F&B explorer

Hey, hi, 

I have to admit, I was not going out that much in Munich. My classmates can witness that and actually, we got to meet truly in our second semester, but that happened more or less with everybody, people need time to connect with other people. Semester in Munich was quite dense for me, I took some electives that I had to put a lot of effort in so I did not have that much time off. However, I tried to walk around and see Munich as much as I could, especially when it was still warm and nice, but not that much as I wanted. What I usually do when I go to some city, as a tourist, is to try local food. I really like food, but let us admit, we are all like that, kind of so I put some time in a research what and where can I eat in this city of sausages and pretzels (since I am not a fan of sausages). Of course, I gave it a try, especially with the speciality “Münchner Weißwurst with a pretzel and sweet mustard”, however I did not like it, nor I like it know. Pretzel always, that dough is the most delicious one, I could be eating it constantly, but weisswurts, thanks but no. Other than that, I went to few restaurants which I would like to share with you guys here, in case you have similar taste as I do, you should really give it a try. Food in all these was really tasty, yummy and delicious and the price was still ok. Also, I would say that this is just random choice, my own, and it is not a product of googling for the city’s best restaurants nor highest ranked ones, nor anything similar. As I mentioned in one of the previous posts, I like to wander and seek for something, even though I usually do not know what it is, but eventually I end up doing stuff which seem to be cool, interesting, funny or tasty in this case. So, here are my personal recommendations for you: 

Poseidon 

This is a Greek restaurant. I truly hope that I spelled it correctly since it has been a while how I went there for the first time. The restaurant is located in Neuhausen-Nymphenburg so if you happen to be visiting Nymphenburg palace which I pointed you to in my previous post Getting lost #1, you might feel hungry on your way back and stop by here to eat some delicious food. The stuff is very friendly and welcoming; you indeed feel like you are eating in somebody’s dinning room. They are really polite and make you feel comfortable and talkative (even though it does not take much to make me talkative J ). So, what I ate here was their house speciality (at least it was at that time) which is called “Gyros in Metaxas sauce”. This is basically gyros meat, chopped and topped with cheese, maybe even different kinds of cheese, and mixed somehow with sauce made from Metaxa (which is the Greek liquor). It is served in clay pots, one serving seems to be small, but I could not eat even a half (somehow because of the cheese I suppose you get to be so full just after a few morsels), so keep in mind to other it if you are super hungry or just split it with somebody. The price is under twenty euros if I recall correctly, not that cheap but still fine for this type of food, on this location and with such a great hospitality.

Augustiner Keller

A real Bavarian restaurant located very close to the main station, in Arnulfstrasse. It is so huge and specious and you truly get the impression of the Bavarian customs and way of spending free time. It has a big beer garden, and this basement that I have been eating is so nicely decorated and shaped and you really feel the local atmosphere. Aside of the appearance, the food they offer both local and international is very diverse and I must say everything I saw looked tasty and I wanted to try it. Nevertheless, after some time (and it was indeed a lot of time that I invest to pick up what I want to eat) I decided to take something they called “Verschiedene Fleischplatte” or similar. Also, I remember that I was annoyed by the cabbage they serve with it so I asked them to give me the rice or potato instead. I do not know why did I do that, especially when we all know what they say how to behave with somebody who is serving you food, but whatsoever, I was young and spoiled, let us say it like that. From the image you can see that the dish looks pretty big and nice, with what comes the price but we have to try stuff in life, cheap and expensive, otherwise we would not be able to judge and make further decisions.

