It’s supposed to exist, the so-called autumn blues, in which the mourners mourn the warm summer days while they stare longingly through the window at a gray wall of rain. But if the window is on the upper floor of the Café Bellevue and you are standing in front of a warming milk coffee and one of the opulent breakfast creations, then the blues are replaced by a feeling of inner peace: Yes, you can also have a cool and wet autumn like this endure well.
The Bellevue in Schwabing, not to be confused with the Bellevue di Monaco in the Glockenbachviertel, is actually a good address at any time of the day, as it also offers inexpensive lunch menus, unusual dinner offers and sparkling drinks. Located right next to the Nordbad, the large glass pavilion rises at the corner of Schleissheimer Strasse and Herzogstrasse. When the weather is nice, you can sit on the large terrace on white summer furniture, in autumn and winter guests are drawn inside.
There are comfortable armchairs and leather sofa benches. Tables come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, from square to round, which is particularly useful for larger groups. A special highlight is sitting on the top floor of the restaurant, from where you can look out over Schwabing through the glazed window fronts. In the Bellevue (French for “beautiful view”), the name says it all, the operators promise.
What is there and how much does it cost?
There are ten combinations to choose from on the breakfast menu, plus one creation for at least two and one for at least four hungry people. In addition, other extras can be ordered and freely combined with each breakfast. Three additional breakfast specials are offered on weekends.
The standard menu includes sweet classics such as the “Paris” breakfast (croissant, butter, jam, fresh berries) for EUR 5.80. Bircher muesli with nuts and berries in small (7.40 euros) and large (9.40 euros) and pancakes with maple syrup for 11.40 euros. Hearty eaters can look forward to the vegan bagel “Aleppo” (12.80 euros), which comes with avocado, grilled peppers, aubergine and more. The “Crostini” (11.40 euros) consists of walnut baguette with avocado, hummus and vegetables and is also vegan.
The other combinations offer a mixture of sausage, cheese and egg dishes. In our test, the “Bella Figura” breakfast with plenty of smoked salmon, a fruity avocado and tomato spread and fresh fruit salad (13.80 euros) and the “Palermo” omelette with olives, feta and oven tomatoes were particularly convincing. There was also a fresh walnut baguette.
The eggs that are served at the Bellevue come from our own chickens in the Isar Valley. All of the ingredients are fresh and of high quality. The portions are generous, so you should either be very hungry, have plenty of time, or bring along diligent people to eat. The portion sizes and quality of the ingredients also justify the prices, which are on the high end for a breakfast. With two breakfast combos, drinks and a tip, you can quickly get rid of around 50 euros here.
The barista at work. The coffee comes from controlled trade.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
View of the ground floor of the Bellevue from the upper floor.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
The fair trade coffee from the Puro brand (3.80 euros per cup) tastes excellent, the froth on the latte version (4.20 euros) had the perfect fluff. For a surcharge of 60 cents, the cow’s milk can be replaced by its lactose-free variant or a plant-based alternative (soy or oats). In addition to various coffee specialties, chocolate and chai latte, there is a large selection of teas, either in a cup (4.20 euros) or in a pot (6.40 euros).
For an extra portion of vitamins, there is freshly squeezed orange juice in small (EUR 4.00) and large (EUR 5.80). You can also create your dream smoothie from various ingredients (7.40 euros). You can even have a protein powder mixed into the smoothie – that costs an extra three euros. Otherwise there is the usual selection of soft drinks from table water to juice spritzer.
Who do you meet there?
The Bellevue is a place of cozy togetherness and enjoyment without appearing too hip or old school. The clientele is just as colorful as the selection on the menu. Some people come to recharge their batteries before going to the swimming pool or after they have already completed their morning swim training session. You can meet couples in love here as well as young families, a group of young female students or a circle of old friends who are reuniting for the first time in a long time. For those who come to enjoy their breakfast alone, the café’s “reading bar” stocks magazines and newspapers. In today’s world, when everyone is just frantically typing on their smartphone, a big appeal to slow down everyday life.
Cafe BellevueSchleißheimer Str. 142a, 80797 Munich, e-mail: [email protected], telephone: 089/12700433, opening hours: daily from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m