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A cozy atmosphere in every L'Osteria

L'Osteria – Pizza, Pasta, Risotto and more – Ever since I became interested in food and restaurants, I've remembered L'Osteria's existence. The timing works out quite well, as this now nationwide chain of Italian delicacies has been around since 1999 – roughly the year I started spending my pocket money on restaurants instead of makeup, clothes, and the like, when I was about 13. L'Osteria is now considered the market leader when it comes to pizza, pasta, and other Italian dishes, and it's also become an integral part of the culinary landscape in Austria, Switzerland, and even (since the end of 2016) in England. The L'Osteria, which first opened in Nuremberg almost 19 years ago, is now a fixture in the food scene.

This is what they look like: The pizzas at L'Osteria.

What can you expect at L'Osteria?

„"Everything an Italian heart desires!" would probably be the simplest answer. In detail, this means: Italian classics made with fresh, Italian ingredients of consistently high quality, at fair prices, in an inviting atmosphere. For me, the clear highlight is the selection of different pizzas. Their trademark is undoubtedly their 45 cm diameter. Almost impossible to eat alone, with a thin and crispy crust. At every L'Osteria, you can choose whether you want your pizza served half-and-half with two different toppings or not. There are a total of 27 different pizzas to choose from, starting with the "Pizza Margherita" (for €7.75), the "Pizza Braccio di ferro" (spinach, egg, cheese, garlic, for €9.50), or the "Pizza Prosciutto Crudo" (mozzarella, Italian prosciutto, for €11.57), all the way to the "Pizza Salmone" or "Pizza Gamberetti" (for €11.50 and €11.75 respectively). So, things won't get boring on your pizza plate anytime soon.

Salads are also on the menu.

If you're not in the mood for pizza but fancy a meal at L'Osteria, that's no problem either. Besides pizzas, there are also eleven different salads (from €4) and twelve different pasta dishes (from €7.50) to choose from. Antipasti (bruschetta, caprese, vitello tonnato, carpaccio, pizza pane, etc. | from €5.50) and dolci (tiramisu, panna cotta, tartufo, chocolate soufflé | from €4) are also part of the standard menu.

Also part of the concept: In my opinion, every L'Osteria exudes a different ambiance – both within and outside of Munich. While you can tell it's an L'Osteria as soon as you step inside, each one has its own unique character, tailored to the specific location. Anyone familiar with all the Munich L'Osterias knows what I mean: The Künstlerhaus is rather opulent, with high ceilings, unobstructed views, and a huge chandelier; the Gasteig location is more cozy, intimate, and a bit labyrinthine. I hardly know anyone who enjoys pizza and hasn't already discovered their personal favorite L'Osteria.

Fresh ingredients are used on the pizzas.

The history and development of L'Osteria

The original L'Osteria restaurant opened in Nuremberg in 1999. Even back then, one thing was clear: fresh, authentic Italian cuisine was a must! This was achieved through hearty pizzas, whose defining characteristic is the 45 cm diameter that remains to this day. A true L'Osteria pizza is only a genuine L'Osteria pizza if the crust extends well beyond the edge of the plate. This trademark has been maintained ever since – all at a fair price. A simple concept that works and continues to grow. The number of L'Osteria restaurants is constantly expanding. In Germany alone, in addition to Munich, there are now L'Osteria restaurants in Augsburg, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Rosenheim, Regensburg, Ulm, and many other cities. To give you an idea of the scale we're talking about with L'Osteria: in 2016, sales reached approximately €138 million, a 351 million increase compared to 2015, and the trend is still upward. At the end of 2016, L'Osteria already had 69 locations – and here too, the trend is continuously rising.

Since 2015, L'Osteria FAMIGLIA has also included its own pasta factory (Pastificio No. 12) in Nuremberg, L'Osteria's birthplace. There, they produce, among other things, maccheroni, strozzapreti, and tortelloni, three very popular Italian pasta varieties. In 2016, eight more varieties were added (including some with pumpkin, wild boar, or salmon fillings), which are produced exclusively in the factory. Over time, they plan to produce even more pasta varieties in-house. They also always ensure that their pizzas are made with the freshest ingredients and the highest quality. Special requests are gladly accommodated. Every L'Osteria guest should feel comfortable and want to return – so it's only natural that the extra-large pizzas, and the resulting leftover halves or slices, can be taken home in boxes. Of course, everything can also be ordered in advance for collection – pizza, pasta and salads.

A visit to L'Osteria is always a pleasure.

My visit to L'Osteria (at the Gasteig)

I've been a guest at every L'Osteria in Munich, as well as in Hamburg, Augsburg, and Rosenheim, so I feel like I've tried my way through the entire menu. Although I also enjoy the various salads, I'm a definite pizza fanatic. I rarely meet up with friends for pasta, or rather, it's one of the dishes I occasionally prepare myself. But consistently baking pizza at the level that L'Osteria has managed to maintain for 18 years isn't easy, and that's why I'm always happy to leave home for L'Osteria.

My favorites are the "Pizza Prosciutto Crudo" with fine Parma ham and the "Pizza Tonno" with tuna. The thin crust, the generous toppings that never make the thin base soggy, the cheese that never overpowers the individual flavors of the toppings, and the slightly crispy bite make these pizzas perfect in my opinion. The size might seem surprising at first, but because of the thinness, it's easily manageable even with a bigger appetite. I always feel bad when food has to be thrown away, but most people – from what I've observed – happily take the leftovers home. (Question: What dish tastes good cold? ...Exactly! Pizza! ;-))

On my last visit, there were two "two toppings" to share.

Once there, I did a little research: As far as Munich is concerned, there are now five – soon to be six – L'Osteria restaurants, and you can dine at them on Leopoldstrasse and Elisabethstrasse in Schwabing, at the Gasteig cultural center in Haidhausen, at the main train station, and at what is probably the most famous L'Osteria among Munich locals, located in the Künstlerhaus (artists' house). One of my favorite L'Osterias is the one at the Gasteig: small, cozy, yet modern, and somehow with a touch of "Bella Italia." In Munich, after the recent opening on Elisabethstrasse, it's the second newest location and always the perfect "retreat" for me. Depending on my mood, I order it with one or two different toppings and rarely have to take leftovers home.

Hard facts and personal opinion

I highly recommend a visit to L'Osteria. It's perfect when it's cold, you've been (Christmas) shopping and are hungry, or if you're looking for a cozy spot to spend time with friends, family, and so on. Good Italian food – spread throughout the city: what more could you want? Fair prices, generous portions, and a happy feeling afterward, with the desire to come back again.

+++ This article was created in cooperation with L'Osteria. Thank you! +++

Contact for inquiries

L'Osteria | Various branches
Website

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