Munich's Top: Coffee, Wine + Local Cuisine

Man Versus Machine

In January, I hopped a short flight to meet up with my guy in Munich, where he had been working. Unfortunately, a fun weekend in Germany turned into a mostly working weekend for us both but…you gotta eat! We enjoyed some great food and drink in München and I have some favorites I want to share with you all.

By now, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve always got the basics covered: No matter where I travel or how brief the trip, I’m always on the hunt for a delicious latte, a great glass of wine and a taste of local cuisine. So, here are my tips for all that, and a little bit more, in Munich.

FIRST STOP, COFFEE!

Man Versus Machine (Müllerstraße 23, 80469 München) is a self-described “independent specialty coffee roaster.” The first thing you notice when you walk in is the modern Scandinavian décor. The stripped-down design doesn’t leave you feeling cold though because the second thing you notice is the warm vibe emanating from cheerful staff. Single-source beans are roasted on-site. These folks take their coffee seriously and it shows as you take your first sip of a supremely satisfying latte. Pair your coffee with a Franzbrötchen, which was described to me as “like a croissant with marzipan” and I couldn’t describe it better myself. This version also includes cinnamon, which is a traditional ingredient in this German take on a French pastry. We had our first latte and marzipan croissant to stay and then immediately made plans to return later for a second latte ­­– and grabbed a Franzbrötchen to-go for fear they’d be sold out later!

Grab an extra Franzbrötchen to-go at Man Versus Machine

FUEL UP FOR A DAY OF SITESEEING

If you’re looking for a heartier (or just more nutrient-dense) start to your day, you can have pretty much any type of breakfast you want at Backspielhaus (Rumfordstraße 5, 80469 München). Keep it simple with just granola, yogurt, fruit and/or an egg or two. Choose from several options to add meat, cheese or fish to your eggs or keep your eggs “vegetarian” (think herbs, veggies and seeds). We chose from the “International” menu. The Spanish breakfast is an omelette with sausage, cheese and tomato, served in a skillet. Why no photo? Because we were so excited when it came to the table that we swallowed it up before we could snap a pic! Note: There’s no English menu so use a scan-and-translate app on your phone or familiarize yourself with the menu before you show up. 

Have any breakfast you want at Backspielhaus

DINE WITH THE COOL KIDS

One of my favorite things about travel is exploring the local cuisine of a place; but sometimes, traditional dishes can be quite heavy and filling. So, I’m grateful for restaurants and chefs that specialize in modern twists on the traditional. (Often the recipes are “lightened up” and served in smaller portions.) Spezlwirtschaft (Ledererstraße 3, 80331 München) does this in a hip, dimly lit setting, with an extensive cocktail and beer menu. The restaurant is set off from a pedestrian walkway, and up a couple flights of stairs, but is worth the effort to find it.  

Schnitzel at Spezlwirtschaft

WINE DOWN

Geisel’s Vinothek (Schützenstraße 11, 80335 München) is a restaurant and wine bar offering Bavarian and Italian cuisine and an extensive, and impressive, menu of excellent wines from around the world. Located in the Excelsior Hotel, the interior of the restaurant itself transports one to another time and place. Open until 1am daily, it is a beautiful and relaxed space where you can talk and linger into the evening.

Geisel's Vinothek is a great spot for a nightcap

QUICK GUIDE

• Third-wave coffee Man Versus Machine (Müllerstraße 23, 80469 München)
• Best breakfast Backspielhaus (Rumfordstraße 5, 80469 München)
• Modern take on traditional Spezlwirtschaft (Ledererstraße 3, 80331 München)
• Wines of the world Geisel’s Vinothek (Schützenstraße 11, 80335 München)

Note: This post has been edited, since the original publication date, to correct the address of Backspielhaus.