The 10 best restaurants in Munich

For elegantly presented Austrian cuisine and some of the best wine pairings in the city, start at Gasthaus Waltz. Dishes like chanterelle tartar and fried chicken salad are served with expertly selected wines from across Europe, with the focus always on natural and responsible production. The restaurant works with businesses close to home, such as Munich’s top baker Julius Brantner, as well as those across the border when developing their menu. Look out for dishes featuring pumpkin seed oil from Styria, including the vanilla ice cream on the dessert list. You can also buy bottles of it to take home with you! While dinner is a multi-course affair, the restaurant also recently started offering lunch at the weekend.  

Having quickly established itself as foodie favourite in the happening district of Glockenbach, Bingo Bistro proves that quality is more important than quantity with just a few creative dishes to choose from. Some are snack like (toasted sandwiches) and others are full meals (filet steak with potatoes), but not to miss is their signature starter, a full head of lettuce served with croutons and dressing. Walk-ins are welcome but we recommend reserving to a secure a spot. Expect partially unplastered walls, vintage furniture and vibrant fresh flowers. 

In 2014, chef Ali Güngörmüs moved south from his Hamburg tenure at the renowned Le Canard Nouveau to open his own restaurant, Pageou, in Munich. Here, behind an impressive façade, the interior is light, bright and elegant, with white walls, generous leather chairs and rich red details. Pageou was the name of Güngörmüs’s childhood village, and it’s the East Anatolian touch that makes his set and à la carte menus such winners, combining aromatic flavours with rustic charm – think Turkish morels with sherry à la crème, peas and seasonal asparagus from nearby Schrobenhausen. For lighter bites and a more affordable bill, head to his more low-key endeavour, Pera Meze, for a selection of small bites and flatbreads – also available to takeaway. 

Considering it’s just across the road from Munich’s Opera House, it’s unsurprising to learn that Spatenhaus an der Oper has a rather stately feel, at least in the formal dining room upstairs with its crisp white table cloths and perfectly polished wine glasses. On the ground floor, you’ll find a more relaxed Bavarian pub and a simpler menu serving all the must-try dishes, such as crispy pork with dark beer sauce and potato dumplings. This restaurant’s location means it has a healthy tourist clientele, but some locals consider it home to the city’s best schnitzel. 

Tucked away on an unassuming residential street in the quiet district of Neuhausen, this culinary institution with a Michelin Green Star is a must for those wanting to dig deeper into Munich’s food scene. For over 30 years, Broeding has attracted loyal customers and new fans with dishes showcasing produce from the Alpine foothills and beyond. Recent highlights include smoked char with beetroot and cucumber or strozzapreti with goat’s cheese and fermented green almonds. We suggest settling in for all five courses and the accompanying wines, but you can also opt for just three (with certain time restrictions on Friday and Saturday evening).  

This plant-based restaurant is a bit away from the buzz of the centre, but worth the journey for some excellent vegan grub. Serving Asian-fusion cuisine, including curries, ramen and fish-free sushi, Ahimsa is a refreshing reprieve from the meat-laden jostle of Bavarian pubs. Try the fried avocado rolls and the fluffy bao buns with crunchy pickled vegetables, marinated oyster mushrooms and vegan “Pork Belly”. The restaurant has a dark and cosy interior and is found in the southern district of Giesing. 

From hay bales to high-class cuisine, this space was once the stables of the royal residence but is now a large restaurant frequented by pre-theatre goers and Munich’s high society. Boasting a refined setting just off Maximilianstraße, Brenner is bustling brasserie-style place, where the pillars, terrazzo flooring and wrought iron elements do little to soften the noise. It has an indoor capacity of 450 and a scenic terrace looking toward the National Theater. The triad offering of bar, pasta and grill promises a Mediterranean flair, with homemade linguine and an array of meat and fish served hot from the open fire. 

In the heart of the old town, you’ll find Bratwurst Glöckl, a cosy nook with dark wood panelling, stained glass windows and kitsch tablecloths. This historic location is the place to come for different German dishes but it is known for its namesake: grilled sausages from the Franconian city of Nuremberg. These small herby sausages come served on a traditional silver plate and are best enjoyed with a side of sauerkraut, horseradish or potato salad. If you have space for dessert, opt for the Kaiserschmarrn, a filling, fluffy mountain of warm shredded pancake, topped with icing sugar and accompanied by apple compote. While no hidden gem – the menu is also available in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Russian – there’s still a real authentic charm here.  

This vibrant restaurant adds a turbo-watt of colour and energy to the Deutsches Museum of science and technology. Kitted out by designer and musician Trevor Jackson, Blitz features brightly coloured chairs, a mural of grinning Day of the Dead skeletons and, in Munich terms, a whole new level of Mexican cuisine. The vegetarian menu has all the fajita and quesadilla classics, with such surprising flourishes as hibiscus blossom and banana ketchup. It’s more expensive than your typical Mexican joint, but more substantial too. If you’re looking for some post-meal nightlife, the affiliated Blitz techno club is one of the most unusual spots in Munich’s party scene, boasting a custom-built VOID sound system and phenomenal acoustics. 

The relaxed and trendy Theresa Grill, tucked away in the throbbing museum district of Munich, draws in tourists and locals alike with its succulent cutlets, rib-eye and chops. Whether you want to roll your sleeves up for the red meat or dress up for tuna tartare with shiso and sesame, Theresa is the venue. The space is modern and light-filled, and the menu changes daily. Happily, the bar stays open until 1 in the morning.