Café
Café Luitpold
A grand café on Brienner Straße founded in 1888, with a palm garden, in-house cakes and chocolates, breakfast until mid-afternoon and a small history museum.
Café Frischhut (Schmalznudel)
A small, traditional café by Viktualienmarkt known for one thing: Schmalznudeln, the hot fried dough pastries also called Auszogne, eaten in or taken away.
At a glance
- Type
- Traditional pastry café
- Area
- Altstadt, Munich, Germany
- Price
- $ · Budget
- Official site
- cafe-frischhut.de
Good to know
- Freshly fried pastries
- Take-away
- Terrace in summer
- Closed Sundays
Why we recommend it
Café Frischhut, known to almost everyone in Munich simply as Die Schmalznudel, is a small café on Prälat-Zistl-Straße at the edge of Viktualienmarkt. It is a single-minded place: the reason to come is the Schmalznudel, a traditional Bavarian pastry made from yeast dough that is stretched by hand into a round with a thin centre and a thick rim, then fried until golden. In Bavaria it is also called an Auszogne, from the way the dough is pulled out.
The pastries are best eaten hot and dusted with sugar. Alongside them you will usually find Rohrnudeln, baked yeast buns that are often filled with plums, and Striezel, the twisted fried pastries. The menu is short and the focus is on doing these few things well, with coffee to go with them. Pastries can be eaten at the tables inside or on the small terrace in summer, or taken away to eat while walking round the market.
Opening hours suit early risers and market visitors. According to the city's listing, the café opens on weekdays from 9:00 until early evening and on Saturdays from 9:00 until late afternoon, and it is closed on Sundays, when Viktualienmarkt is also closed. Arrive in the morning if you want the widest choice and the freshest batch; queues can form at the counter at weekends.
The Schmalznudel suits anyone with a sweet tooth and families with children, and it is one of the cheapest ways to try a genuine Munich speciality. Do not expect a full menu or table service in the manner of a grand café: this is a quick, informal stop. Fried pastries are rich, so one is usually enough unless you are sharing.
The café is a short walk from Marienplatz and Sendlinger Tor, on the south-western side of Viktualienmarkt. Combine it with a browse round the market stalls, a climb up the tower of St. Peter's or a visit to the Asamkirche on nearby Sendlinger Straße. Because the café is small, it is easiest to visit outside the late-morning peak. On Sundays, when it is closed, the Rischart cafés and Café Luitpold are open alternatives for something sweet.
Café Frischhut (Schmalznudel) FAQs
What is a Schmalznudel?
A traditional Bavarian fried yeast pastry, pulled by hand into a round with a thin centre and thick rim, also called an Auszogne.
When is Café Frischhut open?
According to the city's listing, Monday to Friday from 9:00 until early evening and Saturday from 9:00 until late afternoon. It is closed on Sundays.
Can I take the pastries away?
Yes. Pastries can be eaten in or taken away.
What else is sold besides Schmalznudeln?
Rohrnudeln, baked yeast buns often filled with plums, and Striezel.
When is the best time to visit?
In the morning, when the choice is widest and before the late-morning queues.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes, there is a small terrace in summer.
Where is Café Frischhut?
On Prälat-Zistl-Straße at the edge of Viktualienmarkt, a short walk from Marienplatz.
Is it expensive?
No. It is one of the most affordable ways to try a Munich speciality.