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Traditional cuisine, modern ideas and a young restaurant that has quickly become one of the most exciting addresses in Munich's old town: My visit to the ELSA restaurant has once again shown me how appealing upscale Bavarian-German cuisine can be when familiar flavors are combined with great craftsmanship, sophistication and a contemporary twist.
Exclusively from September 1st to 30th, 2026, you can book an exclusive five-course menu including an amuse-bouche at ELSA using your Mastercard. You can choose between the classic menu for € 120 per person and a fully vegetarian option for € 99 per person. I had the pleasure of trying the menu in advance and can wholeheartedly recommend this relatively new restaurant.
The experience can be booked as usual via priceless.com directly at the restaurant. ELSA requires at least one day's notice for reservations. Please enter the keyword "Mastercard Menu" in the comment field and look forward to a wonderful evening.(Here findet ihr auch die Veröffentlichungen und Menüs der vorherigen Monate und Jahre.)
Restaurant ELSA in Munich: Feel-good cuisine with gourmet aspirations
The terrace of the ELSA restaurant in Munich's old town.
The Restaurant ELSA it opened at Bräuhausstraße 8 at the end of 2025. Located in the heart of the old town and just steps from the Hofbräuhaus, it's a place where Munich's history meets a very modern concept of hospitality. The first impression perfectly reflects the concept: the interior is elegant and high-quality, yet neither stiff nor overly theatrical.
ELSA is the brainchild of Lucas Kucz and Philipp Naase. Their approach combines the precision and craftsmanship of haute cuisine with the warmth of a traditional inn. German, Bavarian, and Austrian classics aren't simply copied, but rather brought into the present day with fresh ideas. It was precisely this blend that I found so appealing: you recognize the culinary roots, yet are surprised with each course by subtle details and modern combinations.
The service confirmed this impression from the very first moment. We were treated with great attention and warmth, without it feeling forced. Questions were answered competently, and the recommendations at the table came at just the right moment. The wine selection and recommendations were also superbly matched to each course.
After our aperitif, the evening began with a changing amuse-bouche. Even this small starter showcased the restaurant's signature style: familiar and approachable, yet with an ambition that clearly transcends classic pub fare. This was followed by the actual five-course menu, which you, as a Mastercard cardholder, can also enjoy at ELSA in September 2026.
Optional aperitif – a sparkling start at the ELSA restaurant.
The exclusive Mastercard five-course menu in September 2026
The exclusive menu costs € 120 per person and begins, after an amuse-bouche, with a caviar platter that perfectly encapsulates the ELSA concept. Ossetra Imperial caviar is served with mini pretzels, chives, and sour cream. Here, a rustic platter and refined luxury are not contradictory, but rather combined to create a relaxed yet sophisticated start to the meal.
A wine from Régis & Sylvain was served with our caviar snack. The wine's clear, delicate character paired beautifully with the caviar's salty elegance. Important for your booking: The wine pairings at ELSA vary. The wines shown here are therefore examples from our visit and not a guaranteed selection for every evening in September.
The second course is Kaspressknödel with Osso Collo, tomato, and Parmesan. Kaspressknödel is one of the dishes that perfectly encapsulates ELSA's unique concept. Crispy on the outside, wonderfully moist on the inside, a familiar Alpine classic is transformed into a modern and meticulously crafted restaurant course. For me, that's precisely the strength of this menu: it doesn't try to hide its origins, but rather refines them with great skill.
The 2024 Reisenthal Roter Veltliner from Mantlerhof complemented the Kaspressknödel perfectly. Throughout our entire evening, the wine recommendations never felt arbitrary, but always deliberately tailored to the flavors of each dish.
Caviar snack with pretzels, Ossetra cheese and sour cream.
The third course combines monkfish with lentils, milk-fed veal, and anise – an unusual combination for me at first, but one that skillfully underscores the modern approach of the cuisine. The fish remains the clear focus, while the other components lend the dish depth, spice, and an exciting aromatic connection between sea and land.
We were recommended a 2018 Ruppertsberger Hoheburg by Dr. Bürklin-Wolf. This combination also harmonized beautifully and demonstrated how much attention ELSA pays not only to the food but also to the wine. Don't miss out on the wine pairing.
