Art and cuisine: 12 special museum cafés in Munich

Lenbachhaus | Ella - Italian with a view of the Propylaea

From morning to night, you can feast in the golden cube designed by star architect Norman Foster that houses Ella. The finest Italian cuisine is served here, from tramezzini with corn-fed chicken to monkfish.

At lunchtime, a changing menu of the day beckons, for example, first a pumpkin cream soup, then a sea bream with couscous and, to top it all off, a chocolate tartlet. In summer, visitors to the Lenbachhaus sit on the spacious sun terrace with a view of Königsplatz and the Propylaea. If it's cold outside, you can simply enjoy the scenery inside through the panorama windows.

By the way: In the restaurant, you can enjoy not only culinary delights but also art, with paintings by the Munich painter Thomas Demand.

Pinakothek der Moderne | First Matisse, then Macchiato

Surrounded by famous works of modern art from Pablo Picasso to Henri Matisse to Andy Warhol, you can let the sun shine on your nose through the huge glass front on a winter's day.

The café in the Pinakothek der Moderne is run by the Eisenrieder brothers, who also own the Café Münchner Freiheit - accordingly, there is solid confectionery art mixed with exquisite coffee creations.

The design at the Café der Pinakothek der Moderne is simple, reduced and airy, and that's exactly what makes it an eye-catcher.

Museum Brandhorst | Andy Warhol with Spritz

Since its opening in 2009, the Museum Brandhorst has established itself as a central location for contemporary art in Germany. In its café, you can sit and relax with a view toward Theresienstraße and observe the hustle and bustle of the city all the way over to the Pinakothek museums.

On the menu, in addition to a mix of hot and cold dishes, is the "Supp-Kultur" with weekly changing soups.

On long Thursdays, when the museum's doors welcome visitors until 8 p.m., you can sit comfortably in the black chairs by the window or at the curved high tables and philosophize about Warhol, Twombly & Co - while sipping Spritz.

Hypo Kunsthalle | Restaurant and Café Kunsthalle - Visual Highlight

The two favorite places in the Kunsthalle (German page) restaurant and café are quickly found: either under the large painting by the window with a view of the Fünf Höfe - or beyond the hustle and bustle on the cozy seats in the lounge area. If you look at the fluted walls here for too long, you feel like you're being carried away by waves.

A glance at the menu of the Kunsthalle restaurant and café shows: Everyone gets their money's worth here. Breakfast, sandwiches and salads from classic to extraordinary, fine cakes in the afternoon or drinks in the evening in a relaxed atmosphere bring busy Munich residents together with visitors interested in art. Simply délicieux!

Jewish Museum | Café Exponat - Unique flair

Extremely addictive at Café Exponat in the Jewish Museum: the seasonal dip "Meshugge" with quinoa, zucchini, mushrooms and cottage cheese or the classic, extremely creamy hummus. Also fine are the Israeli salads, served with fresh pita, and the tarte flambée. Add to that a kosher wine from Teberberg or a Jewish Craft Beer and a visit to the museum in St. Jacob's Square feels like a short vacation in Israel. The playground next door is also perfect for families.

Tip: The cultural breakfast at the weekend with oriental specialties.

Haus der Kunst | Goldene Bar - Mate Infused Tequila in classy ambience

The dance fans go to the P1 club, the lovers of good cocktails and good food to the Golden Bar in the Haus der Kunst. On the crumpled sofas in the lounge, you get in the mood for the evening with a Mate Infused Tequila with Grape and the Golden Barfood variation.

In the main room, you sit under a huge chandelier that once hung in the Savoy Hotel in Zurich and admire the paintings of gold leaf - which, by the way, is where the Golden Bar gets its name.

The menu reads like a dream: Belugaline salad with beetroot, beef tartare with sesame, pear and egg yolk, char with chard or a pulled lamb brioche. Who can say no to that?

Alte Pinakothek | Café Klenze - For a tea with British flair

Combine Leo von Klenze's spacious architecture at the Alte Pinakothek with furnishings reminiscent of a tea room in the English countryside, and the result is one of Germany's most beautiful museum cafés.

