Schmalznudel - Cafe Frischhut

Perfect stop for travelers, just a short walk from the main sights and markets. This café is well known for its fried donuts — and they absolutely live up to the hype. It’s usually busy, but the line moves fast. You can order and sit at the outdoor tables, which is a great way to enjoy the Munich vibe while taking a break from sightseeing. The donuts are fresh and delicious, and there’s sugar on the table so you can add as much as you like. So good I could easily eat two. Highly recommended if you’re visiting Munich!

One of my favorite cafes I visited in Munich!! Freshly made Bavarian style donuts & wonderful coffee! All the donuts were being made fresh and they were still warm when we got them at our table. We dined in and it was the perfect cozy cafe to get away from the cold for a bit. Highly recommend this cafe if you are craving a donut!

This cozy café has a warm, wood-themed interior and serves Schmalzgebäck along with a nice variety of pastries. Schmalznudel is a traditional Bavarian fried donut pastry—crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. There’s also a lovely courtyard, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy something sweet for both locals and tourists alike. Unfortunately, it was raining that day, and a bit too chilly to wait outside for takeout, so we decided to eat inside. We were lucky to get a seat at the very back of the upstairs area. The place was pretty busy, but we still managed to enjoy a cozy and relaxing time. Definitely recommended!

Café Frischhut is one of those Munich places that quietly carries history on its shoulders. Founded in the 19th century, it has long been known as a traditional Schmalznudel café, serving locals long before the city became a global tourist stop. Walking in feels like stepping into old Bavaria, simple wooden tables, no unnecessary noise, and a focus on doing one thing properly rather than doing many things loudly. The star of the table is, without question, the Schmalznudel in the picture. Freshly fried, golden, and beautifully puffed, it arrives warm with that inviting aroma that instantly tells you this is not a modern shortcut version. The outside is crisp without being heavy, while the inside stays soft and airy, almost melting as you tear into it. Lightly dusted with sugar, it strikes a perfect balance between indulgent and comforting. This is the kind of pastry that does not try to impress you with tricks, it simply wins you over with honesty and tradition. The coffee complements the bread very well. Strong, clean, and served without fuss, it does exactly what it should. A proper companion rather than a distraction. Together, the combination feels like a classic Munich morning ritual, slow, grounded, and satisfying. Service is efficient and polite, very much in line with the place’s character. No over friendliness, but attentive and respectful. The atmosphere is calm and authentic, making it easy to sit back and enjoy the moment, whether you are alone with your thoughts or sharing the table with good company. By the time you finish the last bite, you understand why this place has survived for generations. And fair warning, once you dip that last corner of Schmalznudel into your coffee, you may find yourself planning tomorrow’s visit before you even stand up.

Absolutely must come here a try these authentic and delicious Schmalznudeln. Don't forget to bring cash. No wonder there is always a line here. But while you wait you can watch as everything is prepared by hand and freshly. What a spectacle. Needless to say they are delicious!!! Even my German Grandma would agree that they taste almost as good as hers. I could sit there all day eating one after another.

The very definition of a tourist trap. It’s just a donut shop with coffee. They attract the crowds with the front window kitchen with the fryer placed right at the entrance. The main attraction is the donut without the hole in the middle. Instead it still maintains a translucent layer of flour. It’s warm when served and has no taste. You need to add sugar. The Bavarian filled donut was a disgrace as the fam filling was only 10% of the donut. 2 donuts and a coffee for €12. YouTubers and TikTokers have totally made them famous. By the way … it’s CASH ONLY.

Schmalznudel is absolutely worth the wait, especially when you get one hot straight from the fryer. The dough is perfectly light and crisp on the outside, with a soft, airy center. A dusting of sugar gives just the right touch of sweetness without being overwhelming. Simple, traditional, and perfectly executed. A must-try Munich classic best enjoyed fresh.

Do you like deep fried dough? This is for you. If you don't, this is also for you. The schmalznudel is perfectly crispy and yet chewy and oh so so so heavenly - I've already been demoted below the cat, dog and now this pastry in my missus' eyes. Do not miss this little shop - you will need to bring cash!

I came here during a food tour so I didn't interact with the staff. We did see them making some of our baked goods, which was really interesting. Our tour didn't eat inside cause we had many places to go. I couldn't see it this place was large or not or if they had a lot of seatings. We had one baked item, which was wonderful - a donut like pastry typical in the area. If you're around, I definitely suggest this place for a light coffee and pastry.

