Augustiner-Stammhaus on Munich's Neuhauser Strasse, in business since 1829, is the city's oldest Augustiner room; ask for the 1897 Muschelsaal hall.
Signature dishes: Schweinsbraten, Augustiner Helles vom Holzfass
Must order: The Schweinsbraten with two dumplings; pair with Augustiner Helles tapped from the wooden cask.
Tip: The Muschelsaal (Seashell hall) is the most atmospheric room; ask when reserving.
Address: Neuhauser Strasse 27, 80331 München, Munich
Augustiner Klosterwirt sits under the towers of Munich's Frauenkirche in the Altstadt; the gasthaus pours Augustiner Helles vom Holzfass to 400 indoor seats.
Signature: Schweinshaxe, Obatzda with Brezn
Order: The Schweinshaxe with dumplings; pair with Augustiner Helles tapped from the wooden cask.
Tip: Daily 09:30 to midnight; the open-air terrace is the spot in summer with Frauenkirche views.
Hofbräuhaus on Platzl has poured Hofbräu beer in Munich's Altstadt since 1589; the ground-floor Schwemme hall seats 1,000, the upstairs Festsaal handles groups.
Signature: Schweinshaxe, Mass Hofbräu Original
Order: Mass of Hofbräu Original (one litre) with Schweinshaxe and a pretzel.
Tip: The ground-floor Schwemme is walk-in only; reserve the Bräustüberl upstairs for parties of four or more.
Wirtshaus in der Au on Munich's Lilienstrasse, between Deutsches Museum and Gasteig, cooks Bavarian; the room is best known for its Knödel and dumpling sampler.
Signature: Knödel (dumplings), Spinatknödel
Order: The Knödel sampler: spinach, semmel and a sweet plum for dessert.
Tip: Walk to it after the Deutsches Museum; book Friday and Saturday two weeks ahead.
Paulaner am Nockherberg above the Isar in Munich's Au is the birthplace of Paulaner beer; this is where the Salvator Doppelbock tapping kicks off Lent annually.
Signature: Salvator Doppelbock, Schweinshaxe
Order: The Salvator Doppelbock with Schweinshaxe and a soft pretzel.
Tip: Starkbierfest runs the last week of February through mid-March; the rest of the year is calmer.
Hofbräukeller on Wiener Platz in Munich Haidhausen is the calmer Hofbräu room: the city's locals come here instead of the Hofbräuhaus tourist hall for the same beer.
Signature: Hofbräu Helles, Bavarian roast pork
Order: A Mass of Hofbräu Helles with the Schweinsbraten and dark gravy.
Tip: The beer garden on Wiener Platz is one of the city's most family-friendly; bring a picnic for the self-service section.
Wirtshaus Ayinger am Platzl is the Ayinger Privatbrauerei flagship across from Hofbräuhaus in Munich's Altstadt; eight draught beers run on tap year-round.
Signature: Schweinsbraten, Ayinger Bräu-Helles
Order: A half-litre of Bräu-Helles with the Schweinsbraten and a soft pretzel; weekday lunch sets are the bargain.
Tip: Quieter than its Hofbräuhaus neighbour; the upstairs is the spot for parties of six or more.