The mix of natural oak, brass and soft leather invite you to linger for hours, and not just for Sunday brunch. Especially legendary: the cakes, which are delivered from the Victorian House. Lavender, chestnut, pistachio, zucchini walnut - if you don't find something here, it's your own fault.

England fans will reach for crumpets or scones. Tea drinkers in particular will get their money's worth, with more than 60 varieties to choose from, from Lapsang Souchong to Margaret's Hope from Darjeeling.

Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art | MURAL – Spinach gnocchi meets graffiti

If you're into industrial chic, the former transformer station in the old town that is now the MUCA Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art is just the place for you. The name "Mural" says it all: The concrete wall is emblazoned with a turtle wearing a moped helmet with a Star-Bangled banner, and behind the kitchen you can see bare-breasted ladies.

The lunch menu is compact, but impressive. The spinach gnocchi with nut butter, sage and pickled tomatoes melt in your mouth. In the evening, it gets even classier, then fine dining is the order of the day. After a Murals Bellini, a 4- or 6-course menu with Asian- and South American-inspired dishes awaits.

On Saturdays and Sundays, Mural also offers brunch at an equally high level - an absolute tip for gourmets!

Münchner Stadtmuseum | Stadtcafé - the classic at St.-Jakobs-Platz

For more than 30 years, people have sat atthe tables, on dark red velvet benches or at the curved, Fifties-style high table at the Stadtmuseum's (German page) Stadtcafé, grabbing an old-fashioned newspaper cane or looking at the changing art on the walls while nibbling on a pastrami sandwich.

Alternatively, you might treat yourself to a pâté de campagne with mashed potatoes or something from the daily menu, such as the sweet potato casserole with spinach.

But the Stadtcafé also serves regular wieners with bread or typical Munich dishes such as Wollwürste with cabbage. In summer, the cozy inner courtyard, which resembles a small oasis, is an attraction.

Museum Fünf Kontinente | Café max2 - the Maximilianstraße and the arcades

Used tea bags on canvas? That's art and part of the decor of Café max2 in the Museum Fünf Kontinente (German page). If you walk through the imposing portal in good weather and feel hungry, look for a seat under the arcades and enjoy the view of Maximilianstraße while you eat.

It's also a good place to sit inside, whether in the foyer or on the black leather benches in the café. The cuisine? Excellent. Taste the delicious chicken breast in mustard sauce served with brussels sprouts and gnocchi.

During the week, people come here for the business menu, which includes soup, pasta, and dessert.

Museum Villa Stuck | Käfer Café - Quiche and truffle cake in the artists' garden

The café in the foyer of the Museum Villa Stuck resembles a palm house with large, round windows, a suspended glass roof and lush planting. But the most beautiful place to dine is directly in the artist's garden with its castings of antiquities and reliefs. It is said that the owner of the house, Franz von Stuck, used to celebrate wild parties there.

The food is at least as high-quality as the history of the house: The salmon quiche comes decoratively, on a wooden board with parchment paper, with salad in a preserving jar. The apple crumble cake from the tray is also a hit. And the Paris truffle cake with dark canache and fresh raspberries.

In short: a culinary and visual delight.

Museum Mensch und Natur | CaféBar Limulus - Nymphenburg Cake Dorado

Under pink lampshades in the side wing of Nymphenburg Palace right at the Museum Mensch und Natur (German page), you can choose to sit at the dark wood table or in the sofa corner at the entrance. Soft jazz plays in the background.

With a colorful cushion behind you, you can enjoy a piece of light cheesecake, fresh from the Limulus bakery, served on collector's plates. Your eyes linger on the thick, white oven pipes or the artwork on the wall, which you can also buy.

Why is a visit to CaféBar Limulus worthwhile, besides the excellent cake? At lunchtime there are inexpensive, seasonal specialties, and in the evenings events like the "Science After Work" with fine wines and tapas.

Text: Julia Langhof/muenchen.de
Photos: Lionman, Pinakothek der Moderne, Museum Brandhorst, Kunsthalle, Jüdisches Museum, Haus der Kunst, Photopraline, Museum Fünf Kontinente, Cafébar Limulus