June 7th, 2004 | The lowdown by Jara Gatti

The Famous Hofbrauhaus

I was pleasantly surprised by the meal I had at the world-famous Hofbrauhaus in Munich. I'd even go so far as to say that it was the best vegetarian meal I've had here in Germany, for the simple fact that it was actually designed as a hearty substitute for the sausage-and-kraut platters that everyone else was eating.

For once, I didn't feel left out; I felt like I got to experience authentic local cuisine, something that, as a vegetarian, I can almost never do (*you* know what I mean). The restaurant goes out of its way to make sure the vegetarians in the crowd get to enjoy the Bavarian atmosphere as much as their schwein-snorking couterparts.

We almost didn't eat here because it is so well known, and we figured it would be an overpriced, kitschy tourist trap. We were talked into it, however, and I was surprised to find it full of actual Bavarians decked out in lederhosen and feathered caps, along with hundreds of other Germans. The inside reminded me of the beer tent where I drank away Oktoberfest in Berlin (we'd been the only tourists there; it was easy to feel like we were the only tourists here too): a long, wide room packed with sturdy picnic tables, a stage in the front and stout waitresses floating through the crowds carrying 6 beersteins in one hand. The band was drunk and playing traditional Bavarian music and we ate giant pretzels and downed a liter-or-6 of locally brewed beer before our meals arrived.

And really, we didn't find the place to be expensive, for Munich, just average. Even if it had been pricey, it would have been worth it for the experience and the excellent meal. I definitely recommend it!