.

Augustiner-Keller / Arnulfstraße 52, 80335 Munich / +49 89 594393

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Prinz Myshkin

After a few heavy Bavarian meals, it’s not uncommon to crave something a little lighter. When the feeling hits, head to Prinz Myshkin in central Munich for an array of delightful vegetarian and vegan dishes. Sit in the bright, modern dining room with vaulted ceilings and satisfy your inner herbivore with well-prepared antipasti, salad, soup, pizza, pasta, even Asian-inspired stir-fry.

Prinz Myshkin / Hack Straße 2, 80331 Munich / +49 89 265596

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Cafe Luitpold

Credit: Travel Channel

Dating back to 1888, this cafe is known for decadent desserts and perfect pretzels, best eaten warm with a soft slab of butter. The standout here is the black forest cake, every layer infused with sour cherry schnapps from the black forest region about 20 miles outside of Munich. Sour, chocolate, cream, and light sweetness combine in this cake making a mouthwatering dessert that is hard for anyone to resist.

Cafe Luitpold / Brienner Str. 11, 80333 Munich / +49 89 2428750

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Restaurant Atlantik Fisch

Located off the tourist path in Munich’s Schlachthof (slaughterhouse) district, Atlantik Fisch is a seafood restaurant with crystal chandeliers, large mirrors and a beautiful outdoor patio. Spend an afternoon exploring this district’s boutiques and art galleries and head here for a comfortable dinner under the twinkling patio lights.

Restaurant Atlantik Fisch / Zenettistraße 12, 80337 Munich / +49 89 74790610

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Zum Augustiner

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Being one of the oldest restaurants in Munich is not Zum Augustiner’s only claim to fame. Their signature item is truly Bavarian: Weisswurst, a fresh white sausage made with veal, pork and parsley, blanched in hot water with herbs. This restaurant makes about 1,500 every day, each one eaten by a happy customer before the clock tolls noon. You can’t get authentic Weisswurst just anywhere, and these are some of the best.

Zum Augustiner / Neuhauser Str. 27, 80331 Munich / +49 89 23183257

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Bar Tabacco

Cozy and intimate, Bar Tabacco strays away from the German drink of choice (beer) and offers an overwhelming variety of whisky drinks and cocktails. Hefty cuts of meat complement the drinks and are served by friendly waitstaff who don’t mind giving suggestions or translating the menu.

Bar Tabacco / Hartmann Straße 8, 80333 Munich / +49 89 227216

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Shane’s Restaurant

Credit: Daniel Schvarcz

Founded in 2006 by Chef Shane McMahon, his namesake restaurant is modern, yet not overly formal. Dine on their terrace, and splurge for the surprise tasting menu with your choice of between 4 and 8 courses, made from the freshest, hand-selected ingredients.

Shane’s Restaurant / Geyerstraße 52, 80469 Munich / +49 89 74646820

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Cafe Frischhut

Known for one thing, and one thing only, head to Cafe Frischhut for the schmalznudel. It’s a doughy Bavarian pastry usually coated in sugar. It’s not too sweet and tastes like an airy, tender raised donut, but way better. It’s hard to explain so try one out for yourself.

Cafe Frischhut / Prelate-Zistl-Straße 8, 80331 Munich / +49 89 26023156

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Wirtshaus Kurgarten

Credit: Travel Channel

Craving a taste of Bavarian comfort food? Don’t settle, you want the best of the best, and you’ll find it here in the form of Kaese Spaetzle. Eggy, rich, and cheesy, this spaetzle mixes caramelized onions and three cheeses with authentic, freshly made spaetzle. It’s the ultimate Bavarian grandmother food that we all wished we grew up with.

Wirtshaus Kurgarten / De la Paz-Straße 10, 80639 Munich / +49 89 17999081

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Paulaner am Nockherberg

Even if you’ve never tried it, you’ve probably at least heard of Paulaner Beer. It’s one of the select six traditional beers served during Oktoberfest in Germany. Paulaner am Nockherberg is located atop the Nockherberg Hill and makes classic Bavarian dishes to soak up their special starkbier, a darkly colored, intensely robust beer.

Paulaner am Nockherberg / High Street 77, 81541 Munich / +49 89 4599130

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Tantris

Regarded as one of the top restaurants in the world, Tantris is a two Michelin star restaurant slightly north of the city center. The red-retro interior serves as a beautiful backdrop for the incredible food served here. Chef Hans Haas has been leading the Tantris team towards perfection for 20 years, and his innovative and ever-changing tasting menus are worth the high ticket price. Reservations are a must.

Tantris / Johann-Fichte-Straße 7, 80805 Munich / +49 89 3619590

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Hans im Gluck

Credit: Hans im Gluck Burgergrill Franchise GmBH

The ‘American’ staple we all know and love, hamburgers, originated in Germany. Hans im Gluck is the gourmet burger restaurant of choice for families, students or late-night snack seekers all over Germany. Stick with the classic burger and fries, or try the goat cheese and fig sauce topped patty.

Hans im Gluck / Nymphenburger Str. 69, 80335 Munich / +49 89 64299982

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Marais Soir

Specializing in French and Mediterranean cuisine, Marais Soir is located in Munich’s diverse Westend quarter. With a simple menu that changes often, dishes include tomato soup with asparagus and prawns, octopus and smoked mackerel with vegetables Provençal, and terrine of foie gras with rhubarb.

Marais Soir / Schwanthalerstrasse 133, 80339 Munich / +49 89 62838662

Feature Image Credit: Travel Channel