"Maxvorstadt’s 1880 Wirtshaus, reopened 2022 under century-old chestnuts — Krustenbraten and a Maß for 500 — book it for a birthday."
Max Emanuel Brauerei has stood on Adalbertstraße in Maxvorstadt, the centre of Munich’s university quarter, since 1880. The brewery itself is long gone, but the Wirtshaus and its beer garden remain, and a full renovation in 2022 reopened the place as a fresh, CO2-neutral version of itself without losing the old bones. The garden, shaded by chestnut trees more than a century old, seats around 500. For the wider picture, see our Munich dining guide.
The kitchen cooks classic Bavarian food from regional, largely organic ingredients rather than chasing fine-dining ambition — this is Wirtshaus cooking done properly. The plates to order are the Krustenbraten, a crackling-topped roast pork belly; the Backhendl, golden fried chicken; and, to finish, a Kaiserschmarrn, the shredded, sugar-dusted pancake served with fruit compote. Mains run roughly €15–25, and a Maß of beer is around €9. The garden is self-service in the Munich way; the Wirtshaus has table service. Compare the grand chestnut garden at Augustiner-Keller or the tourist spectacle of the Hofbräuhaus.
The beer garden is the point: long benches under century-old chestnuts, gravel underfoot, and room for 500 on a warm evening, open from spring into autumn. Inside, the 2022 renovation left a Wirtshaus that reads fresh and youthful but still timeless, with a separate hall for parties. The sound is cheerful and loud in the garden, calmer indoors; lighting is bright by day, warm at night. Dress is whatever you like — this is a no-rules room.
Book Max Emanuel for a birthday because few rooms in Munich absorb a celebration as easily: 500 garden seats under the chestnuts, a hall for a private party, and beer by the Maß rather than the glass. The Bavarian plates are built for sharing across a long table, the price keeps a big group sane, and the Maxvorstadt setting draws a lively student-and-local crowd. Take a garden table in summer or book the hall off-season. See more birthday restaurants.
Not for a quiet, refined tasting-menu dinner — this is a lively 500-seat beer garden and Wirtshaus, loud and convivial rather than hushed or fine-dining.
Yes, for a proper Munich beer-garden evening. Standing on Adalbertstraße in Maxvorstadt since 1880 and freshly renovated in 2022, it pairs a 500-seat garden under century-old chestnuts with a Wirtshaus serving Bavarian classics. Mains run roughly €15–25 and a Maß is around €9, so it is easy on a group. See our Munich dining guide for more.
Go for the Bavarian classics: the Krustenbraten, a crackling-topped roast pork belly, and the Backhendl, golden fried chicken, with a Kaiserschmarrn pancake to finish. Mains sit around €15–25 and a Maß of beer is roughly €9. The garden is self-service, so collect your food and beer at the counter; the Wirtshaus indoors has full table service.
Yes — the beer garden reopened after a full renovation in 2022 and operates from spring into autumn, weather permitting, seating around 500 under chestnut trees more than a century old. The Wirtshaus indoors is open year-round, with a separate hall for parties. For the garden you can simply walk in; book the Wirtshaus or the hall ahead for larger groups.
Very. With 500 garden seats, a party hall and beer by the Maß, it absorbs a celebration easily, and the shareable Bavarian plates keep a big group fed without a big bill. The Maxvorstadt setting brings a lively student-and-local crowd. It is not the place for a hushed, refined dinner. See our birthday guide for more.
Walk in for the beer garden; book the Wirtshaus or the hall direct for larger parties and weekend evenings.
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Max Emanuel earns a place for its 500-seat chestnut beer garden and Bavarian classics in Maxvorstadt.
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