Cuisine of Southern Germany
The cuisine of southern Germany capitalizes on abundant natural resources and temperate climates to produce incomparable gastronomic delights. The distinctive cuisine of the south, especially the Black Forest, is renowned throughout the world. Regional specialties from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg include Leberkase; a kind of meat loaf made of minced beef and pork and spiced with nutmeg or marjoram; Obazda, a thick Camembert cheese spread seasoned with onion, paprika, and caraway; and Spatzle, a small pasta (like mini-dumplings) served smothered in gravy.
Fish
The south’s abundance of lakes and rivers produce a multitude of fresh fish. Trout is a specialty of the Black Forest region. Here, it is often served au bleu or pan-fried. Whitefish from Lake Constance is served fried, baked and steamed.
Beer
Munich is famous for its beer gardens, which provide ample opportunity to sample the master brewing in Bavaria. Raddi, thinly sliced, salted radishes and smoked renke (a type of river fish) are common offerings at beer gardens.
Sausage
As in other regions of Germany, the south loves its sausage. Coburg sausages are the most popular. Cooked over smoldering pinecones, they are a delight to the senses. Another popular sausage in the south is Weisswurste (White Sausage), consisting of pork, spiced veal and parsley and generally served with Weisswurstsenf (a sweet mustard).
Wine
The temperate climate in the Rhine Valley and the Black Forest produces high quality grapes and some of the best wines in the world. Baden is Germany’s most diverse wine region, turning out Reisling, Muller-Thurgau, Rulander (Pinot Gris), Gewurztraminer and a Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir).
Munich is a wealthy and cultured city and therefore good restaurants are plentiful and diverse. The fact that both Munich and Milan were at one time part of one Dukedom, makes the delicious Italian food served here understandable.
Here are our Favorite Restaurants in Munich
Acquerello
Moderate to Expensive
Pasta is the center of attention at Acquarello, but you can be assured that anything you order will be magnificent. Chef Mario Gamba opened Acquarello in 1994 and in 2000, his restaurant was awarded one Michelin Star. The magazine BUNTE named Acquerello “the best Italian Restaurant in Germany” and Gault Millau lists Acquarello among the world’s 100 best restaurants.
Mühlbaurstraße 36,
Munich 81677
Tel: 49-(0)-89-4704-848
Andechser am Dom
Moderate
This busy, traditional restaurant sits in the back courtyard of the enormous Frauenkirche. It does entertain tourists, but you will also find a host of locals. Diners are likely to be seated with strangers at the open tables. Warm dishes arrive in large portions, with big dumplings alongside. The beer is brewed on site: Ask for a Weissbier (wheat beer) or a Dunkles Weissbier “dark light beer” – creamy, lemony, and fresh.
7a Weinstrasse
Altstadt
Munich 8033
Tel: 49 89 298 481
Beim Zedelmayer
inexpensive
Located near the Viktualienmarkt, the city’s upscale open food market, Zedelmayer attracts a cross-section of locals for its renowned Bavarian cuisine. The bustling place is simple, but its weisswurst (mild veal sausage) is among the best in Munich. The menu features the usual schnitzel and rich egg-noodle spà¤tzle, as well as Briesmilzwurst, the house specialty, tender fried black-and-white patties made of calf’s brain and spleen.
14 Westenriederstrasse
Altstadt
Munich 80331
Tel: 49 89 260 844 4
Benjarong
Moderate-Expensive
This popular and authentic Thai restaurant is a treat. The menu features an array of spicy Thai dishes and fixed menus are available for those who are not as well versed in the cuisine. The Benjarong china used here is a traditional Asian ceramics meaning ‘five colors’, after which the restaurant is named. Located near the Hotel Vierjahreszeiten, Benjarong has a beautiful traditional interior and excellent service. Good fresh food, and the red curry quite tasty.
Falckenbergstr. 7
80539 München, Germany
Tel: +49 89 2913055
Nearest Train: Marienplatz: S1-S8, U3, U6, Bus 52
Brenner Grill Pasta Bar
Moderate
One of the Munich hot-spots, the Brenner Grill is serious about grilling. Right in the middle of the restaurant you will see several open fires, one group for broiling, the other gas flames for preparing pasta. You can watch every detail of your dish being prepared Food is simple but delicious. Grilled steaks, chicken breasts, salads, pastas, seafood, and several daily specials.Highly recommended
Maximilianstrasse 15
Neighborhood: Altstadt
Tel: +49 89 4522880
Nearest Train: Marienplatz: S1-S8, U3, U6, Bus 52
Buxs
Inexpensive
This vegetarian restaurant serves a good variety of main dishes and a large choice of side dishes by weight; The quality is excellent and the food is extremely nutritious at this self-service restaurant. The selection of drinks ranges from freshly squeezed juice to organic teas and coffees. In the summer, the terrace offers views of the neighboring Viktualienmarkt and is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the bustling Munich.
