Viktualienmarkt – A Favourite Market at Christmas

VIKTUALIENMARKT, A POPULAR MUNICH FOOD MARKET, PUTS ON ITS CHRISTMAS COLOURS:

A wonderful cheese stall at Viktualienmarkt

A favourite food market in the centre of Munich is Viktualienmarkt. The stalls in this popular market sell fresh food and deli goods which are a feast for the eyes. And during the Christmas season, the feast gets even better.

Christmas colours

Viktualienmarkt takes on a festive air and the goods on offer assume a seasonal flavour. Christmas bushes and shiny baubles add festive colour to this bustling market and the air is filled with the aroma of glühwein, roasted almonds, chocolates, marzipan and other Christmas treats.

Viktualienmarkt Food

Although the typical cuisine of Munich is very meat oriented, Viktualienmarkt offers exotic ingredients that go beyond bratwurst and schweinshaxn. The 140 market stalls sell exotic mushrooms, fruits and vegetables, eggs, butter, fish and meat. There are also specialist stalls selling venison and fowl, honey, sausages, herbs and spices, cold cuts and cheeses, wine and tea.

One of our favourite stalls here is the cheese shop. It’s huge range of fabulous French and Italian cheeses include favourites such as roquefort, morbier, mimolette and gorgonzola. As a fromage fanatic, I’m always on the lookout for truffle cheese – and yes, they do have them here. The availability of wasabi cheese is an added bonus.

An exquisite cheese shop at Viktualienmarkt

Beer Garden and Restaurants

Viktualienmarkt is only a block away from Marienplatz. After visiting the Marienplatz and adjoining Christmas markets, this is a pleasant place to retreat to for some refreshments. At the beer garden you can quench your thirst with the many different brews that the beer capital of the world has to offer. One thing’s for sure, your beer will stay cold!

Kleiner Ochs’nbrater at Viktualienmarkt

The food kiosks and restaurants in Viktualienmarkt are also popular for their casual Bavarian meals. With the fresh food market at its front door, the food here is sure to be fresh. Meat eaters swear by restaurants like Kleiner Ochs’nbrater, whereas we like Nordsee for its seafood. The food kiosks are usually quite busy and it may be standing room only. If you’re planning on visiting this market, it’s a good idea to go with an empty stomach.

Christmas Trees and Plants

Viktualienmarkt is more than a food market. There is a large section dedicated to plants and flowers.

Christmas plants and flowers

During the Christmas season, you can buy very fine specimens of Christmas trees and all kinds of colourful Christmas decorations here.

Christmas trees and wreaths

Memorial Fountains and Maypole

Dotted around the Viktualienmarkt are a few memorial water fountains dedicated to actresses, folk singers and comedians such as Karl Valentin, Weiß Ferdl and Liesl Karlstadt. The Liesl Karlstadt memorial fountain is a popular one with local drinkers. The rim of the fountain basin is used as a table for their drinks.

Memorial Fountain

These guys look like they are permanently attached to the fountain. I’m sure we saw them here during our summer visit as well.

Viktualienmarkt is not as huge as La Boqueria in Barcelona or London’s Borough Market, but it is nevertheless a nice market to visit. You don’t need to be shopping for anything in particular to enjoy your visit. Half the fun is in strolling around and seeing what each stall has to offer. For photography fans, the market is the place to add some colourful photos to your Munich album.

Address:
Viktualienmarkt
80331 München

Map of Munich

Things to do in Munich

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