„Cheap“ is a very relative term in Munich. If you are planning a trip to Bavaria’s capital, you might have already noticed that prices can be rather steep. And when it comes to dining, the sky seems to be the limit. Do cheap eats even exist in this place?
The answer is: it depends. You are not going to find a Michelin-starred three-course meal for €20. But if you are happy with a more casual setting, there are plenty of tasty options.
Having said that, you will struggle to find many sit-down options. So most of the places listed here are takeaways. At lunchtime, the stalls in Viktualienmarkt, the food market in the center of town, offer great options. Do note, however, that most close by 6pm.
All prices are current as of September 2025.
Street Food
- Leberkässemmel. The „Bavarian burger“ was a popular snack long before everyone started eating American-style burgers. Leberkäs is typically made of pork and beef that is very finely ground and baked in the oven to form a big log. It is then cut into thick slices and served in a bread roll – the Semmel. My American food-tour clients have told me it tastes like fresh hot dog. Leberkässemmel is available from pretty much any butcher, as most will have a hot counter (where they also sell roast pork or sausages in rolls, if that’s more your thing). There are also a few butchers around Viktualienmarkt who sell Leberkäs made from venison or Wagyu beef. The pork/beef version will cost about €3.50-4.00.
- Cheese sandwich. There are two fantastic shops on Viktualienmarkt. At Münchener Käsemanufaktur, you will get a grilled-cheese sandwich made of several cheeses with pickles for €9.90. At Luiginos, towards the southern end of the market, you will find a variety of veg and non-veg fillings waiting to be toasted in their panini press. From €7.90.
- Meat or falafel sandwich from Sesam Falafel. This is a small shop that draws a big crowd. It’s best to come here before 12 noon or after 1:30pm to avoid a long wait. They also make manakish, a Lebanese pizza. You will have to wait for this, as it is made to order. Sandwiches from €6.90.
- Baked potato from Caspar Plautz. This potato shop in the Viktualienmarkt serves baked potatoes for lunch, with just melted butter or more elaborate toppings. From €7.50.
- Haxensemmel. Another meat-and-bread snack. If you would like to try grilled Haxe, i.e. pork or veal shank/knuckle, but the whole thing is too big for you, you can get it sliced and served in a bread roll from Haxenbauer and Haxengrill restaurants. Both serve them from a window. From €6.80.
- Indian curries from Chat Junction. This hole-in-the-wall kiosk at the eastern exit of the Isartor S-Bahn station (towards the Deutsches Museum) is pretty much always busy. They sell maybe not the best, but definitely the cheapest curries in town. There is always one meat and several vegetarian options, as well as things like samosa chat. Curry and rice €5.50. If you only want a samosa or two, it’s faster to pop into the Bharat Indian Store supermarket directly opposite. They have samosas near the exit.
- Bazi’s Schlemmerkucherl. If you’re not quite sure yet whether you’ll like Bavarian food, you can try a small portion of roast pork, roast duck, cheese noodles (Käsespätzle, Bavaria’s answer to mac ’n‘ cheese) in a takeaway box or in a wrap. From about €8.
Sit-Down Options
- Ramen from Nudelhaus Sano. On the street leading towards the Deutsches Museum. They also have bento boxes and rice dishes. From about €10.
- Indian curries from Indian Mango. The owners also run the Chat Junction kiosk and the Bharat Indian Store.
- Lezilel Manti. Manti are tiny Turkish ravioli served with a garlicky yoghurt sauce and a tomato sauce. From about €10.
- Pizza at Pizzesco. A Roman-style eatery with a restaurant where you can order a full pizza, and a window where they sell rectangular slices. From about €3.50 per slice (10 cm/4 inches long).
- Hand-pulled noodles from Noodle King. The cheapest among the fresh-noodle restaurants in Munich, but not at all the worst. North of the central train station. From about €10.
Feeling Lucky?
If you’re happy to eat at odd hours and to not know what you’re getting, you can download the „Too Good To Go“ app. It aims to reduce food waste. Local businesses can sell their leftover food at reduced prices. This includes quite a few gas stations, but also speciality shops and restaurants. I once got lucky and scored a Ladurée bag.
You will get a collection time (typically towards or after closing time) and will need to bring your own bag – in some cases, you will even need to bring your own container, e.g., when picking up from a hotel’s breakfast buffet. You will need to have data for when you pick up your surprise bag, as you will need to confirm pick-up in the app in front of the staff.