Viktualienmarkt

Possibly the heart and soul of Munich, the Viktualienmarkt is not only an outdoor feast of food options, but a beauty of a landmark. Neither slick nor overdeveloped, the Viktualienmarkt has been in its current and very central location, immediately adjacent to the gay zone Glockenbachviertel, since 1807, having shifted from the nearby Marienplatz when the latter was deemed too small. You'd never know it was heavily damaged during the Second World War because it looks so pleasingly olde-worlde. Lunchtime options are abundant and not all that expensive; it's a great place for al fresco Wurst and a beer, soups and much more. Among the dozens of recommended outlets: TELTSCHIK'S WURST-STANDL (famous sausages and sauerkraut etc, but closed Mon), MÜNCHNER SUPPENKÜCHE (excellent selection of daily soups), BÄCKERLIESL (traditional Bavarian breads, since 1950), HOFPFISTEREI (small, sincere and serious bread/pastry chain – including Berlin's Schöneberg – which specialises in a bread that takes much time to prepare), TRETTER (vegetables, fruit, wine, fresh juices — possibly the oldest booth in the market), LUDWIG FREISINGER (olives, cakes, goat cheese and all things deli-related, family-owned for more than 50 years), HONIGHÄUSL (honey specialist with more than 60 varieties, with tasting available), KLEINER OCHS'NBRATER (another excellent option for sausages, sauerkraut, ox etc) and ESPRESSO AM MARKT (very fine espresso and a few home-made cakes and florentines). Beware that several businesses are shut on Monday. Nearby is the massive indoor Schrannenhalle [see entry], also with many food stalls, though slickly designery by comparison. U-Bahn: Marienplatz.