Bars and Cafes in Altstadt (München)

Stadtcafé

The Stadtcafé in the City Museum is a popular meeting place for film buffs and literati. Visitors can watch old black and white films and explore the city's history in the museum, and then meet in the café to sample the delicious cakes and Italian snacks. The Stadtcafé can get very lively in the evenings, the clientèle being a mix of intellectuals, students and passers-by. Guests can sit out in the museum courtyard during the summer and relax.

Luigi Tambosi

Located on Odeonsplatz, this café offers a wonderful view of the Theatinerkirche and Feldherrenhalle from its sun terrace. At the back, you can enjoy a beer in the courtyard garden. Prices are average and the food is excellent. There is a wide selection of coffees. In the evenings, operatic arias accompanied by piano are performed by students of the Music Academy. This is very much in keeping with the rococo-style interior. One point to bear in mind is that Tambosi can fill up very quickly after performances at the nearby theatres.

Wunderbar

Wunderbar was one of the 'in' bars during the 80's and 90's, and is still well worth a visit. After a change of ownership, it was reopened as an exclusive bar and went downhill, but it has now once again become an enjoyable disco and bar for anyone. The picks of the week are Thursdays (house) and Fridays (garage and two step). The more nostalgic amongst you will enjoy '70's Hot Stuff' on Saturdays: glam rock and disco. Mondays are also pretty good with seventies and eighties classics, house and two step. The location is unbeatable and there is a great cellar.

Regency

This plush little bar boasts a dancefloor and club-like atmosphere; there are plush red sofas and a great bar, where you can order tasty cocktails and cigars. The music ranges from Latin to house and disco (Thursdays: Romeo y Julietta: Havanna Latin Mojito Groove!). Because of its location in the centre of town, where most people would never expect to find a good club, this place is like an oasis, and still an insider tip. The crowd is trendy and fun; the prices are slightly above average, but there is a happy hour from 10pm-midnight.

Atomic Café

The interior of the Atomic Café is a tribute to the sixties, as is the music in Tuesday night's 'Space Escapade' with DJ Martin Hemmel. On the other hand, 'La Boutique' with DJs Marek, Fisherman, Biash and Moritz features the latest drum & bass sounds from London and Bristol every other Sunday. Friday is 'Britpop' night and Saturday's 'Beatschuppen' features the sounds of the sixties with clubbers dressed accordingly. Concerts, readings and film nights also take place frequently. This is one of the best clubs in Munich, though the bouncers are strict.

Paulaner Metropolitan

A glass lift takes customers from Marienplatz to the modern Metropolitan restaurant. Awaiting them is a unique Mediterranean and Asian culinary experience, plus a well-lit and comfortable bar and, best of all, a fantastic view of the city. The food is international and all dishes are extravagantly prepared, though they're not cheap. The Metropolitan is particularly well-known for its business lunches and is ideal for showing guests a different side of the city.

Lenbach

This is a big and modern bar inside the Lenbachpalais. The entrance alone is worth a visit—two big torches show the entrance from far away, but there are also typical Munich doormen. He who manages to enter is very welcome inside, in a pompous building which fulfills every wish and where you can spend a night with VIPs.

Weintrödler

A good restaurant which is frequented by business people and tourists, Weintrödler offers decent international and Austrian cuisine as well as an extensive wine list. The late-night customers mostly consist of hungry and thirsty clubbers in need of a bite to eat before or after a long night out in the city centre. This transforms the rustically decorated, somewhat quiet daytime pub into a true party den. Hot food is served until 6a!

Lotter-Leben

After a shopping trip or a stroll round Viktualienmarkt, Lotter-Leben restaurant, with its simple yet stylish atmosphere, is the perfect place to get some refreshments. The menu features Mexican dishes, hamburgers and a range of cocktails as well as breakfast. In spite of the cheap and unassuming cuisine, the service is attentive and friendly.

Havanna Club

With an atmosphere of old pre-revolutionary Cuba, this is one of the few established cocktail bars in the city centre, attracting good-looking women and local men of all ages. Its wonderful bar, natural brick walls and healthy-looking plants provide the backdrop for a noisy and flirtatious crowd. It's particularly good for an early evening drink, with happy hour from 6p-8p.

Trader Vic's

Popular with actors, advertising executives and fashion designers, Trader Vic's has been a firm favourite for decades. Situated in the basement of the luxurious Hotel Bayerischer Hof, the restaurant boasts wicker tables and chairs, colourfully dressed waiters and a fine choice of Polynesian food. The spare ribs and charcoal-grilled dishes are highly recommended.

Schmalznudel

Situated on Viktualienmarkt and open from 5am, this café is renowned for its breakfast. The most popular dish is the Auszog'nen, a Bavarian speciality which consists of balls of yeast dough, fried in lard and pulled apart in the middle so that a thick ring of dough forms around the outside. The whole thing is then sprinkled with sugar. For those who are really famished, several other nourishing hot dishes are available. If you're planning to celebrate with a large group, then it is recommended to arrive early as the café and the upper floor fill up pretty quickly.