For my first visit to Munich, I have less than 24 hours and want to get a feel for what it would be like to live here. Mission: dinner in a non-touristy restaurant in the center of town with good vegetarian options.

So, on the first evening, I meet up with the friend of a friend, “M” outside the Hotel Monaco. The streets of the Old City are fairly quiet tonight and we enter a lovely shopping mall with plants draped from the ceiling. It’s very peaceful but suddenly M leads us to a wonderfully bustling restaurant. Young people are out in force – in couples, groups, above, below, around tables, along bars.
The restaurant is called Vapiano and has a unique concept – you get a plastic card and order individual menu items (pasta, pizza, salad, drink, dessert) from stations where they are prepared before your eyes. When you leave, your card is swiped and you pay the total. Tip: English language menus are available upon request. I can recommend the Rucola Ravioli, made fresh that day and served with cherry tomatoes and arugula leaves. The tables have even pots of basil and rosemary which you can pick to accent your meal. And, there are gummy bears for a treat on your way out the door. This is actually a restaurant with locations across Europe (www.vapiano.de).

After a stroll and stop for a beer, I get home and check all my tourist information and guidebooks about Munich – not one mentions Vapiano, so mission accomplished. Thanks, M!

-Written by guest E from USA, 9 July 2009