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Hungry Heart – The Restaurant Inside

Hungry Heart Many people know "Hungry Heart." Too many, however, see it simply as a café or "mere" breakfast spot. I recently visited and took a different look at "Hungry Heart." Since June 1, 2017, the café, which has been there since August 2010, has also been open in the evenings, transforming into a bar and after-work hangout. I also took a close look at the lunch menu and mentally compared it to my visits many years ago. Here are my impressions.

What awaits you at "Hungry Heart"?

First of all, for those who don't know it yet: "Hungriges Herz" (Hungry Heart) is located directly on Fraunhoferstraße, a stone's throw from the U2 subway station of the same name. As mentioned earlier, they offer a wide selection of breakfast options ranging from €3.90 to €21.90 (for example, the "Herzblatt für zwei" (Heartbeat for Two) with a bread basket, cold cuts, cheese, salmon, avocado, soft-boiled eggs, and fruit salad). There are also plenty of extras, egg dishes, sandwiches (avocado, Nutella, chives, etc.), and more. As delicious as all that sounds, that's not what I'm talking about today. The breakfast is good; I've tried it myself several times and have always been satisfied with the quality, quantity, presentation, wait time, and value for money.

In this case, I was more interested in the main courses, specifically the categories "With Love," "Salads," and "Super Bowls." Besides the weekly changing, handwritten menu on the wall and the stone-baked pizzas (more on those in a moment), this, along with breakfast, constitutes the entire culinary offering at "Hungry Heart." In addition, there's a wide selection of drinks, including homemade cocktails, hot beverages, teas, a small wine list, and—very importantly!—homemade lemonades, signature drinks, and summer specials. In fact, "homemade" is a recurring theme throughout the entire menu. For example, the cakes, lemonades and iced teas, drinks, juices and smoothies, sauces, and dressings are all homemade.

The heart-shaped pizzas

Of course, the pizzas are a must-try. Heart-shaped, classic, or with more unusual toppings (e.g., pear, Gorgonzola, and Parma ham, or sucuk, spinach, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes). The "Hungry Heart" team is also proud of being the first to serve pizzas not round or square, but in the shape of hearts. Creative, right? If you're in a hurry, you'll have to forgo the heart-shaped pizzas, but you can pick up a slice of one of three different toppings daily from 12:00 PM at the "Hungry Heart" pizza stand (Fraunhoferstraße side) (between €2.50 and €3.50).

Lunch at the „Hungry Heart“

As mentioned, the weekly menu is displayed on the wall, handwritten, and changes every week. There isn't a set lunch menu, but from Monday to Friday between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm, the restaurant offers a free small spritzer (your choice) with every dish from the weekly menu. I think that's great; I'm always thirsty when I eat. The weekly menu offers additional dishes on top of the regular menu, ensuring plenty of variety. From Monday to Friday, there's also a daily pizza special for €8.90 and, for example, the truffle pizza for €11.90. The "1 slice of pizza + side salad + 0.2l spritzer for €6.80" offer is the lunch special described above and is available year-round. Alternatively, at lunchtime, they sometimes offer soups, other salad creations, penne, or – very popular right now! – a „pulled pork burger“ with coleslaw, BBQ sauce, sweet potato fries (homemade!) and melted mozzarella (for €9.90). As you can see, things don't get boring!

The view from the terrace looking inwards

The "Hungry Heart" as a bar and after-work hotspot

Imagine it's morning and midday, the sun is on its way, and you have only one thing on your mind: relaxing, quenching your thirst, and seeing your friends! One answer could be: "Hungry Heart"! Because there, on the terrace, you'll find sunshine, summer vibes, and the perfect drinks to match from late afternoon onwards. In addition to various sodas, the menu also includes cocktails and homemade summer drinks. The classics (Aperol Spritz, Hugo, Lillet Spritz) start at €5.90. A special thumbs up goes to the "Heart Spritz" with Ramazzotti Rosato, rhubarb juice, Prosecco, basil, and raspberries (€6.20). Super refreshing and the perfect sundowner for balmy summer evenings or a chat with friends. Those who enjoy cocktails should order the "Heart Mule" with gin, lime, cucumber, rosemary, tonic water, and ginger beer (€8.90) or the new "Berry Bowl" with bourbon, raspberry puree, blackberries, lemon, mint, ginger, and brown sugar (€9.90). A raspberry mojito is also available.

