Munich’s Bakeries

Germany is famous for its bread the world over, and it’s esteem is not without reason – Germany appreciates a high-quality baked good like no other nation. From doughy, salty pretzels to dense farmhouse rye bread loaves and sweet cinnamon buns, Germany has a huge range of breads and pastries on offer.

Munich’s most famous bakery is the Hofpfisterei, the organic bakery that once delivered Bavaria’s royals, but there are still many excellent bakeries offering freshly baked goods in the city. Here’s Arts in Munich’s pick of the best:

Hofpfisterei
Founded in 1331, this bakery serves up a range of organic, preservative-free loaves. They have over 160 branches across southern Germany, and you can find a “Pfister” in most districts of the city (their bread is also sold in several supermarkets). Their production is CO2-neutral and they have won several prizes for their bakeries’ practices – from training programs to European environmental awards. It might be a traditional bakery, but the Hofpfisterei is anything but staid.
TRY: The cinammon buns (Zimtschnecke), a pretzel roll (Breznstange) and a good, hearty loaf of whatever takes your fancy.

Julius Brantner
Opened in April 2019, Julius Brantner is a young (he’s not even 30!) baker taking on tradition. He bakes around half a dozen different loaves each day, serving them in his very chic, minimalist bakery in Maxvorstadt. Pick up a loaf for a picnic in the English Gardens, or buy in bulk for home.
TRY: The spelt loaves with honey (Dinkel mit Honig) are a dream, but the Krustis, when fresh out of the oven, are deliciously soft, doughy balls of comfort.

Boulangerie Dompierre
This French bakery has four branches across the Schwabing/Maxvorstadt districts of Munich. There are no preservatives in their bread – just flour, salt, water and yeast. The bakers start baking at 2am, so you can be sure your bread is as fresh as can be.
TRY: Le pain aux figues: Their fig bread is glorious with fresh ricotta, it’s the perfect lazy Sunday morning bread. Indulge in an eclair, a croissant and pick up a baguette for the road.

Dukatz
Apparently a firm favourite of Schumann (the legendary bar owner), Dukatz is a French bakery with the most beautiful (and delicious) petit fours and madeleines. You can also pick up a Dukatz pastry in Cafe Colombo in Westend, should the HQ be too far to travel.
TRY: The petit fours, if you can bear to eat the gorgeous little things.

Obori
This Haidhausen bakery always smells incredible. They bake truly artisan loaves, and the Japanese owners certainly know a thing or two about baking German and French bread.
TRY: The croissants. Flaky, perfect half moons.

Cafe Frischhut
Long a favourite of elderly Germans with a sweet tooth, Cafe Frischhut has been serving up sweet Schmalznudel for decades. They’re similar to doughnuts, perfect for hangovers and it’s the loveliest, most unpretentious place to enjoy a sweet treat and a cup of tea.
TRY: If the Schmalznudel don’t take your fancy, try a sweet plum dumpling (Rohrnudel) and make sure you enjoy it while it’s warm.

Neulinger
The original Neulinger is in Neuhausen, but it’s branched out across the city, offering organic, freshly baked goods to Münchners far and wide. They also sell ice cream, which is pretty good too.
TRY: I think they do the best pretzels in the city, and I am obsessed with their Bienenstich.

Urban Bakery
This Sendling cafe does great fresh pastries, good sandwiches and coffee. It’s a nice, relaxed spot for breakfast because it’s somewhat off the beaten path, meaning you’re almost always guaranteed a seat.
TRY: A cinnamon bun. YUM.

Zöttl
The most mainstream bakery on this list, but it’s of consistently good quality. The bakeries are also pretty decent spots for a quick coffee (they use Emilo beans and the cafe areas are clean and quiet) and they have good juices, honey and coffee beans to buy, if you’re after a quick gift.
TRY: The pepper pretzel. A new addition to the assortment, and good God they’re what I’ve been waiting for. SO GOOD.

Amandine
This French bakery in Westend does beautiful fruit pastries, hearty croissants and pain au chocolats (if I’m honest, the croissants are too buttery for me), and great baguettes. It’s tiny, but always worth popping in for a treat.
TRY: The baguettes. And if you’re feeling indulgent, the pain au chocolats.

And last but not least – it’s not a bakery by any means – but Sport Schuster and Globetrotter both offer bread from Spitzingsee’s Albert-Link-Hütte on Fridays. Their farmhouse rye bread (Bauernbrot) is my favourite, and it’s well worth popping in to pick up a loaf.