Questionnaire: Maike Menzel

What does Munich taste like, Mrs. Menzel?

Munich is shaped by extraordinary women. In our questionnaire we would like to introduce a few of them. This time: the chef Maike Menzel. She has been the chef in the “Schwarzreiter” restaurant since August 2018. The star chef has been on maternity leave since mid-February 2021.

Were you born in Munich or did you move here?
I was born in Neuss and moved to Lake Ammersee as a child.

In which district are you at home?
I live in Schwabing.

What does Munich taste like?
Like fresh products from the Viktualienmarkt (food market), Leberkäse and Weißwurst (white sausages). Of lovely strong spices such as caraway and coriander in farmhouse bread, a refreshing shandy in the beer garden or a fresh coffee from the Munich coffee roasting house.

What does Munich sound like?
The tinkling of the trams, the clinking of beer mugs when people toast each other in beer gardens, the glockenspiel in the Münchner Rathaus (Munich Town Hall).

What does Munich smell like?
Like freshly baked pretzels or roasted almonds in winter at the markets.

Munich is the only city where ...
... people climb stairs on the escalators on the left-hand side but stand on them on the right-hand side.

Which Munich lady should everyone know?
The comedienne Liesl Karlstadt. There is also a statue of her in the Viktualienmarkt.

Your favourite Bavarian word?
“Diridari”. It means money or small change.

The most attractive building in the city?
The Maximilianeum (palatial building whose construction was initiated by King Maximilian II of Bavaria) on the River Isar.

The catchiest Munich song?
“Schickeria” by the Spider Murphy Gang.

Isar or Eisbach?
Either or, I have no particular preference here.

Beer garden or bar?
A bar. It is the cosy living room feeling that I prefer – with great drinks!

Philharmonic orchestra or brass band music?
I still haven’t been to hear the philharmonic orchestra in the Gasteig (centre of cultural life in Munich). It is definitely worth a visit though the next time I get a chance.

A weekend in the mountains or by the lake?
I like being in the mountains very much.

The best place in Munich to impress visitors?
It is best just to take a stroll through our beautiful city centre.

What is the best place in Munich for an after-work beer?
The Lux Bar in the Altstadt (old town).

The best place in Munich for a romantic date?
The “Esszimmer” restaurant in the BMW Welt (BMW World).

The best place in Munich to think?
The Viktualienmarkt (food market).

The best place in Munich for music lovers?
Sonnenstraße.

The best place in Munich to experience culture?
The Pinakotheques (art galleries).

The best place in Munich if you are longing for Italy?
The “Enzo” pizzeria.

 

Interview with Maike Menzel: “Respect for food is important to me”

Without Women Nothing Works

A tour not only for women! Learn more about the famous and less famous women of Munich during a walking tour. Read more

Photos: Frank Stolle, Jörg Lutz
Baker at work in the Hofbräuhaus-Kunstmühle in Munich.

Back ma‘s

Virtually no other city has a bread tradition stretching back as far as that of Munich – or such venerated bakery products. What makes them so exceptional and desirable?

Virtually no other city has a bread tradition stretching back as far as that of Munich – or such venerated bakery products. What makes them so exceptional and desirable?

A glass of beer in a restaurant in Munich.

What are you drinking?

Starkbier, Festbier, Hell, Dunkel, Pils: a typology of Munich's beers – and the people who drink them.

Starkbier, Festbier, Hell, Dunkel, Pils: a typology of the most important Munich beers – and the people who drink them.

 In the cooking school, star chef Christian Jürgens assists the author while flambéing.

The perfect dinner

Our author would like to be a better cook. What would be more appropriate than learning from the best?

Our author would like to be a better cook. What would be more appropriate than learning from the best? A cooking course.

A fisherman takes a fish from a net on a lake.

Native Exoticness

A lot of bones, difficult to eat: Freshwater fish is a culinary niche. But young chefs in Munich are turning char, wels catfish and pike into a true taste adventure.

A lot of bones, difficult to eat: Freshwater fish is a culinary niche. But young chefs in Munich are turning char, wels catfish and pike into a true taste adventure.

Bread with Gelbwurst and chives in Munich.

Munich and it's sausages

The universe of Munich's sausages is almost infinite. An orientation guide.

The universe of Munich's sausages is not infinite. Its full extent may, however, appear unfathomable to many visitors to the city. A guide.

The chef of the restaurant Schneider Bräuhauses München is cutting a knuckle of pork with a big knife.

Nose to tail

Heart, kidney, cheeks, tail: Nose to tail eating is a worldwide trend. Always has been in Munich.

Heart and kidneys, cheeks and tail: While serving up the more unusual parts of an animal may currently be one of the hottest trends, the people of Munich have been doing it for centuries.

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 20 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

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!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

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!

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!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

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

Book now for 18 €!

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

A man drives his rickshaw and guests through the Olympic Park in Munich.

Pedicab Tour S Olympiapark

Our guide pedals you between the green hills of the Olympic Park and along the Olympic Lake from sports venue to sports venue. The perfect exploration tour!

Book now for only 95 €!

Our guide pedals you between the green hills of the Olympic Park and along the Olympic Lake from sports venue to sports venue. The perfect exploration tour!

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".

Vouchers

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

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

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

Panoramic view of the Neues Rathaus in Munich with the Frauenkirche in the background.

Visit of the New Town Hall Balcony

Join us on the famous balcony of the New Town Hall, where FC Bayern has celebrated a triumph many times - and enjoy the beautiful view over Marienplatz.

Book now for only 6,50 €!

Join us on the famous balcony of the New Town Hall, where FC Bayern has celebrated a triumph many times - and enjoy the beautiful view over Marienplatz.