Along with New York, Munich is the city with the highest number of publishing houses worldwide. This goes hand in hand with the fact the city has attracted famous intellectuals for the last two centuries. So it is no surprise that many fabulous and well-assorted book shops – especially art book shops – can be found in the former Bohemian-intellectual quarters Schwabing and Maxvorstadt near the University.
Having said that I always felt Munich was lacking a more design lead and young version. Sebastian Steinacker has obviously felt exactly the same way and filled the gap by opening Soda just off Viktualienmarkt after relocating from London.
Soda stocks an eclectic selection of books and rare magazines all around art, design and fashion but you will also find beautifully designed pop-up books such as "One Red Dot" by David A. Carter for children or the "Star Wars pop-up guide to the galaxy" not for children. It is also worth checking the website for book or magazine launches which are celebrated in the premises and attract Munich's creative crowd.
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Here comes a tip about riding a bicycle in Munich in a very sweet area with beautiful views that's known around town as Little Venice - "Halaching Way."
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"GötterSpeise" is a brilliant chocolaterie in Munich with its own concept - think Alice in Wonderland meets Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...
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"Gans Woanders" has recreated and reinvented the Witch's Gingerbread House to present a masterpiece that houses a colourful cultural scene in Munich...
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"Perlach Forest" in Munich is a piece of nature to the southeast of the centre of Munich. Every day of every season of every year, it is beautiful...
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"Cooperativa" is my favourite restaurant in Munich. Absolute. Favourite. And not just for the past year, but for the past 10 years!
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"Sofa So Good" in Munich is a bar from friends to friends. It's an association with 35 rotating bartenders! Come here to discover Munich as it really is...
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"Maria" in Munich is a great, unpretentious café/restaurant I love to visit for lunch or dinner. You can spend a day there feeling you are looked after...
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