Bavarian Beer Gardens

Etiquette and What Food to Bring

Tomwieden, Bavarian beer garden, Pixabay Content License.

You may not speak the language, and maybe you have never been to a Bavarian beer garden before. But I think I can get you through the experience without your sticking yourself uncomfortably into other people’s eyes (that’s the German idiom for a sticking out like a sore thumb).

First, there are a few rules of etiquette for beer gardens you should know.

Etiquette for Bavarian Beer Gardens

1. Self-brought food is only for the Selbstbedienung section.

Don’t bring any of your food into the full-service area!

What you’re officially allowed to bring is a Brotzeit – a brown bag lunch. But Brotzeit isn’t legally defined. Bread, some sausage, cheese, radishes, and pickles – everyone agrees that’s okay. But not a gourmet picnic!

The basic rule is not to overdo it. Just simple, cold food. You’re not allowed to bring in a grill, a cooking stove, or set up a buffet on an empty table. Bavarian beer gardens don’t allow deliveries to the self-service section either, so forget about ordering a pizza.

Don’t bring your own drinks, either. The beer garden earns its money in the Selbstbedienung section by selling drinks. The only exception is bottles for babies.