Hans im Glück 

Again, yummyyyy, but as I said, I picked up only the ones that were really good and that I really tried so this is my stomach talking now J . If you are fan of burgers definitely visit this place which is actually very popular all around Germany and I think I saw they have branches in Austria as well. So, in Munich you have them at many locations, I think that this picture was taken from the one close to the TUM university, actually on a way from the university towards main station so you will easily google it and find it. At the end of our semester we had something like a small goodbye lunch, even though we did not want to call it that way, with our program coordinator which happens to be our very best friend during these studies and guardian angel. That was my first time actually in Hans im Glück, I really do not know how I did not see it myself before since I really like burgers and that is one of the dishes’ I usually try first when I travel or go somewhere, but who knows what I had in mind back then. It was not definitely last time that I ate burger there so it was my pleasant discovery. What I liked here, besides very tasty burger, is their interior design. Tables are separated with birch trees, and decorated with some nice flowers and candles so you really feel comfortable and you feel the friendly atmosphere. Additionally, you feel that due to very polite and serving stuff, they try to make you feel you want to come again. Prices are in regular range, quite normal for Munich, and you get to be pretty full from one serving (plus sweet potato which I adore literally). With the drink and dips it is around fifteen euros. Of course, they have some other dishes but do not go to Hans im Glück to eat a salad or a side dish, and they offer menu for both vegetarians and vegans, so if you happen to be one of these guys, you will still find variety of options here. So, check it out surely.

L’Osteria 

I am not even sure what to say about this one. I think that the name speaks for itself and that many of you will know this place since it is quite famous across Europe, not only Germany. Ok maybe this is not the case with international people so you might find this one useful to visit and taste a bit of Italian spirit. So, variety of pastas, pizzas, antipasti’s, salads and many more you can find here and the restaurant you can find in several locations in Munich, both central and a bit further away. The one I have been was in Leopoldstrasse, very close to the English garden, so very convenient to stop by after a walk through the park. I took my boyfriend there when he came to visit me, he is really big pizza fan, so we order these massive babes for a dinner. The portion is, obviously, super big so do not worry that you stay hungry no matter how much you can eat in general. I think nobody is able to finish this, together with the bottle of beer and maybe even some desert. This reminded me, you have to try “Tartufo” in L’Osteria, that is chocolate ice cream, if you like ice cream of course. It is just the best. I ate the whole portion after this pizza and a beer. Do not ask me how I even went home, we had to stay there for a while until I digested a bit and was able to walk, at least to the nearest subway station. The other time I went was with some friends and I ate some green pasta with turkey meat and sauced in something which I do not remember what, but it was super tasty combination so give it a show with pastas also, if you like them.

HU restaurant 

I really like these all you can eat restaurants, especially Chinese ones since I never know what do I want to order when I go to Chinese restaurant. Everything looks so delicious and colourful and vivid that I just feel I want to have it on my plate. However, that is not always a good idea since at some point when you fill up your plate with everything you do not even know what are you eating nor what it tastes like, everything gets to be mixed up. Nevertheless, in this one you can make yourself to be a pig any eat whatever you want and how much you can. What is also cool is that they have this so called “Live cooking” where you pick up yourself what do you want and they prepare it in that moment. In that case, you have to wait a bit longer, but you get to chance to watch how they do it which is pretty much cool, at least for me, since I really want to grab as much as possible tricks in their cooking style. Also, the price is quite reasonable, I think it was around fifteen euros, but considering you can refill it, it is extra. This restaurant is a bit further than the rest I have been in, somehow, so far, I was just circling around the main station, but when you come to live in a new city this is secure area since you always know how to orient yourself and you can explain easily where were you, if somebody asks you. This one is located in Münchenerstrasse in Germering, still Munich thou, and I went there with my cousin. It was her birthday and she likes Chinese food so she wanted to bring me to try. I did not regret her choice and I would surely recommend it, especially for bigger groups of people since the place is big and spacious.

