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Winter warmers: The best traditional Bavarian restaurants in Munich

OpenTable February 28, 2019

Fancy a weekend trip abroad to warm your soul with a bit of comfort food? Then head to Munich! The Bavarian capital charms visitors with its half-timbered houses and the picturesque river Isar, winding its way through the entire city. In Germany, Munich is known as the “city with a big heart” and we can’t think of a better place to enjoy hearty comfort food than here.
Ratskeller München
Anyone remotely interested in Bavarian culture and cuisine must pay Ratskeller München a visit. Situated beneath the New Town Hall, the historic cellar restaurant serves classic Bavarian dishes that will warm you up during the cold winter months. Try the roast pork shank with red cabbage and a rich gravy or the ‘beef rouladen’, made to Grandma’s recipe. Of course, you’ll also have to try one of their famous beers too.
Wirtshaus in der Au
A visit to Munich would not be complete without experiencing the traditional cuisine and beer that has been going strong at Wirtshaus in der Au since 1901. Here, you can explore the Bavarian way of life, tuck into delicious dumplings and choose from an array of German sausages. Save room for dessert – their Apfelschmarrn (sliced pancake with apples) is too good to resist.
Irmi Restaurant
If you are curious about modern German comfort food, look no further than Irmi Restaurant. Located in the heart of the Bavarian capital, you can tuck into genuine German classics such as juicy roast pork belly, a hearty veal goulash with dumplings, and Irmi’s legendary Kaiserschmarrn pancakes for dessert. Modern soul food at its best!
Paulaner im Tal
Paulaner im Tal benefits from its prime location next to the city’s famous Marienplatz, the focal point of the city and home to the stunning Marienkirche (St Mary’s Church). Here, you can enjoy Bavarian delicacies. We recommend the Bavarian sausage platter – a variety of grilled Nuremberger sausages, frankfurters, and Bavarian meatloaf served with sauerkraut and roast potatoes.
Bapas München
Bapas serves Bavarian tapas – yes, you read that correctly. The restaurant, located in the city’s hip university district, serves Bavarian delicacies such as dumplings and roast beef in small portions, just like Spanish tapas. Perfect if you want to try as many different dishes as possible and get a true taste of modern Bavarian soul food.
St. Emmeramsmühle
Since 1855, guests have been able to enjoy hearty German food in St. Emmeramsmühle. It ticks all the boxes for an idyllic lunch or dinner in the heart of Bavaria. Guests will feel like they’ve entered the Bavarian version of “The Sound of Music” and will enjoy tucking into their hearty dishes. We recommend trying their homemade “Obatdza” – a Bavarian cheese specialty that will melt your heart.
Zum Stiftl – Mein Wirtshaus
This downtown restaurant uses top quality regional produce in its traditional Bavarian dishes. They even cure, mince, pickle and smoke their own meat in their on-site butcher shop. They’re particularly proud of their homemade sausages – don’t leave without trying their Weißwurst.
For more inspiration, visit OpenTable and discover more great restaurants in Munich.

This is a guest post from freelance journalist Beatrice Clark. She has written for Vogue, Glamour and Vanity Fair, among others, and has spent the past 15 years living in France, England and Scotland. She is currently based in Berlin and is always on the hunt for the perfect Eggs Benedict.

Date Night Dining: 8 romantic restaurants to try in Amsterdam

OpenTable February 27, 2019

In the mood for romance? Give Amsterdam a try. The Dutch capital, known for its creative arts scene (hello, Van Gogh and co.), scenic waterways, and pretty gabled houses, will mesmerise any couple in love. We’ve rounded up some of the best romantic restaurants in Amsterdam for an unforgettable date night. Simply pick your favourite.

De Belhamel
De Belhamel, located at the junction of Amsterdam’s picturesque Brouwersgracht and Herengracht, in a peaceful and idyllic neighbourhood of the Dutch capital, wows guests with its original Art Nouveau features. Entering the restaurant, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to fin de siècle Paris. Of course, the food doesn’t disappoint either – the restaurant’s cooking has won several awards and its waterfront location is the ideal setting for a romantic date night.

Van Speyk
Van Speyk is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike when it comes to a romantic night out. The restaurant charms its guests with a prime city centre location and relaxed brasserie style. Enjoy delicious French-influenced dishes like seared scallops and duck confit and don’t forget to be as seductive as the French would be!

