The food scene in Maxvorstadt reflects the local crowd. Home to many of the city’s students, the hood boasts cheap eats, hip eats and many a drinking hole. The large number of offices in the area also means there are several lunch deals to be had. Whether you want to eat in and listen to hip-hop beats or take out and join the sun worshippers at Königsplatz, here are some of our favourite spots.
Breakfast at Nonnas
New to the hood, this so-called Italian street food café will certainly add a slice of dolce vita to your day. They offer homemade torte di mele (apple tart) or torta di albicocche (apricot tart), fresh croissants, sfogliatelle (pastry filled with sweet ricotta) and of course, strong coffee. Our breakfast of choice however would be one of their hot paninis packed full of fresh ingredients and a hearty splash of olive oil.
Lunch at PICNIC
PICNIC Restaurant and Bar serves delicious dosas and dhals for lunch. The dhal is served in jars with rice and optional extras, while the thin crispy dosas come with a great selection of fillings including classic spiced masala potatoes; avocado, fresh spinach and goat’s cheese; or chicken, cabbage and hummus. You can also add a side of chutney: think mango, coriander and mint, or coconut. Wash it all down with a smooth mango lassi or a freshly pressed juice, and you have the perfect meal.
Coffee at Die Waldmeister
Located in an old newsagents, this place has real charm. The beautiful wooden door frames and floors match the old shelving and vintage tables and chairs, while features such as the large chandelier provide a focal point. The Faema coffee machine ensures the espresso and cappuccino are on point, whilst the excellent cakes and cookies provide a great mid-afternoon sugar hit. Note: They also do breakfast and lunch.
Dinner at Takumi
Any hip neighbourhood needs a good ramen place – and Takumi is definitely a crowd pleaser. In fact you normally have to queue to get a table. Is it worth the wait? We think so. The noodles come directly from Japan and the pork broth is cooked for hours to create the perfect aroma. You also have no choice but to queue – it’s one of the few places in Munich where you can’t reserve.
Drinks at Cucurucu
Posing strong competition to the iconic and not-so-far-away Café Kosmos, Cucurucu is fast becoming another of the city’s hottest bars. With Berlin-esque vibes and a good selection of drinks, this bar offers a great spot to mingle on a night out. The venue has a total of 70 outdoor seats – the majority of them on the wood-panelled terrace under a maple tree. Keep an eye out for their regular concerts.
Not to miss: Salon Irkutsk
This place specialises in two things: vermouth and vodka. Swing by any day from 17.00 until 21.00 and you’ll discover “Wermutstunde” – the perfect occasion for an appertivo or pre-movie drink (Salon Irkutsk is located very closed to the Studio Isabella cinema). If you’re feeling more experimental, you can also try the seasonal vodka infusions such as rosemary, lemon peel and hot pepper.
Named after the city of Irkutsk in Siberia – a place of exile for free-minded people during the 1825 uprising – the idea behind this bar is to create a place that contributes to the cultural and artistic life of Munich. And don’t worry, should the vodka start to burn, you can switch to beer or line your stomach with pelmeni (meat dumplings), borscht (a sour soup made with beetroot) or vareniki (sweet dumplings filled with sour cherries).