When I was researching things to eat in Munich, this cafe was highly recommended. It specializes in schmalznudel, a popular Bavarian pastry that's basically fried dough that is dusted with sugar. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, it's very similar to a Chinese youtiao. We came in around 11am after our flight had landed and we had checked into our hotel. We were able to get a table right away, which was nice. We ended up getting two schmalznudel and two Berliner doughnuts to share between the four of us. We also had coffee and hot chocolate. This really hit the spot. Everything was great and it was a really good first stop on our first day. It's cash only so make sure you have some Euros before coming!

Cute cafe! There are a few pastry options with rotating flavors for some. Indoor or outdoor seating. Simple selection of beverages. This is a cash only business so come prepared

So good! I don't usually like fried dough or donut but I would eat those at this place any time! A subtle sweetness went well with coffee. I think I am gonna try it with wine next visit as coffee cost more than alcohol... :D Go early as it could get packed inside and takeout line could get long.

How is simple fried dough so good?! If you don't know what to get, don't worry, they are all simple fried dough with a light sugar coating -- you just have to choose the shape. I like their original schmalznudel (round flat shape) and striezerl (long braided shape). Easy to order to-go. Dine-in is €4 extra. Tables are tiny -- they can fit one fried dough and a cup of coffee, although you'll be tempted to place a second, or third, order of fried dough. Note: Cash only.

It's a established local bakery /coffee house with delicious schmalznudel and donuts with great coffee drinks. Service is quick and responsive. It's cash only place and English is OK. Ambient is very casual and good coffee house like atmosphere. Inside and outdoor seating with many tables in multi levels inside. Outdoor is accessible.

Came for the schmalznudel and left wishing I got more of their other pastries to try. Before the cafe opened, a line was already forming. You can see their popular items in the window display. I grabbed the fried dough topped with sugar to go. Highly recommend enjoying it fresh. It was the perfect quick bite to grab on a cold rainy day.

If you're near Marienplatz and Viktualienmarkt, Schmalznudel - Cafe Frischhut is a must-visit for a classic Bavarian breakfast. This charming café, run by the Frischhut family since 1973, is famous for its lard noodles--a beloved local specialty. You can watch through the shop window as the yeast dough is baked to a crispy golden brown. Though I didn't try the lard noodle, I opted for a pastry with apricot jam in the middle, and it was delicious. The perfect field for my morning.

Delicious. I got the kapfen(?), I might have spelt that wrong. It has an apricot filling inside and topped with just the right amount of sugar. The one pastry filled me up for the morning as of lately I haven't been big on eating breakfast. I also got a cappuccino, which was good too. Service was good as well and I had no issues. The woman helped me as I have little to no german speaking skills. Would recommend to anyone. PS: they are cash only and their prices are fair

Donut is delicious. Worker handing you donut seems stressed all the time. Should serve with a smile.

came back multiple days for the schmalznudel alone! you can either order to-go or dine in. plenty of seating upstairs, service was more prompt downstairs than upstairs though. For drinks we ordered a latte and cappuccino, both were decent but the pastries stood out more. The krapfen was just like a jam donut. the strizerl was similar in flavor to the outer portion of the schmalznudel but doughier texture. Tastes like a Chinese donut almost, but you sprinkle sugar over it and the texture is so much lighter. Wish we had something like this back home

Very cozy cafe with delicious pastry. Service was quick and courteous. This is my favorite cafe in Munich

After traversing through Bavaria for 10 days, I can officially say that Café Frischhut is the best cafe there is! We tried Café Frischhut during our first morning in Munich and could not stop thinking about it during the rest of our trip. Every single cafe we tried after was compared to Café Frischhut which set the bar too high! Café Frischhut had good coffee and AMAZING pastries. We tried the schmalznudel and krapfen (donut with apricot filling). Both fresh out of the fryer and delicious! We especially loved the krapfen and now need to figure out how we can get more when we go back to the States. Service was good, and the cafe was very cozy. There's a huge back seating area that we didn't first realize was there. Wish we had a Café Frischhut back home! Until we meet again.

Not sure what the big hype is. Found this place on a hipster guide to local eats. I ate outside and the cafe was underwhelming for its fare. I tried the famous traditional Bavarian pastry which was just flat fried greasy dough with sugar you put atop yourself. It really was nothing special and that combined with the slow, 'meh' service (bad even for Germany), I cannot in good faith recommend this to anyone else. If you need a break to sit down, I'd recommend somewhere else.

