Culinary Guide to the Best Food at Oktoberfest in Munich – Travel Dudes
The Oktoberfest in Munich, the largest folk festival in the world, is not only a spectacular event, but also a culinary highlight. For international travelers visiting the festival, there is a wealth of traditional Bavarian delicacies to discover.
Yep, that’s right. There’s more than beer to look forward to when attending Oktoberfest.
Here’s your ultimate culinary guide on what to eat at Oktoberfest in Munich!
Related read: Everything You Need To Know About Attending Oktoberfest in Munich
Here is an overview:
What to Know About the Food at Oktoberfest
The importance of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is far more than just a collection of beer tents and fairground rides. It celebrates culture, tradition and, above all, food and drink.
Every year, it attracts millions of visitors from all over the world who come together to celebrate and enjoy the Bavarian way of life.
Traditional Bavarian cuisine
At the heart of the culinary experience at Oktoberfest is traditional Bavarian cuisine. This is often referred to as “Schmankerl” and includes a variety of hearty dishes that go perfectly with a freshly tapped beer.
Related read: A Sustainable Bavaria Travel Guide
Culinary atmosphere
The Theresienwiese, the venue of the Oktoberfest, is transformed into a huge “Oktoberfest buffet” during the festival.
Here, you can stroll from tent to tent and sample the various specialties on offer.
Popular dishes at Oktoberfest
Here are a few of the popular foods you’ll find at Oktoberfest:
- Pretzels (Brezeln): These large, salty pretzels are a must at Oktoberfest. They are the perfect “Bavarian finger food” and go perfectly with any drink. They are as soft as a fresh roll on the inside and crispy, tasty and huge as a millstone on the outside! The coarse salt on the pretzel will make you thirsty but don’t worry—as long as there’s still beer in the glass, the next pint will stay fresh.
- Leberkäse or “Leberkas”: “liver-cheese”? Yes, the term Leberkäse can sometimes cause confusion. But don’t worry, Leberkäse has nothing to do with liver or cheese! At first glance, this Bavarian meat specialty may seem puzzling, but it tastes so good that you wonder why it’s not called liver ecstasy! A thick slice of Leberkäse can be enjoyed simply on bread with mustard or on a plate with salad or a fried egg.
- Pork knuckle or “a Haxn”: Pork knuckle or “a Haxn” – this is a real highlight on the plate! This juicy and tender delicacy is so big that you would almost have to book a separate flight ticket for it.
- Hendl or Brathendl (roast chicken): An absolute classic at the Oktoberfest and a real treat from Bavaria! The crispy chicken with secret spices is so delicious that you’ll wonder if the chickens secretly bathed in beer before eating it! Of course, that’s nonsense: they simply serve perfectly prepared roast chicken.
- Bavarian dumpling dishes: In Bavaria, as in many alpine regions, there are dumplings in all variations! Whether bread dumplings, bacon dumplings, potato dumplings, spinach dumplings or stuffed dumplings: you will love them so round and fluffy, sometimes they are even as big as a fist. Dumplings are usually a delicious side dish. But these versatile all-rounders are also perfect as a starter or full meal, for example as dumplings with cheese and clarified butter, dumplings with goulash or as dumpling tris.
- Käsespätzle: You cook these pieces of dough in a bain-marie and serve them with lots of cheese and fried onions. A culinary delight that is not only found in Bavaria, but tastes particularly delicious here. Spaetzle plus cheese plus golden-brown fried onions equals paradise on the plate and Oktoberfest cheese spaetzle is always particularly tasty.
- Sausage in all its varieties: In Bavaria, there are as many delicious sausage varieties as there are mustard varieties! In addition to all kinds of bratwurst, bockwurst, meat sausages and Nuremberg sausages, there is also the typical white sausage. But be careful: white sausages should not be served at lunchtime. This tasty classic is usually enjoyed as a late breakfast with wheat beer, pretzels and sweet mustard. Incidentally, many of these other delicacies are often accompanied by fine mustard and hearty sauerkraut.
