Munich: The three beer gardens popular with locals
Aside from the famous two-week Oktoberfest beer bender, brew culture in Munich flows year-round. When the weather is sunny and warm, the locals descend upon Biergartens, although residents often opt for less touristy options than, say, the English Gardens.
Here are three beer gardens that are very popular with Munich’s locals, all of them ready to pour one-liter drinks and dish up hearty meals.
Taxisgarten
Taxisstraße 12
Hours: 10 AM – 11:30 PM
U-Bahn station: Gern
The Taxisgarten biergarten has been serving 1,500 guests at a time in its outdoor garden in Western Munich since the 1920s when a group of World War I veterans started the establishment. The place pours both well-known Spaten pils and Franziskaner weiss beers, and offers tradition Bavarian goods like spare ribs and radishes dabbed with avocado cream. Getting there is a bit of a trek, but well worth the effort, as Taxisgarten is a staple for locals and an unforgettable spot for visitors.
Augustiner biergarten
Arnulfstrasse 52
Hours: 11:30am – 11:30pm
S-Bahn stations: Hauptbahnhof or Hackerbrücke
Conveniently situated beneath a canopy of chestnut trees near Central Station, the 8,000-seat Augustiner biergarten is a hidden treasure offering beer and food at reasonable prices. Their obadza cheeseball with brazen is a mouth-watering salty match, although all of the food is a smorgasbord of yummy traditional grub. The beer, Augustiner, is from Munich’s oldest brewery and has been proclaimed the “state’s best beer” twice over.
Hirschgarten
Hirschgarten 1, 80639 München
Hours: 9am – midnight
Getting there: S-Bahn station Laim
Hirschgarten (“Deer Garden”) is not only Germany’s (and possibly the world’s) largest biergarten, but also a unique opportunity to drink a beer in the company of deer. Located in a green pasture home to many deer, the animals shuffle about, offering a unique Bavarian photo-op. As the beer garden can accommodate (unbelievably!) up to 8,000 people, a seat is always easy to snag. Happily, the beer is also uber cheap, and you’re sure to mingle with a Munich crowd. Grab a wurst and a beverage, and be sure to check out the nearby Nymphenburg palace to polish off a perfect weekend afternoon.
About the author
THANK YOU for this!! My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Munich many years ago and stumbled upon the Augustiner biergarten where we had a very memorable experience. I had no idea what the place we visited was even called! Since then I’ve literally dreamt of this place and its wonderfulness. Now I know what it is called and can visit it (online) whenever I want. 🙂