Oktoberfest is known for Bavarian beer, traditional attire, and remarkable grilled chicken. It is safe to say that Oktoberfest food is underrated. Those who've been there and tried the food rate it as one of the best in the world. But besides the good reviews, with the amount of beer consumed at Oktoberfest, it is essential to consume a solid diet to keep your health balanced.
Along with the classic half-grilled chicken, which gives optimal taste when combined with Oktoberfest beer, other delicacies are also offered at the Wiesn. From vintage pretzels and pork knuckles to sausages and Käsespätzle, Oktoberfest food has a unique taste, so good you'll want to lick the plate. Each of the 17 large tents and 21 small tents prepares the food separately while keeping the original taste alive.
Note: The food at Oktoberfest is expensive. It gets even more costly inside the tents.
Oktoberfest is heaven for meat lovers, while vegetarians can also find great taste. It is important to have your favorite beer with Oktoberfest food for the ideal taste.
The Variety of Foods Served at Oktoberfest
Any meat lover will be amazed by Oktoberfest's variety and quality of delicacies. Vegetarians also get a fair share of unique tastes in Obatzda, Allgäu cheese spaetzle, and Organic bread dumpling gröstl, to name a few. You can find excellent food at Oktoberfest, both inside the tents and at the stalls outside. The only difference is the price and serving. The food inside costs more but is served in more significant portions and with side salad, while the food from the stalls is mostly 'Take Away.' Here's a guide to all the meat and vegan options available at Oktoberfest, topped with traditional sweets:
Meat Dishes at Oktoberfest
Half-Roasted Chicken (Hendl) - Oktoberfest’s Top Treat
Dating back to 1881, half-roasted chicken, also known as Hendl, is one of the most popular meals at the Oktoberfest. Only the stats are enough justification. Over 550,000 people have enjoyed this traditional delicacy at Oktoberfest. Wherever you get it from, Hendl from anywhere at the Oktoberfest will be the same, uniquely tasty. The chicken is slow-roasted and seasoned with different spices for a delicious flavor. The output meat is tender and juicy with a slightly crispy skin. The Hendl can be enjoyed with a side of potato salad.
Weißwurst and Currywurst - A Perfect Breakfast
Sausages are a cultural heritage in Germany, invented two centuries before the discovery of America.
Among the many wursts at Oktoberfest, Weißwurst, and Currywurst are the tastiest. These traditional Bavarian breakfast sausages that you'll most likely find at places where you can sit down and eat.
Weißwurst meat has a mushier texture and mild flavor. To enjoy it like a true Bavarian, pair it with some sweet mustard, a pretzel, and a wheat beer. Serving Weißwurst afternoon is considered improper, so ensure enjoying it in the morning.
Currywurst, on the other hand, is not a traditional Bavarian item. But due to its exceptional taste, it is a beloved snack that you'll find at many Oktoberfest tents. The sausage has a simple look, covered in curry ketchup and powder. Currywurst is usually served with a hot pile of fries to enhance the taste. So, if you're looking for a quick and tasty snack, try Currywurst!
Pork Knuckle (Schweinhaxen) - An Authentic Bavarian Dish
The Schweinhaxen is a Bavarian classic that is simply delicious. This dish usually involves marinated and roasted pork served in a pool of gravy alongside a Knödel, a boiled dumpling with a unique and addictive chewy texture. Many consider this one of the most beautiful meals on Earth, and it's even better when enjoyed with a liter of authentic beer.
For those who don't like crispy skin, Schweinsbraten is a good alternative. It features pork chops soaked in gravy but without the big slab of crackly skin. If you can’t finish the pork knuckle in one go, save it for later to enjoy with a beverage.
Stecklerfisch - Seafood at the Oktoberfest
This Oktoberfest delight has a tent dedicated to it. If you're looking for a lighter alternative to the usual meaty fare at Oktoberfest, Stecklerfisch is the perfect option. Bavarians love roasting their fish on sticks, and you'll find this popular dish inside and outside the tents. The most commonly used fish is mackerel, but other whitefish, trout, and char are also used. Though the smell of Stecklerfisch can be pungent, it's one of the most beloved foods at Oktoberfest. Head to the Fischer-Vroni tent, where an open grill is almost 50 feet (15 meters) long.
