Hofbräuhaus München

roblowther

Texas

3.85/5  rDev -3.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$

This is just one of those "must visit" places. And it doesn't dissapoint. Huge, loaded with history, packed with revelers, complete with umpah band, adorned with the sexiest pretzel girls you've ever seen, and serving (bier) in massive one-liter steins. It's beer heaven really. The atmosphere is phenomenal. I recommend spending an afternoon in the biergarten. The service is good and fast, although, as with almost everywhere I went in Germany, I wish they would check on the table more often. Of course, the liter steins help mitigate that need. The selection is small but the beers are excellent examples of the styles. The food is very good & the whole thing not too expensive for a place that could probably charge whatever they like & still draw a tourist crowd. If you make it to Bavaria, this one is mandatory. Prost!

07-29-2008 01:39:04 | More by roblowther

DoubleJ

California

3.88/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4 | $$

With all the fame surrounding the Hofbrauhaus, it isn't just beer lovers who visit this place; it's a tourist destination. As the most stereotypical beer hall in a city that knows beer halls, no wonder it's so popular. It looks big on the outside, and it seems to get bigger once you walk in. There's a gift shop to the right as you enter, a big stage for bands to play traditional Bavarian music (and I got my share during lunchtime), and a sea of tables and benches throughout the first floor. I wouldn't be surprised if you could seat 500 people! If that wasn't enough, there's an enclosed biergarten with at least another 100 capacity, and a second and thrid floor (the top floor reserved as a dining and dance hall). Much of the ground floor was filled with a combination of tourists, FC Bayern, and Barcelona fans (this being gameday of the first leg of the semi-finals), and a few pockets of open tables which I targeted.

4 different beers on-tap (Urbock, Weiss, Dunkel, and Original Helles) plus a bottled non-alcoholic wheat. Despite the attraction of popularity of the place, the prices are reasonable for food and beer (one liter pours are €7.60). It isn't just the beer that they brew themselves, they also have their own butchery which makes their own sausage. No wonder my bockwurst and potato salad were agreeable.

Flagging a server took a little time, but to his credit, he was able to get my liter of beer and bockwurst out in a matter of minutes. But I get the impression that he was rushing me, as I was pay to pay right after getting my order. What if I decide to order another liter? Or maybe this is how they turn tables quickly at the Hofbrauhaus.

Classic beer hall. Classic beer. Classic Munich flare. Everybody should visit this place once in their lifetime.

05-10-2013 15:46:53 | More by DoubleJ

Paincane

Georgia

4.47/5  rDev +11.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$

THE destination that I HAD to visit when in Munich. I got excited just seeing the building. Walking in was the beginning of the experience. Bavarian culture at its finest. The band playing drinking songs, the benches, people from all over the world, good food and the beer made it a sensory bonanza. My wife and three sons accompanied me and enjoyed it so much that we did it again two nights later. The 1L dimpled mugs were awesome. The Dünkel was great. The food was perfect. Pretzels and wurst with the beer just made me happy. Like a kid in a candy store. Granted, the beer selection is somewhat limited but the beer is very good.
Absolutely a must in your beer life. If you are anywhere near Munich, make the pilgrimage and also check out the others in the neighborhood. Ayinger, Augustiner, Paulaner and Weisses are all nearby and worth the effort.

01-15-2012 22:41:36 | More by Paincane

VaterRoss

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -13%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$$

This place is something else, the Disneyland of Bavarian beer culture. Huge building with many different seating areas. Make sure to arrive somewhat early as it closes and empties out fairly early by American standards. Think of the Hofbräuhaus as more of an experience than a restaurant and you're on the right track. Where we sat there were tons of old wooden table crowded up with tons of people and even more beer. The raucous environment encourages socialization with those nearby. Food was good but expensive. All of this to the backing of a band busting out drinking songs and Schlager songs.

Downsides: expensive prices and average to poor service. Just remember you're not paying for the food/service, you're paying for the experience.

This place is incredible, everyone must go here at least once. The pretty good food, limited beer selection, and high prices make it difficult to recommend going more than once, but that one time you do go, oh boy, get ready to have a blast.

12-31-2011 19:42:19 | More by VaterRoss

skypup

Germany

3.88/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5 | $$$

This was my 3rd time at the HB haus, but the first I took some notes to review it.

