One night in Munich, need dinner recommendation!
 

Going to spend New Year's Eve in Munich. Any ideas where to eat? Here's the hitch... none of us (party of 4) have been to Germany before, we leave the next morning to come back to the US (on airplane for 9 hours...), we love ("americanized" I guess) German food, but not anything too frou frou fancy or weird. (Saurbraten would be ideal!)

I've contacted a few places to make reservations, but all so far have had special fixed New Year's menus with things like venison, wild boar sausage, etc. Would be fine except the menus are fixed so those of us that don't like game wouldn't be as satisfied. You know, a simple meal followed by fireworks in the square would probably be best. We're staying at Le Meridien if that means anything.

I know these are pretty specific requirements. Any ideas? Are there any regular restaurants open on NYE? Help!

I would highly recommend Spatenhaus on Residenzstrasse 12. Beautful restaurant and wonderful food. It overlooks the opera house on Max-Joseph-PlatzWe have tried other restaurants but always come back to this one. Wonderful pork roast with crispy skin. You may want to make reservation in advance. 089/2-90-70-60. Don't forget to check out Dallmayr on Dienerstrasse 14-15.

We had a great lunch at Spatenhaus. I would also recommend it. ((b))

Oooh, thanks! I have contacted Spatenhaus via email to see if they have any availability. Anyone else have a different suggestion in case that falls through?

We had a wonderful meal at the Augustiner-Braueri. It is right on Marien Platz. - very good traditional food, okay prices, & good friendly service.

You certainly picked a most busy evening to dine out. When do you arrive in München? I find it a little humorous to ask about Americanized German food as it won't happen there. You'll find schnitzel everywhere whether is veal or pork. Saurbrauten, yes. Lots of good stuff on the menu's and don't hesitate to ask the wait staff what it is. First, I would send a post or call the hotel and see if they can help you. Second, I'd hit the tourist office and see what they had to say. They are very helpful and it's a little bit sad that Americans are embarrassed to use them. Third, I'd just head out early to Marienplatz and start from there. Don't be embarrassed to ask questions and you'd be surprised how friendly the locals are. The best place you could find would be a local joint that nobody knows about except for the locals.

My wife and I will also be in Munich on New Years Eve. I have noticed that all tourist attractions, museums, etc. will be closed.
We're just going to wing it. I'll bet there will be an open spot or two in one of the beer halls.Hofbrau seats over 4000 and we enjoy basic Bavarian food.

There ya go. Just go to the Hofbrauhaus and enjoy!

I'm not sure I would go to the Hofbrauhaus, except to maybe have a look around, a beer, and put the check in the box that you'd been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. :-) ((b))

Get the local food, you'll get so drunk it won't matter what it tastes like.

The best description I can give of Bavarian food is 'Brown'.

Bart

How can "weißwurst" be brown? (oh well, bretzels and mustard are.)

We just returned from Munich. We enjoyed the meal we had at Weiss's Brathaus on Tal just off of Marienplatz. The food was good and the large portions can be ordered in a smaller portion. I had the saurbraten and my husband had the wurst platter.
YUM!!!

We found Bavarian food to be very straight forward without much frou frou about it. Since it is NYE, I suspect that the fancier places will be pulling out all the stops with their menus, just like in the US. I have no doubt that with the more moderate places, you will be able to find plenty of your standard schnizels and potatoes :)

And I agree about not eating at the Hofbrauhaus - but do go in for a drink if you have time. It is an amazing place, just huge and crazy. The food wasn't that great when we went though.

Thanks for the info, everyone! I've contacted a few places, but the Augustiner and the Spatenhaus sound the best. Just in case anyone else is wondering what their special fixed price menus will be on NYE, here's some info.

Augustiner:
Homemade meatballs and savoy cabbage; Carpaccio of smoked salmon with lime sauce; Beef consommè with carrot vegetables and semolina dumplings; Veal with creamed morel sauce on baked celery slice with tagiatelle or Vension tournedos with juniper sauce; Creamed mushroom noodles and pears with cranberries; chocolate mousse

Spatenhaus:
Fillet of tuna on orange-basil sauce; Carpaccio of smoked venison with cranberry pear and fresh salad; Chestnut Cappuccino; Angler fish with lemon grass in a sesame crust with asian vegetables and basmati rice; Stuffed guinea fowl on leaf spinach, pine seeds and topinambur chips; Chocolate leaves on champagne mousse with fresh raspberries

Both sound great! Thanks again.

Hmmm...we ate at the Hofbrauhaus, mostly for the experience, and were quite pleased with our food. We weren't expecting much, but our schnitzel was delicious, and the apfelstruedel rivaled some of the best I've had in Germany. That being said, it is indeed touristy.

Tracy

Have you tried Donisl on the Marienplatz (http://www.bayerischer-donisl.de/), or Andechser am Dom (http://www.frommers.com/destinations/munich/D42979.html), just around the corner? The Altes Hackerhaus on Sendlingerstrasse just off Marienplatz also is excellent (http://www.hackerhaus.de/karten/hacker_en.pdf).

Personally, I'd try to avoid a fixed-price meal and go to where your group members have maximum menu flexibility.

Hi tmag,

Weisses Brauhaus is a good choice too.
Augustiner and Weisse Brauhaus are big beer halls like the Hofbrauhaus (which is also a good choice as they have traditional Bavarian music).

Another option which is more intimate and slightly smaller is the Paulaner im Tal (www.paulaner-im-tal.de). The owner is featured in a local TV program. It's around 5 minutes' walk from Marienplatz in direction of Isartor.

Another tip: while at Isartor, try the Feuerzangebowle (burnt fruit punch), it's right at the old city gate, and available from 21 Dec till 7 Jan. Good for a cold evening. :)