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Update: The former Eisbach Cafe, later Refettorio, is now "The Spice Bazaar". Delicious oriental dishes in a chic setting.
Refettorio is a relatively new Italian restaurant located on the beautiful Marstallplatz in Munich – adjacent to the upscale Maximilianstrasse. But you'd be wrong if you think it must be a snobbish, expensive Italian restaurant that's not something you can easily afford. Far from it! With its unique concept and success in Salzburg and Milan, Refettorio has now found a home in Munich – in the former premises of "Eisbach." And that's exactly where I recently went with a companion for their Sunday brunch.
But first, let's talk about the restaurant's concept: Refettorio always offers fresh, select products that reflect the current season. Most of the ingredients are sourced regionally from small farms and are predominantly organic, some even biodynamic. The restaurant thrives on simplicity, hospitality, and excellent service. All dishes are prepared fresh daily, and the bread, various pastas, delicious focaccia served with main courses, delectable cakes, and ice cream are all made in-house. Here, you can immerse yourself in the delicious and authentic cuisine of Italy and indulge in a variety of culinary delights.
When my companion and I entered, we were greeted by a friendly server and shown to our pre-reserved table. For those unfamiliar with the building: a completely glass facade overlooking Marstallplatz and the Refettorio's enormous, very quiet wooden terrace, soaring ceilings, simple concrete columns inside, interesting architecture with an elaborately constructed gallery for an additional 45-50 diners, colorful chairs, colorful placemats, hand-painted Italian tiles on the walls, floor-to-ceiling shelves stocked with select products like risotto, oils, pasta, and more, which are also used in the various dishes, and many other details that contribute to a pleasant ambiance. Overall, a very cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for relaxing and lingering. The tables are intentionally large and offer ample space for larger groups. Up to 12 people can comfortably sit at the bright, long, and already set wooden tables with fresh breadsticks for snacking. This means you automatically end up sitting with people you don't know (yet) – creating an open, communicative atmosphere in a pleasant and relaxed way. I especially liked the wooden barrels in the middle of the dining area, filled with the two house wines: one red and one white. The brunch is very reasonably priced. For €16 per person, you can enjoy a delicious Italian meal.
The "Sala dell'arte," located on the upper level of the restaurant, is available separately. Here you can celebrate special private or business occasions and, upon request, order a seven-course menu ("Menu dell'arte") starting at €100 per person. This quiet and secluded area can accommodate up to 12 people, offering you the opportunity to celebrate undisturbed, relax, and enjoy a culinary experience. The restaurant as a whole can accommodate approximately 120 people.
The brunch buffet set up along the long bar in the lower area was very attractively and appetizingly arranged during our visit. A sign above it read "Enjoy, rejoice, relax"—and that sums it up quite well. The buffet offered several varieties of fresh sausage, ham and salami, different cheeses, fresh breadsticks, boiled eggs, various cakes, jams and honey, muesli and cut fruit, sausages, scrambled eggs, etc. Overall, the selection of food was manageable, but well-organized and sufficient. If you are aware of the Refettorio's concept and know that many products are made fresh daily, and that seasonality and the highest quality of each dish are paramount, you can much better understand the somewhat varied and limited selection. Everything tasted fresh and delicious, and we happily returned to the buffet several times.
There's fresh bread, two different kinds of toast, pre-packaged whole-wheat bread, and pumpernickel. I ate a lot of the homemade breadsticks with delicious jam, different kinds of honey, and fresh cheese – very tasty. 🙂 There are also various fresh juices, such as apple, orange, and grape. We both opted for a freshly squeezed orange juice, which tasted delicious. We also ordered one of over 20 different teas (rooibos tea) for €4.50, which is served in a small teapot for you to pour yourself, and a cappuccino. The cappuccino was just the right strength and didn't have too much milk foam.
The restaurant offers a daily changing lunch menu. During our visit, the hot dishes included homemade bigoli (a type of pasta) with Bolognese sauce, pippé with bell pepper cream, or carnaroli risotto with potatoes and leeks, each for €11. For fish lovers, there was a grilled fish platter with mixed salad for €17, and for salad enthusiasts, leafy green salads with king prawns or mixed salad with turkey breast, both for €15.50. In the evenings, during the week, there is also an incredibly extensive and inviting buffet for €20 per person. You can expect a variety of antipasti, main courses, vegetables, fish and meat dishes, and much more.
Refettorio describes itself like this: "Feel like you're among friends. Casual, relaxed, with cuisine you can trust. Simply... Italian!" In my opinion, a very apt description. I can highly recommend a visit there – whether for brunch, the evening buffet, lunch, or to try dishes from the regular menu – Refettorio is the perfect place. On Saturdays, they also offer a breakfast platter (with butter, jam, honey, fruit salad, cake, cold cuts, smoked salmon, salami, prosciutto, etc.) until 1:00 AM for €16 per person or €25 for two people. Refettorio's opening hours are Monday to Friday from 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM and on weekends and holidays from 8:30 AM to 1:00 AM. You can try the brunch on Sundays and holidays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. If you're traveling with family, there's even childcare available for your kids from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the separate children's area. Card payments are accepted at the Refettorio restaurant.
I'll be back: For a truly special (Italian) experience – definitely.
Place visited: Refettorio
Address: Marstallplatz 3, 80539 Munich
Website: Refettorio
Pictures:
Refettorio Munich: The fresh breakfast brunch buffet — Le Gourmand - The gourmet magazine
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