Weißwürste with pretzels and sweet mustard—that’s the classic Bavarian breakfast that foreign tourists especially love to try. These days, you can order them at almost any tavern, and in many places they’re also available in vegetarian or vegan versions. In fact , the sausages originate from Munich and gained popularity from there. Yet it ’s said that the specialty was invented purely by chance. Its birthplace is supposedly at today’s Wildmosers on Marienplatz, where you can still enjoy white sausages for breakfast today.
The Legend of Moser Sepp
In 1857, restaurateur Joseph Moser is said to have prepared bratwurst on Carnival Sunday at the former inn “Zum Ewigen Licht.” However, he ran out of veal casings , so he sent his apprentice to get some more. The apprentice returned with pork casings, which were unsuitable for bratwurst. Since the guests were already waiting, he cooked the sausages anyway—and they were a huge hit.
It is unclear whether the story of Moser Sepp and his sausages really happened that way. The city archivist doubts the story, as there is an engraving from 1814 showing people eating sausages. According to him, the Weißwurst is a further development of the Maibockwurst, which existed even before Joseph Moser’s invention. But perhaps his recipe is what helped the Weißwurst achieve its international success.
Weißwürste and more at Wildmosers
Although the Weißwurst is said to have originated at Wildmosers, it is at Donisl where you ’ll find a monument to this famous dish. Here, a plaque also references the legend of Moser Sepp. The restaurant “Zum Ewigen Licht,” meanwhile, is now called Wildmosers in honor of its famous owner and has been serving Weißwurst for breakfast again since its reopening in 2017.
That aside, the menu features both German and international cuisine, including schnitzel, spätzle, Kaiserschmarrn, salads, burgers, and other dishes. When the weather is nice, you can sit right on Marienplatz across from the New Town Hall. From here, you can watch the hustle and bustle on the square and have the best view of the glockenspiel at 11 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m.
📍 Location: Marienplatz 22
🕑 Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to midnight