- Snacks: Enjoy traditional snacks at the Wiesn! Instead of chicken, some visitors prefer cheese. In the early years of the Oktoberfest, food was less about enjoyment and more about satiety. Back then, cheese, bread and pretzels were the main food. Popular individual dishes include pressed sausage, handmade sausage, radishes, pickles, sausage salad, cold roast pork and Obatzter. The prices for mixed snacks can vary greatly depending on the tent, which is often reflected in the selection.
- Fish on a stick: Yes, Bavaria doesn’t just have meat, it also has fish, and you’ll be surprised at how creative the Bavarians are. When grilling, cooking and enjoying this delicious fish skewer, fish lovers will literally be in seventh heaven! The Steckerlfisch is basically a traditional finger food with a hearty, spicy flavor that is simply delicious.
- Desserts: The selection of desserts in most tents is usually limited to steamed dumplings, Apfelkücherl, Apfelstrudel and Kaiserschmarrn – if at all. Auszogne are often sold directly at the table like pretzels. In some specialized coffee tents and stalls you will also find sweet dumplings such as yeast or apricot dumplings. These are joined by Bavesen, curd cheese strudel and the popular roasted almonds.
Food stalls at Oktoberfest
In addition to the street vendors of the small tents, which are based on their menus, you will find delicacies such as bratwurst rolls or pork sausages with cabbage, as well as tent-specific specialties such as knuckle of pork or ox rolls.
The specialized fish stands offer a larger selection of (comparatively inexpensive) fish sandwiches and other fish dishes compared to the snack stands.
Delicious dishes, especially those that are difficult to eat standing up, such as chicken, duck or Steckerlfische, can also be enjoyed in the beer gardens. Similar to conventional beer gardens, it is permitted to bring your own food.
Incidentally, all small or large dishes are cheaper at the stands / food stalls than in the tents.
Vegetarian and vegan food at Oktoberfest
There is a varied selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes at the Oktoberfest.
You can look forward to hearty starters such as Obatzda, Radi and an original Wiesnbrezn, which will delight cheese lovers.
There is also a wide selection of vegan dishes at the Wiesn. For example, you can enjoy organic sauerkraut strudel, tomatized stir-fried vegetables and lamb’s lettuce on kohlrabi carpaccio. Or you decide to go for a vegan snack, like the hearty “Paradeiser-Brot” (organic tomato bread from the pan) or a vegan, organic pumpkin spread with organic wood-fired bread.
Most of the tents also offer delicious soups, from potato soup to tasty pumpkin soup with ginger and lemongrass.
Popular meat substitute dishes such as quinoa (on pea and mint puree) or a soy steak (with melted onions) can be found in the various tents and are sure to please even non-vegetarians.
Of course, you don’t have to worry about going hungry as a visitor with allergies or intolerances. There are delicious gluten- and lactose-free dishes such as coconut curries, baked potatoes with chive sour cream, sweet potato fries or specially prepared crêpes.
Oktoberfest Beer
No visit to the Oktoberfest would be complete without the famous Bavarian beer. Freshly tapped and served in large beer mugs (called Maß = 1 liter), beer is a central part of the festival.
Oktoberfest beer is basically a bottom-fermented, malty lager with around 6 percent alcohol. However, many people are not used to strong beer, as the effect only sets in later—so it’s better to drink it slowly!
Only beer from Munich breweries may be served at the Wiesn. Since 2022, Oktoberfest beer has carried the European Union’s “Protected Geographical Indication” seal of origin. This guarantees that Oktoberfest beer is brewed exclusively in Munich in accordance with its specification and is the beer that is served at the Munich Oktoberfest.
Weeks before the Wiesn kicks off, the breweries present their new Wiesnbier brewed each year: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten. Only beer that comes from one of these Munich breweries and meets the specifications of the protected “Oktoberfestbier” brand may be served at the Oktoberfest.
