Hofbräuhaus, Munich

The world's most famous beer hall, brewing beer for the Bavarian royal court since 1589 and on this site since 1607. Long wooden tables fill the vaulted ground-floor hall, where a brass band plays oompah music and waiters carry litre steins (a 'Mass'). Regulars keep their own steins locked in the hall.

Order Bavarian classics such as roast pork, white sausages with sweet mustard (served before noon) and giant pretzels. It's touristy but great fun. For a quieter beer, Munich's beer gardens, such as the Chinese Tower in the English Garden, are open in summer, and Oktoberfest runs from late September.