Ratskeller is a name in German-speaking countries for a bar or restaurant located in the basement of a city hall (Rathaus) or nearby. And right in the middle of Munich’s city centre is a Ratskeller.

Marienplatz

Marienplatz (Mary’s Square) has been at the centre of the city since Munich was founded by Henry the Lion in 1158. It was the point at which all of the new city’s most important streets met and for centuries it was the centre of Munich’s life. These days, you can sit in the shadows of the Neues and Altes Rathaus (New and Old Town Halls) and enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee, watching the hustle and bustle around you. 

Neues Rathaus

Neues Rathaus (The New Town Hall) hosts the city government including the city council, offices of the mayors and a small portion of the administration. The 100 meters long main facade towards the Marienplatz is richly decorated. It shows the Guelph Duke Henry the Lion, and almost the entire line of the Wittelsbach dynasty in Bavaria and is the largest princely cycle in a German town hall. 

Numerous glass windows with local, regional, national, international and religious motifs adorn the building. After most of the windows had been destroyed by the bombings during the final phase of the Second World War, most of the objects could be restored to their original form with the help of donations.

Fischbrunnen

One of the most popular events at Marienplatz is the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market). If you want to act like a true native of Munich, arrange to meet up at the Fischbrunnen (Fish fountain) in front of the main entrance to the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall).

Glockenspiel

A must for every visit to Munich is the Glockenspiel in the tower of the New Town Hall, which with its 43 bells is not only one of the largest in Europe, but also one of the most popular sights in the city. Visitors can watch the figures dance daily at 11 am and 12 pm, and between March and October the carillon also takes place at 5 pm.

Altes Rathaus

Due to its plain facade, many people believe that the Alte Rathaus (Old Town Hall) is newer than the ornately decorated Neue Rathaus (New Town Hall), when in fact it is over 400 years older. For many years, its cellars were used as the state jail. These days, the Alte Rathaus is used to hold celebrations, memorials and awards ceremonies.

Der Ratskeller

Under the Neus Rathaus is the Ratskeller. Der Rathskeller translates from German to “the basement of a town hall” which in Germany is a common place for the public to enjoy refreshments at the end of the day.

The Ratskeller in Munich has been the embodiment of Munich lifestyle for decades. The unique atmosphere in their Neo Gothic vaulted basement and formidable courtyard are a tourist (and local) attraction in themselves.

This is actually a fairly large restaurant by Munich standard and can host 1,100 seated guests at any one time. For more than 40 years now, the Wieser and Winklhofer families manage this gastronomic jewel on the commission of the city council.

Hauberrisser/ Julius Echter

This main restaurant section can be considered the heart of the Ratskeller is divided into two parts. The space behind the front desk as you walk past the French restaurant and the British Pub as you come down from the Marienplatz entrance is called Julius Echter named after Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn (1545 – 1617), the Prince-Bishop of Würzburg from 1573. He also has a hefeweissen bier named after him. The other big space with the huge beer caste is called Hauberrisser, named after Georg von Hauberrisser (1841 – 1922), famous German-Austrain architect that designed the Neues Rathaus.

Arche Noah

If you want to dine well in a small circle with colleagues or customers and still present a real piece of Munich, you have come to the right place in Arche Noah or Noah’s Ark. This is a real attraction with its impressive vault and the murals by Heinrich Schlitt. The ceiling paintings featuring intriguing drinking toasts are guaranteed to enchant and amuse.

Der Sumpf

Der Sumpf is a stylish, inviting lounge even hough it is translated to “the Swamp”. Dinner sofas, filigree chairs, tables made from old wine boxes and an individual lighting concept blend harmoniously into the painted arches.

The Royal Dolores Munich Pub & Bar

Fancy a pint in a British Pub in the heart of Bavaria? The Royal Dolores Munich Pub & Bar is the answer for that anglophile in you. Serving more than just the usual Bavarian liquid bread, the pub has Guinness on tap.

Der Prunkhof

Der Prunkhof (The Ceremonial Court) is the outdoor dining area. It ́s a very unique space in the city centre to be surrounded by the impressive architecture of the Neus Rathaus.

This place is available for food and drinks in the warmer months and when the weather permits.

The Meal

Remember that this is a restaurant and not a museum, so one is obliged to have a drink or a meal to loiter around the space. The fare is typical German cuisine, and you can get many classic here.

Schäfflersuppe

Traditionssuppe mit Tafelspitzboullion, Griesnockerl, Wirsing Pfannenkuchenroulade | Beef consommé, semolina dumplings, vegetables, pancake wrap

In a cold, rainy evening finding the Ratskeller and eating a warm potato soup with Franziskaner beer would be a bliss. But I am not a fan of creamy soup, so I opted for a Schäfflersuppe that used a beef consommé instead. The first time I had beef consommé was in Germany as a teenager, and that flavour has stuck with me for years. You can imagine that this is my go-to comfort food whenever I am here.

I had many variations of the consommé but what was special about the Schäfflersuppe or Schäffler’s soup was Pfannkuchenroulade and Grießnockerl. Pfannkuchenroulade (Pancake roulade) is a savoury roulade made with pancake and you can add any fillings you want, and in this case, Wirsing (Savoy cabbage).

Grießnockerl (Semolina dumpling) is traditionally served in an appetiser soup. It’s a common dish found in restaurants throughout Bavaria and down in Austria too. While these dumplings have their very own soup, they can also be found in other soup recipes, like Festtagssuppe, which basically translates to Festival Day soup. It’s is often served at weddings and holidays and has a lot more complicated additions like bone marrow dumplings and/or liver dumplings.

Swabian Onion Steak

Austrian Salon Beef Smothered and crisp fried onion mix, spätzle pasta, stuffed pasta

This dish contained two things that you have to eat in Munich – spätzle and overcooked beef steak.

The food is not top notch, but the place is steeped with history and a very fun place to visit in Munich.

Ratskeller München
Marienplatz 8, 80331 Munich, Germany
Tel : +49 89 2199890

Visited Aug 2023

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