I’m rarely the type to march through the supermarket, checklist in hand, darting from aisle to aisle like a woman on a mission.
More often, I meander through the shelves, half-lost in thought, on the lookout for inspiration.
That’s probably why the shopping cart of the lean marathon runner catches my eye - tofu, low-fat cottage cheese and a suspicious number of eggs.
It reminds me of a story a friend recently told.
“Do you have anything gluten-free? So, no milk?”
“You mean lactose-free?”
“I’d prefer vegan.”
“Well, we have a fruit salad or some of our sandwiches can be made vegan. There’s also a bagel with…”
“I’ll take the scrambled eggs.”
“Ah. Okay. I thought you wanted something vegan?”
“No, just gluten-free. I always say vegan for that.”
“Alright, so we’ll leave out the toast with the scrambled eggs to keep it gluten-free?”
“No, that’s not necessary. Toast is fine.”
Anyone thinking this conversation is made up couldn’t be more wrong.
The late nineties had faded into the past and the enthusiasm of the new millennium was beginning to wane.
I had graduated from the Technical University of Munich as an architect and decided to stash my Buffalo platforms along with the low-rise jeans in the attic.
But slipping into the black turtleneck of the architecture guild in my late twenties didn’t quite feel right.
The creative spark of my studies had fizzled out in the dusty routine of office life, bogged down by liability clauses and dull government regulations.
I couldn’t muster much excitement for the idea of arguing with the building authority.
So my husband and I surprised our parents with the plan to open a café with a concept store.
“Da wo’s an Kaffee gibt,” (where there is coffee), boasts Standl 20 at the Elisabethmarkt.
And in typical Bavarian confidence, that’s their way of saying – this is where you’ll find the only true coffee.
In Munich, you can actually enjoy this coffee experience not just here, but at three lovely market locations, each offering a slice of the most delightful market atmosphere.
If you love sipping your coffee while watching the city wake up, these Specialty Coffee spots will surely make you happy.
In front of St. John’s Church, Preysingstraße opens into a small square where we love to sit on warm summer evenings.
Beneath the large linden trees at wooden tables with red-and-white checkered tablecloths, there’s an ambiance that is both elegantly French and profondément détendu - deeply relaxed, right in the heart of Haidhausen.
This beautiful French spot combines the best of refined cuisine with a bohemian ease.
From a pop-up idea by the famous Noma chef, René Redzepi, Popl Restaurant has become a permanent spot for burger gourmets.
"Burger" and "gourmet" sound like a mismatch in one sentence? Not at Popl!
Here, the beloved fast food is transformed into mindful slow food, crafted with the best ingredients and extraordinary Noma expertise.
Even in Copenhagen, summer days can be sunny and hot.
While the abundant waterways invite refreshing dips, cooling down from the inside with delicious ice cream is always a good idea.
Sea buckthorn or elderflower sorbet, licorice ice cream or salted caramel, honey nougat or chocolate ice cream – all these flavors more than fulfill their cooling purpose at Nyhavn 40.
The small bakery chain „Zeit für Brot” is popping up in more and more German cities.
With two locations already in Tel Aviv and another in London, you might think the secret’s out.
But we beg to differ!
Despite being a Berlin staple since 2009, we still meet people who have yet to discover the luscious apple-cinnamon swirl, the decadent chocolate-hazelnut baba or the exceptional walnut-date bread baked to perfection in a stone oven.
Everything here is crafted by hand, using the finest organic ingredients certified by Bioland.
And we can watch it all come to life in the “transparent bakeries,” where every loaf and pastry emerges fresh from the oven before our eyes.
We pair our treat with a cup of their inhouse roasted coffee - naturally organic as well.
„Da wo‘s an Kaffee gibt“ (where there’s coffee) is how Paul and Johannes subtitle the unpretentious name of their little coffee booth.
Though honestly, they could say it with far more pride - where there’s some of the best coffee in Munich.
