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The Caribbean Embassy is a restaurant specializing in Caribbean cuisine. The diverse menu reflects the wide range of ingredients, recipes, and dishes available on the Caribbean islands. I recently visited and thoroughly enjoyed myself. "TCE" is a true sensory experience: palate, sight, and sound are literally enchanted, and I can tell you right now that I left absolutely happy, stuffed, and satisfied.
The restaurant is located on Ganghoferstrasse in the media complex in Schwanthalerhöhe, set back slightly from the street, and I initially drove right past it. 😉 The restaurant has an underground parking garage with 16 spaces, but I found a spot directly on the street. The Caribbean feeling hits you the moment you step inside this beautiful restaurant – no joke! The interior is incredibly stunning. You start on the raised ground floor, looking down the long staircase leading into the loft-style restaurant, where you see a 5-meter-high palm tree, the bright, spacious tables already charmingly set, and much more. As soon as I entered the restaurant, a friendly gentleman approached me, asked about my reservation, chatted with me briefly, and took care of my coat.
My gaze immediately fell upon the West Indie bar, which dominates the approximately 300 m² restaurant and boasts over 70 different rums from 26 Caribbean islands. I was shown to a very comfortable table covered with a white tablecloth, from which I had a wonderful view of the entrance area, the bar, and the HD flat screens distributed throughout the walls, displaying various, changing images of the featured Caribbean island each week. This also explains the concept of this fantastic restaurant: Every six to eight weeks, the restaurant focuses on a different island or island group in the Caribbean. This concept, known as "Island Specials," is featured at The Caribbean Embassy – Authentic Restaurant / Bar Munich (TCE). This means that each island is presented through its culinary and cultural offerings – currently, for example, the island of San Lucia.
What I really like about this restaurant is that the menus are available digitally on iPads – but you still order in person from the professional and highly trained staff. Here you can expect fantastic culinary highlights from Caribbean cuisine, reflecting the diversity of countless dishes shaped by the islands' inhabitants over the years and the fascinating stories of this region. You'll immediately notice, as you browse the menu, how many ingredients are probably unfamiliar to you, both in name and taste. TCE thus offers the perfect opportunity to discover new flavors.
For example, you can expect Jamaican pumpkin and coconut soup with shrimp (€8), avocado and papaya salad with grilled jerk chicken (€11), or swordfish in a lime and coconut marinade with mango (€13) as a starter. I myself opted for the fish soup with scallops, shrimp, and mahi-mahi fillet, recommended by the very friendly and extremely competent service manager. It was absolutely divine. I would have loved to take the pot home with me. The main courses were just as delicious: papaya and sweet potato curry with peas (€13), crispy fried red snapper fillet with pineapple salsa, sautéed okra, and yam croquettes (€24), mahi-mahi fillet with a white bread crust, coconut sauce, fried spiced plantain, and Caribbean rice (€24), or a special menu for €32 (with wine pairing for €53), and much more. I tried the mahi-mahi fillet and a plantain and spinach tart with cinnamon and mango curry for €19.50. Incredibly delicious. Every single ingredient tasted fresh and flavorful; new tastes and incredibly delicious delights, I tell you! Luckily, I still had enough room for a delicious dessert afterward. Here, too, you'll find incredibly unusual and delicious variations: Trinidadian chocolate fondant with milk chocolate rum ice cream and caramelized banana (€11), or coconut crème brûlée with guava sorbet and papaya compote (€10). The trip was worth it three times over for that alone. You absolutely must try the tonka bean ice cream. It'll blow you away!
The iPad serves not only as a menu, but also – with its integrated "Food Navigator" – as a way to find the right dish or learn more about all the ingredients and unfamiliar components – simply by clicking on the ingredient. Of course, in addition to the available dishes, you'll also find all the drinks, special menus, cocktails, and rums on the iPad. I also loved that you can take a closer look at the individual Caribbean islands, their native animals, fruits, and plants, access music and videos, and that everything is perfectly designed to evoke the Caribbean – a virtual island tour, so to speak.
