Chef restaurants in Munich have focused for years on super-classic haute cuisine, a french-inspired trinity of butter, filet mignon and foie gras.
All of this has been changing in the last decade. The creative renaissance that Germany is experiencing is also reflected in the culinary scene and its starred restaurants.
In addition to the traditional extraordinary care in cooking techniques and elaborate plating, there has been a boost of creativity, personal-local inspiration, and the use of regional raw materials in the new chefs' menus.
Munich is the capital of this new culinary German wave. The renovated historic center of the city, adorned with traditional food markets, beautiful beer gardens, and a variety of wine bars, is also the proud home of half of my personal top ten restaurants in Germany – and a 2 restaurants in the world's 50 best restaurants ranking.
Munich is a fantastic destination for a stellar weekend of fine dining, whether in winter or summer. It is especially worth visiting the Michelin restaurants for their affordable lunch tasting menus.
Tohru
Located on a hidden floor in the centuries-old historic Schreibrei building in the center of Munich, German-Japanese chef Tohru Nakamura creates one of the most impressive tasting meals in Germany.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
The waiting lists, perhaps the longest in the city, speak louder than words: the experience here is extraordinary, even on an international level.
Nakamura's Japanese-French-German fusion cuisine is colorful, experiential, and playful while maintaining a supreme level of sophistication and refinement.
The menu includes dishes such as Hitomebore – round rice from the Iwata area served with wasabi sauce, ginger, and caviar; Pigeon yakitori with kimchi in white butter and dashi and grilled sweetbread with shio-koji marinade.
The wine pairing is exceptional and includes French classics alongside sake.
Tohru offers a 9-course tasting menu starting from 319 euros.
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Komu
The newest addition to Munich's starred restaurants is a must-visit for culinary lovers in the city, especially considering its affordable pricing.
Young German chef Christoph Kunz, who worked under Alain Ducasse at the legendary Jules Verne restaurant, recently opened Komu in the city center.
After winning titles such as Gault-Millau Young Chef of the Year, Kunz established the intimate Komu on a side street, offering refined and minimalist food with a touch of Asian influence using local ingredients.
The menu changes frequently according to seasonal supply, with dishes inspired by classics of French haute cuisine. Grilled fish and meats, overseen by sous chef Maximilian Waibel, is exceptional.
Kunz's meticulousness with sauces, such as tarragon and vin jaune, is impressive, as are the beautiful desserts.
Komu offers a menu starting from 119 euros for a lunch tasting meal.
Tantris
Legendary Tantris (2*) has been considered one of the most esteemed restaurants in Germany since its establishment in 1971.
After a comprehensive renovation, Tantris recently reopened with a new chef, Benjamin Chumra. The restaurant's haute cuisine with French inspiration now includes the chef's personal twist and an expanded use of local ingredients.
The plates at Tantris are exceptional, as is the wine menu, featuring treasures from the wine cellar.
The tasting menu changes seasonally and includes dishes such as crab galette with caviar, lobster from Helgoland on brioche, and local lamb wrapped in puff pastry.
Tantris. Tasting menu starting from 150 euros for lunch. A discounted jeune menu of 5-course menu and drinks is available on evenings from 150 Euros.
Tantris DNA
Recently opened DNA, located within the Tantris complex, is an exciting venture where Chumra serves a tasting menu, based on dishes from the restaurant's 50-year archive.
DNA is also awarded with a Michelin star, as the food served there rises to the level of the parent restaurant. The tasting menus served here at a more affordable price.
For those looking to experience in the splendor of Tantris, it is especially worthwhile to visit at noon when the tasting menu is available for 69 euros.
Tantris DNA. Tasting menu starting from 69 euros .
Jan
After years of leading top restaurants in Munich, Chef Jan Hartwig opened his very own restaurant at the end of 2022. Just a few months after the opening, Jan received 3 Michelin stars, making it one of only ten restaurants in Germany to achieve this recognition in record time, and also earning a spot in the world's top 50best ranking.
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Hartwig (42) has been hailed as the leading chef of his generation and the forefront of the new German culinary wave. In Jan, he focuses more than ever on utilizing local ingredients and drawing inspiration from recipes and flavor combinations from the southern region of the country, rather than relying on French influences.
With less than 20 seats, the restaurant offers an intimate dining experience, overlooking the open kitchen where Hertwig and his team operate – an unusual setting in the formal starred German fine dining scene, indicating a its more casual, nonchalant atmosphere.
The tasting menu is also available at lunchtime, with dishes reflecting different stages in the chef's life. The attention to detail is exceptional, as is the personalized approach.
Jan. Tasting menu starting from 290 euros.
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Atelier
The Bayerischer Hof Hotel is a local institution, one of the oldest luxury hotels in the city, that has hosted guests from around the world. The hotel's flagship restaurant, Atelier, boasts 2 Michelin stars and is led by the young chef Anton Gschwendtner.
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Atelier's Menu draws surprising inspiration from Japan and Italy, featuring masterful dishes of pasta and dumplings alongside sashimi, all incorporating German ingredients like seafood from the North Sea and locally sourced meats.
Be sure not to miss the excellent wine pairing menu curated by one of the city's most respected sommeliers, Shezad Talukder.
Atelier. Tasting menu: starting from 240 euros.
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