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What Food To Try in Munich and Food Prices

How much does lunch and dinner cost

Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Munich for 2024.

National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Munich cafes and restaurants
$16.4 
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $10.92
$76.4 
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $54.59
$10.9 
Combo Meal
Starting from $9.83

What to Try in Munich

Must-try Dishes
Weißwurst - White Sausage - A traditional Bavarian sausage made from minced veal and pork back bacon, flavored with lemon, parsley, and onion. Locals enjoy it for breakfast, ideally served with sweet mustard and freshly baked pretzels.

Döner Kebab - Kebab Sandwich - Layers of juicy, marinated meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, served in warm pita with fresh veggies and spicy sauce. It's a popular street food choice, particularly late at night after a night out.

Schweinshaxe - Pork Knuckle - A crispy, roasted pork knuckle with tender meat, typically paired with potato dumplings and sauerkraut. This hearty dish is a dinner favorite among locals, especially in beer gardens during the warm months.

Käsespätzle - Cheese Noodles - Soft, egg noodles mixed with gooey melted cheese and topped with crispy onions, creating a comforting dish. Often enjoyed as a lunch option, it's common to see groups sharing it over a pint in the biergarten.

Obatzda - Cheese Spread - A creamy mixture of aged camembert, butter, and spices, typically served with bread and pickles. This bar snack is a surprising yet savory pair with beer, so don’t skip it when ordering at a local tavern.

Leberkäse - Meat Loaf - A hearty loaf made from a mixture of beef, pork, and spices, served warm in thick slices, often with mustard or on a roll. Popular for lunch, you can find it at bistros where locals grab a quick bite.

Bratkartoffeln - Fried Potatoes - Crispy, pan-fried potatoes often combined with onions and sometimes speck, making them savory and filling. These are a perfect side for dinner but can also stand alone as a satisfying main for vegetarians, particularly in cozy pubs during colder months.

Apfelstrudel - Apple Strudel (seasonal) - A warm pastry filled with spiced apples, raisins, and cinnamon, often enjoyed as a winter treat. It’s best savored at coffee houses during chilly afternoons when locals gather for cozy chats.

Desserts & Drinks
Roya - Römerquelle (sparkling mineral water) - Crisp sparkling water, sourced from the Austrian Alps, often served ice-cold with a slice of lemon. Locals keep hydrated with it throughout the day, especially during long outings.

Glühwein - Glühwein (mulled wine) - A warming blend of red wine, spices like cinnamon and cloves, and a hint of orange zest, served steaming hot in winter months. Found at bustling Christmas markets, it’s the perfect way to warm up while browsing the festive stalls.

Schwarzer Kaffee - Schwarzer Kaffee (black coffee) - Strong coffee made from finely ground beans brewed with hot water, served piping hot and often enjoyed solo. It’s a staple at breakfast or after meals, and don’t be surprised if it’s slightly bitter—sugar is usually optional.

Apfelstrudel - Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) - Flaky pastry stuffed with spiced apple, raisins, and cinnamon, often served warm with a dusting of powdered sugar. Typically enjoyed as a dessert after a hearty meal, it disappears quickly in cozy cafés.

Spaghettieis - Spaghettieis (pasta ice cream) - Vanilla ice cream squeezed through a ricer to resemble spaghetti, topped with strawberry sauce and white chocolate shavings. Popular in warm seasons, this quirky treat is a must-have at ice cream parlors, especially after a sunny day in the park.

By the way, locals might tilt their heads if you order coffee with cream; they prefer it straight up!

Food and Groceries in Munich

Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
Bread $2.23
Bananas $2
Oranges $2.59
Potatoes $2.15
Apples $2.96
Beverages
Water 1.5L $0.85
0.5L Local Beer $1.14
Imported Beer $1.99
Wine Rating >4.0 $7.42
Milk 1L $1.47

Various Groceries
Meat (Beef or Pork) $19.09
Chicken $11.51
Cigarettes $8.73
Rice $2.64
Local Cheese $14.85

Overview of Cuisine and Specialties

Strolling through Munich's bustling Viktualienmarkt in the early afternoon, you'll witness locals indulging in their lunch rituals. The typical meal times here fall around 12 PM for lunch and around 6 PM for dinner, with many businesses offering a “Mittagsmenü,” a special lunch menu that’s both cost-effective and conveniently served until late afternoon.

Prices can vary fairly widely depending on where you choose to eat. For instance, a hearty portion of schnitzel paired with a salad can cost about €13 in the market area, but you might pay up to €20 or more in higher-end districts like Schwabing. If you venture into the student-friendly neighborhood of Maxvorstadt, you can find a decent kebab or a vegetarian dish between €5 and €9, which is a nice budget-friendly alternative (definitely keeps the wallet happy!).

