Birthday in Munich suggestions?

I would NOT recommend eating at the Hofbrauhaus - get a beer and appetizer and enjoy the atmosphere, but the meals there are NOT very good - there are too many other great choices. The Viktualienmarkt is always a fun and authentic place to sample and try food and the atmosphere is amazing (it's a VERY LARGE outdoor beer garden with LOTS of options == many more locals recommend this over a meal at Hofbrauhaus.

While it's not German, one of our favorite places to dine in Munich is always Vino e Gusto -- it is super tiny, authentic Italian - we always make a RSVP. We like to snack and sample food at Viktualienmarkt during the day and go have a nice meal at Vino e Gusto at night.

You'll get tons of ideas here, you really can't go wrong in Munich.

I too would not go to the Hofbrauhaus for a meal. We have been several times and did not find the food to be very good, plus it can be a madhouse which isn't our style.

Take a look at Der Pschorr. It is right across from Viktualienmarkt. We have eaten there on tow trips, most recently in December, and the food is quite good and it has a nice atmosphere.

Question is what is your budget and what countries cuisine would you prefer for your birthday dinner?

Hofbräuhaus is mainly for tourists. Like mentioned ok for a snack but not for dinner.

Munich is a big city with lots and lots of things one could do. What are you interested in?

@ Mignon, I want it to be memorable but need to keep in consideration that others might be with us, so no more than $150 per person. I'd like to stay in the old town area. For cuisine - Italian or German.

@ Mikliz97, thank you, I'll look at Der Pschorr
@ Chinalake67, thank you, I'll look at Vino e Gusto

I would recommend the following restaurants. Reservation is required for each:

Weinhaus Neuner, Herzogspitalstraße 8 - top-class Bavarian cuisine

Osteria Der Katzlmacher, Bräuhausstraße 6 - my favorite Italien restaurant.
Small handwritten menue that changes every day (excepct some all time favorites). With a larger group you can have a menu put together by the restaurant.

Pfistermühle, Pfisterstraße 4 - top-class Bavarian cuisine

Halali, Schönfeldstraße 22 - top-class Bavarian cuisine

Can recommend Vino e Gusto as well.

@ Mignon, I've been told to ask about other suggestions for Bavarian food, a little less expensive.
And thank you very much for those, Der Pschorr is my suggestion.

Der Pschorr is my suggestion

As an alternative, you might consider the Spatenhaus (opposite the opera), which is a bit more upscale. A three-course menu (without wine or beer) costs about from 60€

I would suggest below as well - all down town. Reservation would be recommended.

Xaver's, Rumfordstraße 35 - Modern Bavarian

Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl am Dom, Frauenplatz 9 - Typical Bavarian
They are keeping up a very old Munich tradition - Stehausschank. You can buy a beer and drink it either standing outside or when the weather is bad in their staircase (no reservation necessary for that). I think it is fun.
Usually after 30 minutes I go inside and sit at a table (reservation necessary). If you want to try this tradition the entrance for the Stehausschank is on the left side of the building.

@Sla019, thanks for the suggestions.
@Mignon, again, thank you.

In Munich we enjoyed dinner at Schapeau at Hotel Torbraeu in the Old Town area near Marienplatz and the Isartor Gate. It is a lovely restaurant with excellent food and service, a great place for a special birthday. I had the weiner schnitzel and my husband had the sea bass. I would love to go back there. Hotel Torbraeu is over 500 years old

@ Organizer8, thank you for the suggestions.