With “Ginger & Gray’s” Milan Blanusa and Kevin Otto fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2020, even if the pandemic, like so many restaurateurs, made a lot of demands on them, especially in the early days: They had only just opened their café in Lehel, there it was suddenly only to-go business possible.
The two men, after whose beard colors Ginger & Gray’s is named – Otto is the man with the red one, Blanusa the one with the gray one – still didn’t give up and even founded a catering company of the same name in 2021. Many sleepless nights and cupcakes later, they dared to start again at the end of last year: They moved their café to Maxvorstadt.
The new shop on Hessstrasse offers plenty of space for the guests – and many different styles: At the entrance there is a huge colorful graffiti, on another wall – of course made of plastic – the heads of ostriches and giraffes, which act as lamps, are hanging again on another wall is the word “Café” in large illuminated letters. The area behind the counter is tiled in black, guests can make themselves comfortable on several brown leather couches and chairs covered with cowhide.
It may be difficult to identify a uniform furnishing concept, but the way everything is placed leaves no doubt that nothing has been left to chance here. If you found out that Ginger & Gray’s is an American diner chain that has all its stores set up like this, you wouldn’t be too surprised.
This is probably no coincidence: After all, the operators Blanusa and Otto deliberately describe Ginger and Gray’s on their Instagram page as “American-inspired”, inspired by the States. And what’s more American than a diner?
What is there?
The American influence also runs through the food and drink menu. No wonder, since the chef comes from San Diego: In addition to pancakes with regularly changing specials – dark chocolate raspberry pancakes and nougat banana pancakes (each 14.50 euros) are on the menu at the moment – you can get them at Ginger & Gray’s has a variety of breakfast burritos on weekends.
For example, there is the “Granjera” burrito (14.99 euros), which is filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, cheese, grilled peppers, onions and mushrooms as well as guacamole and sour cream, or the “San Diego” burrito ( 17.99 euros) comes with a grilled steak instead of bacon. As a meatless alternative, there is the “Verdura” burrito (13.50 euros). All three are guaranteed to fill you up. As a hearty alternative to the burrito, there is also a croissant sandwich (9.99 euros). This is filled similarly to the “Granjera” burrito, just without the sauces.
If you fancy a taste experience, you should try the Hangover sandwich: Franzbrötchen are grilled with cheese, bacon, grilled chicken and a fried egg in this creation, topped with a dash of maple syrup. Sounds daring, tastes delicious – only the cheese could be a little melted.
Whether sweet or savory: All dishes at “Ginger & Gray’s” are suitable for sharing.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
In Ginger & Gray’s you will meet many English-speaking guests.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
“Plain Jane” is also delicious: it consists of four slices of French toast with whipped cream, maple syrup and fresh fruit (7.99 euros). And Ginger & Gray’s wouldn’t be Ginger & Gray’s if there weren’t unusual specials for every perfect weekend brunch here too: What does French toast with biscoff sauce and apple and cinnamon compote or one with fresh bananas and caramel sauce (14, 50 Euros)?
If the selection is not enough for you, you should take a look in the large glass showcase right next to the entrance: In addition to classic brownies, you will find calorie bombs in various flavors (between 3.70 euros and 4.80 euros, depending on the size). And like almost everything served at Ginger & Gray’s, sharing the cakes isn’t a problem. The pieces are generous.
In addition to classics such as cappuccino (small 2.90 euros/large 4.20 euros), the drinks menu also includes a turmeric and a red beet latte (each 4.50 euros) for those who like to experiment and friends of vegetables, for a surcharge of 60 and 50 euros respectively Cent there is an extra shot of whipped cream or syrup in and on all hot drinks. Unlike in a diner, however, you don’t get as much coffee as you want.
Recently, vegans have also got their money’s worth at Ginger & Gray’s. The Black Forest cherry pancakes and the Cookies’n’Cream pancakes (14.50 euros), which are new on the menu as a winter special, are also available without animal products. A vegan croissant sandwich with grilled vegetables, vegan bacon and vegan mayo and a vegan bagel sandwich with hummus, rocket and grilled vegetables also made it onto the menu.
Who do you meet there?
Many English-speaking guests and those who celebrate the American lifestyle are sitting at the tables. Especially for the latter, the operators are always considering special campaigns, such as a Christmas pajama brunch in the run-up to Christmas or a hangover brunch on New Year’s Day.
During the week, despite the lunch menu and a large selection of drinks for a nightcap, it still seems a bit difficult to get the tables full, because the café on Hessstrasse can only hope for passing customers to a limited extent. Reservations are recommended on weekends.
Incidentally, Ginger & Gray’s is ideal for people with walking difficulties: there are no stairs and the aisles between the tables are wide enough for a wheelchair or a stroller.
Ginger & Gray’sHeßstraße 74, 80798 Munich, regular opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Breakfast is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.