Top 10 Taverns The best places for Bavarian delicacies and socialising

Fir-green walls and fresh flowers on the bare wooden tables: Xaver's between Viktualienmarkt and Isartor is a modern pub for locals and tourists alike. It's rare to find a seat there without a reservation; the pub is filled with young students, families and older regulars. No wonder because it's not just the furnishings that are beautiful. The waiters are friendly, the Augustiner beer is delicious, and the food is tasty. Whether it's Wiener schnitzel, sliced organic veal or ceviche made from salmon trout, Xaver's places great value on local suppliers and top-quality ingredients. For example, the crusty bread comes from Munich master baker Julius Brantner, the fish from Schliersee and the meat from organic butcher Juffinger from Tyrol.

Xaver's  | 
Rumfordstraße 35 | 80469 München-Glockenbach

On the border between Maxvorstadt and Schwabing-West, the Görreshof in the street of the same name is like a Munich institution. A Bavarian tavern from the 19th century, named after the publicist and university lecturer Johann Joseph Görres. The service - in traditional costume, of course! - is as confident as it is friendly, even at peak times. The colourful mix of guests appreciates this just as much as the down-to-earth, good cuisine. The beer comes from the Augustiner brewery, on Thursdays and Tuesdays, even from a wooden barrel! The Görreshof is also a charming place to sit in the small, cosy beer garden.

Görreshof | 
Görresstraße 38 | 80798 München-Schwabing West

The Ayinger am Platzl was first mentioned in records in 1525 - today, it is run by the Inselkammer family in the third generation. The visually appealing furnishings are just as authentic as the historic building. Wood-panelled walls, chic metal elements, cosy seating niches, and rustic antlers create a cosy Bavarian flair - true to their motto, "living tavern tradition in a historic location". In addition to classics such as ox cheeks, roast pork and fried chicken, the kitchen also serves fish dishes and vegetarian-vegan dishes such as chickpea gnocchi and herb saitlings - outrageously delicious and with a modern twist. Good to know: The high quality of the food can also be found in the sister pub, the Ayinger in der Au.

Ayinger Wirtshaus am Platzl | 
Platzl 1A | 80331 Munich-Altstadt

For around 150 years now, the Weisse Bräuhaus has been enthroned in the heart of the lively valley not far from Marienplatz. The spacious, multi-storey tavern is not only known for its beer from the Schneider Weisse brewery, but also for its unique crown meat cuisine, i.e. offal such as liver and veal head in line with the nose-to-tail philosophy. The meat comes from the in-house butcher's shop. The menu also includes Bavarian classics such as veal sausages and Obazda, as well as vegetarian dishes such as cheese spaetzle and creamed mushrooms with homemade bread dumplings. Guests can take a seat in one of the seven different historic parlours and halls of the tavern. There is also regular live brass music at lunchtime - wonderfully rustic!

Weisses Bräuhaus | 
Tal 7 | 80331 München-Altstadt

The Kaisergarten in the street of the same name in Schwabing is considered one of Munich's chicest pubs. The entire building is part of a historic Art Nouveau villa, the dining room is decorated with handmade tiles and the beer garden is lined with old chestnut trees. There are always fresh flowers on the tables, and the cuisine focuses on Bavarian-inspired slow food. This means that the ingredients are mainly sourced from small family businesses in Bavaria, Austria, and Switzerland.

Kaisergarten | 
Kaiserstraße 34 | 80801 München-Schwabing

Gasthaus Waltz stands for a successful mix of Austrian flavours and the rustic charm of a Bavarian tavern. The menu includes light fish dishes, vegetarian delicacies such as Schaftopfen spaetzle and meat specialities (lamb belly or boiled beef croquettes). The absolute favourite, however, is the signature dish: Styrian fried chicken. It is served with Vogerl salad, cranberries, and parsley potatoes and tastes better than many schnitzels. Enjoy!

Gasthaus Waltz | 
Ickstattstr. 13 | 80469 Munich-Ludwigsvorstadt

Another historic pub in Munich is the Georgenhof in Schwabing. Around 1900, the neighbourhood was the centre of life for European bohemian artists. Greats such as Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter even once stayed at the Georgenhof. Today, the pub no longer has guest rooms but is still a popular meeting place for intellectuals and creative artists. Thanks to its proximity to the university, the colourful crowd is also relatively young. Depending on the weather, you can enjoy the Georgenhof's fine Bavarian cuisine in the modernised dining rooms or the large, shady beer garden with a view of the bustling Türkenstraße.

Georgenhof | 
Friedrichstraße 1 | 80801 München-Maxvorstadt

"Yes to tradition, yeah to progress": The neo-Bavarian restaurant is the first address for hipsters and hip-hop fans who appreciate local specialities as much as Bavarian conviviality. This mix is particularly popular with young people. So good, in fact, that in addition to the restaurant in family-friendly Haidhausen, there has also been one in cosy Sendling since 2020. However, the relaxed, casual ambience is the same in both Spezlwirtschaft branches: lots of dark wood, dim lighting, black music and hip hop from the jukeboxes and creative cuisine. For example, there are baked cheese balls with mustard mayo, cauliflower au gratin with a spicy soya dip or veal boiled beef, breaded with horseradish and sweet mustard, with celeriac puree. In short, Spezlwirtschaft is as unconventional as it is unique.

Spezlwirtschaft | 
Pariser Straße 34 | 81667 München-Haidhausen

As the name suggests, the Glöckl on Marienplatz in the heart of Munich specialises in grilled sausages. These get their unique flavour from being grilled over an open beechwood fire and are produced by the traditional butchers Schmid and Gassner according to their own recipe. The Nuremberg Bratwurst Glöckl am Dom also serves tasty Augustiner beer, fine wines and hearty Bavarian cuisine. The Dürerstube on the first floor, named after Nuremberg's most famous citizen, the artist Albrecht Dürer, is a particularly pleasant place to dine. Over 300 celebrities- from the Monegasque royal family to Bavarian politicians and Italian tenors- have immortalised themselves in the guest books of this tavern, which has existed in Munich for 130 years. Impressive!

Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl am Dom | 
Frauenplatz 9 | 80331 München-Altstadt

In the restaurant with the charming name Goldmarie in Sendling, guests can enjoy modern Alpine cuisine. The menu features delicate traditional dishes from Bavaria, Austria and South Tyrol, such as boiled beef and cheese dumplings, as well as new creations, such as pointed cabbage salad with miso mayonnaise and rosemary risotto. The minimalist ambience matches the modern culinary concept at Goldmarie. Simple, bare wooden tables meet soft colours and high ceilings in the bright dining room.

Goldmarie | 
Schmellerstraße 23 | 80337 München-Sendling