"8 Months In Purgatory" Munich by sjvessey

Munich Travel Guide: 5,362 reviews and 9,545 photos

Disclaimer

I loathe Munich. By association, I loathe Germany. I was forced by my company to spend 8 months commuting to Munich from London every Monday morning. I lived in a hotel at a business park directly opposite our client and rarely left work before 9pm. I ate lunch in the client's canteen. I mainly ate dinner either in my room or at the office. My entire Munich experience has been coloured by this to such an extent that nothing you or anyone else can say will change my mind about this place. So don't waste your breath. I have nothing good to say about Munich. Consider yourself warned.

Don't Mention The Food

There's a reason why you don't find many German restaurants outside of Germany. The food is terrible, especially the "Bavarian specialities". When was the last time you ate cow's udder? Or ox's diaphragm with sliced heart, liver and kidneys? How about a nice fried calf's foot? Mmmmm. Yes, Bavarians love the food that everyone else throws away once they can afford real meat. On the other hand, if you like your food bland, heavy and loaded with fat, this could be your dream destination.

I Said Don't Mention The Food

Munich is the third largest city in Germany, with a population of about one million. Yet it is surprisingly uncosmopolitan when it comes to restaurants, perhaps because Bavarians really do believe that their food is the best in the world, so why on earth would you want to eat any other type of cuisine? And when you do stumble across a the odd Italian restaurant, it's really German food in disguise. Who else eats ravioli stuffed with cabbage? The French, it seems, have gotten the message. Lots of Germans, as you might expect, go to France on holiday. The French, however, rather noticeably fail to return the favour, instead preferring destinations with nice food such as Spain or Italy.

Take a leaf out of the French book. Don't go to Munich!

Pros and Cons

Pros:None
Cons:Awful food
In a nutshell:A provincial backwater with delusions of grandeur

Last visit to Munich: Jun 2004
Intro Updated Jun 8, 2004
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Reviews (22)

Christmas Market Favorites (1)

There's a Christmas Market at the airport, in the plaza between Terminals 1 and 2. You know, where Burger King is. It's... more travel advice

Don't eat the skin on those white... Warnings Or Dangers (1)

It's rather tough with the look of plastic about it. Heaven only knows what it's made of. But you really aren't supposed... more travel advice

Middle-aged meat market Nightlife (1)

Schumans used to be a dark, smokey claustrophobic hang-out. Apparently something of an institution. But they closed down... more travel advice

The best parts are the offals Restaurants (2)

Ah yes, that name rings a bell. I think this was the place where about a sixth of the menu fell under the heading "The... more travel advice

Hotels (7)
See All Cool rooms, cool bar
Things to Do (3)
See All A medley of museums
Shopping (1)
Drown your sorrows with cheap alcohol

What to Pack (2)
See All Bring your own entertainment
Local Customs (2)
See All Only drink local beer
Transportation (2)
See All Take a taxi, or walk

Comments (5)

bijo69 Jun 26, 2004 at 6:15 PM Report Abuse

Haha...guess why I'm vegetarian!
Gili_S Jun 19, 2004 at 3:09 AM Report Abuse

Ha ha, I think you have been working too hard, this page is actually very interesting and not that negative, it is constructive criticisms. :-) But thank goodness you havent visited Finland yet, I am just afraid what you might find out.:-)
Henkster Jun 9, 2004 at 1:54 AM Report Abuse

Wow, the only negative page about Munich! Congratulations! :)
DavidKeeling Jun 8, 2004 at 5:21 AM Report Abuse

Really..you're supposed to drink the beer until you don't care what you're eating....as beer is the first on the list of major "food groups".
Weissdorn Jun 8, 2004 at 5:07 AM Report Abuse

Your tips are pretty funny! I see you have made an eye-opening acquaintence with Upper Bavarians. Hey next time you go I recommend Nuremberg Airport - it's nicer! LOL!