Coffeehouse with legendary pastries. The cafe is quaint, and service efficient and comfortable. Do yourself a favor and indulge!

It's exactly what it sounds like. It's a fried piece of dough with sugar on top of it. It's basic yet delicious. It's not overly greasy, not too heavy and I think it's a great day starter! Service was great, very fast. You can buy upfront to-go or you can go in and eat there. The place gets pretty deep so plenty of seating! It's a refreshing traditional looking place in contrast to its very modern neighbor, Eataly.

Yum! I throughly enjoyed my schmalznudel. It is a flat, fried dough dipped in sugar. It was light and not too sweet. It's a must if you find yourself in Munich!

Was brought here on a food tour and did not disappoint. The freshness and lightness of the pastry was so good. Highly suggest!

IDK , maybe it was my experience ( unpleasant waitress ) but I'd say just average - don't believe the hype . First I was directed to go downstairs ( America section it appears ) No seats Went upstairs- plenty of seats and mainly only locals . As mentioned, server was not so nice , refused to bring my utensils, granted I only had pastries, but she rudely recommended that I use my hands . The pastries themselves were only really average. Nothing special . But don't misunderstand, they were tasty all the same !

Final stop on the food tour and probably my favorite one. We had a schmalznudel which is best described as a "jelly donut." Imagine a sweet bread that's about the size of a dinner roll with stewed plum baked/fried inside of it. It. Was. Heavenly. I think it needs only a hot cup of coffee to go with it and that's why I would suggest making this a morning stop rather than an afternoon one. Delicious! [Review 12027 overall, 1810 of 2019.]

Cafe Frischhut is an all-time favorite stop in Munich. It's a family-run business, and even though it's located in the heart of the city it has a super homey feel. The prices are more than reasonable. The bakers have been making their signature schmalznudel donuts the same way for decades with a recipe that's hundreds of years old, and watching the process on YouTube (or better-- in person!) is mesmerizing. This past visit, we sat inside for the first time. The back room is very cozy, outfitted in pale wood and benches with small tables. The vibe is relaxed, and the staff never rushes you. You're free to sip your coffee and nibble your baked goods at a leisurely pace, which is what we did. (Though not too leisurely-- more exploring to be done!) This cafe is a perfect resting place, especially after traipsing around Munich and Viktualienmarkt.

Delicious and fresh homemade doughnuts! Great for a quick breakfast if you're in rush.

A definite must-go to place when in Munich. They serve traditional Bavarian donuts and they are VERY good at making them. The service for takeout is very straightforward, order your donut and/or coffee and you're out within 60 seconds. However, there is tons of seating indoor and outdoor which we opted in doing. Th service here was super friendly and helpful in explaining what the different types of donuts are and to help clarify any of the items that we couldn't understand into English. We ended up getting the Schmalznudel (the original), espresso, and latte (Milchkaffe). The Schmalznudel is absolutely fantastic and I was so sad when we finished it. It's basically like a thin fried dough and it tasted even better when we had it sprinkled with sugar. Will definitely be coming back! The coffee here is also very good - I've never had coffee that tasted like this (they did mention it was German coffee) and I was immediately hooked on it. Love this place so much.

Umm traditional German donuts??? Yes, please. When I saw the reviews of this place, I just knew we had to stop by for some afternoon coffee and donuts. As others have already said, it's centrally located close to many main tourist sights, which is convenient. When we went in the afternoon, all the tables were full, but people cycle out fairly regularly so we didn't have to wait long. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu here. There aren't a ton of choices, but it's probably better that way so they can focus on quality rather than overwhelming customers with a quantity of options. We ordered 2 of the 4 and loved both. If you like pastries and desserts, you have to come here when in Munich!

Found this place online- the pastry that they are known for was super delicious- almost like an American funnel cake without the powdered sugar. Not sweet at all. The donut was so delicious. Wait staff spoke English and very cosy inside

Oh my goodness! Handmade donuts prepared right in front of your face or while your sitting sipping your cappuccino? YES, please! My husband and I had a 6 hour layover while heading home from the Yelpless country of Greece so we decided to take the train from the Munich Airport to Marienplatz. This yummy little wooden clad donut shop is about a 5 minute walk from the Glockenspiel. They only take cash so come prepared. Today we had apricot jelly filled donuts that were still warm! When do we (Americans) ever get apricot anything? They do offer up a few other yummy breakfast type donuts as well as some bread like cinnamon rolls. They have the rolls until they sell out so if you are a fan, come early! It's a great place to come and take a break from touring Munich.