L’invité
If you and your date are into sightseeing, then L’invité Restaurant is the place to be. Situated on the historical Bloemgracht canal, it conjures up memories of the former trading capital and shows Amsterdam life at its finest. L’invité offers fine dining and is part of the Dutch food movement that puts importance upon sustainability and fresh, local produce. We recommend you try the 7-course tasting menu.

Chez Georges
If you favour small, intimate eateries with character and style, Chez Georges is the right place for you and your date. Dining here feels a bit like eating in your own (very fancy) living room and the restaurant, which stretches across three floors, makes sure you’ll feel just as comfortable. Tuck into scrumptious French cuisine and take your time gazing into your partner’s eyes – there’s no pressure to hurry as each table can only be booked once per night.

De Compagnon
De Compagnon ticks many boxes. Located in a monumental building bordering one of Amsterdam’s canals, it offers fantastic views over the waters of the Damrak. Since 1992 the classic French restaurant has established itself as a must-visit when in the Dutch capital. Wine lovers are in for a treat – the wine list boasts around 400 wines and is among the most extensive and unique in the Netherlands.

Brasserie Ambassade
Planning to celebrate a special anniversary? Then look no further than Brasserie Ambassade with its sparkling chandeliers, contemporary décor, French cuisine and stunning canal views. We recommend the 3-course tasting menu and lots of Champagne – the restaurant offers a selection of the very best! An added bonus is Brasserie Ambassade’s Library Bar, where you’ll be served classic cocktails and a selection of the best beers – the perfect setting for an unforgettable date night.

Taiko
Named after ancient Japanese drums said to beat with a mythic rhythm, Taiko is famous for its outstanding Asian cuisine and original flavours. If you’re in the mood for love and would like to take your date on a sensual journey, then this elegant restaurant could be the one for you. Don’t leave without trying the Wagyu beef gyoza or their superb sashimi.

Bridges
Every dish in Bridges looks like a piece of art and tastes equally good. If you and your date are into seafood and fine dining, then this award-winning restaurant will blow you away. Start with some oysters and then move on to dishes like red mullet with langoustine and lardo or sea bass in a salt crust for two to share. For special occasions, why not book the Chef’s Table to enjoy a look behind the scenes and watch the kitchen brigade at work?

Searching for something different? Visit OpenTable to discover Amsterdam restaurants for every occasion.

The dumpling ground: 10 London restaurants serving delicious dumplings

OpenTable February 27, 2019

Ask two people what a dumpling is and they’ll invariably give you a different answer. Steamed, boiled, or fried? There’s Chinese xiao long bao and Japanese gyoza. Some are American-influenced, others steeped in Russian tradition. A good thing, then, London has them all.

Baozi Inn
With a branch in Soho and, more recently, Market Hall in Victoria, Baozi Inn are a prime antidote to beige food. The almost neon-green prawn and chive dumplings, and the traffic cone-orange pork and crab are a case in point.

Kym’s
Though Andrew Wong’s newest restaurant is more focused on Chinese-style grilled meats (think crispy duck, poached soy chicken, Ibérico pork char siu), it would be remiss not to offer a nod to what made his first restaurant – A. Wong – so great. Pork and shrimp dumplings, served in a cast iron pan with fried eggs, spring onions and crispy chilli sauce, is one of the best things on the menu.

Dirty Bones
Limits: sometimes fusion food doesn’t know what that word means. But let’s just have an open mind for a minute. Cheeseburger dumplings. In other words, homemade gyoza filled with burger mince and melted cheese, served with Dirty Bones’ signature burger sauce. Perhaps such a marriage didn’t need to be made, but some are sure glad it was.

Zima
Russian food is considerably underrepresented in London. Indeed, what do we know of it, if not caviar and stroganoff? While Zima very much leads with the former, it’s opened eyes to borsch, pirozhki, and Olivier salad. Dumplings are a star part of the cast too, including potato and mushroom vareniki and pelmeni with black squid ink dough and a three-fish filling.

XU
Chinatown is much more than it might suggest, what with numerous other food cultures represented from East and South East Asia, including Japanese, Malaysian, Korean, and Burmese. XU – of Taiwanese influence – is one such example. Though perhaps ambitious to say they serve the best dumplings in the area (has anyone tried them all?), they’re certainly among the more unique: take the sausage taro, or sweet potato and miso, for instance.

