Food in Munich: 9 Quintessentially German Dishes and Where To Eat Them

One of the must-try dishes in Munich is this regional sausage. Weisswurst (literally, white sausage) might look bland on the outside, but it’s packed with minced veal, bacon, and herbs that make for a more complex flavor profile than some of the more meat-forward sausages in Germany. Weisswurst are boiled rather than grilled, so they offer a bouncy texture and juicy filling. Locals eat this sausage with buns or pretzels and sweet mustard, typically for breakfast.

Where to try weisswurst in Munich: Head to the Hofbräuhaus, Munich’s oldest brewery, for some of the best weisswurst in town and the classic German beer garden atmosphere to match. Or, get this dish when you stop by the gourmet Victuals Market (Viktualienmarkt) in the morning.

If you haven’t already tried a brezel (pretzel) with your weisswurst, you’ll want to seek one out during your stay in Munich. These twisted breads have been made in Germany since the Middle Ages, but no one really knows their exact origin.

Although you can find pretzels in bakeries and supermarkets all over Germany, you’re more likely to find them homemade and fresh out of the oven in Bavaria (they’re a great snack for during or after a Munich walking tour). Expect Bavarian pretzels to be chewier than the American version.

Where to try pretzels in Munich: Wherever you are in Munich, you’re never far from a pretzel. Find them in bakeries, markets, and street stands all over the city, or get them at a traditional pub such as the Biergarten Viktualienmarkt.

Think of spaetzle as the German take on pasta. These thick, dumpling-textured noodles are named after the word for “little sparrow,” and are most closely identified with the Swabian part of southern Germany just west of Munich.

You'll find spaetzle at restaurants and markets, where they’re often made with grated cheese and fried onion, served in a thick Swabian stew, or even topped with sauerkraut and butter. Eating spaetzle at Oktoberfest is also a classic German culinary experience in Munich.

Where to try spaetzle in Munich: This is a popular Oktoberfest or Christmas market dish, but it’s also offered year-round at restaurants such as the Ratskeller on the Marienplatz. You’ll also likely try spaetzle on a tour exploring German gastronomy in Munich.

When on the hunt for traditional food in Munich, you’ll want to try schnitzel, a popular German dish that you can find just about anywhere. It consists of veal (there are also pork or chicken varieties) that is flattened, breaded, and served alongside some form of potato and one of a few classic sauces.

What sets this particular schnitzel apart is that it’s brushed with sweet mustard and horseradish before breading, giving the meat a more electric flavor combination along with that crunchy bite of bread crumbs.

Where to try schnitzel in Munich: You’ll find schnitzel at just about any traditional German restaurant in Munich. Wondering where to eat in Munich for authentic German cuisine? Head to Görreshof, a one-stop shop for local dishes, including schnitzel, or Wirtshaus In Der Au near the Deutsches Museum that’s also known for its dumplings. There are even vegan and vegetarian schnitzels at HeimWerk.

Most of the best German dishes to try in Munich are best enjoyed with beer, and obatzda (which comes from the Bavarian word for “mashed”) is a perfect example. This spread is made of a rich combination of soft cheese, butter, and beer, seasoned with paprika, caraway, and other spices, then served as an accompaniment to bread or pretzels. Share obatzda with friends at a beer garden for a classic Munich dining experience.

Where to try obatzda in Munich: Try this Bavarian dish on a beer tour that includes snacks—one of the best ways to get German dining recommendations in Munich. Or, head to traditional taverns such as Servus Heidi or the Spatenhaus on Max-Joseph-Platz for one of the best German culinary experiences in Munich.

This German fast food dish is beloved around the country—every German you meet has a favorite currywurst stand. The on-the-go meal consists of sliced-up, hot dog–like sausage that’s smothered in a spicy tomato sauce (like an elevated ketchup) and topped with curry powder. Currywurst supposedly emerged during US and British occupation of Germany after World War II and has since taken on a life of its own.

Where to try currywurst in Munich: Head to Gaststätte Bergwolf for one of the best currywursts in town. Another top currywurst shop is Alles Wurscht, a play on words that means “it doesn’t matter,” but is just two letters away from meaning “everything sausage.”

Doner kebab, which was introduced by Turkish immigrants in Berlin in the 1970s, is the most popular fast food in Germany and a favorite late-night snack. Like gyro or shawarma (but with slightly different spices, toppings, and sauces), doner consists of shaved meat in a sandwich, box, or plate with vegetables and sauces that vary regionally.

The Munich version usually uses thin, round bread served with cabbage, onions, and cucumbers with a garlic or spicy red sauce. Most kebab shops also serve falafel for those who don’t eat meat.

Where to try doner kebab in Munich: Kebab shops dot the streets of Munich, but one of the best is Erbil’s, where you can chow down on classic doner kebab alongside a number of Turkish vegan and vegetarian dishes.

Germans eat potatoes with nearly every meal, and one favorite form is kartoffelsalat (potato salad). This dish is prepared differently in each region of Germany, and the recipe may even vary from one household to another. Bavarians usually dress sliced potatoes in vinegar and oil before tossing in onions, pickles, and chives. Sometimes, they add speck (a cured ham) and mustard to potato salad before serving it with schnitzel.

Where to try potato salad in Munich: Find potato salad in most supermarkets around Munich, especially Edeka. You’ll also find it at all the best restaurants for German food in Munich, including Zum Dübräu, a Bavarian restaurant that’s been serving traditional food for centuries.

Germany has a tradition much like afternoon tea in England, called Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake). This social ritual has been around since the 17th century, prompting friends and family members to gather for conversation over coffee and cake between the hours of 2pm and 5pm.

The exact cake served during this time depends on factors including the region and the season. However, in Bavaria, you’ll likely come across prinzregententorte, a sponge cake and chocolate buttercream confection made up of seven layers to represent the state’s seven districts.

Where to try Kaffee und Kuchen in Munich: Cafés and bakeries all over Munich host diners for Kaffee und Kuchen, including Cafe Luitpold by the Odeonsplatz or Cafe Glockenspiel on the Marienplatz.