Munich's Best Cheap Eats Recommendations

Lucullus offers a refreshing take on Greek cuisine in a friendly, unpretentious environment. “This is a fun Greek spot catered to a younger crowd,” says Malte. “Meals are under €10 (£9), and you get super big portions.” The down-to-earth tavern in Untergiesing serves tasty and wholesome classics like bifteki and souvlaki, along with cheap beer. With a relaxed atmosphere, Lucullus is the perfect place to linger over a drink and good conversation after your meal. During warm weather, take a seat on the pretty back terrace to enjoy your dish.

Sometimes called Italy’s most northern city, Munich is the obvious choice for Germany’s first Eataly location. This classic Italian-inspired market, which has the same food-hall style structure as the original market in Turin, Italy, has quickly grown in popularity. “While it’s not open very late, you can find cheap snacks, good pasta and nice espresso,” Malte says. Fill your stomach with a variety of reasonably priced Italian food, buy fresh ingredients for a picnic lunch in one of Munich’s beautiful parks, or pick up a snack to keep you going as you roam around Munich.

“My all-time favourite place for affordable, Bavarian food made with excellent quality is Xaver’s,” Malte says. “This is a new restaurant with young owners and a stunning atmosphere. The cool thing is that it feels like a spot for 25-year-olds, but they still appreciate Bavarian values.” Located in hip Gartnerplatzviertel, Xaver’s is a modern beer hall that also dishes up incredible food. Ingredients are sourced from producers in the foothills of the Alps and trustworthy local companies. With main dishes costing around €11 (£10), this chic venue is easy on the eye and the wallet.

True to its name, which translates to “Cafe Outside the Box”, Café über den Tellerrand operates on a unique concept. This Haidhausen cafe and bar is a social enterprise run jointly by refugees and Munich’s residents. Backed by a non-profit that organises cooking courses, picnics and many other activities for refugees in Munich, the cafe serves up Middle Eastern food with a Bavarian twist. “It’s one of my favourite places in terms of concept,” Malte says. “The cafe really helps refugees coming to Bavaria. It gives them jobs, helps them learn German and integrate into society.”

A classic German restaurant close to the Oktoberfest grounds, Steinheil16 is a Munich institution that has been lovingly preparing Bavarian cuisine for decades. “People have been coming for 20 years, because the quality has been good for 20 years,” Malte says. “It’s just an honest place where you can get an honest schnitzel. You get great value for your money.” The menu is filled with simple German classics like soup and salad, currywurst, potatoes and Augustiner beer. Make sure to turn up hungry, because the portions are generous.

The pizza at Lo Studente is always freshly made with high-quality ingredients, and comes with a deliciously low price tag. On weekdays between 11am and 5pm, the daily pizza and pasta dishes are just €5 (£4.50); as one of the best meals (and deals) in the university district, this restaurant is typically crowded with students on their lunch break. It may take a while to find a table, but it’s worth it for the good food and a surprisingly sophisticated wine list. Lo Studente doesn’t accept card payments, so be sure to take cash.

At Der Kleine Flo, you can enjoy the taste of three burgers for the price of one. This burger tapas shop specialises in small burgers, serving slider plates that come with three different flavours. “This is a super recommendable burger joint with great variety,” Malte says. “There’s also local lemonades and great sweet potato fries.” The Instagrammable interiors feature industrial lamps and exposed lightbulbs that hang on long cables to illuminate the wooden tables, benches and black chairs. You can find Der Kleine Flo in Munich’s Altstadt, walking distance from Sendlinger Tor U-Bahn stop.

Located right around the corner from Ludwig Maximilian University, Aloha Poke offers Hawaiian vibes in the heart of Munich. The restaurant is one of the first poke places in the city and specialises in affordable, healthy food. The poke bowls provide a visually stunning cacophony of flavours; choose from several suggested bowls or create your own using ingredients like tender fish, crispy vegetables and secret-recipe homemade sauces. “It’s very yummy,” Malte says. “You can find cheap food in this area because it is a student neighbourhood.”

Nine0five’s emphasis is on one of the most beautiful, and classic, culinary combinations: pizza and wine. This hip Italian eatery in Schwabing brings pizza back to its Neapolitan beginnings using ingredients and practices imported from Italy. Their name refers to the temperature of the oven, which is the ideal baking temperature of original Neapolitan pizza. There’s also an unusual wine list with over 500 varieties including natural wines and champagnes. “For pizza and wine, I always choose nine0five. They have incredibly good Neapolitan pizza and a huge variety of wines for every budget,” Malte says.

For a behind-the-scenes look into Munich’s food culture (and some mouthwatering meals), hop on a guided Taste Tour around the city. Created by Foodguide, these tours are a great way to discover the delicious diversity of Munich. Run by professional guides from Munich, groups are composed of up to seven people at a time. Stops are made at four different restaurants, providing an insider’s look into a variety of cuisines, neighbourhoods and characters working in the city’s dining scene. Classic tours are in German, and private tours are available in English.