Berlin and Munich Restaurants

We really enjoyed the Hofbrauhaus in Munich. Make sure you wander around and explore the various rooms - it’s huge! The history of the place is very interesting. We stopped by during the day just to check it out, and it wasn’t very crowded. We returned later for dinner and ate on the terrace where it was pretty quiet. Inside, it was quite a different scene: polka band, a lively crowd. Everything I hoped for!

I'll offer some Berlin choices.

Joseph-Roth-Diele. Named after an Austrian journalist and novelist. Has a nice old-warm charm to it and a varied selection of German dishes. https://www.joseph-roth-diele.de/

Zur Letzten Instanz. Berlin's oldest restaurant -- since 1621. I have not eaten her but it was recommended by Robert Sommer, the guide I use in Berlin who is a native Berliner ("Born in the DDR," as I think Bruce Springsteen once sang) and is not going to recommend bad food. Also recommend by German forum favorite Fred. https://zurletzteninstanz.com/en/start-en/

Curry 36 was recommended to me by a local as the best option for Currywurst (the Mehringdamm location in particular), but everyone has their favorite. Get the classic, organic, or vegan version. https://curry36.de/de/

If you've had enough German food...

momos. Organic veggie dumplings that are delicious. I usually go with a friend and share a medium "All-in momo's Experience" to sample all the dumplings in both their steamed and pan fried form and to sample all three sauces. https://momos-berlin.de/pages/restaurant

1987 Xigon. Vietnamese with an emphasis on sushi. Part gastronomy, part performance art. Eat dinner with hip young people. The Surprise Platter for Two is a treat. Try the Vietnamese coffee... if not here, somewhere in Berlin... it's an experience in itself if you haven't had it before... the coffee drip brews in front of you in a small Vietnamese drip brewer perched atop a clear cup with condensed milk in it. I love the Vietnamese coffee experience, but I kind of love everything. https://www.1987xigon.de/?lang=en

Munich: Pfälzer Weinstuben in the Residence (good selection of Palatinate wines, reasonably priced food by Munich standards); "Deutsche Eiche", Reichenbachstraße (south of Vikualienmarkt), the oldest gay restaurant in Munich, but open to everyone, friendly atmosphere, rerasonable prices and nice roof terrace; diagonally opposite Pizzeria Monaco, one of the more reasonably priced Italian restaurants in Munich. Bavarian: Spatenhaus (Max-Josefs-Platz, across from the State Opera, a bit upscale), Augustiner Bräustüberl (at the location of the brewery on Landsberger Strasse, two bus stops from the main station; much more original than the Augustiner Keller on Arnulfstrasse, which is frequented by tourists); Hackerhaus on Sendlinger Strasse; Pschorr-Haus southwest of Viktualienmarkt; Schneider Bräuhaus, im Tal, approx 200m east of Marienplatz; Brünnstein near Ostbahnhof (train station Munich East; call to see if seats are available). The largest beer garden ist the Hirschgarten near Nymphenburg castle, S-Bahn stop "Hirschgarten".

Chopan, lovely Afghan restaurant in Munich

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions!!!