We’re big fans of Standl 20 and don’t think twice about cycling across town - just to settle into the cozy little hut or bask on the sunny terrace right in the middle of Elisabethmarkt, sipping Munich’s finest cappuccino.
Add a cinnamon-laced Franzbrötchen to the mix, and it’s hard to imagine anything better.
The Standl 20 team is always in high spirits, warm and welcoming and always ready for a quick chat - maybe about their beans, which Johannes roasts himself or about the perfect brewing technique, passionately perfected by Paul and passed on to the whole crew.
This is how truly great coffee is made.
This café is the quintessential prototype of a trendy coffee shop - a bit of home office, a bit of a meeting spot for friends, a community table, design coffee equipment for sale, large windows, stylish furniture and incredibly skilled baristas.
We get exactly what we want – a delicious cappuccino, an excellent pour-over coffee, and a scrumptious apple pie, all accompanied by the cozy buzz of a bustling café.
Chocolates couldn’t be more artfully crafted! “Too beautiful to eat, but too delicious to merely admire,”
That’s how Wilhelmine Raabe describes her little masterpieces.
So, we’re left with a delightful dilemma—do we savor them right away, or should we admire them just a bit longer?
And with this luxury problem, we are left to decide on our own. “You’re welcome,” says Mrs. Raabe with a smile, for that’s the meaning of “sama sama.”
The term Sweet Spot describes a moment of perfect balance .
And that’s exactly where Markus Pyttel’s coffee can take us.
With a view of Old Peter’s spire, sipping a cup at his Viktualienmarkt stand or on a break at his café on Reichenbachstraße, we might just feel it.
Markus himself strives to hit that sweet spot for his coffee every single day.
He sources top-quality beans from a rotating cast of roasters and pours his full attention into every preparation.
Tiny homemade marble cakes are for us the perfect little bite to go with it.
But if you’re hungrier, there are croissants, pain au chocolat, cinnamon and cardamom rolls, banana bread or Franzbrötchen.
And when the bottom of our cup reveals his chosen logo - a smiling face - it might just reflect our own, after the perfect brew.
Munich’s most beautiful beer garden sits high above the Isar in Pullach, to the south of the city.
This picture-perfect beer garden, shaded by ancient chestnut trees, offers fantastic food, live music, a mini-golf course, a playground, Spaten beer on tap and an incredibly diverse mix of guests.
For those preferring a bit of elegance without having to mince across gravel, the historic tavern offers table service.
Families with children who want a casual, budget-friendly visit can grab drinks at the counter and unpack their own picnic at the tables near the playground.
We love sitting by the music pavilion with sizzling roasted chicken or ribs, fresh pretzels and Obazda, grilled fish or cinnamon-sugared Aus‘zogene.
We only bring a tablecloth and candles for added coziness because at the Wawi, we know we’ll be staying a while.
Unconventional, artistic and quirky, yet minimalist, functional and superbly crafted - that's the fashion of Acne Studios.
Clean, graphic looks sit alongside Nordic folkloristic hippie styles or loud punk creations.
We particularly love the fabulous bag designs, which make all others pale in comparison.
But the casual oversized pants, cozy knitwear and cool hoodies are also absolutely fantastic.
And in the brand's hometown, Stockholm, you can get all of this at a much lower price than in the rest of the world. If that's not enough, you can also go on an exciting bargain hunt at the Acne Archive on Torsgatan.
The burger bun - fluffy with a hint of sweetness and saltiness, the patty - juicy and pink from Swedish cattle, crispy cheese fries and the lively hustle and bustle of Gamla Stan before our eyes…this is, how we like an uncomplicated dinner.
Pair it with a cold IPA from one of Stockholm's microbreweries and we're completely content at Barrels.
Here, a bit of Noma’s magic wafts through the air, mingling with the aroma of coffee and buttery, chocolatey pastries.
Milton Abel, a pastry chef from Noma, teamed up with coffee expert Hans Kristian Andersen to open the wonderful bakery and coffee roastery, Andersen & Maillard.
