On April 15th, 1902, Felix Fournier opened the inn on Wilhelm Busch's 70th birthday. Wilhelm Busch gave his consent for the local name, but was never there himself. His only condition was that the founder Felix Fournier should distribute pea soup to the poor every Thursday. Paul Lincke, Kurt Tucholski and other artists were regulars at Max and Moritz to eat rib spear in the manner of the butcher Cassel or pork knuckle. Zille found some motifs on the nearby Mariannenplatz and sold his pictures at Max and Moritz.
Until the 1930s, Oranienstrasse was considered the "Boulevard of the East", one of the best shopping streets in Berlin. The Max und Moritz developed into an entertainment venue with 400 seats and more than 44 employees, with a liqueur counter, standing beer hall and 2 large dining rooms. The dance floor in the main restaurant and the theater on the upper floor, the so-called Bel Etage, ensured the good atmosphere in the inn.