traveldk.com

Munich is worth visiting any time of year. The city shines in spring, summer, and autumn, but winter also offers many delights, such as cultural events and, of course, the ski slopes in the Alps.

January can bring glorious blue skies to Munich; April is often fickle, and May can be either summery and warm, or quite cold. Beer garden season officially begins in May. The many lakes near Munich are warmest in August. Autumn often has summer-like temperatures, perfect for walks in the countryside.

The official tourist offices are excellent sources of information, both in Munich and in towns such as GarmischPartenkirchen. They mail information on request.

Most Munich attractions, institutions, and events are posted on the Internet. Simply enter a subject word into a search engine of your choice, add the specification “Munich.”

EU members should carry with them an E111 slip from their insurance company, which may entitle them to free or reduced-cost medical treatment. Before travelling, ask your insurance agent what is covered; you may wish to purchase additional insurance. Visitors from non-EU countries are advised to have comprehensive insurance in place before travelling. This should cover accidents, illness, and theft. Cancellation insurance may also be worthwhile.

Citizens of countries belonging to the European Union, and of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the US do not require a visa to visit Germany as long as their stay does not exceed 90 days. Visitors from South Africa will need a visa. Citizens of many EU countries do not require a passport, just a national identity card with photograph to enter Germany. Given heightened security measures over the past few years, it is a good idea to carry photo identification at all times when travelling in Germany.

Visitors from non-EU countries who are 17 years and older may import up to 200 cigarettes and one litre of spirits or two litres of wine. The importation of firearms is prohibited. For EU citizens there are no customs restrictions if the goods are for personal use.

Free city maps of Munich are available at the local tourist bureaus. Maps of the surrounding region, including southern Bavaria, are available at bookshops, downtown department stores, and petrol stations.

EU citizens and visitors from Western countries need only their national driving licences; citizens from other countries will require an international driving licence.

Franz-Joseph-Strauß Airport, recently expanded with the addition of Terminal 2, is a major air-travel hub. Most international and domestic airlines pass through here. It features a business and restaurant complex, doctors’ offices, a MediCare centre, and the nearby AirportClinic M, a small hospital.

Terminals 1 and 2 of Franz-Joseph-Strauß Airport house the offices of over 100 airlines. For regular tickets and special fares, check the websites of the individual airlines.

Munich airport, located on A92, lies 28 km (17 miles) outside the city. The S-Bahn, whose lines S1 (rear carriages marked Flughafen) and S8 provide direct access to and from the airport, will take you to Marienplatz in 37 minutes, while an airport coach to the central railway station takes about 45 minutes, as does a taxi.

Whether you are arriving from Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, or Budapest – trains arriving from all directions pull in to the Hauptbahnhof, Munich’s central railway station. There are as many as three daily direct rail links to the major European capitals. Southern Bavaria is well served by an extensive railway network.

German trains and railway lines are operated by the Deutsche Bahn AG. Long-distance routes are served by InterCity Express trains (ICE), InterCity (IC) and EuroCity (EC) trains; the network also runs Interregio (IR) and Regional Express (RE) for shorter distances. The S-Bahn, the suburban trains, link the city to towns and communities within a radius of about 50 km (30 miles). If you decide to travel by rail, you can save considerably by booking ahead.

Some InterCity (IC) and EuroCity (EC) trains stop at the Ostbahnhof. This railway station is also the departure point for trains to the south and east, and for car trains to northern Germany and Italy.

Many long-distance coaches depart and arrive at the central coach terminal, Zentralen Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB) next door to the Hauptbahnhof. The most popular routes are operated by Eurolines and Deutsche Touring GmbH. Tourist centres in Upper Bavaria (and some out-of-the-way destinations) are well served by an extensive network of coach routes.

Six motorways lead into Munich from six directions (A8 Salzburg, A96 Lindau, A8 Stuttgart, A9 Berlin, A95 GarmischPartenkirchen, and A92 Deggendorf). The Auto-bahn ring road enables you to bypass Munich in part. If you want to drive into the city, you will need to take two additional ring roads: the Mittlerer Ring, and the Altstadtring.

All major rental car operators – including Avis, Europcar, Hertz, and the Munich firm Sixt – have offices at the airport or the central railway station.

