In Munich, beer culture is celebrated, and not just during Oktoberfest. Those who prefer good wine and fine dining instead of beer and pork knuckle should take note of the tips from wine.plus editor Raffaella Usai. She shares her favorite wine spots in the beer capital.
Munich stands for Hofbräuhaus, Oktoberfest, giant pretzels, and beer mugs. Tourists and locals alike celebrate beer culture in the dozens of beer gardens and traditional taverns. However, the many stylish to casual wine bars and restaurants that boast unique wine lists show that one can also enjoy wonderful wine in Munich. One should quickly forget the old prejudice that Munich's high society only drinks Aperol Spritz and Lugana.
Those who, like me, are averse to beer will still be happy in the Bavarian capital. Here are my personal recommendations, including classic wine bars, as well as restaurants where hospitality and love for wine are the focus.
Raffaella Usai
Bräuhausstraße 8, 80331 Munich
Mon to Fri from 5 – 11:30 PM, Sat 2 – 11:30 PM, Sun Closed
One can actually always go to "Griabig". On Saturday afternoons for a bottle of Kabinett after a stroll through the old town or for a nightcap later in the evening. The atmosphere is great. Griabig means cozy, snug, and homey: One couldn't have given the place a better name. Host Bernd Arold says about "Griabig": "Come in, stay, be yourself. No overpriced prices, no etiquette, no frills." That's why it is one of my favorite places in Munich. With over 15 top wines available by the glass, there is a huge selection, and the bottled wine list is also impressive. The focus is on Germany and Austria, but those who prefer wines from Italy, France, and Spain will also find something.
Raffaella Usai
Ickstattstraße 13, 80469 Munich
Thu to Mon from 6 PM
At Gasthaus Waltz by Stefan Grabler and Markus Hirschler, one feels completely at ease. The two Austrians know how to provide hospitality. They offer down-to-earth, good cuisine and a curated wine list that includes many classics as well as some underdogs. It may not sound exciting at first, but everything just fits together at Waltz. The place is usually fully booked, so their straightforward concept works. Grabler and Hirschler have learned their craft; they are professionals through and through – charming as well. The wines are served in Zalto glasses, and the wine list features top wines from Clemens Busch, Bürklin-Wolf, and Peter Jakob Kühn. For wine lovers who want to indulge in a relaxed atmosphere.
Raffaella Usai
Ledererstrasse 8, 80331 Munich
Mon to Thu: 6:30 PM – 12 AM and Fri & Sat: 6:30 PM – 1 AM
The Grapes in Hotel Cortiina is one of the fancier wine bars in the city center, just a few meters from Hofbräuhaus. Here, nothing is left to chance, as in none of the establishments of Munich's gastro giants Kull and Weinzierl. The minimalist decor exudes casualness, and in summer, one can also sit in the courtyard when the weather is nice. For owner Rudi Kull, Grapes should be "a meeting place for wine lovers from all over the world, a place for meeting and exchanging ideas." Thus, the clientele is often international. The food is not the main focus for me at Grapes; it rather accompanies the first-class wines in a relaxed manner. Always a good choice to spend a lovely evening!
Bar Mural
Theresienstraße 1, 80333 Munich
Glou Glou Monday 6 PM – 1 AM; Tue to Thu 6 PM – 1 AM; Fri & Sat 6 PM – 2 AM
Exceptional talent and sommelier Wolfgang Hingerl is now an integral part of Munich's gastro scene. In addition to his star restaurant "Mural" and the "Mural Farmhouse", he has also been running the casual Bar Mural in Maxvorstadt between Odeonsplatz and the university with his team for several years. Hingerl's concepts are bold, approachable, honest, and show that Munich can also be "out of the box". At Bar Mural, regional ingredients shine in simple yet unusual dishes, and on request, there is also a 5-course menu. In addition, mainly natural wines from all over Europe are paired. And because one often stands in front of closed gastro doors on Mondays, this day at Bar Mural is dedicated to the motto "Glou Glou". The team then serves top wines from a specific appellation or region by the glass, accompanied by a specially designed menu. Great idea!
Geisels’ Vinothek
Schützenstraße 11, 80335 Munich
Mon to Fri 12 – 12 AM, Sat 4 PM – 12 AM, Sun Closed
Located between the main train station and Stachus, the "Vinothek by Geisel" is for me the mother of all Munich wine bars. After sommelier Robert Zeller took care of the wine selection for over 25 years, new energy came to the Vinothek with Felix Jungwirth at the end of 2023. The wine list includes countless open wines and bottled wines from around the world, leaving almost no wish unfulfilled. In the rustic-cozy ambiance, guests can either enjoy a complete menu or simply treat themselves to a good glass of wine with a large cheese selection or a plate of freshly sliced Prosciutto di San Daniele.
Champagne Characters
Alter Messeplatz 6, 80339 Munich
Tue, Wed, Sat from 12 – 7 PM & Thu, Fri from 12 – 8 PM
Although I avoid Theresienwiese during Oktoberfest, I gladly make an exception for a visit to Nicola Neumann and her beautifully decorated shop. Her store "Champagne Characters" is located in Westend, just a stone's throw from the Wiesn. Whether for a quick after-work aperitif during the week or to kick off Saturday nicely, Nicola is always a good place for fans of characterful grower champagnes. She serves various champagnes by the glass starting at nine euros. Of course, one can also have the whole bottle if one wants to stay a bit longer. Conveniently located next to it is L'Oca Bianca, Munich's first Venetian cicchetteria. There, one can get some small Italian delicacies to go with the champagne. The perfect Italian-French combination!
Raffaella Usai
Hans-Sachs-Straße 3, 80469 Munich
Tue & Wed 6 PM – 12 AM, Thu to Sat 6 PM – 2 AM and Sun 6 PM – 12 AM, Mon Closed
The "Blue Dragonfly" is a charming wine bar in the trendy Glockenbachviertel. The young, dynamic team shares a passion for good wine and is happy to recommend wild discoveries that lie outside the beaten path. In a relaxed atmosphere, one can order various small dishes, ranging from oysters to octopus, but there are also many vegetarian dishes from Mediterranean cuisine on the menu. Everything is recommended, so it makes sense to order several items and share the portions. Ideal for a small hunger and a big thirst!
Raffaella Usai
Clemensstraße 7, 80803 Munich
Tue to Sat 6 PM – 1 AM
The small wine bar opened in summer 2023 by the busy rockstar sommelier Justin Leone is located in my neighborhood, just a few steps from Munich Freiheit. The former sommelier of Munich's "Tantris" has fulfilled his dream of a "terroir wine bar" here. His wine list includes over 800 wines, around 700 of which can be enjoyed glass by glass thanks to the Coravin system in 0.1l format. A unique concept in Munich. During my last visit, I spent six hours(!) tasting through the wine list. Among them were treasures like a Nervi Gattinara from 1967. The focus is on wines from overseas (the entire USA stock of Tantris), but top wines from Germany, France, and Italy are also not neglected. For all who not only drink wines but love them!