Vegetarian Treats Offered at Oktoberfest
Pretzels - The All-Time Classic
Pretzels and beer are the stereotypical face of Germany worldwide and the quintessential food at Oktoberfest. Salty, soft, and freshly baked, these Bavarian treats perfectly match a giant-sized beer. They come in different sizes, but you can opt for the big ones, usually served at the beer tents. You can also complement them with the famous Bavarian dip – Obatzda, a cheese spread made of camembert, cream cheese, soft butter, seasoning, and beer. Pretzels and Obatzda make an excellent snack for any type of beer, whether you're enjoying it in a beer garden or at Oktoberfest. Just be warned: once you put them on the table, everyone will have "just a little piece" until there's none left.
Käsespätzle - The Vegan Delight
Käsespätzle is a vegetarian's dream come true at Oktoberfest. It is the best vegan food at the festival and is offered by every tent except Weinzelt and Augustiner-Festhalle. Käsespätzle consists of doughy dumplings mixed with a variety of sharp cheeses and topped with caramelized onions. Unlike American Mac and Cheese, which it is compared to, Käsespätzle does not have an orange color. This is thanks to the high-quality dairy production in Bavaria. It pairs perfectly with both wheat and lager beer and is known to be a great hangover cure.
Knödels - Bavaria’s own Dumplings
Another Bavarian cuisine with a dedicated tent, Knödels (dumplings), is a must-have at Oktoberfest. They are made with potatoes or stale bread and come in various varieties, such as spinach, apricot, pumpkin, and cheese. Bread dumplings are the most common and are served as a complementary dish with pork slabs. The Münchener Knödelei tent at Oktoberfest is dedicated to spreading the dumpling culture. Knödels are an excellent option for soaking up alcohol and keeping hunger at bay for hours. They are usually served with roasted duck and pork knuckle and best enjoyed with wheat beer for the whole Bavarian experience.
Gebrannte Mandeln - The Perfect Snack
If you smell a sweet and attractive scent from a distance at Oktoberfest, it has to be the roasted almonds. These traditional snacks taste amazing and are incredibly addictive. While nuts like peanuts and cashews are also offered, the classic candied almonds are crowd-pleasers. They're perfect for snacking on while taking a walk; grab some roasted almonds on your way out and enjoy them on the way back to the hotel.
Obatzda - The Best Oktoberfest Appetizer
Obatzda is a delicious Bavarian spread made with soft cheese(Camembert), butter, beer, and spices. This creamy goodness is a popular Oktoberfest appetizer that pairs perfectly with bread or pretzels. It is seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika; a must-try for anyone visiting a beer garden in Bavaria. You won't regret indulging in this flavorful and creamy delight.
Sweets for a Delightful Wiesn
Kaiserschmarrn - The Best Sweet
Although it has an Austrian background, Kaiserschmarrn is the all-time favorite Oktoberfest desert. Kaiserschmarrn is a delightful dish that resembles shredded pancakes. It is served in small pieces and covered with powdered sugar; some prefer it with applesauce or Nutella. The dish is incredibly popular with kids, but adults love it too. The "Café Kaiserschmarrn'' is a tent dedicated entirely to this delicacy and is easy to spot with its giant gingerbread castle-like building.
Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel) - Classical Delights
Apple strudel is a famous German pastry from the 16th century. It can be served as a dessert or a snack and is usually accompanied by ice cream or vanilla sauce. It is a popular dish at Oktoberfest, with the best apfelstrudel found at the Augustiner beer garden at the German Oktoberfest. This delicious pastry is filled with apples and is a must-try for anyone visiting Germany.
Gingerbread hearts - A Traditional Heirloom
Don’t eat this souvenir. Heart-shaped gingerbreads made of flour, sugar, spices, and honey are sold at festivals and fairs, including the Oktoberfest, not as an eatery but as a souvenir. They may look delicious, but those who’ve tried them strongly recommend not eating them. You can put them in your briefcase and take them as a memorial, as they won’t break easily.
Is Food Included in The Oktoberfest Tent Reservation
All the large and small tents at Oktoberfest are managed by different owners who open Oktoberfest reservations in spring(April or May at the latest). Previously, you had to pre-order a set tent menu or amount of food to reserve a table at Oktoberfest tents, and reservation was accepted based on what you ordered. After several requests, you are no longer tied to a specific.
The compulsory menu requirement no longer applies when reserving a table in the Oktoberfest halls, and reservation allocation does not depend on menu selection. Instead, in the main aisles of the tents, a minimum consumption of two beers and half a roast chicken is required. There are special rules for the Käfer-Wiesn-Schänke and the Wine Tent.