The underground rail network, U-Bahn, runs modern and comfortable cars. Nearly all U-Bahn stations are wheelchair accessible. Eight lines are currently in operation within city boundaries. By 2006, U-Bahn line U6 to the new Allianz Arena in Fröttmaning will be completed. When boarding a train, check the direction panel as well as the destination to ensure you board the correct train.

Radiating in all directions from the city centre, the suburban rail network, S-Bahn, is ideal for excursions to towns, lakes, and other destinations in the surrounding countryside. The S-Bahn is also an important urban network: its central stretch from Hackerbrücke to Ostbahnhof (via Hauptbahnhof, Stachus, and Marienplatz) offers transfer points to the U-Bahn, buses, and trams. The S-Bahn (S1 and S8) is also an inexpensive and fast link between the city centre and the airport. Most S-Bahn stations are wheelchair accessible.

Usually less crowded than S- and U-Bahn trains, the trams in Munich are also an attractive alternative because they allow passengers to see the city as they travel. Route Nos. 18 and 19, running through Old Town, are an good choices for inexpensive sightseeing. The No. 25 route to Grünwald is particularly scenic. Most tram cars are equipped with ramps for wheelchair access.

The city’s buses are suitable when travelling short distances. Most provide links to S- and UBahn stations. Bus No. 100 runs past several museums (see Museums & Galleries). Specially marked buses have ramps for wheelchair access.

All public transit operated by the MVV (Munich Traffic and Tariff Association) use the same tickets, which can be purchased at dispensers at U- and S-Bahn stations, and on trams and buses. The city and its environs are divided into four zones, and ticket prices depend on how many zones you travel through. You can choose from several kinds of tickets: multi-ride (Streifenkarten), single-ride (Einzelkarten), and day (Tageskarten). Weekly and monthly passes are also available. The best choice for visitors is to buy a day ticket or to take advantage of special rates, for example, the München Welcome Card (see Discounts), sold at tourist offices in the town hall, the central railway station, the airport, and other locations. Before boarding the train, you must stamp your ticket in a franking machine, usually located at the top of the stairs leading down to the platform.

Driving in Munich can be harrowing. Traffic is often heavy, rush-hour traffic jams are frequent, and local drivers often make quick decisions. Street parking is difficult to find and car parks are expensive.

Munich is a bicycle-friendly city, with many cycling paths. Bicycles can be rented at a reasonable price.

Exploring Old Town is best done on foot. Other areas easy to explore on foot are Schwabing, Haidhausen, the Isar banks, Westend, and Neuhausen.

You can book a taxi by telephone, hail one in the street, or catch one at taxi stands throughout the city.

Munich’s tourist office, Fremdenverkehrsamt München, has three information kiosks: in the town hall on Marienplatz, at the Hauptbahnhof, and at the airport. Here, visitors can obtain information and special services – from brochures to city maps, from special tickets to room reservations.

München Ticket pre-sells tickets for most major performances and events, including theatre, concerts, and festivals. Offices are located at the town hall, Gasteig, and Info-Pavillon Olympiapark.

Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung, the Bavarian Castle Administration Bureau, provides information on Bavarian castles and palaces, parks, and lakes. The bureau also offers a variety of guided tours.

Free maps of the Munich transit system are available at the Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz, or can be downloaded from the MVV (Munich Transport and Tariff Association) website. Each zone is indicated on the map by a different colour.

Various operators offer city sightseeing tours and daytrips with tour guides who speak different languages. Most tours set off from the Hauptbahnhof.

Several operators offer interesting guided theme tours (such as Art Nouveau in Munich, Jewish history in Munich, beer, and district tours), as well as tram tours, cycling tours, and tours for disabled travellers.

There are several free city magazines, usually available in pubs, bars, and boutiques. Most list cinema and theatre events, and information on current events. In München is the longest running and most informative; another established city magazine is go> .

Munich is said to be second only to New York City in publishing; it is also an important media centre: many radio and television stations – public and private – are headquartered here. The largest daily newspapers, the Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) and the Münchner Merkur , print local news and events sections, as does the popular press, AZ (Abendzeitung) and TZ (Tageszeitung) . Bayerische Rundfunk, the local public broadcasting station, broadcasts on five channels; several private stations broadcast news, and music.