My food, my review

To show you just how worthwhile it is to visit, I'll describe the lunch I had with my companion. We opted for one of the eight different bowls, priced between €5.90 and €9.90. The "must-have," they said, was the "Lady Bowl" with beetroot, salmon, quinoa, carrots, spinach, pistachios, and balsamic dressing (€9.90). I took them at their word and ordered the exceptionally generous bowl. It paired perfectly with my homemade "Thaimo" (€4.80), which I'd also taken as a recommendation. The homemade drink had an intense but not overpowering ginger flavor and was served in an aperitif glass. My companion ordered the homemade pomegranate-mint spritzer (with lime, mint, water, and pomegranate syrup for €4.20) along with "The Breakfast Club Sandwich" (€9.50). This sandwich featured fried eggs, bacon, avocado, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and homemade tomato aioli sandwiched between three layers of toast. Let me tell you, this is a sandwich that will definitely fill you up. Conversely, trying to finish both the bowl and the sandwich on your own (…you know how it is when you're hungry and you get the urge to order a lot… ;-)) – you don't stand a chance! The portions are consistently generous, as I observed on the plates of neighboring tables. Furthermore, the food is attractively presented at "Hungry Heart," and you can see and taste the freshness. For example, the sandwich came with a small bowl of fresh fruit. The spinach in my bowl was also beautifully fluffy, rich green, and hadn't wilted at all – therefore, fresh.

The "Ladies Bowl" with fresh salmon, quinoa, and spinach. Yum!

Don't ask me why, but as full as I am, the saying "sugar has a stomach of its own" proves true for me every single day. Without hesitation, I ordered the cappuccino (the coffee will be changing soon...) along with cheesecake. I didn't have to think twice about ordering this particular cheesecake, because "Hungry Heart" actually won first place for the best cheesecake in town. And rightly so! ...and worth every calorie! Personally, I don't like it when the back of the cake, the "wall," is so hard that you completely forget about the fluffiness of the rest of the cake when you bite into it. Not the case here, so my tip is: order it and postpone your bikini body plans until tomorrow! The large cappuccino – as you can see in the photo – is really quite large, so the small one should be enough if you just want something to accompany the cake. (What I find amazing is that they've been serving the same (delicious) South Tyrolean milk chocolate hearts with hot drinks for eight years now!) The team here makes sure every guest feels welcome. For example, they've consciously and specifically included vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. But they're also happy to welcome guys just for an after-work beer (Franziskaner, Tegernseer, Becks), families, business people, and so on.

THE cheesecake par excellence.

Background information, hard facts, and personal opinion

Cozy, that's for sure at "Hungry Heart." I've felt comfortable every time I've visited, and even when it gets crowded, the place doesn't lose its atmosphere. This is thanks to the parquet and tile floors, 22 wooden tables and 2 long wooden banquettes, imposing chandeliers with their warm glow, seating nooks with numerous cushions on the windowsills, the walls partially covered with golden brass plates, and the small bar area and pizza station in the back.

The service is quick and gets better with every visit. 🙂 Although "Hungry Heart" offers everything (every dish, every drink, snacks and small couscous salads from the counter, homemade cakes, coffee, pizzas, etc.) to go, I always enjoy staying here, sometimes even for a while. I admit, I've occasionally (and sometimes even myself) encountered "service complaints." However, on my last few visits, there was no sign of any (…no, not because I was there! ;-)). For a cheerful get-together after work, the sunny terrace (for about 20 guests) along the front of the building is also a great option, especially from around 4:30 pm. Inside, there's room for 70-75 people. If you look closely, you'll spot the "Hungry Heart" logo with a bitten corner here and there – for example, on the tables. Of course, you can also reserve a table – but it's best to do that via [website/platform name]. Website – Due to the high demand on site, it is sometimes not so easy to get someone on the phone.

In conclusion, I can and would definitely recommend trying a bowl, a sandwich, a heart-shaped pizza, or a summery drink there. It's worth it!

Details:
Tested: Hungry Heart
Address: Fraunhoferstraße 42, 80469 Munich
Opening hours: Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.,
Friday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Sunday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM,
Generally until 11:00 PM on the day before public holidays, on public holidays depending on the day of the week (see schedule at [website address]). Facebook fan page)
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