Wirtshaus in der Au on Munich's Lilienstrasse, between Deutsches Museum and Gasteig, is the city's best room for Knödel and dumpling sampler plates.
Must order: The Knödel sampler: spinach, semmel and sweet plum dumpling for dessert.
Tip: Open evenings only weekdays; Saturday and Sunday lunch is the easier reservation.
Address: Lilienstrasse 51, 81669 München, Munich
Andechser am Dom pours the Andechs Monastery's beers a minute from Munich's Frauenkirche; the casual Bavarian room locals send out-of-towners to for Schweinshaxe.
Order: Schweinshaxe with potato dumplings and a half-litre of Andechser Doppelbock.
Tip: Daily 10:00 to 01:00; the Weinstrasse-side terrace catches sun till evening in summer.
Augustiner-Stammhaus on Munich's Neuhauser Strasse pedestrian zone has been pouring Augustiner since 1829; the city's oldest Augustiner room.
Order: Schweinsbraten with two dumplings; pair with Augustiner Helles tapped from the wooden cask.
Tip: Ask for the Muschelsaal (Seashell hall) when reserving; it is the most atmospheric room.
Augustiner Klosterwirt sits under the towers of Munich's Frauenkirche; the gasthaus pours Augustiner Helles vom Holzfass to 400 indoor seats.
Order: Schweinshaxe with potato dumplings and an Augustiner Helles vom Holzfass.
Tip: Daily 09:30 to midnight; the open-air terrace has Frauenkirche views in summer.
Hofbräukeller on Wiener Platz in Munich Haidhausen is the calmer Hofbräu room; the city's locals come here rather than the Hofbräuhaus tourist hall.
Order: A Mass of Hofbräu Helles with Schweinsbraten and dark gravy.
Tip: The beer garden on Wiener Platz is family-friendly; the self-service section lets you bring a picnic.
Wirtshaus Ayinger am Platzl is the Ayinger brewery's Munich flagship across from Hofbräuhaus; eight draught beers run on tap, the kitchen cooks regional Bavarian.
Order: A Mass of Bräu-Helles with Schweinsbraten and a soft pretzel; weekday lunch sets are the bargain.
Tip: Quieter than the Hofbräuhaus neighbour; book upstairs for parties of six or more.
Osteria Italiana on Munich's Schellingstrasse has been the city's grand Italian since 1890; the dining room runs ceiling frescoes, classic pasta and Tuscan meats.
Order: The handmade pasta of the day and the Florentine bistecca for two.
Tip: Reservations by telephone only; Sundays closed.
