Order the Weisswurst before noon, in the old custom, and you are doing exactly what Munich has done on this spot for centuries. Zum Franziskaner has stood beside the Residenz at Residenzstrasse 9 in some form since the 14th century, which makes it about the oldest Wirtshaus in the city. The Reinbold family has run it since 1966. The pale veal sausage with sweet mustard and a pretzel is the order; plates run from about €15 to €30.
The Kitchen
Zum Franziskaner has stood beside the Residenz at Residenzstrasse 9 in some form since the 14th century, which makes it about the oldest Wirtshaus in Munich. The Reinbold family has run it since 1966, and they keep the kitchen squarely traditional rather than reinvented; this is Bavarian cooking held to a standard, not modernised. There is no celebrity chef, by design.
The thing to order, ideally before noon in the old custom, is the Weisswurst: the pale veal-and-pork sausage poached and eaten with sweet mustard and a pretzel, washed down with wheat beer. The house Franziskaner mustard is its own small fame. For something heavier, the Schweinshaxe, a roast pork knuckle with crackling, and the Tafelspitz are the classics, and the soft pretzels and Obatzda hold up the snack end. Plates run from about €15 for sausages up to €30 for the big roasts, fair for the location by the Residenz. The beer list is the other reason to come. It is a tourist landmark, yes, but locals and the city's old guard still treat it as their canteen.
The Room
The interior is the draw: vaulted, panelled rooms that have been added to over centuries, with painted ceilings, dark wood, and the warm clatter of a proper beer house. Sound is lively but not deafening; you can hold a conversation across a table. Lighting is warm and amber, and seating ranges from intimate two-tops in the side rooms to long shared benches for groups. Dress is anything from suits to shorts, depending on the season and the table. There is a terrace for warm days near the Residenz. Service is brisk, Bavarian, and unsentimental, which is part of the charm.
Best for First Date
Book Zum Franziskaner for a first date when you want somewhere with character and no pressure. Three reasons it works: the historic rooms give you something to talk about straight away, the prices keep the evening light rather than loaded, and the menu is easy company, from a shared pretzel to a roast. It is central, by the Residenz, so it folds neatly into a walk through the old town first. Picture a candlelit corner table, two wheat beers, and a Schweinshaxe to pull apart between you. See our first date dining guide.
Not for a quiet fine-dining evening or anyone avoiding heavy food. This is a centuries-old beer house: hearty Bavarian plates, brisk service, and a busy, tourist-heavy room at peak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zum Franziskaner worth it?
Yes, if you want traditional Bavarian cooking in a room with real history. Standing by the Residenz since the 14th century and run by the Reinbold family since 1966, it serves benchmark Weisswurst, Schweinshaxe and good beer in vaulted, painted rooms. It is a tourist landmark, but the food holds its standard and locals still use it, which is the test that matters.
How much does Zum Franziskaner cost?
Plates run from about €15 for the sausages and lighter Bavarian dishes up to around €30 for the big roasts like the Schweinshaxe and Tafelspitz. Beer and pretzels are cheap by central-Munich standards. A full meal for two with a couple of wheat beers each generally comes to roughly €70 to €100, which is fair for a spot this central and this old.
What should I order at Zum Franziskaner?
Order the Weisswurst, ideally before noon in the local custom, with sweet mustard and a fresh pretzel and a wheat beer. For something heavier, the Schweinshaxe, the roast pork knuckle with crackling, is the classic, and the Tafelspitz is the lighter alternative. Start with Obatzda and pretzels. See our Munich dining guide for more.
Is Zum Franziskaner good for a first date?
Yes, it is a relaxed, characterful choice for a first date. The historic rooms give you plenty to talk about, the prices keep the night easy rather than high-stakes, and the menu suits sharing. It sits centrally by the Residenz, so it pairs well with a walk through the old town. For more options, see our first date dining guide.