The Crafty Traveler

Munich is more than you think. The ever-growing spectacle that is Oktoberfest fills most people’s minds with visions of Oompah music and liters of bier when they think of this city (and to be fair, you shouldn’t leave without putting down at least one liter). But Munich is far more than a festival city.

Architecture that tells a story, green spaces that serve a purpose, a farmers’ market that doubles as a foodie paradise, and a more diverse food and beverage scene than you may expect (check the Michelin Guide if you don’t believe me). It would be easy to come here and spend your day at Hofbräuhaus, but it would be far more memorable to put some steps in and explore a city that might surprise you.

I don’t tell you this to make you think beer is not a way of life here (this is Bavaria at the end of the day), but the relationship with beer is not often about quantity. It’s about the quality of life that comes with a glass in hand. It’s about community and conversation. It is the vessel that brings the city together – and luckily for you, they have been brewing beer since the Middle Ages (so they’ve learned a thing or two).

Knowing this, your 24-hour guide will use beer as the baseline for your schedule while finding a few spots along the way to highlight the mix that Munich has to offer.

First stop? Breakfast beer (I tried to warn you).

Bavarian Breakfast

Bavarian Breakfast (yes, this is the actual term used) is the ideal way to start your day. Anywhere that serves beer when you’re rolling out of bed is my kind of city. I’ll take a pour over a pot of coffee any day.

This meal consists of Weißwurst – a mild white sausage (it tastes better than it looks) that is gently heated in hot water and served with sweet mustard, pretzels, and a cold Weissbier.

Want to blend in with the locals? Never order this meal after noon. Wheat beer is for breakfast.

You can find this in several spots around town, but a great option is Schneider Bräuhaus, an outpost of the oldest wheat beer brewery in Bavaria.

In my case, I got straight off a red-eye and headed to breakfast (time is just a construct anyway, right?). But if you are staying somewhere the night before, a couple of hotel options are worth considering.

If your goal is to spend extended time in the city, check out the Platzl Hotel. Unbeatable location, comfortable rooms, and it’s connected to an Ayinger pub.

If you are using Munich as a launch point for other Bavarian adventures, check out the 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian. Funky, stylish, with fun food and bar options, you’ll wake up right across the street from the train station while still being within walking distance of the old town.

Walk It Off

Burn off your breakfast beer by exploring the city a bit. It won’t take long before you find yourself in Marienplatz, the historic (and always busy) town square. Time your visit to catch the Glockenspiel, which brings the tower’s large clock to life with moving characters several times a day.

If you’re still shaking off a red-eye, walk around the corner to Man vs. Machine for a high-level house-roasted iced coffee (surprisingly hard to find in this city).

Next, walk across the way to St. Peter’s Church. If you really want to burn some calories, pay a few euros to climb to the top of the tower for stunning views over the city (and it’s cheaper than some of the Marienplatz observation options).

If you want to continue the architecture tour, nearby stops include Frauenkirche and Asamkirche. But there are other blogs out there for that kind of day.

You and I have more food to find.

Viktualienmarkt

One of my favorite stops, and one of my most unexpected finds, in Munich is the Viktualienmarkt.

What began as a farmers’ market has grown into one of the city’s central gathering places. A large beer garden anchors the market, while more than 100 food stalls line the surrounding paths. Crafty Traveling goldmine.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed here, but that’s why you’ve come to me for help. Some favorite stops include:

• Caspar Plautz for the most elevated baked potatoes you’ve ever had
• Der Verrückte Eismacher for wild ice cream flavors
• Marinas Feinkost for excellent Italian sandwiches (yes, you’re in Germany, but it’s allowed)
• Lea Zapf for pastries
• Sababa for shawarma
• Sweet Spot for coffee

And if you’re feeling adventurous, try Pferdemetzgerei Wörle for horse meat. Yes, you read that correctly.

A New Munich Brewery

When you’re done, walk one block over to Giesinger Bräu for some of the best beers in town.

Munich is famously dominated by six historic breweries that have been around for centuries. Giesinger is considered the new kid on the block – and they’re making waves.

Started in a garage, they experiment with styles that sometimes push the limits of Bavaria’s traditional Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law). Expect open-fermented beers, fruit and spiced options, and other styles you won’t commonly find around the city.

Served alongside traditional Bavarian beers, they’re growing quickly for a reason and may eventually turn the “Munich Six” into the “Munich Seven.”

Pro tip: when you’re done here, go next door to the legendary Café Frischhut for a pastry (ideally the famous Schmalznudel).

Hofbräuhaus (Yes, You Should Still Go)

From here, head back north toward the old town and the infamous Hofbräuhaus.

Is it touristy? Absolutely.

Is it still worth visiting? Also absolutely.

Arguably the most famous beer hall in the world, this place gives you a taste of Oktoberfest any day of the week. With history dating back to the 16th century, live music, long communal tables, and massive liters of beer, it’s an experience. The food may not be the best in the city, but you should still line up for a lager.

English Garden

As the buzz settles in, continue heading north toward the English Garden. Along the way, you’ll pass several notable sights including the Residenz, Odeonsplatz, and Haus der Kunst. If you visit the museum, step into Die Goldene Bar afterward for a cocktail to keep the momentum going.

Before entering the park, stop by the Eisbachwelle — a surfing spot in the middle of the city. Yes, really. Here you can watch locals ride a continuous wave in the Eisbach River. Who needs a coastline?

From there, wander through the English Garden, one of the largest urban parks in the world, and finish at the Chinese Tower Biergarten. Centered around a 25-foot pagoda, it’s the perfect place to sit down and let a Dunkel do its thing.

Dinner Options

Now it’s time to choose your final stop of the day.

If you want to go all out, Munich has several Michelin-starred options, including three stared JAN and Tohru in der Schreiberei.

If you want something more casual and a bit different, head south to Bingo, a bistro serving a creative mash-up menu (think elevated hot dogs and other fun surprises). While you’re in the area, stop by Zephyr Bar for expertly crafted cocktails.

But if you’re truly here for just one day, I think you know what must happen. Another biergarten.

The Perfect Ending

Munich has no shortage of biergartens, but my favorite is Augustiner-Keller.

Located just outside the city center near the train station (and within walking distance if you stay at 25hours), the atmosphere here is everything. Traditional Bavarian cuisine, classic German beer, and several seating areas ranging from indoor halls to massive outdoor gardens.

Order a pork knuckle, grab a pour of Edelstoff (served from huge wooden barrels), and soak it all in. This is the community and conversation you came for.

Final Thoughts

Before now, Munich may have simply been your layover city. You may be one of the millions who pass through each year for Oktoberfest. Both of those things serve important, and very different, purposes.

But don’t let that be all you see of Munich. Follow the food and beverage scene, and you’ll discover a city that leaves an impression that lasts longer than the liters.

(Although once again I’ll say: don’t leave without finishing a liter. I’m pretty sure they won’t stamp your passport without it.)