The Essence of Beer Gardens
A beer garden is an open area outside, usually surrounded by trees, where food and beer is served. Beer gardens originated in Bavaria, which is the capital city of Munich, in the 19th century, and remain common in Southern Germany. It’s a social area meant to create new connections between strangers.
Culinary Delights and Social Etiquette
Food at German beer gardens is affordable and filling with an emphasis on hearty meat, cheese, and bread-centric dishes.
Below is a list of common beer-garden eats.
- Sausages
- Pretzels
- Obatzda (a spiced cheese-butter spread)
- Steckerlfisch (fish grilled on a stick)
- Radishes
- Roast pork
- Potato salad
Beer gardens open as soon as the cold subsides and continue until autumn. Discover the history of German biergartens, what to eat and drink, and where the best beer gardens are in Germany.
If there is room at the benches, you should move up, introduce yourself, toast one another, and feel at home. Some exceptions: you cannot take a seat at one of the Stammtische (tables reserved for regulars); these seats are a hard-earned privilege. Only invited individuals may join a Stammtisch.
Beer Garden Culture and Accessibility
You can find a beer garden in every German city and village, often in the main square. These places are scenes for creating connections between total strangers, regardless of their financial and social status.
The beer garden tradition started when King Maximilian I allowed brewers to sell beer but not food other than bread in 1812. Hence, the beer garden tradition was born under the shade of chestnut trees.
Bring your own food or buy it on-site. Typical German fare like sausages costs around 10 euros. Enjoy sparkling beer and remember to drink quickly before it goes flat. Drink water alongside your beer to prevent hangovers.
With communal tables, beer gardens are places where tourists and Germans can socially and casually unite. Share tables, introduce yourself, and raise a glass with a cheerful "Prost!"
The beer garden is where Germans relax. Regular toasts are polite, though expect just small sips. Enjoy quality time with families and strangers under shady chestnut trees. Authentic, local food is simple, traditional, and worth trying.