Frauenstraße 9Innenstadt
Neighborhood: Altstadt
Tel: +49 89 2919550
Nearest Train: Marienplatz: S1-S8, U3, U6, Bus 52
Dukatz Literaturhaus
Moderate
This Restaurant/ Cafe and House of literature stands as a memorial to the writer Oskar Maria Graf, whose sentences flash past in digital lettering and are stamped into the leather banquettes in an installation by New York artist Jenny Holzer.The fresh and imaginative food earned a Gault Millau 13 points .
Restaurant closed Sundays; coffeehouse open daily.
1 Salvatorplatz
Altstadt
Munich 80333
Tel: 49 89 291 960 0
Café Glockenspiel
Moderate
Glockenspiel is frequented by the young and trendy and the food is quite good. But the food is not the main attraction here; the rooftop terrace has a view over Marienplatz from the fifth floor, providing the best spot to enjoy the Town Hall tower’s carillon performance.
Marienplatz 28
Innenstadt
Neighborhood: Altstadt
Tel: +49 89 264256
Nearest Train: Marienplatz: S1-S8, U3, U6, Bus 52
Konigshof
Expensive
Located on the second floor of the hotel that gives it its name, with a spectacular view of busy Karlsplatz, the Konigshof hosts a loyal clientele of the well-heeled and those who enjoy an exquisite meal. Chef Martin Fauster’s food is wonderful; the first-rate international cuisine truly lives up to expectations. and the service is impeccable and warmly attentive. The wine list is is extensive and includes German, French and Italian classics.
Closed for lunch and dinner on Sundays and Mondays, except to guests of the hotel.
Hotel Konigshof
25 Karlsplatz
Altstadt
Munich 80335
Tel: 49 89 551 360
Nearest Train: Karlsplatz (Stachus): S1-S8, U4, U5, Tram 16-21, 27
Orlando
Located in the heart of shopping and sightseeing areas, this Italian eatery is considered by many to be the best in the city. Beautiful interiors and excellent service make any meal here a real treat. The menu offers great pastas, meat dishes, vegetarian dishes, and a hearty buffet. There is also a good wine list to compliment any entrée.
Platzl 4
München 80331
Neighborhood: Alstadt
Tel: +49-(0)-89-2423-8030
Pfalzer Weinprobierstube
Moderate
Located in the former Royal Guardhouse, This traditional Munich tavern is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of Palatinate wine, served with traditional snacks. Palatinate specialities such as stuffed stomach of pork are served along with Bavarian cuisine. The wine-tasting bar was opened in 1950 by the Landesverband der Pfalzer in Bayern (a regional Bavarian-Palatinate association) to provide a culinary reminder of the ties between the Palatinate and Bavaria.
Residenzstraße 1
Residenz
Neighborhood: Altstadt
Tel: +49 89 225628
Nearest Train: Odeonsplatz: U3-U6, Bus 53
Ratskeller
Inexpensive- Moderate
The Ratskeller is definitely a tourist stop, but in this case, it is OK. The Neues Rathaus houses a traditional Bavarian Bier Keller-restaurant with traditional beamed, and frescoed ceilings, lanterns, and Bavarian dressed Frà¤uleins. This little gem is truly the place to get your fill of sausages, schnitzel, sauerbraten and every other German dish you can think of. And last, but not least….it has two smoke free areas and is child friendly.
8 Marienplatz
Altstadt
Munich
80331
Tel: 49 89 219 989 0
Located on a residential street at the edge of the Englischer Garten, this café’s name means “Riding School.” The view from the back of the restaurant is of a closed indoor track, and the back right corner looks out onto the Garden’s equestrian facilities. The menu is standard international café fare, ranging from bruschetta and carrot-ginger soup to pizzas and salade niçoise. The casual,but classic charm of this place is country-club perfection with a country club clientele.
34 Koninginstrasse
Schwabing
Munich 80802
Tel: 49 89 388 876 0
Tantris
Expensive
One of the best restaurants in Germany, Tantris offers exceptional value for a two-Michelin-star restaurant. Midweek you can get a 5-course evening menu including white and red wine for 150 € per person. The decor is eastern inspired with a red and black color scheme and original sculptures by renowned Swiss artist Bruno Weber . The Austrian-born chef Hans Haas produces unique dishes with outstanding wines selected by Paula Bosch.
Closed Sundays and Mondays.
7 Johann-Fichte-Strasse
Schwabing
Munich 80805
Tel: 49 89 361 959 0
Weisses Brauhaus
Inexpensive
This restaurant is home of the traditional Weisswurst and Weissbier, as well as other traditional Bavarian food and drink. Seating is generally family style and friendly wait staff will take good care of you. This is the perfect place for German dining and beer tasting…they have a great variety to offer of both.
Tal 7
Munich 80331
Neighborhood: Alstadt
Tel: +49-(0)-89-2901-380
Written by Terri Fogarty for EuropeUpClose.com