If you are not in the middle of it all, your summer vacation is either still too far away or unfortunately it’s already over. But for a Mediterranean flair and a little bit of relaxation in between, you don’t have to leave the city. A short trip to Sendling is enough. There has been a café there for a year now, bringing Crete, Ibiza and Co. directly to Munich.
In Café Dankl the guests sit outside under light gray striped awnings, between olive and palm trees, right on one of the most beautiful streets in Munich (at least that’s what the Sendlingers think).
Palm trees green the sidewalk, you can add the sand to it.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The Valleystraße with its listed old buildings and the cobblestones is something very special. And the Café Dankl, which is located on the corner of Danklstrasse, has made use of it. The outside area of the café integrates perfectly into the dreamy flair of the street.
The holidaymakers – excuse me, guests – should also feel like in the Mediterranean: high ceilings, warm colors, lots of wood. The counter is tiled in a star pattern and is reminiscent of an outdoor kitchen in one of these fincas, in which you do nothing better than to live sleepily and contentedly into the day.
Light with wood: the counter in the Dankl
(Photo: Robert Haas)
Medhat Abdelati is behind the concept of Café Dankl. He has lived in Obersendling for 25 years and is originally from Egypt. Abdelati took over the café because he is “totally in love with the area.”
The Obersendlinger is actually the head of an event agency, but in his spare time he is a passionate cook. So he got the idea to run the Dankl café himself, which he runs alongside his job “out of love for this place”.
Egyptian specialties are now also on the menu at Café Dankl. Abdelati is supported by two chefs from Italy and France.
International feasting – it doesn’t always have to be a piece of cake.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The conversion from the former Dankl 32 to the Café Dankl took eight months. There have been delays in the renovation time and again due to the corona pandemic, says Abdelati, because materials had to be delivered from abroad. Like the tiles on the counter mentioned above, they come from Portugal.
What is there and what does it cost?
The culinary offer in Café Dankl matches the well thought-out design. You eat vegetarian or vegan, and pay a corresponding price for it. Fish and meat are only occasionally included in the recipes.
Those who like a hearty breakfast can choose between various sandwiches and egg dishes. The fitness bread with cottage cheese, avocado, tomato salsa and herbs (8.50 euros) tastes fresh, the goat cheese sandwich with artichoke cream (10 euros) tastes like a holiday in Greece.
Good start: scrambled eggs and muesli bowl
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The croissants (2.20 euros) are light and airy. If you prefer a healthier start to the day, choose a muesli bowl with granola, fresh berries and yoghurt (9 euros). There is also a selection of homemade cakes, panini and pastries at the counter.
Cake selection – also for vegans
(Photo: Robert Haas)
You should try the vegan apple pie, which is neither too sweet nor too sour. And the chocolate cake tastes just as its name suggests (all cakes 3.90 euros per piece). Even the more unusual creations can either be eaten on site or taken home, for example the cheesecake with honey and thyme.
How long do you stay?
Yes, they do exist, these cafés, in which you simply “crouch” on the weekend in good Bavarian fashion. Café Dankl is such a place. There is not only breakfast here: You can try your way through the menu for a few hours on the sun terrace when the weather is nice.
Try oriental ratatouille (11 euros) at lunchtime, share Spanish tapas and mezze with friends (3 to 4 euros per portion) in the afternoon, and a glass in the evening Casal da Coelheira, Portuguese red wine, drink (0.1 liters for 3.50 euros). Just like on vacation.
Café Dankl, Danklstraße 32, 81371 Munich, opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed on Mondays, [email protected]