Coffee under a house crucifix or vegan breakfast in an old butcher's shop? Sounds a bit like the beginning of a film. All this is possible in Munich, because if you feel like an adventure, just go and have breakfast. Exciting stories and delicious food are hidden behind the doors of many restaurants. It's worth taking a look inside.
Ruffini is many things: café, wine house, shop, catering service, meeting place. For more than 40 years, it has been run as a self-managed business and has 26 partners by now. During the week, breakfast is served until 12 noon, followed by a daily changing Italian menu. On weekends, late-risers can enjoy breakfast until 4 pm. And pastries and cakes are available all day. Still, early birds are rewarded, because the tables are often occupied for hours. And by the way: If you need something from the Ruffini shop next door after closing time, you can shop at the bar until midnight. This is definitely worthwhile, especially with the wide selection of Italian wines.
Long-established breakfast cafés: Café Münchner Freiheit, Café Jasmin, Ladencafé Marais
Wooden panelling, crucifix and vaulted ceilings: It sounds like traditional Bavarian pub atmosphere. And that's exactly what you get at the Großmarkthalle restaurant. Run by the siblings Ludwig and Gabi, the place is best known for its Weißwurst (white sausages), prepared daily in the in-house butchery, but their sausage range goes far beyond that: Sausage lovers are treated to “Wollwurst” (similar to Weißwurst but longer and thinner), Briesmilzwurst (veal milt & sweetbread patty) and veal sausages. For those who prefer a sweet or vegetarian breakfast, there are pancakes, Kaiserschmarrn (light, caramelised pancake) or fresh Obatzda (Bavarian cheese spread) with pretzels. For early birds: The restaurant opens at 7 am already – with the complete menu of the day.
www.gaststätte-grossmarkthalle.de
More Weißwurst addresses: Turmstüberl, Augustiner Bräustuben, Hofbräuhaus, Wirtshaus in der Au, Drei Mühlen
Ella at the Lenbachhaus Museum is a modern restaurant and café in the heart of Munich's Maxvorstadt district, combining Bavarian cuisine with regional ingredients and Italian influences. It was named after Gabriele Münter, who was affectionately called ‘Ella’ by Wassily Kandinsky, because the museum houses the world's largest collection of her artist group Der Blaue Reiter. The glass façade offers a great view of Königsplatz, and when the weather is nice, you can also sit outside on the terrace. It is the ideal place for a relaxing break after visiting the museum or during a stroll through the Kunstareal (art district).
Also good in Maxvorstadt: Gartensalon, Königin 43, Mary's Coffee Club
High above the hustle and bustle of Marienplatz (main square), you can enjoy good coffee and a place of tranquillity. Café Glockenspiel, overlooking the New Town hall and Alter Peter (church), has been an integral part of Munich's breakfast culture for more than 25 years. On the fifth floor, this is a particularly cosy place to start the day. For breakfast, you can choose between classic Bavarian with ham and boiled egg, trendy with the vegan menu with muesli, couscous and vegan spreads or the sensory breakfast with avocado and shrimp cocktail. Whether traditional or extravagant – the choice is as colourful as the crowd of travellers and locals. Those who come to the café at eleven or twelve o'clock can enjoy Munich's best view of the Glockenspiel (Carillon) on Marienplatz (main square). If you want to secure a seat with a view, you should book online or by phone, preferably at least ten days in advance. At Café Glockenspiel, breakfast is served until 3.30 pm.
Also good in the old town: Café Fräulein, Café Mozart, Café Luitpold
For four years, Om Nom Nom was an institution in the heart of Sendling – the purely vegan café opened in a former butcher's shop, but left nothing to be desired, as the food and cakes were absolutely delicious. The neighbourhood was quickly won over and was all the more saddened when the owners moved the café to Neuhausen in January 2025: larger premises were needed to continue serving delicious cakes and hearty dishes. It's not just vegans who regularly make the pilgrimage to Om Nom Nom, because the high-quality products and lovingly prepared dishes speak for themselves. Good to know: card payment only.
More vegan breakfast cafés: Emmi's Kitchen, Max Pett, Wagners Juicery, Deli Kitchen, Café Ignaz
The Baader Café is an institution in the Gärtnerplatzviertel district and is one of the best-known scene hangouts of the 80s. A decent breakfast has been served here since 1985 and the menu offers freshly prepared dishes and homemade cakes. There is also a wide choice for vegans and vegetarians. If you want to linger after breakfast or come back later, this is the place to be, as the café is open until midnight. Every evening from Wednesday to Saturday, there is a musical performance. It's hard to describe the charm of the café with its yellow walls and huge collection of cassettes at the bar – simply drop in and see for yourself! Good to know: Card payments and reservations are not possible – the Baader Café remains true to its roots. Traditionally, it also caters for morning grouches, since breakfast is served until 3 pm.
Also good in the Glockenbachviertel: Trachtenvogl, Das Maria, Cotidiano
Lilli-Palmer-Strasse in Neuhausen makes bloggers' dreams come true: instagrammable and tone-in-tone. The light speckled floor, the Fifties tiles and pale-pink benches pay tribute to the German actress Lilli Palmer, who lent her name both to the café and the street. The general charm is somewhat reminiscent of the setting of Wes Anderson's “Grand Budapest Hotel“. On Sundays, the brunch buffet – including prosecco – is set up at the long bar, the heart of the shop. The uninitiated may wonder about the club-like queue in front of the restaurant. For those who prefer a visit during the week to brunch: Lilli P. is open from nine o'clock on Monday to Friday and is also a hub for all working people in the area to grab their morning coffee.
Also good in Neuhausen: Marita, Schlosscafé Palmenhaus, Alleecafé7
Need a break from the city? From Munich, it's only an hour by train or car to lake Tegernsee. And as we all know, a balanced breakfast is the best way to start the day. The perfect venue for this is the Aran, right on the lake. The large windows with a view of the lake and mountains and the smell of freshly baked goods make the bread and coffee house particularly inviting. The highlight is the bread, baked fresh daily, with a variety of in-house spreads. Those who need some exercise afterwards, can take a relaxing walk around the lake or start their next hike into the mountains. The Aran is the ideal starting point for a day trip into nature.
Also nice for a trip: Dinzler am Irschenberg, Feinkochwerk Eatery am Pilsensee, Mangfallblau am Tegernsee
