There is also a Paulaner restaurant / biergarten and a Weihenstephen restaurant in the vicinity of Isartor. I'm not too fond of Weihenstephen beer (it has a bad aftertaste to me), but the Paulaner restaurant is really good, and you can sit outside if it is warm enough.

ROFL

Sausage and beer fro breakfast. Man am I looking forward. :)

I can see the conversation with dergon_gf now.

"But dear, it's part of the culture! We've got to fit in. *turns to vendor* Sure I'll hve another breakfast litre. " ;)

thanks for input so far, all. Quite helpful.

Very True, however, when you return your Maß and token to reclaim your pfand, if you ask at the pfand refund desk (after you've returned yours), they have used maß glasses for sale that are 4EUR (this was the price a few years back, could be more now). They'll even give you a nice bag and some tissue paper to protect from chipping. I wouldn't recommend trying to sneak the maß out either, especially in the busy summer months. They have undercover security near the exits like at the Hof that try pretty hard to keep you from stealing the mugs.

I like Spatenhaus an der Oper (across the "Platz" from the Opera and the Residenz Palace). The food and the beer are all typical Bavarian and all, but in a more sophisticated setting, compared to Hofbraeuhaus and the like.

Those touristy places can be fun, but are not for everyone. I find them too noisy, not clean enough, and the service inconsistent. Not to mention that tables are shared with strangers who, IME, will certainly smoke.:td:

simplified:

- go downtown / old town, walk around frauenkirche (church) or down a street called "tal" for bavarian food.
- walk "5 hoefe" and maximilianstraße for luxury- or window- shopping
- walk odeonsplatz, briennerstr., ludwigstr., residenzpark just to walk...

- go to a neighbourhood called glockenbachviertel for drinks at night (yes, it's gay, but it's also where the cool bars are) or schwabing, tuerkenstr. and surroundings, same, not gay.

that's all easy going, you can look it up in your guidebook...

plenty more things to do, it's a great and safe city...

enjoy.

correct about the "touristy places" although in many munich places, tourists and locals mix. (not really in hofbräuhaus).

the "sharing with strangers" thing is bavarian... it is not meant to be rude. in many traditional places, inside or beergarden, tables seat maybe 10 - 12 pax, so you just sit down and join... ;)

and: no more smoking in restaurants in germany (in general with some exceptions)

Personally I think that sharing a table is a lot of fun. You meet all kinds of people and next thing you know, you're doing schnapps with strangers, and after a few of those, everybody speaks 'drunkenese'. :D

HTSC

Not anymore. Bavaria has the most severe smoking ban law in Germany. No smoking allowed in any kind of public building, bar or restaurant. The German legislation got pretty tough on smokers the last two years.

Bavarian bar owners have also been among the most creative in getting around the ban, what with the emergence of smoking clubs, etc.

I have nothing against sharing tables, my problem is with someone smoking 20cm from me. I haven't been there since 2007, so I didn't know about the smoke ban; great news.
I had the pleasure of living in Munich for 3 years, so I am fully aware of how friendly people there are.

i'm in MUC last week in March - that just happens to be Starkbierzeit:cool:
anywhere special i should visit that weekend?

the most genuine Starkbier-experience will be at the "Nockerberg".
It´s Oktoberfest-like feeling. But watch the beer: it´s one of the strongest beers in the world and knocks out a lot of big guys after the first Mass:D

To bring in a more upscale, but still very Bavarian like option:

"Käfer Schänke" in the Prinzregentenstrasse
and "Schuhbeck´s Tiroler Stub´n" (1 Mich. star) at the Platzl (next to Hofbräuhaus) offer both very high level cuisine but with strong Bavarian touch.
Both of them are a MUST, if guiding my international co-workers through Munich.

One of the best for cocktails: "Schuhmann´s" near Maximilianstrasse or "Lenbach" at the Lenbachpalais.

For all of them normaly reservation is neccassary.

Enjoy your trip ! :)

lemieux66 thanks for the info ^
3 weeks of hard training for the Starkbier ahead:D