Din Tai Fung
Originating in Taiwan, Din Tai Fung’s London branch was a hot topic of conversation even months before it opened. Queues, subsequently, have rarely been short since. Worth it for the main attraction: the xiao long bao, a steamed bun also known as a ‘soup dumpling’ containing minced pork. Far from the simplest to make on a large scale, Din Tai Fung have perfected their method.

RedFarm
Not one for such a long wait? RedFarm, a 3-minute walk away, provide a good alternative with their own xiao long bao – which some say is even better than DTF’s. Other dumplings, in their many shapes and sizes (and certainly in Red Farm’s case quirkiness), are a theme here too, including ‘Pac Man’ har gau.

Ichibuns
Ichibuns is the classic American diner, via Hokkaido. There’s karaage burgers and ramen alongside sweet potato fries and cherry milkshakes. For a place awash with Japanese pop culture, they still find time for the classics, including gyoza. The veg option (with three different types of mushroom and jicama) is a standout.

Yauatcha
Now with restaurants in three continents, Alan Yau’s ‘contemporary teahouse’ is bringing top drawer dim sum to people across the world. Many dumpling varieties are covered, such as Cantonese shui mai (diced pork in an open dough casing) or har gau (steamed prawn dumpling with a translucent wrapper). Try them at their restaurants in Soho or Broadgate Circle.

My Neighbours the Dumplings
Less a restaurant, more a ‘dumpling house’ with a bar, this place is a paean to parcels of dough, with seven gracing the menu most times. Served dim sum-style in bamboo steamers, they come in the form of classic pork and prawn, the not-so-common scallop and spinach, and much in between.

This is a guest post from freelance food journalist Hugh Thomas. He’s contributed to Foodism, Time Out, Great British Chefs, and is part of British Street Food’s small team of vigilant writers. Find him on twitter @hughwrites.

5 UK restaurants taking the humble kebab to new heights

OpenTable February 26, 2019

Banish all thoughts of dodgy late-night doners – the kebab has officially gone gourmet! In recent years, we’ve witnessed a Middle Eastern food revolution, with restaurants across the UK offering a modern take on classic mezze dishes, smoky grilled meats, and more. Here are five restaurants to check out the next time a kebab craving hits.

BabaBoom – London
With its smiley staff and laid-back buzz, BabaBoom is a kebab joint for all occasions. Whether it’s a team lunch, boozy brunch, or dinner with Mum – it all works here. After a couple of their frozen passionfruit margaritas, choose from kebabs like saffron and orange chicken shish, rotisserie mutton, and broad bean falafel, served on flatbread or fresh fattoush salad.

BAB – Manchester
Gourmet kebabs arrived in Manchester late last year when BAB opened in the city’s Northern Quarter. Their flatbreads are made from scratch in the open kitchen, then cooked on a robata grill for that all-important charcoal flavour. Try one topped with barbecued monkfish, beef cheek and smoked tomato jam, or maybe some pork souvlaki drizzled with tzatziki. This is a world away from your late-night takeaway, and all the better for it.

‘Babs – Glasgow
Founded by the team behind Bread Meats Bread, ‘Babs is a modern kebab house in the centre of Glasgow. With its leather booths, quirky lighting, and patterned tiles, it’s smart enough for date night but casual enough for dinner with your mates. Choose from classics like grass-fed lamb doner and tender chicken shish or try something different, like the swordfish iskender served on a bed of grilled pita with spiced tomato sauce and garlic yoghurt.

Pint Shop – Cambridge and Birmingham
Pint Shop specialises in simple British dishes cooked over charcoal – think steaks, beer-brined chicken, and dirty burgers. With 20+ craft beers on tap and 100-ish gins to choose from, it’s exactly the sort of booze-absorbing comfort food you need. Their coal-baked flatbreads are topped with delicious things like chilli beef, halloumi, and tandoori chicken – you’ll be powerless to resist. Best of all, on Kebab Mondays, you can enjoy any kebab and any beer for a tenner – bargain!

What The Pitta – London and Brighton
If you don’t eat meat, track down What The Pitta in London or Brighton for a totally vegan kebab experience. Their signature doner comes with spiced soya pieces, fresh salad, tzatziki, chilli sauce, and homemade hummus, all wrapped up in freshly made bread. It tastes just like the real deal, just a bit lighter and less like something you might regret the next day.

Hungry for more? If you’re in London, head to Black Axe Mangal, Le Bab in Soho, or try Persian-inspired ‘babs at Berenjak.

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