Most German and many international banks have branches in Munich. Banks are generally open from 8:30am to 4pm Monday to Friday, although hours can vary depending on the day of the week. The main branches of the larger German banks are as follows: Bayerische Landesbank, Brienner Straße 18; Commerzbank, Maximiliansplatz 19; Deutsche Bank, Promenade-platz 15; Dresdner Bank, and Promenadeplatz 7. Two Reisebank branches, one at the Hauptbahnhof and one at the airport, have longer opening hours.

For visitors from other European countries, the days of currency exchange are a thing of the past. All non-EU travellers can exchange foreign currency into Euros at exchange bureaus, for example, at the railway station, or banks. Several currency exchange machines are available downtown. A note of caution: fees and exchange rates vary, tending to be highest at hotels.

Bank machines are widely available throughout the city, and even in smaller towns. You can withdraw money by credit card with your PIN, or by using any card showing a global banking symbol, such as Cirrus. ATMs are accessible 24 hours.

All hotels, with the exception of small bed-and-breakfast establishments, most department stores, and boutiques, as well as restaurants accept major credit cards. Cash is still required in smaller establishments and most beer gardens. Posted outside the entrances to restaurants and stores are the logos of the credit cards accepted within.

Travellers’ cheques are a safe method of payment, although they are only accepted at large hotels and major department stores. Otherwise, you can exchange travellers’ cheques for cash at a bank.

Deutsche Telekom operates all public pay-phones, which accept coins, phone cards, and sometimes credit cards, although coin pay phones are being phased out. At some high-tech telephone booths you can make phone calls, surf the Internet, and send and receive e-mail. Phone cards are sold at post offices, tobaconists, and in some supermarkets.

T-Mobile, Vodafone, and O2 provide service through most of Bavaria. A note of caution: reception may still be difficult in some remote areas. The use of mobile phones on all public transit is allowed, although reception may not be good. Check with your mobile phone provider before leaving home to find out if your phone can be used in Germany.

Most post offices are open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and Saturday from 8am to noon. You can also buy stamps at automated dispensers and in some stationery shops. The yellow letterboxes have two letter slots – one for mail within the city and the other for outbound mail.

All museums, and many hotels and restaurants are listed on the Internet. Major hotels, and some smaller hotels, offer Internet access to their guests, but there is often a fee.

The emergency number for fire department, rescue, or ambulance is 112. For police emergencies, dial 110. In addition, there are the following emergency and help lines:

If you are visiting from the EU (European Union), paramedic, hospital, and doctors’ services are generally covered by your national health insurance. If you are visiting from other countries, it is advisable to take out travel insurance before starting your trip.

For everything other than acute emergencies, visitors are advised to consult doctors or dentists during standard clinic hours. Addresses of doctors and specialists are listed in the Gelbe Seiten (yellow pages). Services are covered for EU citizens upon presention of the E111 insurance form.

Pharmacies are identified with a large red “A” – which stands for the German word for pharmacy (Apothek ). Most are open until 7pm or 8pm. After 8pm, every pharmacy posts the name and address of the nearest pharmacy that is open late. You can also call the pharmacy emergency line.

Munich has one of the lowest crime rates not only in Germany but in all of Europe, and Bavaria has the highest rate of crime-solving in Germany. In other words, you can feel perfectly safe during your vacation in Munich; simply observe standard precautions such as avoiding parks or outlying areas at night, especially on your own.

Crowds are magnets for gangs of pickpockets everywhere, and the same is true in Munich. Be vigilant in crowded U-Bahn or S-Bahn cars, or when walking through crowded areas such as the pedestrian zone – and especially the Oktoberfest.

If you lose your belongings, try one of the numbers listed below:

If you are making an excursion into the mountains, be sure to have appropriate footwear and clothing. For hikes, you should obtain precise route and weather information ahead of time. You should avoid hiking alone. In winter, it is vital to pay attention to avalanche warnings. The emergency number 112 is also used for the Alps throughout Europe – mobile phone reception is usually good.

The local public radio station Bayern 3 broadcasts current information on traffic conditions. Information on road conditions is also available from the ADAC, the German Automobile Association.

Families with children are entitled to a number of discounts. Entrance fees to many sights and for sports events at Olympia-park are reduced for both children and seniors. The München Welcome Card covers all travel by public transit in the city and up to a 50 per cent discount for many tourist attractions. One- and three-day cards are sold at the tourist office’s information kiosks at Marienplatz, Hauptbahnhof, and the airport.

