MUNICH BIERGARTEN REVIEW
Day 1:
Your first visit to Munich would be incomplete without a trip to the legendary Hofbrauhaus Munchen. Thankfully it is only a few minutes’ walk from the Marienplatz, although you might want to go early in the day in order to find a table without waiting. The Hofbrauhaus is a lively beer hall with boisterous beer drinkers toasting, singing, and dancing! The hours can roll by quickly as the experience here is quite immersive, especially when the music is a live band, but there are other exciting options nearby.
Ayinger am Platzl sits right across from the Hofbrauhaus, and arguably has some of the best beer available in Bavaria. They offer a wide selection of their beers by Munich standards, and the Weissbier and Altbairisch Dunkles cannot be missed. If you happen to be there in the late afternoon hour they offer a daily wooden barrel of fresh lager that is a special treat.
A few blocks south is the Schneider Brauhaus Munchen. Their beers are almost exclusively wheat ales, with the Aventinus being one of the most recognizable German beers you can find. The menu is rather extensive here, and we never fail to visit without enjoying the potato pancakes and traditional Spargel, the white German Asparagus.
Just southwest of Schneider you will find yourself at the famous Viktualienmarkt which is a 200 year old market with over 100 merchants selling a variety of foods, flowers, and miscellaneous goods. An outdoor beer garden is located here with abundant seating under the shade of umbrellas. Beers offered here rotate so the same options may not exist from one week to the next, but it is typical that they have a Helles Lager in addition to a Weissbier.
You might notice Der Pschoor, from Hacker-Pschorr, at the southwest edge of the market. Food here is excellent with a more modern interior, and they periodically offer a fresh lager from the wooden barrel as well. The Spaetzle is among the best we have experienced, and generally everything on the menu we have ordered has been excellent.
The best option has been saved for last. The Augustiner-Keller is arguably the best biergarten in Munich and is certainly a local favorite. It is located close to the Hackerbrucke transit station or could be easily walked from the Munich Central Station. This large garden has plenty of shade, and a spectacular playground area for the children. Don’t forget to follow the proper etiquette of sitting at the tables with tablecloths for full service and use the remaining tables for self-service if you prefer to walk through the food and beer options yourself. The most popular beer is their Edelstoff, a pale export lager served fresh from large wooden barrels. Weissbier, Dunkles, and other options are often available, but a trip to the Augustiner-Keller would be incomplete without a mass Krug of Edelstoff, or two.
Day 2:
Wear comfortable shoes for a day full of walking in pleasant surroundings to see some of Munich’s largest beer gardens, several of which have playgrounds that will be to the delight of almost any child. Your day should start by taking a short trip to Munich’s English Garden where you’ll walk to the famous Chinese Tower with the adjacent beer garden, playground, and historic carousel. A modest variety of food options with beers are available here but do not eat too much as you have walking to do.
After enjoying the Chinese Tower, follow the trails north and stay to the east of the lake. On the east side of the lake you will want to relax at the Seehaus Beer garden and perhaps have another snack if you still have the appetite. The playground is smaller here, but the beer garden tables line the edge of the lake for spectacular views of nature while you enjoy your beer.
Following the trails north again you will cross the busy street and find yourself at the Hirschau Beer Garden on the north side. More food options are available, a better selection of beer, but also a larger playground with a subterranean trampoline, low height zipline, among other playground activities.
An alternative Day 2 would involve the following two beer gardens outside the center of Munich, or they could be added after your walk through the English Garden. The Gutshof Menterschwaige in the suburbs can be reached by public transportation for about twenty minutes or so, and offers one of the largest selections of food and beer of any beer garden we enjoyed in Munich. The playground is among the best as well, so there’s something for everyone here. There is a leisurely nature walk available Southward along the Isar river afterwards that offers a spectacular view of the Isar river, and eventually you’ll find yourself at the Waldwirtschaft beer garden. Another good variety of food and beer options are available here in addition to several enclosed trampolines and live music during the busy season.
An honorable mention to consider for your itinerary is The Royal Hirschgarten in Munich which is the largest in Europe (upwards of 8000 people can be accommodated). This is a very spacious area, but we found the food and beer options to be not as good as the other recommendations. The playgrounds are spread out through the adjacent park as well, which is not as desirable if you are wanting to enjoy your beer while keeping an eye on the children.