Cute little cafe! There wasn't much of an English translation and it is a cash only business but they were kind and patient with us. The schmalznudel was absolutely amazing! It was nice and flaky but also melted in your mouth with each bite.

I went to visit schmalznudel while on a short visit to Munich . These have to be the most amazing type pasty ever eaten . They melt in your mouth. They are freshly made when you first walk in to the right . One can sit down or just grab one to go ( with or without powdered sugar ) . I had powered sugar on mine and would definitely recommend and go back to when in Munich . Sehr lecker .

Yummy donuts here. Unfortunately they weren't making the krapfen donut with abricot jam inside(they stop near closing time) tomorrow we will get that. But the other donuts were super fresh and tasty. Everyone enjoyed this spot. Update, got the apricot one today, yum!

Located within walking distance of Marienplatz and the famous Glockenspiel it is at Café Frischhut that locals and tourists alike gather, the smell of Yeast and Sugar hanging in the air at least three meters outside the shop and frequently replenished by a continuous flow of traffic in and out the door. Truly a local flavor, the presence of fried Dough outside Bavaria undoubtedly common but Schmalznudel themselves almost entirely a product of Munich and its surroundings, guests entering the wood and brick eatery will immediately find the item they covet steps inside, though additional baked goods as well as seating are also offered. Cash only and fast-paced, the entire transaction for most less than sixty seconds as a woman takes money and bags items while the man behind her fries stretched Dough prior to adding Sugar, it is while walking that most begin to indulge, first in this case on Raisin-studded Brioche known in Munich as Rohrnudeln or Buchteln. Onward next to Krapfen, the exterior almost too warm to touch and the inside filled with thick Apricot Preserves, it was after returning to the car that Café Frischhut's signature item was un-bagged and devoured, the taste reminiscent of Funnel Cake given similar constituents though the texture is far lighter all the way from rounded-edge to paper-thin center.

Good place for coffee and pastry..Those of you looking for breakfast like a typical one in the US this is not where you will get it. I think that's what my friends thought they would be able to get. I was ok with a pastry and coffee, and mimosa. I decided to try the mini bread with plum instead. It was really different nothing I ever had and I'm glad I tried it. Very tasty!

I was here two years ago and had a Auszogne to go. This time, we stayed for Auszogne and Rohrnudeln mit Zmitschgen, both are delicious! The service is outstanding, our lovely waitress was sweet, funny and attentive, and cute as heck. I miss this place already....sigh...

Overhyped. No line on a sunny weekday afternoon in March. Came all the way from California to make a pit stop here on a short layover and was unimpressed. Standard cream-filled sugar-covered malasada. We opted to have it packed to-go and decided to sit outside to enjoy the pastry only to be hastened out of our seats by a yelling staff member implying the seats are only for customers who bought "for here." I guess they're not known for their hospitality, but they succeeded in making us feel unwelcome.

Superb service delivering fresh breakfast pastries and hot coffee. Very near Munich's Marienplatz.

Schmalznudel Café Frischhut is a very nice and cozy spot very close to Marienplatz, making it a perfect before or after stop of the famous plaza. We tried all the different German donuts, and all were good. I liked the most simple ones as they were so soft and perfectly fluffy. There is a lot of seating in the downstairs area. There is also an outside seating area for nice days. While there were many tourists inside, there were also a good amount of locals. They do not accept credit cards and it is cash only.

Very popular fried dough place in Munich. Fresh off the fryer and dusted with sugar, these sweet treats are an amazing blend of crispy and soft that have you eating bit after bite. Great to have a cup of coffee with on their patio and enjoy some good weather.

I am convinced that "schmalznudel" is German for "heaven" because these pastries are so fresh and delicious you will think you have died and are being rewarded by a loving creator for a lifetime of good deeds. Seriously, if you see a line beginning to form out the door, it is not because they are slow but because they are waiting for the next batch of fresh pastries to come out of the fryer. They take them directly out and serve them within minutes. The krapfen was my fave. It is essentially a jelly-filled, sugar coated donut. On the day we visited, I believe the filling was apricot. Oh baby. The namesake pastry, the schmalznudel, is a must, as well. Basically just thinly pounded fried dough covered in sugar, but the thinness means it gets slightly crispy in the fryer. Good stuff. They serve coffee too, so you will get your caffeine fix. They have indoor seating, an outdoor garden, and some seating in front facing the market, but since it is steps away from the Viktualienmarkt, we just took ours to go and grabbed an open seat. Not to be missed!