The fourth and main course was Bavarian pasture-raised beef with romaine lettuce, truffle, and potato. The meat was beautifully cooked and accompanied by robust yet finely balanced flavors. Here, too, the quality of the product remained clearly recognizable. Modern presentation and sophisticated taste didn't detract from the dish's down-to-earth nature, but rather enhanced it. A clear favorite of the evening.
The Gigondas 2021 from E. Guigal was a very suitable accompaniment to the grass-fed beef. Its spicy and powerful character complemented the more intense aromas of the main course without overpowering the meat or the truffle.
Monkfish with lentils, milk-fed veal and anise.
The fifth and final course consists of ice cream crepes – a dessert that immediately evokes memories of classic Austrian cuisine, yet is presented with exquisite elegance. The crepes, creamy sauce, and dark berries create a sweet, fruity, and pleasantly playful finale. I appreciated that the final course remained true to the menu's overall theme. While the dessert feels familiar, its presentation and precise coordination of components once again imbue it with the elegant ELSA signature.
During our visit, a Furmint Auslese from Heidi Schröck & Söhne provided the perfect finale to the wine pairing. Its delicate sweetness complemented the fruit and creaminess of the dessert, making the meal a truly well-rounded experience, even in the glass.
The wine pairing costs € 60 per person. Alternatively, you can order the wines for € 12 per glass. As the selection changes regularly, you can look forward to new recommendations on your visit. Water costs an additional € 5 per person; an aperitif is not included in the menu price but can be ordered in advance.
Bavarian pasture-raised beef with romaine lettuce, truffle and potato.
The vegetarian five-course menu at ELSA
The vegetarian option is also presented as a separate menu and costs € 99 per person. After an amuse-bouche, the meal begins with a beetroot gazpacho with dill, quail egg, and sour cream. This is followed by lettuce with chanterelles, radishes, and chives, before a cheese dumpling with endive, tomato, and Parmesan. The fourth course is cauliflower with brown butter, egg yolk, and truffle. For a sweet finish, you can enjoy ice cream crepes.
What I appreciate is that it's not just a matter of replacing individual meat or fish components. The vegetarian menu follows its own varied and engaging structure, consistently combining familiar alpine flavors with a modern, sophisticated touch.
My verdict and how to book
ELSA comes highly recommended. The restaurant is still new, but already possesses a very distinctive identity. The cuisine combines the sophistication of fine dining with Bavarian, German, and Austrian roots, without making the evening feel stiff or overly staged.
Ice cream crepes as a sweet finale to the meal.
The menu was appealing, varied, and consistently well-balanced. I particularly enjoyed how familiar dishes and flavors were given a modern twist. This was complemented by very attentive service and wine recommendations that harmonized beautifully with each course.
If you're looking for a special restaurant evening in Munich's old town this September, you should definitely check out the exclusive Mastercard menu at ELSA. Here you'll find upscale dining, a relaxed atmosphere, and modern, feel-good cuisine with a clear focus on origin.
Enjoy your meal at Restaurant ELSA!
- Don't have a Mastercard yet? – Apply for a Mastercard
- On priceless.com register and log in
- The exclusive five-course menu at Restaurant ELSA choose
- An appointment from September 1st to 30th, 2026 choose
- At least one day before your visit, directly via Google, via email to servus@restaurant-elsa.de
or by phone at 089 59 99 88 67 reserve - Be sure to include the keyword in the comment field. „Mastercard Menu“ indicate
+++ This article was produced in collaboration with Mastercard (priceless.com) +++
priceless.com
Discover and book exclusive experiences available to Mastercard cardholders.
Details: A changing and exclusive surprise menu every month until the end of 2026
Enjoy at another Munich restaurant; register at
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and then make a reservation directly with the respective restaurant.
September 2026:
Five-course menu plus amuse-bouche at Restaurant ELSA
Classic 120 Euros | Vegetarian 99 Euros
Optional: Wine pairing € 60 | € 12 per glass | Water € 5 per person
Bräuhausstraße 8, 80331 Munich
Pictures:
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