Weihenstephan beer garden 

And last but not least is the beer garden in a town near Munich, to be more precise it is around forty kilometres from Munich in a direction of the airportand it is called Freising. The reason I am mentioning this one is because I used to live in this town during the summer internship I did after my first year of study, so I get the chance to explore its places and restaurants and this one I would highly recommend. It is located on the small hill just above the “Weihenstephan brewery” which by the way claims to be the oldest brewery on the world so definitely worth visiting. As in many Bavarian beer gardens, you have the area which is reserved to be used as a restaurant where they serve food and drinks for you, and you have separate area where you can bring the food and drinks yourself and eat/drink it there. It is in the same area, maybe only different zone and the food you can buy at the counter is usually less diverse that the one you have on the menu, but it is a bit cheaper so you can compensate that way. This is a common thing in Bavaria and I was a bit surprised by it, positively of course, but I have not seen it anywhere else so far, or at least nobody told me about it, maybe it does exist in other countries too. So, let us get back to the restaurant and food. The food is nice, maybe a bit more expensive but it is still Bavarian restaurant, keep that in mind and do not be surprised with the prices, and the place is very cool. You have very nice view from the top of the hill, you can even walk around a bit and burn some of those calories you gain from eating. The bier is, of course, just perfect, I would recommend “Traditionell dunkel” which is a dark beer, my favourite. I was here several times, due to my two months stay in this town, so I got to try different meals, but the last one was from few days ago. I went to visit some friends who live there now and I ate this local speciality called “Obazda”. This is basically camembert mixed with cream cheese and some spices, and a bit of beer. It is classic in Bavarian beer garden and usually eaten with some bread or in my case pretzel. Together with the beer you will be able to eat in this place for around twelve to fifteen euros. And also, I would recommend the brewery tour, if you of course want to get deeper education on what are you drinking J.

Alla Famiglia 

This is Italian restaurant also, but indeed unique with its name and tradition. I think that I read somewhere, either at the end of the menu or it was written somewhere that the place where the restaurant is situated, is the oldest hotel in Munich still in service thou. I hope this referred to this place, otherwise I would be telling you a lie here which is not my intention. Nevertheless, it is not that important after all, thus let us concentrate on food. The restaurant itself looks pretty old, I would say, in a rustic old meaning, if you get what I mean. It has these wooden chairs and tables covered with white tablecloths. It has garden as well, but it was winter when I was there so I was sitting inside and I enjoyed atmosphere, I may add. The stuff is, of course, more than friendly, I was called  “bella donna”, served with smiles and pleasant compliments. It flatters, indeed but after all they have it in their blood I think J. So, the restaurant is pretty much in the street next to where I used to live in Munich so I do not know how I went there only once and the food was great too, and it was good price also, and it is always full, and and… There is so many ands’ here, but I was still there only once and to be more precise I was alone. I think I was too lazy to cook that day or I did not buy anything for cooking and I was obviously hungry, so I just accidently stopped by and had a very great meal, actually. It was something like vegetables lasagne, filled with spinach and the goat cheese around and inside. They suggested some wine that goes with that which I gladly accepted, since I prefer wines over beers, even though you could not get that impression from what I have written so far. So, I stayed there for a while, eaten well, had nice compliments towards my hair and glowing facial skin J and all that for less than fifteen euros.

By the way, I just noticed that all places where I was the price was actually under twenty euros which is pretty cool considering how Munich is expensive in general. Again, I do not say that those were the best, nor highly ranked restaurants, but I believe that they are quite decent and fine and I would definitely go again in each of these and logically recommend it to future students if they have similar or same taste in food as I do.

Ok, this is, more or less, what I wanted to share with you here. It seems quite a lot and looks like a had all fun here in Munich just by walking around the fancy restaurant and trying different food and beer. Of course, there were moments like those, however I was mostly eating at home. I like preparing my own meals and that is, surely, most affordable thing you can do in Munich. Of course, you need to treat yourself sometimes with some new stuff, but in general if you are buying groceries and cooking yourself, you can eat very nice and still be on an affordable list. Also, I completely forgot to mention that there is one more options for us students, I mean not only for students, others can eat there too, but it is cheaper if you are a student, and that is “Mensa”. There is variety of fresh and tasty food you can find every day in Mensa, for example that one located at TUM where we spent a lots of time during our lectures and afterwards study time. It is really big and you get to eat decent portions food if you decide to have lunch there. Also, I would recommend that you go either before twelve o’clock or a bit after, like around half past one. That way you will avoid crowd and you will not need to wait long lines to get your meal. Of course, you risk less choice when it comes to the food, but if you are not too picky and super hungry around twelve, be patient for just a bit and that enjoy more relaxed and quite atmosphere while eating. 

