The Best Beer Gardens in Munich (2026 Guide)

Stokepedia

Because Oktoberfest ends, but your thirst doesn’t.

Why Beer Gardens in Munich Deserve Their Own Spotlight

Visiting Munich? From outdoor beer gardens in the city center to tucked-away spots near the Isar River, beer garden culture in Munich is buzzing year-round. And we know you won’t be rocking up to Sunday mass anytime soon, so may as well head over to the Church of Germany, where the pints are big, and the employees are mostly blonde and very serious.

No more coughing up 15 euros for a freaking stein: The beer garden is a cheaper escape than the beer halls of Oktoberfest — more space, better vibes, and actual beer garden culture without getting elbowed by a man named Dieter.

Stoke tip: Some of your best memories (and worst decisions) will happen under chestnut trees.

The Absolute 6 Best Beer Gardens in Munich

There are plenty of other beer gardens scattered around the city, but we’ve narrowed it down to just a handful of the best beer gardens worth your time this summer.

1. Hirschgarten – A Sprawling Beer Garden Near Nymphenburg Palace

The largest beer garden in the world, up to 8,000 people kind of big, and easily one of the prettiest beer gardens in Munich.

Deer roaming nearby (Americans put the hunting rifle down!)

Bring your own food, buy their beer (yes, you can bring food into most traditional beer gardens in Munich). There’s no shame, everyone does it!

Clock in for a minute because it’s traditional for guests to clean their own mugs.

Stoke tip: Grab a litre of Augustiner and pet a deer named Kevin for good luck

2. Augustiner-Keller – Classic German Beer Garden Near the Main Train Station

Park up under the shady chestnut trees for a cold one. This tent boasts 5,000 seats and lots of traditional Bavarian charm to admire a couple of beers deep.

Self-serve area with classic German dishes … You break it, you buy it, butterfingers. And yes, it’s actually good food — not just “beer snack” survival rations.

The locals love this one; it’s a bit less touristy and retains that classic German charm of splitting the bill and militant punctuality.

Stoke tip: Order the roast pork and a Maß of Augustiner and ponder all the embarrassing things you said last night after 10 beers. Don’t worry I’m sureeee the group of reserved 18 year old french girls you met at the hostel were super interested in your lengthy retelling of WWII.

3. Chinesischer Turm – In the Heart of Munich’s English Garden (Englischer Garten)

The 25-meter pagoda may look a bit like the leaning tower of Pisa after some drinks, but its beauty attracts 7,000 guests daily, and they loveee looking at that thang.

Great spot for post-paddle beer after river surfing, stumbling the walking trails, or nude sunbathing if you’re into that kind of thing.

Stoke tip: Join the dancers —Shake that rump and bump those tunes to get the Germans out of their shell a bit. They love a dance or two after some drinks.

4. Hofbräukeller (Not Hofbräuhaus!)

Bit more laidback than its tourist-filled brother, so if you’re keen for a breather and a good time, Hof 2.0 has got your back.

Local scene, riverside views, family-friendly(so keep your dirndl on,) but still rowdy enough

Stoke tip: Great weekday stop for a recovery hour and to debrief how the hell your friend managed to lose their phone, dignity, and third virginity in one night.

5. Viktualienmarkt Biergarten – Central & Iconic, Steps from Town Hall

Right in the middle of Munich’s food markets and food stalls for when you get those drunken nom noms.

Wide variety of local breweries to keep it interesting, not just one brand boring your tbuds.

Stoke tip: Grab some snacks from the market stalls and bring them in, not only is it legal but its also encouraged;) The Germans love a deal!

6. Seehaus im Englischen Garten – Lakeside Luxe

For you upscale kooks, here’s a beer garden with luxe lakeside seating that will separate you from those peasants down below

A little bit fancy, but they still serve Augustiner for all the boujee birds who still like to get down and dirty.

What to Know Before You Go

Most beer gardens let you bring your own food (not drinks). Don’t be greedy and try to sneak in both the German beer culture

Cash is king — some of these medieval places still don’t take cards

“Ein Maß, bitte” = “One litre of beer, please”

Don’t sit at “Stammtisch” tables — they’re reserved for locals… and they bite. There’s a bit of Munich beer garden etiquette that’s easy enough to follow: just be polite, and you’re all set. Rumor has it they feed the worst tourists to those freaky Christmas Krampus demons to keep them fueled up through the off-season.

Final Pour

Beer gardens are the chilled-out alternative to Oktoberfest tents for when you don’t feel like squeezing that bod into a dirndl or trampling some innocent study abroad students to get a table in a beer tent. Move! Take advantage of those plush chestnut trees to touch some grass and recover from whatever you got up to last night. The gardens are the perfect place to take a deep breath, draft some apology messages if you blacked out last night, and sip that stein.