At Broens Gadekøkken, Copenhagen’s chefs show just how high-quality and delicious street food can be.
Overlooking the water with a view of the harbor, you can sit on simple wooden benches and indulge in burgers, tacos, seafood and much more, accompanied by Danish beer, homemade lemonades, or creamy milkshakes.
Every morning, a line quickly forms in the charming Sophie-Gips-Höfe in Berlin Mitte.
And it’s worth the wait, for anyone dreaming of flawless Danish pastries but unable to hop on a plane to Copenhagen that day.
Frederik Bille Brahe, the renowned chef behind Copenhagen’s Atelier September, has brought more than just crisp sourdough bread with a moist, airy crumb to Berlin.
Sofi’s croissant might just be the best in the city. And the pillowy Morning Bun, infused with cardamom and orange, is as well worth the wait.
For those who lack the patience or prefer to avoid the competition for one of the café’s limited seats, there’s a simple solution - pre-order!
The Orania is the sister hotel of the renowned Schloss Elmau, nestled at the foot of the Wetterstein Mountains.
Surprisingly, in this vibrant corner of Kreuzberg we find a touch of the serenity and coziness that the Bavarian wellness retreat is known for.
In the elegant listed building from 1912, the welcome is warm, the lobby cozy and the standard luxurious.
Stepping outside we are right in the heart of edgy, colorful Kreuzberg, where some of our favorite restaurants, like St. Bart or the Long March Canteen, are just a short stroll away.
For those who prefer to stay cocooned in the hotel’s inviting embrace, the in-house restaurant serves the most delectable Peking duck, while the bar offers fabulous cocktails, often accompanied by live music.
Vadim Otto Ursus describes his gem on Oderberger Straße as a small, lively neighborhood restaurant.
And the description couldn’t be more fitting.
Rooted in regional tradition, close to nature, and stripped down to the essentials - both in its ingredients and its décor.
Yet, this minimalism is, in truth, a distilled essence of Ursus’ years of experience in some of the world’s most acclaimed kitchens - Noma, Maaemo, Koks…
“At the heart of it all is always a really good product. Then it’s about asking what we can do to make that product taste its very best.“, he explains.
Making culinary artistry appear this effortless might just be part of the secret to why dining at Otto feels simultaneously like a cozy meal in your own dining room and a visit to a Michelin-starred restaurant.
The picturesque streets between Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel have long ceased to be a hidden gem, but perhaps that’s precisely why we want to write about them.
Sometimes, even after being discovered by many enthusiastic visitors, a recommendation manages to retain its old charm.
For many visitors to Amsterdam, the heart of the city often means wandering through the Red Light District.
But we also see the many picturesque corners with their historic, crooked houses, old fountains, and small squares... and the enchanting garden of the Koffieschenkerij in front of the cozy, repurposed parish rooms of the Oude Kerk.
This oasis, where sunlight filters through the leaves of the trees and a few sparrows chirp among the flowers, is perfect for enjoying coffee and cake.
Indulging in fresh fish and seafood can be a delightful luxury.
When, as in this case, the highest standards of sustainability are also prioritized, the enjoyment becomes even more profound.
For Amsterdam locals, The Seafood Bar, which boasts three locations throughout the city, is likely no secret.
It's akin to recommending Dallmayr to a Münchner or Das Schwarze Kamel to a Viennese.
However, if you love the freshest seafood, prioritize sustainable fishing and appreciate bright spaces that evoke the charm of a bustling fish market, this is the place for you.
Confiseur, master confectioner, artisan of sweets - these melodious titles describe the skilled hands behind Sawade’s exquisite treats.
Following time-honored traditions, they handcraft brittle leaves in delicate layers and produce truffles and pralines using recipes dating back to the 19th century.
Wrapped in eco-friendly foil and cellophane, these colorful confections make the perfect souvenir from Berlin.
The pastel-colored boxes, adorned with black-and-white Berlin motifs, are so charming that they’re unlikely to be discarded, even once the delicious contents are gone.
