Matthew Scholl (1978)

Warmer weather is finally here and the best way to get around this city in the summer is by bike. How does one get a bike? Head over to Frankie’s Bike Tours & Rentals where you can rent a hip bike for just € 14 a day (€9 for half-day) which includes a light, lock, rack, basket and city maps. You can take Munich by storm on your own, or, better yet, you can join one of Frankie’s fantastic organized tours of the city!

Frankie, originally from Hawaii, knows Munich like the back of his hand. His well organized tours run from mid-March through November and are an easy 4-hours long providing you with a taste of the best spots Munich has to offer. Your guide will not only share with you all you need to know about this amazing Bavarian capital, he’ll also introduce you to one of Munich’s favorite summer pastimes, beergardening! For the standard tour, Frankie’s guides will meet you at Marienplatz under the Marienpillar at 11:30 or 16:00. This standard Munich bike tour runs €22 for adults (€18 for students).

If you can’t make the standard day tour, try Frankie’s Sunset Beer Garden Tour which starts at 18:00 (offered Tue & Sat.). If you’re a history buff and WWII is your thing, Frankie does a unique Third Reich Bike Tour starting at 10:00 (offered Mon, Wed & Fri.)

Finally, if you’re fortunate enough to be in Munich during Oktoberfest, check out Frankie’s tour of the world’s most famous beer festival – see the website or stop by for further details on these special tours.

If you’re a lover of true Neapolitan thin crust pizza, give Pizzesco a go when in Munich next. They have done a very good job of convincing me that there is real authentic Neapolitan pizza to be had in Munich that will not only rock your taste buds, it won’t break the bank!

When walking by the restaurant, you won’t be utterly convinced of the place (I wasn’t), but do yourself a favor and have a look at their pizzas on display, dip your head in the door and you’ll be sold, I promise. The staff is super friendly, welcoming and they’ll even prepare you a mixed plate if you’re looking to try a variety of their different pizzas. You can either take a slice to go (on the hand, as Germans say) or you can dine in while enjoying the eclectic atmosphere and the people watching on Rosenheimerstrasse.

Pizzesco uses the best ingredients, many of which are organic – you’ll taste the difference, I’m sure of it. If you’re looking for gluten-free pizzas, you can find that here too, but only in the evenings and you’ll need to call ahead to place your order. Buon Appetito!

When I talk to Munich visitors, the one thing I hear again and again is how few of them ever cross the Isar River, barring perhaps a brief visit to the Deutsches Museum. I always find this to be such a shame, as some of my most favorite spots are on the “right” side of the Isar, in particular, the Haidhausen neighborhood and its crown jewel, Wienerplatz. Wienerplatz is a quaint square named for the Austrian capital, as the square is located off the “Innere-Wiener-Strasse” which used to serve as the main artery connecting Munich and Vienna.

Go during the week or on a Saturday, as the square is full of small green huts which play host to some of the city’s oldest and smallest grocers. You must experience them while they’re open in order to get a real feeling for the place. The perimeter of the square is full of quaint boutiques and cafes where you can sit for hours on sunny days and watch the square and food stalls come to life.

The far back corner of Wienerplatz also serves as the entrance to the famous Hofbräukeller Biergarten. If you’re in town during the summer months, head over to the Biergarten for dinner (this local’s favorite) and the return back out to the square for an ice-cream at “Amorino” (in one of the green huts) – while Hofbräu beer is good, a scoop of Amorino ice-cream will be the perfect way to end an evening of summer beer gardening.

As I often hear from other North Americans, it can be very difficult to find authentic Mexican food in Europe. For anyone who loves the Mexican kitchen, Munich now offers authentic “cocina Mexicana” at Milagros, located next to the Viktualienmarkt. The second you walk in, you immediately leave Bavaria behind and your senses quickly take you far away – your mouth will begin to water from the amazing aromas of Milagros’ open kitchen.

Everything is prepared fresh and by hand – nothing out of a can here. The open kitchen allows you to see first hand the kind of mastery and care that goes on in the preparation of each meal.

Not to be missed is Milagros’ guacamole served with a bowl of warm homemade tortilla chips, and although I haven’t yet tasted everything on the menu, ”Enchiladas con Salsa de Mole” are quite literally out of this world! New to the menu are the amazing “Tacos al Pastor” and “Gringas” which are, as Scott Myers (Milagros owner) calls them, “quesadillas on steroids” – flour tortillas filled with cheese and a meat of your choice. Try the delicious homemade margaritas, lime-mint or watermelon juices.

Not only is the food amazing, but Milagros is also discerningly designed; from the gorgeous Mexican tile work along the bar and open kitchen, to the rustic wooden tables and the colorful panels on the ceiling, the atmosphere and friendly service will certainly enhance your experience! If you’re looking to find a warm sunny spot in town, Milagros is it!

Salotto is my neighborhood go-to Italian restaurant – I eat here about twice a week. If you’re looking for good quality Italian food (the pizzas are to die for) set in a beautifully designed yet not-fussy, home-away-from-home kind of restaurant, you must check out Salotto. Should you want a light anti-pasti dish and the restaurant appears full, do what I do and pull up a seat at the bar, order an Aperol with prosecco or a Negroni in order to round off a long day exploring Munich.

In the summer, Salotto offers its guests a “grande terrazza” out front which seats up to 70 people. While service can be on the slow side when full (waiters are always friendly regardless), just use the time to sit back and relax – you’re on vacation (and if not, pretend like you are)! Take in this charming neighborhood and observe how St. Anna Platz comes to life on warm summer evenings – your food and drinks will eventually come and you’ll enjoy the experience all the more when they do.

See you at Salotto!