Munich’s tourist office, the Fremdenverkehrsamt München, will provide you with information on the many children’s summer programmes offered by the city. Castle tours are arranged by the Bayerische Schlösserver waltung (Bavarian Castle Administration) for a flat fee of 1 Euro. These guided tours include the Residenz, Schloss Nymph-enburg, Schloss Schleiß-heim, and other sights.

Many Munich restaurants are equipped with booster seats and offer smaller portions for children or even separate children’s menus. Be sure to enquire in advance (see Top 10 Child-Friendly Cafés & Restaurants).

Seniors enjoy many discounts as well as a wide variety of special sporting and hiking activities, guided tours, excursions, and social events.

Several areas in Munich still feature original cobblestone paving, which may be a challenge for wheelchair users.

Most S- and U-Bahn stations have been made wheelchair accessible, as have most trams. Special low-axle buses are marked with a disabled sign to indicate that they are equipped with a ramp for access. Easy-access public toilets are found most readily in public transit stations. Details are provided in the MVV brochure Barrier-free , available at MVV ticket kiosks.

City tours for the hearing impaired, with guides trained in international sign language, are organized by the Fremdenverkehrsamt München. Operators such as the Weis(s)e Stadtvogel and Stattreisen München e.V. also offer tours for the disabled.

The Club Behinderter und ihrer Freunde (CBF, the Club for the Disabled and Friends), provides information on cinemas, theatres, and museums with access for people with disabilities. Additional information, advice, and wheelchair rentals are available from VDK Bayern.

Unfortunately, there are few hotels in Munich that are truly equipped for the needs of wheelchair users. Many hotels occupy historic buildings, which are difficult to retrofit. Be sure to check ahead when booking a room.

In the past, Weißwurst was eaten as a late or second breakfast. Highly perishable, these white veal sausages were kept in large pots of boiling water from early morning until noon. This led to an unspoken rule: never eat Weißwurst after noon. Although this is no longer necessary thanks to modern cooking methods, the old tradition is still observed by many locals.

Beer temptations can reach a peak during the Starkbier (bockbeer) season, but you should remember that Starkbier has an alcohol content ranging from 6.5 to over 7.5 per cent. Enjoy the tasty brews – just be sure not to overindulge.

Even if you know German, the local dialect is still quite a challenge. There are a few key expressions: rolls, called Brötchen elsewhere, are called Semmeln here; Weizenbier (wheat beer) is called Weißbier , and a Radler could be either a cyclist or a shandy, a mixture of beer and lemonade.

Munich is a wonderful city for cyclists, and many locals jump on their bikes in summer. Unfortunately, there are always a few bad apples. As a pedestrian, you should watch out for cyclists barrelling along pavements, sometimes even going in the wrong direction down a one-way street, or turning sharp corners quickly. The same is true of some rollerbladers.

It goes without saying that beer is very tempting in Bavaria. However, you should remember that the blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 per cent and that Munich’s police force carries out regular spot-checks. After drinking, it is best to leave the car behind and take a taxi.

Aside from the difficulty of finding parking in the inner city, driving within the boundaries of the Altstadtring (ring road) during rush hour is no fun. Take public transit; it will get you to your destination with greater speed and far less aggravation.

Munich is a safe city. However, some caution is advised at certain tourist centres and crowded sights. Here, as elsewhere, there are gangs of pickpockets. Be especially vigilant on crowded platforms, in S- and U-Bahn stations and train cars, at large open-air events such as Oktoberfest, and in the pedestrian zone.

It is best to adhere to all parking rules. Parking attendants patrol the streets, especially in the inner city, and issue tickets when cars are illegally parked or when parking is unpaid. Rental car agencies will present you with any tickets when you return your car, and unpaid fines are collected throughout the European Union. In some areas, parking is restricted to residents with parking permits. If your car has been tagged and towed, call the police for information on where you can collect it – and pay the horrendously steep fines.

There are two times of year when taxis are extremely hard to come by – New Year’s Eve and Oktoberfest, which is usually held the last two weeks in September. Near Theresienwiese during Oktoberfest, taxi drivers may refuse to carry passengers who appear intoxicated.

On Sundays, admission is free to all state and municipal museums, including the Bayerische Nationalmuseum, Lenbachhaus, and the Münchner Stadtmuseum. Free admission is only applicable to the permanent collections.