Otherwise, the ambiance impresses with breathtaking, historic walls, an open and friendly atmosphere, cozy lighting, exposed brick walls, and numerous tasteful details. The icing on the cake is undoubtedly the wide selection of excellent wines, rums, and cocktails. The restaurant seats approximately 140 people. The outdoor area and the adjoining beer garden, designed according to Far Eastern principles of harmony, with its outdoor seating and service, can accommodate another 200 people.
As mentioned, the service is absolutely professional and attentive, and they were able to recite the recommended wine for every dish from memory (though it's also listed next to each one). I also really appreciated the wine pairing offered with each dish. The extensive wine list, featuring 60 different wines from Germany, Austria, Spain, and Italy, was compiled by owner Winfried Gärtner and head chef and wine expert Claus Ruf. With the restaurant's opening, owner and manager Winfried Gärtner wholeheartedly shares his passion for the Caribbean and years of experience as a "culinary ambassador" with his guests, and is happy to share his extensive knowledge of the Caribbean at your table if you have any questions or are interested in learning more. The same goes for the fantastic head chef. I had the pleasure of meeting him at my table and was able to ask him questions about the dishes, the concept, and the ingredients. The service is led by Dominique Faucheux, who was friendly and knowledgeable, and always happy to help with any questions I had about the food and my choices. The food was all served promptly, my glasses were always full, and my satisfaction was ensured throughout my entire stay. 🙂
Managing Director and owner Winfried Gärtner shares his years of experience and passion for the Caribbean with his guests as a "Culinary Ambassador" at the opening of TCE, ensuring a truly Caribbean experience with his professional and well-trained service team. The culinary delights at TCE are thanks to the experienced and exceptionally friendly head chef, Claus Ruf, who, like Winfried Gärtner himself, enjoys personally visiting guests, answering questions, and engaging in conversation.
I would definitely recommend trying one (or even several) of the fantastic rums. Even if it's not usually your thing. I, for example, enjoyed the "Caribbean Mule" aperitif with homemade tamarind-orange rum (also delicious neat!), lime juice, and homemade ginger beer. You shouldn't drive after that, though. 😉 They also have a delicious T'Punch, a homemade signature drink with refined rum (such as the "Caribbean Passion" with hibiscus rum or the "P-Basil Smash" with allspice), and numerous other "liquid delights." This selection is complemented by homemade spiced rums (try the tamarind-orange!).
I can wholeheartedly recommend a visit. When you walk in or read about it, you might think it's an unaffordable treat. However, as you can see from the prices of the individual dishes, they are quite reasonable and appropriate for the quality and uniqueness of the food. You can also participate in a variety of wonderful events. There are tasting menus, rum tastings (led by Winfried Gärtner), and cocktail workshops to choose from. The restaurant's Antilles Lounge (for up to 40 people) can be rented for private events, corporate functions, and more. And during the Christmas season, you can expect numerous winter events. Here You can watch the events.
If you simply can't get enough, you can purchase homemade spice blends (with a free TCE cookbook for quick Caribbean dishes), sauces (e.g., banana ketchup), and spiced rums in the restaurant shop. Don't forget to make a reservation, as the restaurant is very popular. Food is served until 10:00 PM, after which only a few Caribbean appetizers are available. I highly recommend a visit; in fact, it's practically mandatory! 😉 There was absolutely nothing to complain about, and even though the bill after indulging in appetizers, main courses, dessert variations, wines, and rum is in the three figures, it's perfectly reasonable, and you'll leave feeling invigorated. 🙂 The restaurant is suitable for private parties, a romantic evening for two, business lunches, and practically any kind of occasion. A little escape to the Caribbean – thumbs up from me, and thanks again to the fantastic team!
We're open Tuesday to Saturday from 5 PM. Card payments are of course accepted. And if you've forgotten where to put your jacket after sampling the rum, we'll help you. 😉
I'll be back: A resounding YES!
Place visited: The Caribbean Embassy – TCE
Address: Ganghoferstraße 68, 80339 Munich
Website
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