The 17 Best Beer Halls and Beer Gardens in Munich

A large beer hall and restaurant, Augustiner-Bräustuben is one of those off-the-beaten-track places that’s well worth the detour. Full of Bavarian charm, this beer hall has a warming interior, with high, amber ceilings and a stylish bar, adorned with copper and dark wood. Best of all is its jovial atmosphere, and the air is often bustling with loud German conversations, the hoppy smell of locally-brewed Augustiner and, if you’re lucky, an eruption of traditional singing.

Steeped in roughly five centuries of history, Hofbräuhaus is unquestionably one of the most well-known beer halls in Munich. It all started when Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, decided to build his own brewery in 1589. Today, the place is an impressive combination of breathtaking interiors, vaulted ceilings and a rustic, timber charm. Offering classic Bavarian food, huge Maß of beer, and a rowdy, authentic energy, it’s a must-try when in Munich.

Located in Kapuzinerplatz, Paulaner Brauhaus, is the brewery and beer garden restaurant that combines a traditional German brew house atmosphere with a dash of classy Bavarian modernism. Housed in a reconstructed building dating back to 1892, the interior is complete with vaulted ceilings, arched windows and colossal pillars. The beer garden offers plenty of picnic-style tables and chairs, perfect for enjoying a beer or two in the sun. This locally brewed beer has been made in Munich since 1989, a relative newcomer, but it still remains one of the most widely consumed in the city.

Home to another locally brewed beer, Löwenbräu, the Löwenbräukeller is a beloved beer hall, restaurant and beer garden. Known for its regular Bavarian music performances and traditional dances and events, it’s a popular watering hole and restaurant. The large building also includes roof terraces, ideal for overlooking the nearby lively beer garden, which is popular during the warmer months.

Located in the park that bears the same name, Hirschgarten beer garden and restaurant is where the locals and in-the-know visitors flock to during warmer months. With an impressive 8,000 seats, it’s the largest beer garden in Bavaria and surrounded by greenery and lush lawns. Offering a menu of international and Bavarian treats, as well as huge, cold beers and a lively atmosphere, it’s a great spot to enjoy traditional treats.

Augustiner Keller is a central, popular beer hall, complete with a large, traditional interior and a lively garden. The restaurant-pub boasts an impressive wooden ceiling, finely polished tables, hand-crafted timber chairs and a large stage area adorned with rows of curious hunting trophies. The menu features fantastic baked pretzels, perfectly roasted ribs, and high-quality, local Augustiner brews.

If you’re craving craft beer when in Munich, Tap-House is the place to head. Boasting over 200 varieties of craft brews, including local names like Camba Bavaria, their philosophy is great, unique beer. Housed in a basement-style bar, it’s a modern take on the traditional beer halls and breweries of Munich and offers something a little different.

Located in the lush, sprawling English Gardens, Chinesischer Turm is the beer garden and restaurant at the Chinese Tower. Visitors can tuck into freshly made, tasty Chinese food and refreshing beers in the sunshine, while enjoying the animated atmosphere at one of Europe’s most monumental parks. Head to this popular beer garden to soak up the picturesque surroundings and enjoy the unique view.

Located in the culinary centre of Munich, Biergarten Viktualienmarkt, is one of the most central beer gardens in the city. Nestled between market stalls from the surrounding produce market, guests are invited to enjoy a range of Munich beers and Bavarian treats.

Braunauer Hof is a classic Bavarian-style restaurant, with a pleasant beer garden, serving up perfectly poured beers and traditional Bavarian feasts. The charming garden is complete with a mini hedge maze and 250 seats sheltered by chestnut and cherry blossom trees, while the restaurant offers a cosy, authentic vibe. A beloved local haunt, it’s well worth a visit when in Munich.

This lakeside location is buried in the heart of the English Garden, Munich’s most popular (and, arguably, most majestic) park. Watch pedal boats drift by while sipping a cold beer from Paulaner brewery on the sunny terrace. The idyllic spot, which has 2,500 seats, is always well attended by a lively mix of Schwabing locals, students and young families, even in winter. The large menu includes authentic Bavarian fare such as schnitzel, along with vegetarian options such as fruit plates and salads. If you’re not a beer drinker, Bar am Seehaus also serves cocktails and wine. “We’re the only beer garden on the banks of the Kleinhesseloher See,” Da Silva says. “The location is very romantic.”

Voted Munich’s most beautiful beer garden for several years, Paulaner am Nockherberg is a little oasis in the centre of the city. This traditional beer garden lies on the east side of the Isar River near the Deutsches Museum; monks began brewing at this location in 1634 when it was a monastery, and brewing continues to take place today at the in-house Paulaner Brewery. Take a seat in the well-shaded grounds under a canopy of high chestnut trees and enjoy a freshly tapped beer in peace. The adjoining beer hall is famous for its Starkbierfest, which runs every spring.

Once a functioning water mill, Insel Mühle is a peaceful beer garden in the west of Munich offering an authentic taste of Bavarian culture. “This is a really nice, smaller beer garden to visit,” Da Silva says, “and the river Würm passes through it”. Here, relax under the shade of the chestnut trees, watching the ducks swim by in the small river, a cold Augustine beer in hand. In keeping with tradition and the Bavarian Beer Garden Ordinance you can bring your own food to the garden or let yourself be tempted by hearty snacks and appetising specialities from the grill.

What started as two friends brewing together in a garage in the Untergiesing neighbourhood has since grown into a beer hall that produces Munich’s most acclaimed craft brews. Giesinger Bräustüberl is a modern beer hall and tasting room filled with heavy wooden tables and views of Untergiesing and Sendling on one side, and the brewing kettle on the other. Try the popular wheat beer or the Giesinger Enlightenment, a flavourful light beer. While the tasting menu fluctuates according to the season, there’s always a variety of unfiltered, unpasteurised Märzen and Pils and some small, experimental batches that are well worth trying.

A welcome respite for joggers and visitors to Westpark, Rosengarten was originally built in 1983 for the International Horticultural Exhibition. Today, a hearty selection of beer garden specialties, such as obatzda (a Bavarian snack made of cheese) and sausage salad are served alongside the Paulaner beers. “There’s a good atmosphere here and the lake is very nice,” Rieger says. The traditional beer benches and tables provide space for up to 1,500 guests and there’s often live music playing. With a number of attractions nearby, including the open-air cinema and Japanese pagoda, the beer garden makes for the perfect place to refuel when visiting Westpark.

Haderner is a small, family-run brewery based in the Munich suburb of Hadern. Opened in 2016, it is the city’s first organic brewery and has a much more independent feel than the city’s traditional beer stops. Stop by and try the refreshing beer, made with ingredients sourced from Bavaria, including traditional Perle hops from the Hersbruck region. Its menu includes staples such as Weißbier and Helles, along with alcohol-free brews and an ever-changing selection of seasonal beers. While the brewery is located a bit outside the city, it is well worth a trip, especially on a Friday when they run tasting sessions. Its calendar also includes regular beer courses and tours, making for a great activity if you want to learn more about Bavaria’s favourite beverage.

Hofbräukeller is a Munich institution dating back to the 19th century. Set on the banks of the Isar River in the Haidhausen District, the beer garden is a green oasis on busy Wiener Platz. Haidhausen was the centre of Munich’s brewing industry before refrigerators were invented and brewers needed a cool place to store its beer; the area was the perfect place for this due to the high water table and natural caves. Today, Hofbräukeller still serves the world-famous Hofbräu beer and Bavarian snacks from self-service counters. “This is a great local spot,” Da Silva says. “Many families go here.”