Many ethnic eateries in Munich are tasty and inexpensive choices for quick snacks, take-aways and meals. Pizza and kebabs are widely available, and small Turkish or Asian kiosks offer quick meals, some even have small tables or counters. Highly recommended is the Suppenküche (soup restaurant) in the Viktualienmarkt.

Traditional pubs with Bavarian cuisine tend to be quite inexpensive. Most restaurants have prix fixe menus at lunch, which are considerably less expensive than the evening menus. This is also true for some of the top restaurants where, if you have time to enjoy a four-course meal at lunch, you’re in for a treat.

Hotels in Munich can be expensive. Consider staying in the surrounding areas for less costly accommodation. One alternative is to rent an apartment through one of several agencies – apartments are available for stays as short as a few days or long as a few months (see B&Bs, Hostels & Apartments). Camping is another viable alternative in summer.

In the evening just prior to the start of the performance, box offices at theatres, concert halls, and other venues offer discounted admission for students and seniors.

Visitors to Munich can benefit from a wide range of discounted tickets for public transportation, especially for the city centre area. With the day pass you can travel all day without restrictions. Three-day passes are best for weekend trips, while partner passes, for up to five people, are a family-friendly option. The München Welcome Card is a special pass offered by the MVV, a combined travel-and-admissions pass that is sold at information kiosks (see Public Transit (MVV)). Children under six travel free; children over six and youth pay reduced fares.

Flea markets and the three Auer Dulten are an inexpensive way to spend a fun day strolling and browsing. Prices are usually low and real treasures can sometimes be found.

The concert marathon at the Theatron in Olympiapark is free every summer. Students at the Hochschule für Musik (music conservatory), located at Arcissstr. 12, also put on excellent free concerts.

Board an eastbound tram No. 18 or No. 19 at Stachus. These routes travel through some of the most beautiful areas of Munich.

Be it a porcelain figurine or a dining set – all the pieces at the porcelain manufacture at Schloss Nymphenburg are based on historic models. These pieces are of high artistic value and hence quite expensive.

If you have a sweet tooth, the hand-made chocolates and other sinful sweets at Elly Seidl’s shop are just for you. Connoisseurs swear that Elly’s concoctions surpass those of her Swiss or Belgian competitors. Try the champagne truffles.

Classic folk dress – and their contemporary versions – make good souvenirs. Accessories, such as belts, hats, and fringed scarves are also available. These are fashioned from fine materials such as leather, linen, wool, and loden, and are correspondingly expensive. Hard to beat are Leder-hose , traditional Bavarian leather knickerbockers, which never wear out and get more and more beautiful with age.

As in New York, Rome, and Berlin, the shops in Munich’s museums sell fine reproductions of works of art, limited editions, posters, and reproductions of designer pieces from both their own collections and those of other musuems.

There is no need to buy them only at Oktoberfest. Simple beer mugs and glasses or more elaborate ones with decorated zinc lids and painted designs are available in most antique shops, in the department stores lining the pedestrian zone, and behind Frauenkirche. If you happen to be in a traditional Bavarian pub and really like the brewery mugs or glasses, you can ask whether you may purchase one.

The museum shop at the Deutsches Museum carries an outstanding selection of unique toys, from building sets to robots – enthusiastically received by children and adults alike.

These are very popular collectors’ items, especially the antique dolls. Fashioned with artfully painted porcelain heads – often with real hair – and draped in precious fabrics, they are beautiful pieces to look at.

A perfect souvenir for those who love German literature, Dukatz cups and saucers are inscribed with humorous and subtle quotes by Bavarian author Oskar Maria Graf. They are for sale at Dukatz café.

Much verre églomisé (painting on glass, often with religious motifs) originates in the Murnau region. Traditional crib figures are created in the town of Oberammergau, a centre for woodcarving. Antique and specialty shops carry a wide range of religious and folk art.

Most stores in the city are open 9am to 8pm Monday to Saturday. Government offices, banks, and post offices close earlier, usually at 4pm, 5pm, or 6pm. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, most stores close at noon. Stores in small towns outside Munich keep shorter hours, often closing at 5pm weekdays, at noon on Saturday, and on Wednesday afternoons. Hours may well be extended in the near future, as the legal retail closing hours are currently the subject of lively debate.

