CITY CENTER ­ ALTSTADT. This chic dining room plays host to some of the most fashionable and popular celebrities in the city. Try the lobster thermidor with a nice bottle of champagne and caviar. Nice ambience and delightful service complement an excellent evening of dining.

HAIDHAUSEN ­ BOGENHAUSEN. Enjoy the flavors and ambience of this Bogenhausen fine dining experience. Try the fish, poultry, or game entrées and savor the traditional flavors. An excellent wine list and first-rate service round out the restaurant's gratifying offerings.

CITY CENTER - ALTSTADT. This is the epitome of a traditional German beer garden. Housed in an immense hall that is as wide as a city block and with seating for hundreds of diners and beer connoisseurs. The interior has dark panels with deer heads and old portraits mounted on the walls. Be prepared to share a table and conversation with your neighbors, as most tables seat a minimum of six people. Enjoy mustard pretzels as a prelude to the time-honored German fare, which includes pork shanks and sausages served with Sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.

This German hangout has an eclectic clientele. Close to a university and several publishing houses, it draws both suits and backpacks. The non-smoking section has the best seating, though the patio isn't shabby. After browsing the neighborhood's galleries and boutiques, stop here for a great cup of coffee and some tasty food without the tourist crowds. The wonderful Sunday breakfast stars an assortment of homemade jams and interesting entrees.

ISARVORSTADT. This outdoor café is in a small mall on Lepoldstrasse in the trendy Schwabing district. It features small outdoor tables in the center of the square with umbrellas as well as some indoor seating. With a good assortment of coffees, desserts, and some light German fare, it's a perfect spot to relax and people-watch as you sip an espresso and munch a light snack. Near the Munchener Freiheit metro station.