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The homework from the outside
HeimWerk Schwabing – Fast Slowfood – classic cuisine "Credit where credit is due!" sums up my visit to the HeimWerk restaurant a few days ago quite well. I apologize in advance for this being a bit longer than usual – but I can't leave anything out. The plan was to have lunch and try it out. I arrived at noon and left at 3:30. Not because I'm a slow eater (…goodness knows not…), no, because I simply enjoyed myself so much. HeimWerk is a new opening in Schwabing, located on the corner of Friedrichstrasse and Hohenzollernstrasse, with a concept unlike anything Munich has seen before. Classic cuisine, a deliberately small menu, regional ingredients, a sophisticated menu-pager system combined with full table service, and much more make the restaurant a truly special experience. Sated, happy, and with a head full of new impressions, I left the restaurant after several hours and now want to share the HeimWerk experience with you.
The standard menu is also displayed on the wall by the counter.
What makes HeimWerk Schwabing special?
HeimWerk – the name reflects the restaurant's focus on regional ingredients, both in its menu and ambiance, and aims to evoke a similar feeling as soon as you enter. Feel at home, arrive, and unwind. This is also reflected in the conscious and, wherever possible, regional sourcing of each ingredient. Openness, transparency, and a mindful approach to the products used in HeimWerk's dishes are paramount. HeimWerk offers "Fast Slow Food," taking a completely new approach. You'll never wait longer than 10 to 15 minutes for your food, yet everything is made fresh and homemade. HeimWerk is a new meeting place for those who want to enjoy traditional, down-to-earth cuisine while also seeking a modern interpretation in terms of space, food, and concept.
Pork schnitzel – absolutely delicious.
Food offerings at HeimWerk
On the menu: Absolute classics. Five different meat dishes, such as pork schnitzel, veal schnitzel, Munich-style schnitzel, meatballs, chicken skewers, and a bratwurst. Then there's the "Meatless" category. Vegetarians will be pleased. Hot (and also absolutely fresh) vegetables, spinach dumplings, Maultaschen (Swabian ravioli), or homemade potato pancakes in two different varieties are available. That's all there is to the standard menu, apart from the side dishes, a few desserts, and fresh cakes. Perfectly adequate and deliberately chosen for this setting. You can also order (for €3.50–€3.90) bread, potato salad, mixed salad, fries, fried potatoes, or hot vegetables.
In addition to the standard menu, there's also a weekly changing lunch menu. From Monday to Friday (11:30 am – 2:30 pm), two different dishes are offered (for example, a "pretzel schnitzel burger with fries or salad" and a "broccoli pancake in a light cream sauce," each for a very reasonable €6.90). Directly below are some HeimWerk specials, a small but varied selection of new creations from the HeimWerk kitchen (between €4.30 and €13.30 for dishes such as "HeimWerk sweet potato fries" or "redfish and zucchini rolls with rosemary fried potatoes").
I also really like the option of choosing your own lunch or dinner menu. You can create your own menu daily until 5:00 PM (lunch) or from 5:00 PM (dinner). At lunchtime, you add €5.50 and receive a side dish, a non-alcoholic beverage/beer, and a hot drink in addition to your chosen main course. For example, for a reasonable €8.70 + €5.50, you can enjoy a satisfying pork schnitzel with fried potatoes, a spritzer/beer, and a coffee at lunchtime. It's similar in the evening: you pay an additional €7.50, choose your main course, and receive a side dish and an aperitif/cocktail of your choice. Cool, right?
Everything you drink/eat will be charged to this card.
One thing applies to every single main course. An option I find absolutely brilliant: you can order your portions either as a "meal" or as a "snack." At HeimWerk, this really does mean a "half portion" or a "double portion." And that's fantastic! Those who are only lightly hungry can order the snack, and those who might even want to try several dishes can do the same. If you already know, "I'm just having a big schnitzel today," then you choose the "meal" size. This is incredibly convenient and doesn't obligate you to always order the large portion. It's also practical, for example, with Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes) or meatballs. The absolutely positive side effect: virtually nothing is wasted. Not even in the kitchen itself, which is why HeimWerk produces just one household ton of food waste per week. Almost unbeatable for a restaurant.
Ordering system, counter and cards
Ordering at HeimWerk works a little differently. Upon entering, you receive a card – similar in appearance to a debit card. Your order is then charged to this card. You can order either at the counter in the bar area or simply by sitting down at a table – you'll receive your card there, and your order will be taken. Whether you order at your table or at the counter, you never have to pick up your food yourself; it will always be brought to your table. When you're ready to leave HeimWerk and pay, simply stand up and go to the counter in the entrance area with your card. No long waits here either. While it might be somewhat similar to other restaurants in Munich with card systems, it's certainly more sophisticated, eliminating queuing, long waits, getting up to collect food, etc. Clever!