End-of-summer and -winter sales have been undermined for some time now by special sales events all year long. Just keep your eyes open for Rabatt (discount) or Sonderverkauf (special sale) signs. Price labels on merchandise are non-negotiable in most stores. At wholesalers, in some boutiques, and at flea markets, you can try your hand at bargaining for a reduced price.

Most city-centre stores accept all major credit cards. Outside the city and in smaller boutiques, credit cards might not be taken, with the exception of the EC card, the European credit card, which is accepted everywhere.

The Landratsamt of Munich (regional and municipal affairs office) is responsible for food and consumer goods. If you have any problems, such as exchanging a purchase, contact them or the Munich subsidiary of the Bavarian Consumer Protection Agency.

In Germany, sales tax (Mehrwertsteuer ) is 16 per cent and included in the marked price. Travellers from non-EU countries can apply for a refund with the relevant documents from Global Refund either at the airport or by mail from home. The Customs official has to see the goods purchased and stamp the sales receipts when you leave Germany.

Full-price items have limited warranties and can be exchanged if they are damaged or otherwise unsatisfactory; in some cases, you will get a full cash refund. Note: there is usually no exchange policy for discounted items.

Fashion boutiques are located chiefly in the main shopping districts, especially the pedestrian zones, Sendlinger Straße, Maximilianstraße, Theatinerstraße, and in Schwabing on Leopold-straße and around the university (see Shopping).

In addition to the large chains such as WOM, Saturn, Media-Markt, and the CD sections of department stores, you’ll find an interesting selection in independent stores, such as Hieber am Dom (Liebfrauenstr. 1), which also carries a large collection of sheet music. Ludwig Beck am Rathauseck (see L Beck am Rathauseck) offers excellent jazz, worldbeat, blues, and classics, both modern and traditional.

Munich’s principal bookseller is Hugendubel department store, whose flagship store is located on Marienplatz. Many small independent book-shops, including those selling foreign-language books, are located in the university district. If you have a passion for antiquarian books, be sure to visit Kitzinger (see Antiquariat Kitzinger).

You can book hotel rooms by phone, fax, or e-mail. The Munich tourist office also offers a free booking service 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 6pm Saturday.

The number of stars indicates the quality of a hotel – and its price. Most room prices in Munich hotels include breakfast. Prices vary depending on the season – with Oktoberfest being the most expensive – and room comfort. Many hotels offer special weekend packages or reduced prices at low season. Check the Internet for online specials, too.

Munich hotel prices are generally higher than those of hotels in the rest of Bavaria. The prices indicated in the various sections of this guide (see Business Hotels) are average prices only. However, even in Munich there are less expensive alternatives; such as small hotels, bed-and-breakfast establishments, hostels, and short-term rental apartments (see Budget Hotels).

It is advisable to reserve tables at all gourmet and popular restaurants, and whenever you are dining in a group, especially at weekends. If there are just one or two of you, finding a seat at a table in a traditional pub is easy – just walk in and sit down at a free table or at empty seats at a larger table (first asking if the seats are free). Keep in mind that these pubs always have a number of tables reserved for regular patrons, often with a sign hanging over them saying Stammtisch (table reserved for regulars).

Service (about 12 per cent) and food tax (about 7 per cent) are included in restaurant bills but it is customary to round out the bill and give a tip of up to 10 per cent.

Most restaurants open for lunch, although some are only open from 6pm. Establishments that are open at lunch sometimes close for a few hours in the afternoon. Evening restaurants are open until midnight or later. Beer gardens in the city close at 11pm. Most restaurants post their menus – including daily specials – on pavement boards or at the door.

True Bavarian cuisine is best experienced in the traditional pubs or brewery-operated restaurants (see Traditional Pubs). Try Weißwurst (poached white veal sausage) with sweet mustard and a pretzel, Schweinshax’n (grilled pork knuckle) or Schweinsbraten (roast pork), served with potato dumplings and red cabbage. Fresh fish such as Forelle (trout) or Renke (whitefish from mountain lakes) are usually served whole and are excellently prepared, even in small country restaurants. Brotzeit – cold cuts, cheese, and radish served with bread – is especially popular in beer gardens.

Like most large cities, Munich has a wide variety of ethnic restaurants – from Middle Eastern to Polynesian. Local residents are especially fond of Italian cuisine.

Munich is home to an impressive array of top-notch restaurants and expensive, fashionable establishments. Some of the city’s gourmet restaurants are among the very best in Europe (see Fine Dining).