Kehlsteinhaus at Eagle's Nest

The Kehlsteinhaus (or Eagle’s Nest), has been rented out as a restaurant which is run by Hofbrauhaus. If you’re making the trip up to the Eagle's Nest, you might as well enjoy lunch from the restaurant there as well. It is also the only way to see in the inside of the house.

On a foggy, overcast day, the ride up and view from the top isn’t nearly as impressive as we've heard it can be.

The only way to get up to Kleinsthaus is by bus. Park at the parking lot next to the Obersalzberg Documentation Center and walk up to the bus station. When you arrive at the top, you will have to get a stamp for your return time. We recommend an hour to an hour and a half depending on the day and how long you take to eat.  Once there, you need to walk down a long cavern and finally take an elevator all the way to the top.

A seat at the large windows in the dining rooms gives you the view from the top. The four-mile bus ride up to the house is considered the most beautiful drive in Germany.  Unfortunately, due to the foggy conditions, we weren't able to enjoy a view as you couldn't even see more than a few feet in front of you.  If you're planning this trip, it may not be worth your time if you don't have a clear day.

From the restaurant, we ordered the open face “raw ham” sandwich, which was served with lettuce, tomato, red and green peppers, onions, pickles, and cucumbers, as well as a pork schnitzel with French fries, both of which were delicious.

Bier Adam Huber Wolfgang

When looking for restaurants in unknown areas, especially when we can’t necessarily read the menus, we look for restaurants that are full of people. This one had a good number of people eating both inside and outside, as well as a decent looking menu.

We ordered a pork filet that was served with broccoli with hollandaise and potato pancakes, as well as veal schnitzel with roasted potatoes. Both were fantastic, and the service was friendly.

Luigi Tambosi im Hofgarten

Around the corner from the Residenz Museum, and with outdoor seating in the Hofgarten, is Luigi Tambosi. This restaurant has a lot of seating – there is seating inside; there are chairs and small tables along the Odeonsplatz for enjoying coffee or a drink and people watching and a large number of tables and chairs in the Hofgarten for dining, or enjoying a drink in the shade.

Serving Italian food, we shared an order of the tomato and mozzarella salad, as well as the cheese ravioli in a butter sauce. These were perfect for a light lunch in Munich while enjoying the Hofgarten and some shade on a sunny and warm afternoon.

This was also a good option for lunch before touring the Residenz Museum and doing some shopping in downtown Munich.

Augustinerbrau am Platzl

The "other" famous brau haus in Munich is Augustiner Brau, located diagonally from Hofbrauhaus. Similar to Hofbrauhaus, just sit down wherever there is space and don’t expect super friendly wait staff here.

That said, the food is good, the atmosphere lively and fun, and beer flows freely.

We ordered the roast pork with a potato dumpling, which is probably as close to “light and fluffy” a potato is ever going to get; as well as the four sausage platter, which was a well-sized platter for the price.

We sat on the second floor in the farthest back room, which was a great place to watch as large groups celebrate and to watch as waiters fill mug after mug of beer from the barrel poised near the door.

Hacker Pschorr Brauhaus

We stopped into this sports bar by the central bus station (and one stop from the main train station) in Munich, Hackerbrücke, as we walked back to our hotel one evening. A large group had gathered to watch the FC Bayern team play their first game of the season. Cheering, booing, but mostly cheering made the atmosphere in the bar and restaurant quite lively – and the wait staff were in a good mood as they worked and watched their hometown soccer team open the season.

For a sports bar, the menu was wide and varied – items far beyond bar food.

We ordered spaghetti bolognaise and their Lincoln Burger. Both were delicious. The burger was huge and more than enough for two people to share without needing another entrée and both leaving full.

There are tables available outside, but the excitement during a sports game is inside.

Hänsel und Gretel, Munich

Wanting something sweet and not being able to find open seats late on a Saturday night at neighboring Hofbrauhaus, we wandered into Hänsel und Gretel for dessert and coffee. With a tantalizing display of cakes and goodies, we had a difficult time choosing, but decided on the “Frodo” cake, a chocolate mousse-like cake with a chocolate cookie base and a cherry on top. Very delicious.

We also ordered a cappuccino, which was made expertly. If you’re looking for some where to satisfy your sweet tooth, pass by Hofbrauhaus and stop into Hänsel und Gretel.

Café Am Marienplatz

Right in the center of Munich’s famous Marienplatz is Café Am Marienplatz, with both indoor and plenty of outdoor seating and it doesn’t have that “touristy” feel, or price. Our waiter was very friendly and spoke English.

We ordered two very unique items that we’ve never had before: the Bavarian white sausage and German meatloaf with a fried egg. I can tell you these were very good, but have no comparison point.

That said, our waiter was kind enough to tell us that the white sausage is different than regular sausage, in that you have to take the skin off the sausage before you can eat it. These are very unique to Bavaria, so definitely give them a try if you’re visiting the region.