From the highest rooftop bar to the biggest beer garden – we reveal the record-holders in Munich’s food and drink scene. So you can enjoy a cappuccino in Munich’s smallest café, or sip on cocktails with a view of the Alps.
Munich’s highest bar is located some 42 metres above sea level – and if you go upstairs to the roof terrace you’ll almost break the 50-metre mark. M’Uniqo Rooftop Bar can be found on the twelfth floor of the Andaz Hotel beside Schwabinger Tor. There is a delightful sense of spaciousness here, thanks on the one hand to the room’s high, mirrored ceilings, and on the other to a wonderful 360-degree view across the city to the Alps. As well as fine cocktails and drinks, the bar serves Mediterranean-style meals and snacks, both inside and outside. But the Andaz Hotel doesn’t stop there with the superlatives: it is also home to the largest spa in the city – which offers a wonderful view over Munich, of course.
M'Uniqo Rooftop Bar, Leopoldstraße 170
If you find yourself wanting a break from the bustle of the city centre, JuLu Kaffeebar is the place to go. You’ll discover Munich’s smallest café hidden away in the arcades of the urban planning office building, which was the city’s first high-rise building when it was constructed in 1928. Customers at JuLu can order their cappuccino, croissants and Franzbrötchen (sweet cinnamon pastries) in a setting that resembles a cosy little kiosk. There’s also plenty on offer if you want something more substantial to eat, from salmon bagels and focaccia to Leberkäse sausage sandwiches. In winter you can get cosy with some hot, mulled Glühwein, while in summertime you can take a comfortable seat outside.
JuLu Kaffeebar, Unterer Anger 4, corner of Blumenstraße
There are several upscale restaurants in Munich and its surrounding areas that have been honoured by the Michelin Guide, but only one of them has been awarded a full three stars: Seehotel Überfahrt on Lake Tegernsee. Head chef Christian Jürgens wowed the Michelin Guide reviewers yet again this year – the establishment has consistently been ranked among Germany’s top restaurants since 2013. Jürgens and his 20-member team use a lot of top-quality seasonal products from the Alpine region in their dishes, such as char caught in Lake Tegernsee. Currently Bavaria’s only triple-starred chef, Jürgens previously worked at the well-known Tantris in Munich.
Seehotel Überfahrt, Überfahrtstraße 10, 83700 Rottach-Egern
The Hundskugel Inn on Hotterstrasse was long considered Munich’s oldest inn: the wonderful building has stood in the historic Altstadt district of the city since 1440 and is itself certainly worth a visit. Since its closure though, the Alte Wirt in Obermenzing can make a claim to the crown, having recently celebrated its 600th anniversary. The listed building was handed over to the first owner in 1417 and the establishment has been winning people over ever since, as it offers everything a traditional village inn should have: a beer garden, bar snacks and a maypole. The Alte Wirt is also a popular destination for outings because it stands right beside Schloss Blutenburg (Blutenburg castle). The inn underwent extensive renovations at the end of the nineties.
Gasthof Zum Alten Wirt, Dorfstraße 39
Milchstrasse in Haidhausen: Barroom is just as cute as its address – on “Milk Street” – sounds. Munich’s smallest cocktail bar has three tiny tables, two large windows, and manager Emanuele Ingusci behind the bar. He especially enjoys taking his guests on voyages through the international rum scene, from Latin America to Australia. The bartender is also happy to share his many years of experience and impressive knowledge through the cocktail-making courses he runs, which can be booked for up to six people on the premises, or online in his Virtual Barroom – meaning participants can join in with friends from the comfort of their homes. We do recommend visiting the establishment in person though – Munich’s smallest bar is simply a must-see!
Barroom München, Milchstraße 17
Beer benches as far as the eye can see. With 8,000 seats, the Hirschgarten is not just the largest beer garden in Munich, but in all of Bavaria. Though this does bring in visitors from outside the city, customers here are mostly locals, as the Hirschgarten is a real favourite with Munich residents. Aside from offering numerous places to sit, another thing that makes the beer garden special is that guests can pour their own Radler (beer shandy), and then watch deer grazing in the neighbouring wildlife reserve while they savour it. The park of the same name has been a local recreation spot since 1780 – in days gone by it was where the nobility came to hunt; nowadays, children play in the playground while the adults relax in the adjoining beer garden.
Königlicher Hirschgarten München, Hirschgarten 1
