Munich Old Town Food Tour: Bavarian Specialties & Beer Halls

Summary

Munich’s flavors come alive in old town markets, beer halls, and bakeries

You’ll wander Munich’s old town tasting Bavarian specialties—from fresh pretzels and weisswurst with morning beer to market cheeses and honey wine—all alongside locals and your guide. Expect laughter in historic beer halls, stories behind every bite, and maybe even a surprise dessert at the city’s oldest patisserie.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the clatter of cups and a warm smell of yeast drifting out from a bakery just off Sebastian Platz. Our guide, Anna, waved us over with a grin—she had that kind of energy that made you feel like you’d known her for ages. She handed me something called a schmaltznudel (I definitely pronounced it wrong), still hot and slightly greasy in my hand. It tasted like Sunday mornings should taste, if that makes sense.

We wandered through Munich’s old town, weaving past St Peter’s church while Anna pointed out little things I’d never have noticed—a faded mural here, the way locals nod to each other at crosswalks. At Marienplatz we stopped for street food and watched the glockenspiel chime out its story. I tried to film it but mostly caught people laughing at my awkward camera angles. Then came the classic “second breakfast”: pretzel, weisswurst, and yes—beer before noon at a 13th-century inn. The white sausage was softer than I expected, almost sweet with mustard. Anna told us you’re supposed to peel it but honestly, I gave up halfway through.

The Viktualienmarkt was chaos in the best way—cheese stalls shouting prices, honey wine samples that stuck on my tongue long after we left. We met a cheesemonger who insisted we try his favorite blue (“not too strong!” he promised). He lied—it was strong—but good. Somewhere between bites of leberkäse and sips of wheatbeer, I realized how much Munich’s food is about sharing tables with strangers who become less strange after a few minutes.

Later we ducked into Munich’s oldest restaurant for dessert and stories about brewing culture (the walls looked like they could talk). We peeked inside the Hofbräuhaus—just for the history—and then slipped through narrow passages behind what used to be the city’s castle. By the end I was full but somehow still wanted more; our last stop was this fancy old patisserie where Anna surprised us with something sweet and delicate—I won’t spoil it here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Munich Old Town Food and Culture Tour

• Meet at Sebastian Platz square
• Visit local cult classic cafe
• Pass St Peters church and learn food history
• Enjoy street food at Marienplatz glockenspiel
• Have pretzel, beer, and white sausage breakfast
• Explore Viktualienmarkt and taste local products
• Visit Munich's oldest restaurant for beer and dessert
• Brief visit to Hofbräuhaus beerhall
• Walk through hidden passages and castle courtyard
• End with sweet treat at oldest delicatessen

Top questions

How many foods do you try on this Munich food tour?

You’ll taste 10 or more Bavarian specialties during the tour.

Is lunch included on the Munich Old Town Food Tour?

The tour includes multiple tastings throughout—enough for lunch.

Does this day trip include beer tastings?

Yes, you’ll sample local brewery lager and wheatbeer as part of the experience.

Where does the Munich food tour start?

The tour begins at Sebastian Platz in Munich’s old town.

Is there a guide on this Munich culinary tour?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads the group through all stops.

Are vegetarian options available?

You can request dietary accommodations by contacting in advance.

How much walking is involved on this Munich food tour?

The tour involves a fair amount of walking around old town; comfortable shoes are recommended.

Does this include entry to beer halls or just passing by?

You’ll visit several historic beer halls including brief stops inside some locations.

What’s included

Your day includes guided tastings of over ten Bavarian specialties like weisswurst, freshly baked pretzels, leberkäse meatloaf, artisanal cheeses and honey wine; visits to bakeries, markets and historic beer halls; plus a surprise dessert from Munich’s oldest delicatessen—all led by a local guide through old town streets.