Heading To Oktoberfest? Here's A Culinary Guide To Munich

It's that time of the year again — the world's largest beer festival returns to Munich, Germany. The 190^th edition of Oktoberfest is currently ongoing until October 5 this year. Most of the action is at the official Oktoberfest ground of Theresienwiese,southwest of the city centre. But if you want to discover Munich's culinary scene beyond its beer, there are Michelin-starred restaurants, traditional pubs, chic watering holes, and even a historic open-air food market to explore. Here's where to eat, drink, and make merry in Munich. 

Zum Dürnbräu

Opened in 1487, Zum Dürnbräu is a traditional Bavarian restaurant in the heart of the old town, just a 5-minute walk from Marienplatz (the city’s main square). Take your pick from the cavernous, wood-panelled indoor seating, the quiet inner courtyard, or the buzzy terrace in the front. Wherever you sit, you should order the iconic Bavarian white sausage, known as weisswurst. The short, greyish-white sausage is served as a pair in a pot of hot, salty water. Eat it with a pretzel and a dollop of mustard, chased down with a tall, cold glass of Hefeweizen (wheat beer).

Schwarzreiter

For a more upscale experience, head over to the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich, a glamorous hotel built in 1858 by the Bavarian king Maximilian II. On its ground floor, with direct entrance from the posh Maximilianstrasse, is Schwarzreiter. Here, you can choose to sit in the day-bar serving regional dishes; don’t miss their fantastic Wiener Schnitzel. Or book a table at the Michelin-select Schwarzreiter Restaurant. This fine-dining restaurant, helmed by chef Franz-Josef Unterlechner, serves a 4- or 7-course tasting menu, featuring dishes like Bavarian wagyu, oysters, tripe, and more. The setting itself is immaculate, dripping in marble, crystal chandeliers, and hand-painted porcelain detailing.

Tohru in der Schreiberei

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Take things up a notch at the three Michelin-starred Tohru in der Schreiberei. Located in Munich's oldest townhouse, where the city's history started to be recorded in 1552, the tastefully designed restaurant is accessed by a steep wooden staircase. Here, Munich-born chef Tohru Nakamura combines his German and Japanese roots to present an 8-or 10-course tasting menu that's best described as international. Think aromatic Koshihikari rice with regional trout caviar and a hint of wasabi or pork with niboshi (dried sardine dashi) and mandarin orange. Pair your meal with some of the top Rieslings that Germany has to offer.

DO & CO Restaurant

If you’re hankering after Japanese (but looking for something less pricey than a Michelin meal), DO & CO Restaurant off Marienplatz is the place to go. Located on the first floor of the DO & CO Hotel, this contemporary Asian restaurant features an open kitchen surrounded by a counter, where you can watch the chefs prepare sushi and maki rolls as well as robata grills. Or take a seat in the chic, dimly-lit interiors or the outdoor (covered) terrace to savour hamachi carpaccio, expertly-rolled nigiri, king crab gyoza, Japanese wagyu, and more.

Goldig im Boettners

If Italian is more your style, Goldig im Boettners in the city centre is a good choice. This stylish, light-filled bistro is done up in rich wood, plush jewel-toned furnishing, and striking chandeliers. Begin with a glass of prosecco, then choose from a seasonal menu of antipasti, soups, pasta, fish, and more. The daily menu is also worth a look for dishes like handmade tagliolini with black truffle or saltimbocca (prosciutto-wrapped veal flavoured with sage). End your meal with a tiramisu or lemon sorbet, and an espresso, of course — for that perfect taste of la dolce vita in Munich.

Viktualienmarkt

Munich’s oldest market, Viktualienmarkt, is just a few steps away from Marienplatz. What began as a farmers’ market in 1807 is today an epicurean paradise, choc-a-bloc with stalls selling fresh produce, local food products, and a beer garden (it’s Munich, after all!) Wander around and buy what catches your eye — sausages, cheese, bread (Bäcker Liesl has the best ones), honey (from the dedicated Honighäus'), even giant pickles — and make a picnic of it. The pickles are a specialty at the market’s oldest continually operating stall, Die Saure Ecke, which has been around since 1903. Wash it all down with excellent coffee from Kaffeerosterei Viktualienmarkt.

Cafe Frischhut

Just off the market is Cafe Frischhut, where locals and tourists alike line up for schmalznudeln. This is sort of a large, flat doughnut fried in lard and dusted with powdered sugar — a power Bavarian breakfast if you will. The café itself has an old-school vibe, with wooden panelling, limited seating, a cash-only policy, and an open stove-top where you can watch your schmalznudeln being prepared fresh. Drop by in the morning and order a cup of coffee to go with your doughnut, and perhaps one of their other treats like bombolini, plum jam bread, raisin bread, etc.