At the corner of Theresienstraße and Türkenstraße, from March to October, you’ll find Munich’s best ice cream. During this time, the restaurant owners in Maxvorstadt wistfully tuck away their dessert menus.
Because everyone knows – by 10 p.m. at the latest, after the main course, the guests head off in the same direction anyway.
The goal is to get a portion of the creamiest Ballabeni ice cream for dessert, before they close at 10:30.
I love that scene from Shrek where Donkey tries to cheer up the grumpy ogre.
„We can stay up late, swapping manly stories and in the morning I'm making waffles!“
That works just as well after a girls’ night out and always makes me cheerful - waffles for breakfast!
Hot and buttery is exactly how André and his husband serve them at Café Helma.
Helma is a place for long, leisurely breakfasts, rotating lunch specials and homemade cakes paired with carefully selected teas in the afternoon.
And if the night is young? A Yuzu-Prosecco and a cheese platter make for a perfect start.
We wouldn’t mind spending the whole day here in cozy Helma.
For years, Toshio Kobatake, known as Toshi, ran an elegant Teppan-Yaki restaurant in Munich’s Altstadt, named after himself.
Now, he welcomes us to his Japatapa Toshibar in Schwabing.
Stripped back to the essentials, it’s just as exciting as the original Toshi.
For those who, like us, are passionate about authentic Japanese cuisine, Toshi’s place is a must. Together with his wife, he creates a warm, inviting atmosphere filled with Japanese hospitality and cozy Izakaya charm.
It’s no wonder Toshi was honored as a Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador.
This unique spot, hard to find elsewhere in Munich, is tucked away on the unassuming Marschallstraße.
This small neighborhood restaurant boast just a few seats and each one is highly coveted.
If you want to experience the refreshingly nonchalant yet elegant cuisine of Daniel Räms and Tom Sjöstedt, be sure to book in advance.
While you might snag a shoulder-to-shoulder spot at the counter with a view of the kitchen, the best seats are at the large window in the cozy dining room, styled like a French bistro.
Miss Clara is one of those rare hotels that we enter and immediately feel at home.
It's centrally located yet away from the hustle and bustle, refined but not stiff, spacious yet intimate.
In high-ceilinged rooms with stylish bathrooms, we sleep in unbelievably cozy beds.
The inviting bar on the ground floor offers a nightcap in the evening and a delicious Swedish breakfast in the morning, preparing us to explore Stockholm refreshed.
“Daytime cooking” is how Frederik Bille Brahe describes what he does at Atelier September, and it fits perfectly.
Here, we can have breakfast all day, enjoy a light lunch, or have an early evening snack before heading out for dinner.
Atelier September is a bright and beautiful place to meet friends or enjoy the friendly atmosphere alone.
The SP34 by Danish Brøchner Hotels impresses with its Scandinavian design, cozy co-living spaces, and friendly atmosphere.
For those who are adventurous and sociable, this hotel and the vibrant Latin Quarter surrounding it offer plenty of variety and excitement.
Night owls and foodies will find themselves right at home at SP34.
The hotel itself boasts three restaurants, ensuring guests are never far from a delicious meal.
Italy has an enclave in Copenhagen!
At Bæst in Nørrebro, our foodie hearts soar.
The best local organic products and the skilled hands of Chef Christian Puglisi ensure that even the simplest dishes are a grand delight.
From pizza to pistachio ice cream, we indulge in a Danish-Italian Dolce Vita.
In the heart of Mitte district, Esther Perbandt’s flagship store sits on Almstadtstraße.
A string of black pennants fluttering above the sidewalk and a small bench by the door give the storefront the casual charm of a neighborhood gathering.
The iconic Berlin TV Tower watches over the city rooftops, gazing directly into Esther’s display window.
Every piece in the Berlin-based designer’s collection is steeped in black, her signature color.
Her gender-fluid designs break traditional molds, reimagining fashion with a bold artistic vision.
To us, Esther’s work feels like the embodiment of Berlin itself.
