Dolci are a specialty of “Che Follia”.
(Photo: Catherine Hess)
It is always said that Munich is the northernmost city in Italy. But does that also mean the district of Trudering in the east? If you walk along the centrally located Truderinger Strasse, you won’t immediately feel anything of the southern dolce vita. Everything has looked new since the town center was renovated – actually the opposite of the areas in southern Italy, where beauty lies in the imperfect. But it is precisely this southern Italian flair that the “Che Follia” espresso bar wants to spread.
What madness – the name of the café, as it is translated, says it all, at least with regard to the location: in the immediate vicinity there are knuckles in the butcher Obermaier and pretzels in the bakery Ratschiller’s. In between, small pastry specialties such as sfogliatelle and cannoli from southern Italian cuisine are spreading.
“Che Follia” has been around for six years now. The operator Natascia Puppi was self-employed at the time and wanted to fill a gap in the market. “I worked downtown, and there was always the same food around. So I thought it would be nice if there was a café that offered these specialties that we offer.”
When the building of the former Linde pastry shop became vacant on Truderinger Strasse, she seized the opportunity, applied with her concept for the shop – and was awarded the contract.
Natascia Puppi offers various breakfast plates in her café.
(Photo: Catherine Hess)
Of course, good coffee should not be missing.
(Photo: Catherine Hess)
The interior of the café is as cramped as one is used to from Italy. There are only six little tables; when it’s cold outside, it’s all the more cozy inside. But the furnishings are ultra-modern: the blue glass ball lamps above the comfortable seats create an almost hip atmosphere.
What is there and how much does it cost?
The undisputed number one on the drinks list is the cappuccino (3.20 euros) – just like on holiday in Italy. There are also plenty of other types of espresso, such as the classic latte macchiato or the less well-known Marocchino with chocolate. Incidentally, the coffee comes from a Munich roastery.
The choice of food is also extensive: there are three different breakfast platters for those who are hungry. If you want a bit of everything, it’s best to take the “Colazione ‘Che Follia'” (14.50 euros). It has everything from Italian salami to Parma ham and cheese to apricot jam. There are also small rolls and freshly squeezed orange juice.
If you don’t want to do without a sweet dessert, you can’t get past the well-stocked counter. The filled cannoli (2.50 euros or 4.50 euros for the “Grandi” version) and sfogliatelle (1.50 euros to 1.80 euros) are always included as small snacks.
“Che Follia” has sweet cannoli.
(Photo: Catherine Hess)
A cornetto also goes well with the cappuccino.
(Photo: Catherine Hess)
Arancini, fried rice balls, are a specialty from Sicily.
(Photo: Catherine Hess)
But number one when eating are the cornetti. They are available plain (2.00 euros) or with a filling (2.20 euros) – either with jam, pistachios, vanilla cream or the classic way with chocolate. Breakfast is served until 11.30am on weekdays and until 1pm on weekends. For lunch there are daily changing dishes from salad to pasta to tramezzini. The Arancini are a good hearty snack for in between, the fried and stuffed rice balls are a Sicilian specialty.
Who do you meet there?
The “Che Follia” is away from the tourist hotspots. It’s still well attended. “We’re not in the city center, but we’re on Truderinger Strasse,” says managing director Puppi. Even tourists end up in the “Che Follia”, which is mainly due to the adjacent hotel. But many locals also come to enjoy the specialties from the southern Italian cuisine without having to travel too much.
Che FolliaTruderinger Straße 306a, 81825 Munich, telephone: 089/20982810, opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m