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So.Cal is a very cozy restaurant with Californian cuisine, great cocktails, super friendly service, and a well-rounded concept. I was there a few weeks ago for a drink – including freshly made raspberry lemonade. Since then, I've received several requests from you to write about it. So, I recently went with a companion for their popular Sunday brunch and another time for dinner at So.Cal (or, more accurately, "SO.CAL – Drink & Dine") to try it out, and I can only say: Finally, there's a truly authentic piece of Southern California in Munich.

First impressions of So.Cal in Schwabing

But let's start from the beginning… as soon as we arrived, the inviting tables with parasols and comfortable seating along the street caught our eye, and if it had been a bit sunnier, we certainly would have eaten outside. Since the weather wasn't cooperating, we went inside and were immediately greeted by a friendly waiter who remained very attentive throughout the evening and asked about our reservation. As soon as we sat down at a cozy table for four by the window, we were presented with menus for drinks, cocktails, and food. Flyers were also available on the tables, outlining current and upcoming events. The menus were presented on small turquoise wooden boards embossed with the So.Cal logo.

Selection of drinks and food

First, we opted for two delicious aperitifs: a Hugo (€5.90) and an Aperol Spicy Ginger (€6.50). The drinks were served quickly and both tasted fresh and delicious; the Hugo wasn't too sweet, and both came with straws. Since we were quite hungry, we chose two different starters, main courses, and desserts from the menu. My companion chose the "Baja California Fish Tacho" with tilapia fillet pieces, crisp red cabbage, and avocado (€6), and I went for the So.Cal Sushi Roll (€7) – a traditional California roll with crab meat, avocado, and cucumber. Initially, I had wanted to order the "Queso Quesadilla" – a tortilla filled with cheddar and mozzarella, with a choice of beef or vegetables (€8 or €7) – but then I changed my mind when the waiter carried the sushi past me, and I suddenly had a craving for it. The appetizers were served to us at the same time, and we thoroughly enjoyed them. My five sushi rolls, served on a chic slate platter, were very good – you just need large mouths for them, as they are rolled a bit larger than "standard sushi." Since I (or rather, I) don't really like biting into sushi, you have to take five quite large portions. 😉 My companion also really enjoyed the appetizer – the fish tahini. The appetizers were quickly devoured and were a good size – not too big and not too small.

After that, we moved on to our pre-selected and pre-ordered main courses. I had a "La Jolla Salad"—a green garden salad with warm goat cheese, California walnuts, and honey vinaigrette—in a main course size for €11. If you prefer salad as a starter or as a side dish with your main course, you can also order a smaller version (for €7) at So.Cal. This is possible with any salad. My companion chose the "Grilled Dry Aged Beef Steak" (€25) with a small side salad and a side of potatoes. When ordering, they naturally asked about the desired doneness for the 200g dry-aged sirloin steak. My companion opted for potato wedges as a side dish; a baked potato was also an option. The meat was cooked perfectly medium, the potatoes were well-seasoned—I love salty food—and the portion was ample and complemented the meat well. My salad was a very generous portion. Simply prepared, but the flavors harmonized beautifully with the four small goat cheese medallions. We also enjoyed two glasses of Pedroncelli Chardonnay, vintage 2010, with our main courses. So, if you like white wine, goat cheese, sushi, and steak, I can wholeheartedly recommend our selection. Otherwise, the menu offers many other delicacies, such as various steaks, pasta dishes, or even "Roasted Lemon Chicken" or the famously classic Californian salad, "Cobb Salad," served as a rainbow of grilled chicken strips, bacon, tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese, a hard-boiled egg, and mustard vinaigrette.

For dessert, we chose a "California Cheesecake"—homemade and served with fresh raspberry puree (€6)—and a homemade brownie with vanilla ice cream and walnuts (€5). All I can say is: if you like cake, the cheesecake is amazing!

Ambiance & Service at So.Cal

Of course, the food is always the top priority, but in my opinion, the service and ambiance at So.Cal are also excellent. The restaurant is painted in vibrant turquoise tones, the ceiling is a striking pink, and the light wood floors, inviting bar with additional seating, and clever room layout with separate areas all contribute to a wonderful, welcoming atmosphere. Guests are seated at comfortable tables of varying sizes. I also appreciated that many guests arrived spontaneously during our visit, yet there was still room for everyone – even a group of ten. While a walk-in is certainly possible, I recommend making a reservation, depending on the day of the week.

Sunday brunch

You absolutely must make a reservation for the popular Sunday brunch, as the tables fill up like hotcakes. Every Sunday from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm, you can enjoy a fantastic brunch and indulge in Californian-style treats for €17 per person. As mentioned, I've been there before and was thrilled. The buffet is extensive and varied: from a wide selection of cheeses, hams, and sausages, to various types of bread, baguettes, and muesli, as well as different salads, fruit salads, salmon wraps, and even sushi rolls, the buffet offers an exceptional variety. There are also small pancakes for those with a sweet tooth and various pastries and cakes (we had strawberry cake and bee sting cake). I was particularly impressed by the pretzel sticks and the especially dark whole-grain bread, as brunch often only offers relatively basic bread. Here, the selection is superb. We also had freshly squeezed orange juice (€3.90), a cappuccino (€3.10), a latte macchiato (€3.50), and two homemade raspberry lemonades (€3.90 each). Admittedly, both lemonades were for me, because after the first one, I simply couldn't stop drinking. So: beware – highly addictive!

Here you quickly realize that Californian cuisine isn't just about fries and burgers. The prices are also within the normal Munich range. And thanks to the delicious drinks and food selection, as well as the inviting atmosphere, it really works: as soon as we sat down, we quickly felt a bit like we were on the Californian West Coast of the USA, and you completely forget that you're just a few minutes from home for dinner. The restaurant's history – which you can read in brief on the drinks menu – certainly plays a part. It was founded by three friends with a great passion for American cuisine and lifestyle. Personally, it's always important to me to experience and feel, as a guest, that a certain passion and dedication prevail in a restaurant, and that it's not just about processing orders and consumption – which is definitely the case at So.Cal. Oh yes… and be sure to try the excellent alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. (There's also a large selection of beers for the men and numerous Californian wines for the wine fans!)

So.Cal as an event location

So.Cal on Occamstrasse can also be rented – it can accommodate around 70 people, and they even take care of the food – for example, a buffet similar to brunch – set up in a separate room. I think the restaurant is a super cool location, and I told my companion the same thing: you just want to linger there, chat, have another drink, and feel comfortable. The great atmosphere, the bartender from Cuba, the subdued lighting later in the evening, and the smiling waiters and people around you certainly contribute to this. Definitely check out their website – you'll find current specials there. (For example, Tuesdays are Ladies' Night, Wednesdays are BBQ Night, and Thursdays feature delicious tapas!)

All in all, I can highly recommend a visit to So.Cal. Here you'll experience Californian flair right in the heart of popular Schwabing, with a very diverse, international crowd and many English-speaking guests, as the name alone naturally attracts the attention of both "American Munich residents" and tourists. The service is incredibly friendly and personal. The food is delicious, and you'll be treated to authentic Californian cuisine. They're open Monday to Friday from 5:00 PM to midnight, Saturday from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM, and Sunday from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM for brunch. Let me know if you're planning to stop by – I'll come along! 😉

I'll be back: Yes. Perfect for brunch, dinner, or delicious cocktails.

Place visited: So.Cal
Address: Occamstraße 7, 80802 Munich
Website

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