If you love a good roast pork dinner served in the traditional Bavarian style, then Haxnbauer in Munich is the place for you. This restaurant specializes in hearty Bavarian food, particularly traditional pork knuckle.

Located near Marienplatz, Haxnbauer is a large and busy restaurant, so it’s a good idea to book a table in advance or be prepared to wait. In Bavaria, meat is a staple, so vegetarians might find it a bit challenging to find a suitable meal.

At Haxnbauer, you can expect large portions of meat, slowly roasted on a spit, and served with hearty potato dumplings. The garnish is minimal, usually just a token lettuce leaf.

A friend from Munich recommended Haxnbauer to us. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists who want to enjoy a warm, friendly atmosphere and authentic Bavarian food and beer. The signature dish is roast pork or veal knuckle, marinated and slowly roasted in front of a charcoal grill, visible from the outside. If you’re a meat lover, you can order a whole pork knuckle to share between two people. Alternatively, you can get a plate of sliced pork or veal knuckle with potato dumplings and a salad. Other Bavarian specialties include smoked Bavarian ham with radish, Bavarian meatloaf with potato and cucumber salad, or pork knuckle jelly.

For vegetarians, the “Fitness Salad” is an option, featuring radish, tomato, cucumber, and carrots with a sour cream dressing. Although I enjoyed my meal and wheat beer at Haxnbauer, I found myself craving something fresh and green afterward.

We stayed at Hotel Falkenturm, a comfortable and budget-friendly hotel that’s well-located for sightseeing. The guidebook I used for this trip was the pocket-sized DK Eyewitness Top 10 guide to Munich, which I found perfect for short visits.