Restaurants in Munich

Tucked away in a cellar beneath one of Munich’s finest hotels, this restaurant is a hidden treasure, where the welcome is genuinely warm, the food is authentically Bavarian, and above all the set prices are amazingly cheap. No wonder there’s always a bustle and a buzz in here, as the charming waitresses serve hearty traditional dishes such as veal in sour cream with glazed turnips and pike balls in shrimp sauce.

United under one roof are three exotic experiences: Papa Joe's Colonial Bar and Restaurant, serving colonial food, Keiko, a Japanese restaurant, and Lemon Grass with Thai cuisine and an open-wok kitchen. All three are in the same price range and offer Asian delicacies, from sushi, tempura and bento to a variety of stir fries and noodle dishes. Décor is oriental with East Asian sculptures and plants decorating the space. The biggest attraction, however, must be the huge Mangostin garden on balmy summer evenings, and the sensational Sunday brunch buffet (reservations essential).

Probably the most famous brewery and restaurant in Germany, the world-renowned Hofbräuhaus guesthouse caters primarily for tourists, although it still attracts some Bavarian stalwarts. It sprawls over three floors, with the typical beer hall boasting long wooden tables and dramatically low chandeliers. Vaulted ceilings, rustic décor and live oom-pah music make this a highly atmospheric venue. During the summer, it is possible for guests to sit outside in the courtyard. The beer is superb, as are the hearty local dishes, including the tasty Munich speciality, ‘white sausage' served with sweet mustard.

Not one of the most stylish restaurants in Munich but definitely among the most famous and popular. Situated in the picturesque English Garden and open all year round, the ‘Chinese Tower Restaurant’ serves huge amounts of original Bavarian beer and traditional food. Punk or politician, student or star, everybody can be seen here.