This is the atmosphere that makes Munich. The oompa loompa band in the background, and close seating that engages you to get to know your neighbors

The beer is great, the food great, and the selection is pretty good too. several beers available and most typical bavarian fair is on the menu as well as specials.

It was busy, same day as a FC Bayern soccer match, so in the defense of our waiter he pulled off some pretty good feats in terms of taking orders keeping a sense of humor and keeping fresh beers on the table.

Even our waiter told us that something undecipherable had occured in the kitchen and my food would be a while. over a span of nearly an hour, my kraut appeared, followed by my sommel knudel 30 minutes later, and finally my pork knuckle 30 minutes after than. Even the Germans sitting next to us said, "you know your dumplings tastes better when it is warm."

A Mass beer of Dunkel ran about 8 Euro.

10-30-2011 08:50:53 | More by skypup

EpicWI

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +11.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$$

I've been to Munich several times and I love the Hofbrau house.

Loaded with tourists and locals alike, everyone is friendly and always willing to strike up a conversation. The food and service great, especially considering how much and fast they're churning it out (and if ever in Bavaria, make sure to try a schweinhaxe at some point - it's the pork eating equivalent of sex).

The original German umpa environment, like any such environment it can be dangerous if you try keeping your drinking up with the band, so pay attention how fast it's going down. Otherwise you may get to experience the restroom floor "vomitoriams" first hand.

10-21-2011 00:19:44 | More by EpicWI

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4.06/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Stopped in here with some friends during our Oktoberfest vacation. The place was packed, witht ons of people occupying all of the tables inside and out. We walked through, searching for seats and finally landed some at a table outside. The outside area was like a nice quaint courtyard, with trees, cobblestone, an upper deck and a sheltered area. There were plenty of servers bringing beer tot he tables all night. They offered all the traditional beer choices of this style of party, including Marzen, dunkle, radler etc. Songs were playing and people were singing and swaying here. The inside seemed to be much more festive. We didnt try any food but the beer and atmospheric experience was wonderful.

09-27-2011 11:06:13 | More by BeerForMuscle

cagocubs

Illinois

4.29/5  rDev +7.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

If you ever find yourself in Munich, you must visit the world famous Hofbrau House.

The atmosphere of this place is what makes it famous. This is a large area packed with people from all over the world. Everyone is friendly and welcoming. The service was great as they got you your beer quickly. The selection offered includes all the major German styles of beer. I did not personally have the food, but from what I saw it looked promising. This is the type of place where you stop in for a beer and stay most of the day. A great place to drink and socialize.

08-07-2011 21:41:07 | More by cagocubs

Chincino

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +7.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

I simply love this place and visited twice during my recent trip to Germany. This establishment is truly a beer mecca and is a must see if you're in Munich.

The Hofbräuhaus is a lively place and as soon as you walk in it is impossible not to be swept away by the upbeat atmosphere which is filled with an abundance of beer drinkers, traditional German music, and staff bustling about bringing people beers in large glasses. It is impressive how many of the large glasses some of the staff can carry at once. The selection isn't the biggest, but the beers offered are traditional German beers. I had the Hofbrau original and one of their darker beers as well. There is outdoor seating available which seems like it would be great in the warm weather (it was still a bit chilly when we were seated outside). The food was very good and I highly recommend the Mushroom Pot dish under the vegetarian section.

This place is not to be missed and I hope to go back again someday!

04-08-2011 21:34:23 | More by Chincino

Cmack15

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -3.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$

This is one of the beer meccas that every beer geek should try to visit at least once. The place is freakin huge and can hold up to 3,000 people (I was told this by a doorman). The first floor is where you will probably be when you visit the Hofbrauhaus and it is filled with long tables where you just sit and drink your beer and listen to the music and enjoy the atmosphere. The place is usually busy and filled with people singing and having a good time, you can feel the energy in the air and its contagious. The beer selection is not much but you come here for the experience more then the beer. The beers I did have were good and went down smooth. The mugs are half liter size so you get your moneys worth. In warmer weather you can sit outside in their courtyard and enjoy your beer. Awesome Place!
Cheers

03-31-2011 23:24:23 | More by Cmack15