The homemade Kaiserschmarrn
Food review
I'm almost embarrassed to admit that writing this is making me hungry again, as I really indulged during my visit. My companion and I ordered a pork schnitzel (snack €4.70/meal €8.70) with hot vegetables on the side (€3.90), as well as the meat patties (snack €3.50/meal €6.40), and the potato pancakes with smoked salmon and horseradish cream (snack €6.90/meal €12.30). All in meal sizes. We also had a small bowl of sweet potato fries (€4.30). And because it was so delicious, we followed it up with the Kaiserschmarrn in meal size (snack €5.30/meal €9.20). Phew! It was so much, but it was so good. I just couldn't stop eating. You know that feeling when you keep putting down your fork thinking, "That's enough!" but because it tastes so good, you keep going back for more? 😉 That's pretty much how it was. I don't actually need to go into detail in this case because EVERYTHING from A (like apple sauce with the Kaiserschmarrn) to Z (like "too many sweet potato fries") was absolutely perfect. The schnitzel was pounded super thin and breaded to perfection, the sweet potato fries were so delicious (ordering them is a must!) that I simply couldn't stop eating until the entire bowl was empty, the meatballs were so delicate and "typically Bavarian" that for a moment I thought my grandma was personally cooking them at HeimWerk, and the Kaiserschmarrn was so light, fluffy, and delicate that it will very soon be high up on my Kaiserschmarrn top list. What impressed me most was that none of the dishes were served with a lot of fuss and fanfare. Simple, high-quality, and truly local cuisine, all homemade. Great!
I would still like to go into detail about the origin and selection of the ingredients, because that is particularly crucial at HeimWerk. But before I name each of the restaurant's partners and suppliers – see for yourself on the restaurant's website: Partners and suppliers of the HeimWerk restaurant. The meat patties, for example, are made entirely from veal, which is why they sometimes taste so good. Generally, the cooking is done with few spices, often without butter, and is mostly vegan and healthy, always using fresh ingredients. Here you can truly taste how an ingredient, or indeed a dish, should taste in its purest and most authentic form – without artificial additives or flavor enhancers. Ah… I want to go back!
Inviting, bright, modern and friendly
The ambience
In all the excitement of "food, food, food!", I completely forgot about the ambiance and the surroundings. Here too: straightforward, minimalist, not too much, yet meticulously thought out down to the last detail, appealing, and very cozy. Look up at the ceiling and you'll find a cool surprise (…see for yourself…). The interplay of colors, the chic tables and dark chairs, as well as the bright bar and lounge area – everything fits together perfectly. And if you look closely, you'll still discover that Bavarian and German classics are on the menu. Each of the cozy tables has a Bavarian beer stein with equally special and stylish cutlery. Comfortable chairs, fresh flowers, plenty of natural light, subtle and pleasant music, a stylish clock (…see for yourself…) and – really cool! – a self-service tap water dispenser, free of charge. So, if you're a guest at HeimWerk, you can help yourself to water in the provided glasses. A great touch. I'm sure you'll feel comfortable here and will stay for a while longer (…maybe not 3.5 hours like me ;-)…) even after the plates are empty and cleared away.
I enjoyed it!
Key facts and personal conclusion
My personal conclusion – it's pretty obvious. Definitely stop by. I honestly can't find anything to criticize. In the evenings, HeimWerk, in addition to its set menu, boasts a fantastic bar, a lounge, and – again – a small but excellent selection of cocktails and signature drinks (cocktail recipes by bar pro Andreas Till!). They also offer open red and white wines (three of each, 0.1l/0.2l/bottle), including some from Franconia – further demonstrating HeimWerk's exceptionally fair pricing. At lunchtime, the aforementioned lunch menu or lunch dishes are tempting, and on weekends, things get lively in the morning with a delicious breakfast – (Saturday and Sunday/public holiday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm), regional ingredients and a clear selection: bread rolls with butter and jam, fried or scrambled eggs, Bircher muesli, small pancakes, mountain cheese omelette, homemade sandwiches with various toppings or smoothies – all between €3.90 and €10.90).
Without the slightest exaggeration, I think I can safely say that I've discovered a new hotspot with HeimWerk. A little insider tip... if you arrive between 7 pm and 10 pm, you'll be handed a shot as a "welcome drink" upon entry – to get things started. 😉
Bavarian-style potato pancakes with smoked salmon
HeimWerk is open Monday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 11:00 pm, and on Friday until midnight. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, it's open from 10:00 am until midnight. As mentioned, breakfast is served on weekends. Reservations are recommended, especially if you want to sit in the lounge area for cocktails or directly at the bar. Parking can be a bit of a challenge, but it's manageable. Otherwise, the "Giselastraße" and "Münchner Freiheit" subway and bus stations are just a six- and ten-minute walk away, respectively. (I even managed that myself after a schnitzel-meatball-potato pancake-Kaiserschmarrn coma...). You can also book HeimWerk for private events and business or private functions. Depending on the seating arrangement, the cozy restaurant can accommodate up to 120 people. On average, the restaurant seats up to 80 guests. Card payments are accepted. Payment is always made at the entrance/exit by presenting the card received upon entry (system explained above). In summer (…it takes a while, but it's coming…) you can take a seat in the lovely city garden of HeimWerk. Comfortable benches and tables, screened from the street, invite you to sit down.
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Address: Friedrichstrasse 27, 80801 Munich
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Battling against the spread of fraudulent medications
Jürgen
It's beyond me how anyone can rave so excessively about a restaurant with such a modest menu. They offer a single, standard salad with the option to customize the dressing. This then inspires the comment: "Lots of vegan options." I wonder if the author needs to take a sedative before visiting a restaurant that offers cordon bleu alongside schnitzel, bratwurst, and meatballs.