Updated Tent Reservation Guidelines
New regulations have been implemented since 2023 to ensure fair reservation practices at Oktoberfest. Here are the details:
- Big tents can require reservations that include a minimum consumption of two beers and half a chicken per person. In addition, they may add a €15 voucher for boxes and galleries.
- Käfer Wiesnschänke and Weinzelt have specific reservation requirements. Reservations before 2 pm require a minimum consumption of €50 per person; after 2 pm or on weekends, it's €95 per person.
- Small tents may require a minimum consumption of €50 per person for reservations before 2 pm and €75 per person after 2 pm and on weekends.
- Businesses cannot ask customers to pre-order menus or purchase additional services before confirming a reservation.
- If you buy vouchers to guarantee the minimum consumption, you can use them in the host's restaurant until the end of the year.
- Reservation fees are limited to €1.50 per person, and any other additional charges are not allowed.
- Reservations must be for at least three hours.
Payment for the vouchers must be made via bank transfer. However, international wire transfers can incur high fees, so it's recommended that you explore other affordable options.
Foods Served at the Large and Small Oktoberfest Beer Tents
With over 38 beer tents, deciding where and what to eat can be overwhelming. Every tent makes its food by itself without compromising the original taste, meaning you’ll find exceptionally delicious food wherever you get it from at Oktoberfest. To make things easier, here’s a guide on foods offered by the six large tents owned by the six original Oktoberfest breweries:
Organic Delights at the Hacker-Pschorr
The Hacker-Pschorr tent is a popular destination at Oktoberfest, known for its highest alcohol (6.3%) beer and unique decor. They have various meat options from the Munich region, including veal and ox. They also use fresh, locally sourced vegetables and ingredients, such as sauerkraut, red cabbage, and potatoes supplied by the Kraus family from Ismaning. The menu also features vegetarian options, such as ricotta and spinach bread dumplings.
Get What your Heart Desires at Löwenbräu-Festzelt
The Löwenbräu Tent menu offers traditional Oktoberfest dishes like duck with potato dumplings, pork sausages with sauerkraut, ox bouillon, veal breast, and sweetbread sausage. They also have vegan options like Carinthian porcini noodles. A must-try is the "Bratreindl" for two, which combines pork knuckle, duck, and suckling pig.
The OX Specialty at Spaten Ochsenbraterei
The Spaten Ochsenbraterei Tent is a popular spot for those who love hearty food. They offer various options, including their famous roast ox with marbled beef, organic potato salad, and a robust red wine sauce. More than 125 Ox are eaten at this tent each year during Oktoberfest. Other classic Oktoberfest dishes, such as roast chicken, pork knuckles, and vegetarian Allgäu cheese noodles, are also available. Don't forget to pair your meal with a Spaten Oktoberfest beer, which has been served since 1980.
Good Beer makes Everything at Paulaner Festzelt Tent Good
Paulaner is the most consumed beer brand at Oktoberfest, with 13.7% original wort and 6.0% alcohol. They also offer a range of classic German dishes to complement their beer, including spit-roasted chicken, roast pork, duck, or Kaiserschmarrn. This makes it a perfect combination for a fantastic experience.
Augustiner Festhalle For Fresh Meat & Classic Taste
The most traditional and friendliest of all Oktoberfest tents, the Augustiner Festhalle has a unique vibe. The beer is served in 200-liter wooden barrels, giving a more palatable taste. The menu serves classic Bavarian dishes from high-quality local ingredients, including Gulash, suckling pig, and their famous Rahmschwammerl. They also offer vegetarian options, a children's menu, and affordable lunch offerings. The meat is sourced from their own butcher's shop, the Granerhof estate, ensuring high welfare standards.
Hofbräu-Festzelt Serves All Kinds of Oktoberfest Food
The Hofbräu is the second-largest tent at Oktoberfest and is known for having an international flair. It offers a variety of international and German food options, including classic dishes like wursts and Käsespätzle, as well as Oktoberfest favorites like roast chicken and pork knuckle. They also have meatless dishes, salad plates, and daily lunch offers, including options for children, all at affordable prices.
Key Takeaway | Is the Oktoberfest Food Worth the Hype?
Not just off the menus, but from those who've experienced the German Oktoberfest dressed in traditional clothing, the Oktoberfest food is one of the best in the world. The variety of meat dishes and vegan delights topped with the traditional sweetness of deserts makes the Wiesn a memorable experience. Tourists worldwide attend this yearly festival, and Oktoberfest ensures they get the value they've paid for.