Payment customs are pretty straightforward in Munich. Most places take cash, credit cards are accepted, especially in restaurants and larger establishments, but it’s wise to always check. Many smaller eateries might just prefer cash, and you’ll often find a small sign indicating this at the counter. The tipping norm here is generally around 5-10%, which happens casually when you hand the server cash and say, "Stimmt so!" (meaning "Keep the change!")—a laid-back gesture that feels quite friendly.

One of the quirks that might catch diners off guard is the dining atmosphere during peak hours. Lunchtime can be hectic, especially around 1 PM when office workers flood local eateries; it’s best to plan your lunch for a bit earlier or later to avoid the rush. By 2 PM, the crowds start to thin out, if you prefer a more relaxed meal.

Local dining habits favor communal experiences; many people enjoy sitting outside when the weather’s nice—think sun-drenched terraces alongside the Isar River! On the flip side, a common tourist mistake is to overlook the delicious and varied options available at street stalls. Don’t just go for the nearest traditional beer garden; explore these smaller, casual setups where you can often enjoy authentic bites for a fraction of the price.

As for reservations, they are typically recommended for dinner, especially on weekends. Locals often plan ahead to snag a spot at popular restaurants, particularly as the night scene livens up.

The focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients means dining experiences change when the weather shifts—grilled meats and salads in the summer transform into heartier fare as winter approaches. This evolution reflects not only the local palate but also the tradition of embracing seasonal offerings. Visitors to Munich should definitely keep an eye on these transitions for a taste of genuine Bavarian culinary culture.




Tourist Reviews

All photos and texts belong to their authors
@alcomafia
« A beer set of 10 varieties brewed at the Roteberg brewery for the Munich bar. There's no need to describe each variety since they all tend to be quite similar and match the quality of the beer that was made at Bavaria Brewery. Back in the day, that beer cost 0.09 USD for half a liter. Thanks to Munich for bringing back such priceless memories! 😊 The only standout here is the "Red Ale," which actually has some originality to it. »
@jjanefareva
« Munich. The most famous farmers' market in the center, where you can buy delicious food and enjoy it on the spot. For example, a cup of raspberries is 1 euro. »
@shikariana
« This ice cream for 1 euro is sold at McDonald's; I was hoping for a waffle cone, but that wasn't the case. »
@gazetaru
« The annual Bavarian beer festival Oktoberfest has opened today in Munich for the 182nd time. Millions of people attend the festival every year: last year, it was 6.3 million, consuming roughly the same amount of liters of beer. This year, the minimum price for a liter of beer will exceed €10 for the first time. The festival will run until October 4th. »
@geelida
« "Who wants mushrooms? Just a euro per gram." »
@irina_tsarevna
« The most famous restaurant in Munich is Hofbräuhaus. Breakfast costs at least 22 dollars, and prices for beer start at 4.50 euros for 0.5 liters. Traditional Bavarian white sausages float in the water and are typically served in Bavarian restaurants until noon. »
@_horowevich
« Beer bikes. Here, passengers pedal while enjoying beer, which is significantly more expensive than at a bar, but it allows you to see the city. There are rules for this kind of transport, health regulations regarding beer consumption, and fines of up to 220 dollars. »
@strega_lalucy
« Finally, dinner time! I haven't eaten anything since morning, my legs are throbbing and I can barely move. I need to eat for about $27, otherwise they won't take my credit card. Here we go... »
@kasadeya
« This photo marks the beginning of our German-Italian vacation in August, where I took a break from my smartphone and didn't post anything online. It's time to indulge in some nostalgia. :) The central market in Munich. 4 porcini mushrooms for soup here cost 22 euros. »
@kseniya_kiss
« My absolute favorite cheese in the world is Brie with white mold (it might smell, but it's so delicious and just melts in your mouth), a Munich pretzel with salt, and 100 grams of giant olives with lemon for just €1. »
@trittta
« The venue is beautiful! The beer is delicious, and the food is tasty! We shared just one glass (1 liter) for 11 dollars, and one portion (half a chicken) for 11 dollars... then we moved on... »
@trittta
« Fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate: milk, dark, fruity, and more. (Baked bananas are also available in various chocolates.) A stick of strawberry costs €4, while a banana costs €3... 🍓🍌 »
@alenakogotkova
« The selection of vegetables and fruits is great. The prices are nice! Especially for prosciutto and cheese, jams, and chocolate. »
@svetlanazorina
« A two-course lunch and a large freshly squeezed juice cost €16. Prices are comparable to Spain. »
@svetlanazorina
« The train station in Munich is spacious, clean, and beautiful, with cafes everywhere where you can grab a snack like a salad or pizza for under 5 euros. Tickets can be purchased from special vending machines. »