How to order your Maß / beer
When you order, do it correctly… It is important to know that all nouns in German have a gender. They can be either masculine (der), feminine (die), or neuter (das). So when ordering “a Maß” (beer), it’s not called “der Maß” or “das Maß”, but “DIE Maß” (feminine)!
But it’s called “das Bier” (neuter). Yes, we know, German is tough to learn. 😉
And pronounce “Maß” with a short “a” and a sharp “S.” Incidentally, the plural is two Maß.
This glass jug holds one liter and is correctly held by the handle.
Fun fact
You often realize how heavy a Maß is the next day – some people actually discover a bruise on their hand.
Therefore, being a Wiesn waiter is a real back-breaking job. She carries between 7 and 12 measures per course from morning to night, 16 days in a row. But it should be worth it: Rumor has it that she earns around 10,000 euros in two weeks.
Wiesnbier always includes the original gravity in addition to the alcohol content, but what is this all about?
It refers to the nutrient content of the beer before fermentation. The original wort is created by the malt grain, whose starch is converted into sugar during the mashing process. Proteins, amino acids and vitamins are also part of it.
They serve as nutrients for the yeast: the higher the original wort, the more the yeast can ferment, which in turn is reflected in a higher alcohol content.
The strongest Wiesnbier is that of Hofbräu, with 13.7% original gravity and 6.3% alcohol.
BTW, it’s not all about the beer. There are also non-alcoholic options and other traditional drinks such as apple spritzer.
Foodie budget tip
Eating delicious food at Oktoberfest doesn’t need to break the bank. Enjoy delicious dishes of the day at an affordable price during the week.
The tents offer daily changing lunch dishes that are anything but boring. Hearty home cooking and light vegetarian dishes await you here. Pay particular attention on Fridays, as not all tents offer a discounted lunch menu.
So treat yourself to a tasty meal at the Mittagswiesn during the week!
Beer and food prices at Oktoberfest
Beverages
- Beer (Maß 1 liter): €12-16
- Water, Coke, Lemonade, Spezi (Coke & lemonade) etc. (0,5l): €5-10
Meals
- Half chicken (1/2 Hendl): €13-25
- Grilled pork knuckle: €20-28
- Roast pork with dumplings: €23
- Sausage platter: €17
- Cheese spaetzle: €20
- Kaiserschmarn: €14-20
Cultural context
Eating and drinking at Oktoberfest is more than just a meal—it is part of the culture. Just as the lederhosen with suspenders or the beer with foam are part of the festival, so are the traditional dishes.
The phrase “O’ zapft is” marks the start of the festival and heralds the festivities.
Good to know when attending Oktoberfest
Give a tip
Even if the prices at the Oktoberfest include the service charge – tipping is part of it. Wiesn waiters work very hard (at peak times, up to 12 Maß [around 20 kilos] or food on large trays is transported through a (often drunken) crowd every 3-5 minutes. This should be rewarded.
But it’s not the US, so to round up (5-10%) is fine.
Don’t bring your own drinks into the tent
Yes, beer is quite expensive at the Wiesn (around €15 per beer). But drinking your own beer (or any other drink) in the tent is firstly no fun, and secondly, you’ll be kicked out very quickly… and that’s it for a seat.
Don’t eat nothing
Many people don’t eat anything at the Wiesn – especially not in the tent. But it’s good to have a good base in your stomach, because quite often (usually) 😉 people drink too much alcohol.
And you should definitely try one of the many culinary delicacies and traditional dishes. You won’t regret it!
On weekdays at lunchtime, the Wiesn is not so busy, so you can order and eat in peace.
The Oktoberfest in Munich offers international travelers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Bavarian culture and enjoy some of the best traditional food and drink. From pretzels to Leberkäse and pork knuckles, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste.
And with a freshly tapped beer in hand, every bite becomes an unforgettable experience.
Credit: Culinary Guide to the Best Food at Oktoberfest in Munich – Travel Dudes
