PlanetEye

If you're looking for a place where you won't need your little book with key German phrases to place an order, look no further than Shamrock Irish Pub. Cozied on a side street of Leopoldstraße, Shamrock Irish pub offers good eats and drinks from real Irish men and women. This place is a favorite stop of mine as there is something happening on any given night! Every week has kareokee nights, live bands, open mic and much more. Everyone there is also incredibly friendly, and you find yourself meeting and talking to people from all over the world who are living in Germany. It's a great place to stop off at during a night out of bar crawling and the music is also great, ranging in authentic Irish tunes to Johnny Cash. The drinks menu also serves up delicious Ciders, long drinks and of course, Irish beers. I must say that their Black and Tans are my favorite.

Head over to Shamrock for a low-key, yet fantastic time! With Celtic paintings and Irish flags on the walls, the fantastic woodwork and nooks, Shamrock is cozy yet still retains it's hard Irish edge.

U3/U6 Giselastraße 

If you're going to eat a Schnitzel, you might as well make sure that it is so big that it won't fit on any normal plate. I have recently been introduced to a restaurant called Steinheil, where for an easy 9 Euros, you can feast on a Schnitzel so large that you will need a) a few breaks in between and b) a large drink to help wash it down. In addition to the enormous Schnitzel, you are served a large portion of abosultely delish french fries and a starter salad. Upon entering Steinheil, you'll notice that it's a normal looking restaurant with wooden tables and chairs, unremarkable decor, no pomp, no circumstance, but it will always be full. And upon every table, you can be sure to see at least 1 or 2 people will be eating the enormous Schnitzel. The music though, is in my opinion, fantastic. A great mix of the Beatles, Led Zepplin and the Doors sets this restaurant from traditional to happening. 

It may be a little confusing to get to, but for the food, it is completely worth it. This restaurant is realtively unknown by tourist standards, but don't worry as most of the staff are students and thus, do speak English. So! Bring your appetite because you will not be disappointed. I promise you. The crunchy breading of the Schnitzel will fill your mouth as the slight tang of the lemon just pulls it all together. I suggest squeezing the lemon onto your Schnitzel as you eat it, so it stays crunchy, and save a bit for the fries as well. 

Enjoy! 

Although April weather may be rather unpredictable, for example in the past 3 days we've had gorgeous and warm sunny weather, rain and snow, it is the time when Munich's infamous beer gardens are shaking off those winter blues and opening their doors, as well as beer taps, to the public. If you find yourself in Munich on a sunny day, whether spring or summer, head on over to one of the more famous beer gardens: Die Chinesische Turm or in English, The Chinese Tower. With the English Gardens all around, the Chinesische Turm makes for a perfect lazy day of soaking up the sun and enjoying some great beer.

This beer garden is landmarked by the very large, Chinese inspired tower that stands in the middle, surrounded by benches and tables. So, grab a seat wherever you see space, don't be shy, just sit down wherever. In addition to the overflowing beer, the Chinesische Turm serves up tasty, traditional Bavarian food, might I suggest a halbes hünchen, which is literally half a chicken. Delish! Or an obatzda teller which is a mixture of camembert, brie, butter and other cheeses that tastes like heaven when spread on one of the enormous Bavarian soft-pretzels. Personally, the country potatoes with saur-rahm dip is my favorite.

So, get up and grab a few liter sized maß of beer but note that you have to pay a 1€ deposit or "phand". When getting your beers you recieve a little plastic coin that you can return later when returning your glasses. Just a little insurance on their part as you can imagine how many maß glasses go missing. Other than that, sit back, listen to the live band playing Bavarian classics, and relax as the garden is open until about 10pm.

While this may be a beer garden, it is not anywhere near being on the same level or atmosphere as the Hofbräuhaus, so, please avoid dancing and standing on tables, or getting out of hand with singing, pouring beer everywhere etc. You'll upset the locals and have the police called on you. Not fun.

Got Fido with you? Bring him along! Dogs are more than welcomed here as long as they don't run amuck. I know my roommate's dog loves Chinesiche Turm days.

If you're looking for a place where young professionals and university students stop to grab a bite to eat, look no further than Café an der Uni. Once the rec room for philosophy students, Café on der Uni kept its original exposed brick walls and built in book shelves stocked with literature and opened their doors to hungry students. With an outdoor terrace, during the warmer seasons you'll find students enjoying a beer after class and relaxing in the sun. During the colder seasons, they cover the terrace but you can still sit and gaze through the glass at the night stars--while still enjoying your beer. A cosy, intimate place where students and young professionals come to unwind at a cheap price, Café an der Uni is a makes for a great spot at any time.

Serving an array of dishes from breakfast to Mexican, along with delicious desserts and tasty drinks, you will be surprised when the bill doesn't send you to the poor house as these servings are huge. Located, literally, in the University, you will be hanging out where philosophers of the past few hundred years sat around debating and forming theories that are very much in use today as well as where the current Pope Benedict XVI studied and wrote his thesis. There is also a very good chance that someone sitting in your seat once said, "I hear they chopped of the head of Marie Antoinette" or "Do you think that Columbus will even make it back to Spain? He's been gone for a while".

How many more reasons do you need? A terrace that is great in snow or sunshine, great food and sitting in a little bit of history.  

 U3/U6: Universität

link coming soon.

We all know that no matter what country you’re in, or whichever city you visit, a Starbucks will look like a Starbucks. The smells, music and decor will all be the same, which since when isn’t a little consistency not appreciated? But, if you’re looking to get away from that consistency, I most definitely suggest Café Jasmin. Don’t worry, you won’t have to bring your bongo drums or beret to come into this comfortable spot, with its cream colored couches, marbled counters and tassled curtains.

Stepping in, you see not only see, but you feel the 1940s retro-style glamor, with its golden inlaid walls, enormous windows and living room atmosphere. The best part about this place, is that it isn’t one of those "center of town, can’t get a seat" café. Take a date, go with some friends and step back in time with pleanty of seating for all. During the weeknights, they have happy hour specials, serving beautiful looking cocktails in the laid-back, monochromatic setting. While the colors may be simple, the menu is anything but.

Along with their cocktails and café delights, Café Jasmin serves great finger foods and tasty delicatessen treats straight from Oma’s kitchen. The type of pastries you taste that "grandmother’s love" ingredient. The wait staff is friendly and prompt as they use large, copper cappuccino and coffee machines, which simply add to the overall ambiance. Flying solo? No need to worry, grab a book or simply people watch out the window, albeit there won’t be too many walking past as it’s pretty residential. Yet, you can admire the typical German architecture of the surrounding buildings, all painted shades of blue, pink or yellow.  

This charming, lovely little place hasn’t changed since it was opened over 50 years ago. And it’s been waiting for you.