I went here with hubby and sat downstairs. The waitress didn't speak english, so we ordered the wrong thing. I came back several times since then and just picked up a schmalznudel with sugar at the take out counter. Then I trot off happily (with my warm bag) to the Viktualianmarket for my "gros caffe krema" and sit at the benches watching the world go by. Heaven! So just pick up from the counter to go, and head across the street... you won't be sorry...

Fresh made, absolutely delicious. And the coffee was fantastic as well. There's often a lineup first thing in the morning when it opens.

Freshly fried dough. Sprinkle a little sugar on it, OMG. What's not to love? If you are in Munich, make sure you visit this charming little cafe. Add: I just looked this up on Tripadvisor, and realized I should have also tried a "Rohrnudel" filled with plums. *!#$@#@ I guess I will need to return to Munich. Darn. Don't make the mistake I made, order both! (This place is rated #18 out of 2,221 restaurants on Tripadvisor... must mean something!)

I'm never eating a doughnut/fried thing from anywhere else ever again! These things are amazing! Fried crack dipped in sugar! Seriously though, do yourself a favour and get one of the schmalznudel fresh out of the fryer. It's crunchy, sweet and warm. We were going to skip this place because we thought 'what's the hype?' But after accidentally walking past and seeing no line we quickly jumped in and got one. Just next to the farmers market be prepared with cash as they don't take card.

Beautifully fried delicious traditional dough! It is a must-go if you are in munich. Grab one and an espresso then enjoy watching the hustle and bustle of Viktualienmarkt.

Friendly cafe with traditional Bavarian donuts that you can watch being made right in the front window.

Cute spot! We walked straight to the back, found some seats, sat down, and a server came by pretty quickly to take our orders. Be warned though, I believe the staff speaks limited English--I wound up having to order for my two friends. All three of us went with the Krapfen, which was filled with a warm apple-pie-like jam/jelly, and water. The Krapfen was a puff of sugary, light, doughy heaven. We ate ours pretty quickly, asked for the check, and left probably 15 minutes after we arrived. Tip on how to order a Krapfen and water: "Einen Krapfen und ein Wasser, bitte." :) ("Stilles Wasser" for regular water and "Sprudelwasser" for sparkling.) Enjoy!

They say that you have to try the Schmalznudel if you're in Munich, and that this is the place to do it. The staff is friendly, if just a bit distracted, but understandably so, as the cafe gets extremely crowded especially at peak times. The star of the menu did not disappoint! I had mine with a cappuccino - they went perfectly together at cost me 6,20€, which is reasonable for a Friday afternoon coffee break.

Fantastic pasties and cappuccino. It's actually the latter that I enjoyed the most - probably the best cappuccino I had in Germany. Also, lovely location to sit outside and enjoy the area!

This little cafe packs a lot of character, flavor and good service at am awesome price! Really enjoyed the atmosphere in this Munich mainstay. It's nestled right next to the Viktualienmarkt in the city center & across the street from a great brewery. Would highly recommend a quick stop here as the Schmalznudel is pretty affordable & makes for a nice snack. The Schmalznudel itself is like a fried donut, reminded me a lot of beignets but with less powdery sugar on it. Their other raisin & plum breads are great as well.

Oh goodness. Stopped in for a donut on the recommendation of many Yelpers, and was not disappointed, which is a feat considering that I generally dislike pastry and can only manage 1/4 of a donut before my body revolts. Unfortunately this place was out of my top choice, but the backup was amazing. Like most donuts, they're best fresh out of the fryer and not great later (my standards are high, I suppose), and these are pleasantly sweet and fluffy without being sickly sweet or waxy (disjoin' "K2" and its waxy nastiness, which I can't stand...I could actually eat my Schmalznudel). The international clientele in line with me was fun too, and it's in a good spot near the market. Not diet food but worth a stop!

One of the best donut type desserts I've ever had! Order the krapfen, which is like a jelly filled donut. They are so fresh since they fry them as they go. Inside, the filling is an apricot jam that isn't too sweet. On the outside, the donut is coated with sugar crystals. They are lightly, airy, fluffy, soft, to die for. Cost: 2 euros.