A Bavarian Feast for the Whole Family
If you’re looking for hearty meals, friendly vibes, and a taste of Germany in the heart of Melbourne, Hofbräuhaus ticks every box. Located in Market Lane in the CBD, this iconic restaurant has been serving up Bavarian comfort food since 1968, making it one of Melbourne’s longest-standing cultural eateries.
We visited for a Sunday lunch with the whole family and left with full bellies, big smiles, and the kind of warm, cosy feeling that only comes from a truly satisfying meal.
Walking into Hofbräuhaus feels like stepping into a cosy Munich tavern. Wooden booths, staff in traditional dirndls and lederhosen, and a buzz of friendly chatter set the scene.
Despite its beer hall vibe, the space is surprisingly kid-friendly. Staff were welcoming from the get-go, and other families were dining around us, all equally relaxed.
The kids were thrilled with the playful menu, and the names alone were a hit. Our twin boys ordered the “I DON’T CARE” Chicken Schnitzel: a perfectly crumbed fillet served with chips and tomato sauce. Our daughter went for the “I DON’T WANT THAT” Schnitzel Bites, which were golden, bite-sized pieces of schnitzel that felt like a German take on popcorn chicken. Both meals came with ice cream for just $12.50. Absolute bargain for a proper CBD lunch.
The portions were generous, and most importantly, the quality was great. Crispy, fresh, and clearly made in-house, no frozen nuggets in sight!
For the adults, the choices were a bit harder, in the best way possible. The menu is stacked with traditional options, from pork knuckles to sausages and schnitzels.
We settled on the Jägerfleisch Beef Scotch Fillet and the Swiss Schnitzel. The scotch fillet was melt-in-your-mouth tender, served medium with a rich mushroom sauce, buttery Spätzle (German egg noodles), and broccolini. Every bite was rich and satisfying, it’s the kind of dish that makes you slow down and savour.
The Swiss Schnitzel was equally indulgent, a marinated chicken breast, crumbed and topped with ham, tomato, and cheese.
It came with crisp chips, slaw, Bavarian mayo, and a side of Omi’s Potato Salad, which was cold, creamy and had just the right touch of mustard.
Generous doesn’t begin to describe it, you could easily share this dish (but trust us, you won’t want to).
Despite being absolutely full, we couldn’t leave without dessert. We shared two:
The Apfelstrudel: Warm, flaky, and spiced with cinnamon and rum, served with vanilla bean ice cream and a currant purée. Classic and comforting.
The Schwarzwälder Black Forest Pave: A modern take on the German favourite, rich dark chocolate, cherry brandy-soaked cherries, pastry crisps and cream. Decadent without being too heavy.
Both desserts were a hit with the kids too, though they mostly cared about the ice cream!
Hofbräuhaus is known for its beers, and rightly so. Steins of crisp, cold Bavarian lager were flowing all around us. We ordered a traditional wheat beer and also tried the Strawberry Daiquiri from their seasonal cocktail list, which was surprisingly refreshing and well-balanced.
Despite being a beer-focused venue, it never felt like a pub, it’s more of a warm, celebratory dining space that caters to groups, couples, and families alike.
Hofbräuhaus Melbourne is a gem for anyone who loves big flavours, friendly service, and a bit of fun with their food. The kids loved their meals (and the novelty of the names), the adults loved the generous, flavour-packed mains, and the atmosphere made us feel like we were on a little holiday to Bavaria, without leaving Melbourne.
If you’re in the city and craving comfort food that’ll leave you full and happy, this spot is a no-brainer, especially for families. We’ll be back for another round (and maybe next time, we’ll take on the schnitzel challenge!).
📍 18-28 Market Lane, Melbourne CBD
Bookings www.hofbrauhaus.com.au
Perfect for, Family lunches, Group gatherings, and Anyone who loves schnitzel, strudel, and a good stein of beer
Melbourne with Kidz (MWK) 
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