Just one small recommendation before I finish this quite large post. I promised myself that they will not be this large since it takes time to write them and I suppose to read them, but there is so many to be said and somehow I end by with writing a lot every time. So, cut the story here and just a few suggestions where you can find really good coffee to drink. I, myself am a coffee addict. I think everybody who was with me more than a day can confirm that and that is why I always put time into exploring where are good places to have one. I really like those isolated, not that crowded and mostly rustic places where you can come by yourself, bring a book, loll yourself in these comfy chairs they usually have and read a book or a newspaper while tasting this mighty beverage. Did you know that there are people called coffee “cuppers” whose job is to taste the coffee and grade it naturally? I should definitely apply for this job, considering the amount and variety of coffee I drank in these twenty-eight years of life (yes, I am that old J ). So, my five top recommendations are: 

• Café in Vorhoelzer 

This is a super cool place on the roof of TUM building. It was one of the first places I visited when I arrived in Munich, and I pretty much enjoyed it, especially because this panoramic view you have when you go out on the terrace. I liked coffee as well, but obviously, this is the place where you come to inhale the Sun and embrace the beauty of being “above” the city. In winter semester, there is no so many sunny and nice days so be sure to check this place very soon upon your arrival in October.

• Eiscafe Italia 

Again place very close to place where I used to live so I was going there very often. Definitely the best espresso I have ever had. I do not like espresso that much and I would usually never order it myself, but once the guy who works there, who happens to be one of the owner, asked my why am I always ordering Americano coffee in Italian coffee shop. I was confused, asked naturally do they see that as an assault or something, and answered eventually that I do not like espresso that much. He looked at me with curiosity on his face and told me to wait a second. Very soon he came back and served small espresso with just few drops of milk and no sugar and told me “…you do not like it because you never tired the real Italian taste, so here you go, this is on the house”. I was pleasantly surprised, and drank his espresso. I still think this is not the taste of coffee for me, but that was indeed really good one. Btw, they also have great homemade ice-cream so if you not a coffee fan, the other you will like surely.   

• Max Eatery am Stachus 

Again one of the places where you go mostly because of their location. This one is located immediately on the Karlsplatz and it has small balconies at which you can sit, drink your coffee and enjoy the view on city’s square, usually crowded by people (the balconies are usually occupied so look from downstairs before you go in since the view is what you pay actually J). Coffee is decently good and the Vanila-Apfel Strudel surely tastes promising as its name does.

• Chocolaterie Beluga 

A little bit more expensive place just to have a coffee, but sometimes you can afford yourself the luxury of going to some fancy place to enjoy in that short break after whole day studying or having lectures. It is located in Viktualienmarkt, and besides great coffee taste you get to enjoy many delicacies they offer out there. I personally, usually take these chocolate cubes with the spoon stabbed inside. The chocolate is just perfect, no more to add. Here I would recommend Milchcaffe or Capucino. I personally drink black coffee, I like to feel the pure taste of fresh beans, however milk coffee served here captured me from the first time I tried it, so I have been ordering the same constantly.

• San Francisco Coffee Company 

This is, definitely, my favourite place to go alone and have coffee. There are several shops around the Munich and no matter which one you visit you will not regret it. I usually go to the one on Odeons platz since it is very convenient, especially after shopping or walking down the city centre. The coffee is great, all sweets they offer are just perfectly delicious and variety of fresh juices they make in front of you are the top best thing. Perfect place to relax, read your book and enjoy the best coffee taste. 

I hope I enclosed all my favourite places. There are surely way more and even better ones, but the time I spent in Munich did not allow me to try them all. However, I am pretty satisfied with these that I got to visit, taste and build my own opinion so that I can recommend it or get back to some of them every time I am in Munich again. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did and find your own ones during your stay there. 

Cheers!!!

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