How to Eat in Munich on the Cheap

Munich is one of Europe's more expensive cities, thanks in part to its location in the wealthy province of Bavaria. The local specialties are tasty and filling, however, and you can get a good meal without sacrificing your budget.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Foreign Language Phrase Books
• Local Guidebooks
• Maps
• Airline Tickets
• Travel Services

1. Get a good budget guidebook or two before your trip. Many guides include restaurant listings in a variety of price ranges, and some will also help you figure out how to convert prices listed in German marks into your own currency.
2. Surf the Web before you go, or from a local Internet café once you arrive, to find restaurant indexes and reviews. Some of these sites may allow you to search in specific price ranges.
3. Visit the public market in central Munich. It's the best place to find deals on bratwurst in a bun or a bowl of hearty soup served with a hunk of good bread.
4. Buy bread, cheese and fruit at the market or a grocery store and have a picnic.
5. Eat at one of Munich's stand-up snack bars, where you'll find Bavarian specialties at lower prices.
6. Ask at your hotel or hostel about the best places to find traditional German food at affordable prices. The management may even have a collection of sample menus for your perusal.
7. Find out where the locals eat. Almost everyone you talk to will probably have a few suggestions that fit within your budget. Even if you don't speak German, you'll find that most people speak at least a little English.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to find a phrasebook that contains good phonetic pronunciations of food-related terms; this will help you order from the menu, as well as figure out what the items on the menu actually are.
• Steer clear of the main tourist areas when searching for affordable food; restaurant prices usually drop sharply once you get a few blocks away from the major attractions. Alternatively, head for the university district.
• Do visit one or more of Munich's famous beer gardens, but watch your budget. What may seem like an affordable meal can quickly become expensive after a few rounds of the local brew. Also watch your wallet and possessions carefully, because intoxicated tourists are excellent targets for pickpockets and muggers.
• Find out in advance if the restaurant you plan to visit takes credit cards. Many European restaurants still don't, and some will accept just one card instead of the whole range.