For a French bakery with a café and bistro, there is probably no more suitable place in Munich than the Franzosenviertel in Haidhausen. The operators of Les Deux Messieurs chose the beautiful, circular Pariser Platz, which is flowery at least in summer, when it came to expanding from Wiesbaden. The Munich store opened about a year ago: A short time later the second lockdown came, but at least the boulangerie counter was open all the time. Which brings us to the central element of the store.
Macarons! Éclairs! Tartelettes aux fruits! And above all: lots of color! Especially on gray days, the eye is rewarded as soon as you enter the shop at the counter, which in itself is pretty French. The products are not simply put down somewhere, but presented with elegance. You almost forget that the prices are also pretty Parisian. But anyone who feels like God in France spares no expense – especially when it comes to good food.
Definitely the highlight of the store: the counter.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
What is there and what does it cost?
The heads behind Les Deux Messieurs, in German “the two gentlemen”, are called David Kittel and Carsten Huth and have managed to provide a well-mixed menu that combines French with local tastes. The highlight are definitely the sweet delicacies such as the tartes (the one with berries costs 5.20 euros and is definitely worth it), tartelettes (such as “au citron” for 4.60 euros), charlottes (5.20 euros for those who who are not afraid of calories) or smaller specialties such as macarons, the Portuguese pasteis de nata and of course croissants and pains au chocolat.
If you want to stop by for breakfast – and the rule is: the earlier the better, because the shop fills up quickly on the weekend – you are spoiled for choice: for 5.40 euros you can get a classic petit déjeuner with croissant, pain au chocolat and order fruit spread. Breakfast “La Forme”, for example, with fruit salad, avocado and various types of cheese is even more generous. Or the “Le Savoureux” with French sausage and cheese specialties; with the variant “Le Luxe” you get a sparkling wine. There are also eggs, of course. You can also choose from quiches (around 8 euros, depending on the variety), salads (with bulgur or fresh goat cheese for 9 to 10 euros), tartes flambées (9 to 12 euros) and of course croques (8 euros).
This is part of brunch: cheese, ham and eggs. And a glass of sparkling wine.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
Who do you meet there?
The clientele is divided into those who only come to Les Deux Messieurs for bread and baguettes, and those who take a seat at the table for brunch or an afternoon cake with tea or cappuccino. Incidentally, it tastes exactly as it should, with firm milk foam and delicious coffee. In summer the seats outside, right on Pariser Platz, are very popular, in winter you have to make do with the not-too-small hall inside. Incidentally, he wants to work with the wooden tables and sometimes with the music (Oh Champs Élysées …) reproduce the cosiness of many French cafés, but only partially manages it. The walls are too white and bare, the high ceiling is too clothes-shop-like. But at least there is a small play area. A very friendly offer for mothers and fathers who don’t know where to go in trendy Haidhausen. Just like the changing table, which can also be found in the men’s toilet.
Wooden tables and French music: Les Deux Messieurs wants to reproduce the cosiness of many French cafés.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The staff is nice, the service sometimes needs improvement: while one is already full of pain au chocolat and waffles, the other, jealous and hungry, is still waiting for breakfast. In the end it comes and is tasty and beautiful to look at, fresh and well composed. Before you go, take a short break at the counter: You still need a baguette! And a croissant to take home can’t hurt either.
Les Deux Messieurs, Weißenburger Str. 36, 81667 Munich, opening times: Monday to Friday 7.30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.