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 dishes: Knödel (dumplings), Spinatknödel
Must 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.
Address: Lilienstrasse 51, 81669 München, Munich
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.
Brenner Grill on Munich's Maximilianstrasse cooks over an open fire under high vaulted ceilings near the Bavarian State Opera; three rooms run bar, pasta, grill.
Signature: Open-fire grill, Pasta course
Order: Something off the open fire (ribeye or whole fish) plus the house bread.
Tip: Sit at the open kitchen counter for the show; the bar pours pre-opera Negronis.
Tantris has anchored Munich fine dining in Schwabing since 1971; Benjamin Chmura now cooks the two-star tasting menu in the original orange-and-brown 1970s room.
Signature: Tasting menu, Seasonal game course
Order: The full evening tasting; no a la carte here. Booking required, the room only opens for dinner.
Tip: Bar Tantris on the ground floor takes walk-ins and pours the same wine list at a fraction of the room's prices.
Brothers in Munich's Schwabing took a Michelin star in 2023, three months after opening; Daniel Bodamer cooks a modern carte on classical foundations.
Signature: Tasting menu, Seasonal vegetable course
Order: The full tasting; the wine pairing leans on the room's 60-page bottle list.
Tip: The small dining room seats around 30; book three to four weeks ahead at the website.
