During my stay in Munich this past spring, I headed to Hofbrauhaus one night for dinner and what else, bier! It was perfect timing cause the afternoon I decided to go, it was pouring outside and I couldn’t “sight see” anyways.
Now, there are 6 Hofbrauhaus restaurants in America (Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Nevada and 2 in Ohio) and 1 Hofbrauhaus beer hall in Florida. While I’m sure all US locations are fun, there’s nothing like the OG in Bavaria.
So here are five reasons why you should definitely stop by Hofbrauhaus the next time you’re in Munchen.
1 | Amazing Atmosphere
This place was packed. I can only imagine how crazy it can get during peak season and during Oktoberfest. You can find tourists and locals alike inside which gives the crowd a good mix. It’s communal seating so don’t be shy and grab a seat and make new friends! I sat next to some American college students for a while and watched them play drinking games and then they left and a group of older Swedes sat down. They are all retired and wanted to take a “boys trip”, pretty awesome. One of the guys actually did some work in Houston and he was wearing a Texas belt buckle that night!
2 | Pork Knuckle
At first I was a little unsure about order the pork knuckle but the group of college kids I was sitting next to said it was awesome so I ordered this popular Bavarian dish. Verdict, it was actually really good. Don’t let it intimidate you. It is pretty big so sharing is not a bad idea. It comes with a potato dumpling which is also popular in that neck of the woods. Oh and if you’re wondering, the pork knuckle is located right above the ankle on a pig (if pigs had ankles).
3 | Pretzel + Bier
Pretzels and beer the size of your head. Welcome to Hofbrauhaus! The pretzels were crazy good (like pretty much all pretzels in Germany) and the beer, well I mean c’mon you’re in Germany. I haven’t drank that much beer in forever. I was good after two but then those crazy Swedes bought me a round and the rest of the night was a blur. Great times! I was totally craving some German beer after the trip so I was ecstatic to learn that our local Spec’s carries Hofbrau!
4 | Tradition
Yes, when you’re inside the beer hall, you might be sitting next to someone drunker than a skunk but this place has definitely seen its fair share of famous patrons. Presidents J. F. Kennedy and G. W. Bush both drank a beer there, and Wolfgang Mozart lived around the corner from Hofbrauhaus back in the late eighteenth century and made several visits to the beer hall. Now, many many years later, the tradition continues. They don’t even have WiFi (which is a good thing!).
5 | Bavarian History
Hofbrauhaus was originally built in 1589. In 1828, the general public was admitted thanks to Ludwig I of Bavaria. Sixty-nine years later it was completely remodeled and then during WWII, everything was destroyed except for the bottom floor. It wasn’t until 1958 that the hall was completely rebuilt. This place has been through the wringer but still manages to give us a good time.
Have you been to Hofbrauhaus in Munich? Did you try the pork knuckle?
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I had pork knuckle at Oktoberfest in Brisbane does that count? I loved Sara's post last week too!
Yesssss pork knuckle! I had it for the first time in Czech Republic last summer and I've found it in some other places too since. It's so good!
Ha yes it counts! Did you like it? There's a German restaurant off Gessner here that I've been to once… I wonder if they have it there!
Ha yes! I don't even think we finished our pretzel… between the two of us! We got one and then our food came out, we just looked at each other like "Tooooo muuuchhhh foooodd" ha
Just another reason to go back! You can maybe find it in other areas too. Anna below said she had some in the Czech Republic 🙂
Lol I would to visit an American location just to see what it's like compared to the one in Munich. But hey if your German friends enjoyed themselves, then it has to be legit!
Oh man, my husband will love to hear that you can get pork knuckle in other countries as well! He got it again for dinner the next night at another restaurant ha!
I read this with the music playing – definitely soaked up that atmosphere! That pretzel is huge!
This is SO fantastic! I'd love to go there– the atmosphere does look amazing.
I'm all for it, just for the pretzels 😀
Omg I love Hofbrauhaus! When I was in Munich with my friends, we ate there one night and had such a great time that we went back two nights later, lol. Such an awesome atmosphere!
This brings back great memories of my visit to Hofbrauhaus on a Contiki tour some five years ago. Did not try the Pork Knuckle but those pretzels are indeed crazy good and the atmosphere is just awesome!
The free walking tour I went on in Munich took us here! I loved the ceilings and the band the most! Can't wait to get back to Munich, and will have to try that pork knuckle!
Yes, I have been to the Hofbrauhaus, but I didn't try the pork knuckle. It was many years ago and had such a great time. You and your husband are such a cute couple. Love seeing your pics.
What a great place to dine at! I bet there are a handful like restaurants like these in the world with such heritage! That beer is saying my name I swear!
1. I tried pork knuckle too in Cologne and had the same reservations about the sounds of it…but enjoyed it! 2. That pic of you with the beer and pretzel is the cutest! 3. Thanks so much for the #TravelTuesday shout-out! 🙂
It was seriously gigantic! We couldn't even finish one between the two of us! ha
The pretzel was so good! And huge, we couldn't even finish one between the two of us! Love me some carbs!
It was so much fun! You'll have to make a visit to Munich soon 😉 Oh and invite me! lol
Lol that's awesome! I would have been happy going there every night during our 3 day stay in Munich! It's like a party the second you walk in!
They really need to think about changing the name from pork knuckle to something else lol. There's something about "knuckle" that makes you not want to eat it but afterwards you are so glad you did lol. And you're very welcome! Loved your post from last week 🙂
I totally want to go back just for the pretzels and beer! I love how it's like party the second you walk in!
You'll have to try it and let me know what you think! I wish they would rename it, the word "knuckle" doesn't sound too appetizing but I swear it's good! lol
Thanks Karen! Now you have an excuse to go back to Munich and Hofbrauhaus! 🙂 I would go back just to hang out at Hofbrauhaus! You can't help but be in a good mood there!
Christine, why dont we alreaadyyyy?! But lets use this as positive karma so the law of attraction can do the works!
Thanks Margo!! I'm with you, the second I walked in I was like this place is awesome! 😛 And everyone was so nice and in a good mood too!
That pork knuckle though!! Looks so good! Thanks for the post- I'll be sure to look out for these things next time I'm in Germany!
-Natalia
http://glitterandpassport.blogspot.com/
The name is a little iffy but I'm so glad I tried the pork knuckle cause it was awesome! You'll have to try it when you're in Germany 🙂
Seriously SO much history. And bier doesn't hurt! 😉