Pizza in Eataly Restaurant Munich.

Food tips: Italy

Just follow the plastic chairs

A good cure for homesickness: new arrivals talk about where to find a taste of home in Munich. Episode 1: Italy. Lorenzo Greco from Bassano del Grappa near Venice, on the rules for ragout, the perfect pizza crust and deterrent set-ups.

“In Italy, we recognise a good restaurant from its deterrent set-up – the white plastic chairs are supposed to scare away the tourists. That is why, even in Munich, I haven’t the heart to go to a stylish Italian. I’d rather head to Dal Cavaliere (Weißenburgerstr. 3) in Haidhausen, with its shabby-cool brown benches. When the waiters all start shouting at the same time, I feel right at home.

I especially recommend the pasta with beef ragout (Il Ragù Napoletano Come La Mamma). In Venice, we make this dish with duck and a different type of pasta: bigoli. But this version is almost exactly as good.

"The espresso is perfectly fine, but above all you can drink it standing up here - just like in Italy."

With Ragù Napoletano, it is important to make sure that the pieces of meat are the same size as the meat in a goulash (the pieces are rather small in other types of ragù) and that they are left to simmer in the tomato sauce for long enough. It's also important to have pasta that absorbs the sauce particularly well. I prefer the pasta at Feinkost Spina (Maria-Probst-Str. 49), Eataly in the Schrannenhalle (Blumenstr. 4) also has a good selection.

There, at Pizzeria Rossopomodoro (Viktualienmarkt 15), you also get the best pizza in town. And I'm particularly strict about pizza: I like it best in the Neapolitan style with a thick crust and thin base. It shouldn't be too big either and should weigh no more than 300 grams so that it doesn't overwhelm you. And of course, all the ingredients have to be fresh. 

For the espresso afterwards, I recommend Bar Centrale in the old town (Ledererstr. 23). The espresso is great, but most importantly, you can stand as you drink it – just like in Italy. And of course, you have to finish off with a gelato. The best place to go for that is Jessas ice cream parlour in the Glockenbachviertel (Klenzestr. 97). The ice cream there has a great, creamy taste, and above all, the place is open until 11 p.m. – which is when we really get started on ice cream in Italy.

Wine can also be a tricky one: at home, I prefer to drink a glass of the house wine for two euros, but you can’t get the same quality here. If you’re looking for something special, I recommend Bergwein on Gärtnerplatz (Corneliusstr. 18) – they have great wines from South Tyrol.”

 

 

Text: Nansen & Piccard; Photos: Frank Stolle
Baker at work in the Hofbräuhaus-Kunstmühle in Munich.

Bread report: Our daily bread

Back ma's

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A glass of beer in a restaurant in Munich.

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Nose to tail

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Get in the mood for Christmas on this tour through the old town in the wonderful atmosphere of fragrant almonds and glittering lights.

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Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Merchant with dried fruit on the Viktualienmarkt in Munich.
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Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting facts about Munich's most famous food market.

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Official Munich City Guide

With our new city guide, you can take a relaxed stroll through the most beautiful neighbourhoods and discover insider tips from our guides - from sights to hidden highlights. Order now free of shipping costs!  a

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With our new city guide, you can take a relaxed stroll through the most beautiful neighbourhoods and discover insider tips from our guides.

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View of a residence serenade with candles in the court chapel.
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Exterior view of the Munich Palace of Justice on Prielmayerstraße in Maxvorstadt.
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Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich
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Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

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Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.
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Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

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Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

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The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

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Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.
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Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

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Did you know that Munich was a pioneer of the European graffiti scene? Discover different art up close in the city with our street art tour today!

Experience the city's diverse art & exciting graffiti on our street art tour!

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Visit the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

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A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

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Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

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A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich
Discovery trip incl. City Pass

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