Vinothek by Geisel is the wine restaurant and bar at Hotel Excelsior, Schützenstraße 11, 80335 Munich, Germany, on the short link between München Hauptbahnhof and Karlsplatz (Stachus). Long regarded as a Munich institution for food and wine, it pairs a traditionally decorative dining room with Mediterranean-led cooking, house-made pasta and a cellar-scale international wine selection. Travelers come for an unhurried lunch or dinner close to the station, polished service, and the chance to explore serious European and global wines without leaving central Munich.
What to Expect at Vinothek by Geisel
The defining experience is wine-led dining rather than a quick station-area meal. The Vinothek’s list runs to around 700 wines from respected regions of Europe and beyond, while numerous wines are available by the glass. That makes it practical to pair a single glass with lunch, compare styles across courses, or choose a bottle with advice from the team. The setting is part of the appeal: a traditional, ornamented restaurant-and-cellar atmosphere within the first-class Hotel Excelsior, a marked contrast to the transport hub just outside.
Chef Benedikt Arps has led the kitchen since June 2024. His menu combines seasonal ingredients with a contemporary approach, while retaining the restaurant’s established Mediterranean and Italian direction. House-made pasta is a central specialty, joined by changing dishes designed for wine pairing. From Monday to Friday, a three-course menu is offered for €72 and a lunch menu for €36; both provide a structured way to sample the kitchen. This is a restaurant, not a museum or attraction: there are no admission tickets, exhibits or self-guided trails—your visit is built around a table, the menu and the wine list.
- 700-wine list: A broad selection spanning leading European regions and wines from around the world.
- Wines by the glass: Numerous open pours make tasting and food pairing possible without committing to a bottle.
- House-made pasta: A signature of the Mediterranean-influenced kitchen alongside seasonal dishes.
- Weekday menus: Monday-to-Friday lunch menu at €36 and three-course menu at €72.
- Hotel Excelsior setting: Traditional decorative interiors in a central hotel location between Hauptbahnhof and Stachus.
Vinothek by Geisel at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Schützenstraße 11, 80335 Munich, Germany |
| Neighborhood / Area | City centre, between München Hauptbahnhof and Karlsplatz (Stachus) |
| Operating Hours | Mon–Fri noon–midnight; Sat 4pm–midnight; Sun closed |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No admission fee or tickets; dining and drinks are charged. Weekday lunch menu €36; weekday three-course menu €72. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 1.5 hours for lunch; 2 to 3 hours for dinner and wine |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | München Hauptbahnhof, about a 3-minute walk; Karlsplatz (Stachus), about 7 minutes. Paid public garages are available around the station. |
| Official Website / Phone | excelsior-hotel.de/vinothek / +49 89 551377140 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve ahead for dinner, Friday lunch, or any pre-theatre and weekend plan through the restaurant’s OpenTable booking page. Early weekday lunch is the easiest fit for travelers arriving or departing by rail; dinner rewards a later reservation, particularly if you want time to work through the wine list. From München Hauptbahnhof, use the Schützenstraße side of the station and walk north-east toward the hotel. Hauptbahnhof is served by S-Bahn trunk-line services, U1, U2, U4 and U5, plus regional trains, trams and buses. Karlsplatz (Stachus), with U-Bahn, S-Bahn and tram connections, is the useful alternative from the old-town side.
The restaurant is within Hotel Excelsior rather than on a pedestrian trail, so guests using a wheelchair, stroller or rolling luggage should arrange the most suitable entrance and table placement with the restaurant when reserving. Ask directly about step-free routing and accessible restroom availability for your visit; the central-station pavements are generally level but can be busy. Pair a meal with a 5-minute walk to Karlsplatz’s grand gate and square, or continue roughly 10 minutes to the Königsplatz museums and neoclassical ensemble. The pedestrian shopping streets around Stachus and Neuhauser Straße are also within an easy 10- to 15-minute walk for an aperitif, shopping or a walk toward Marienplatz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Vinothek by Geisel’s hours, and when is the best time to go?
It is listed as open noon to midnight Monday through Friday, 4pm to midnight Saturday, and closed Sunday. Book an early weekday lunch for a calmer meal near the station, or reserve dinner if wine is the focus. Confirm holiday and special-service hours when booking.
Do I need tickets or a reservation?
No tickets are required because Vinothek by Geisel is a restaurant. There is no admission charge; you pay for food and drink. Reservations are strongly advisable, especially for dinner. The weekday lunch menu costs €36 and the weekday three-course menu costs €72.
How much time should I budget?
Allow about one to 1.5 hours for a weekday lunch. Plan two to three hours for dinner, particularly when ordering multiple courses or exploring wines by the glass or bottle from the 700-wine selection.
Is Vinothek by Geisel suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families are welcome in this hotel restaurant, though the experience is best suited to diners comfortable with a full table-service meal. For wheelchair users, strollers and guests needing step-free access, contact the restaurant in advance to coordinate the appropriate hotel entrance, seating and restroom arrangements.
When planning your Munich travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and wine bar in Munich, pair this stop with standout local spots including Heart of Munich Tours, Chay Vegan, bike bringer Mobile Radlverleih, and Excelsior by Geisel (nearby).
