Starting the day with an espresso in the Bar Centrale is a firm ritual for many Munich residents. The morning sun shines diagonally into the narrow alleyway between the Hofbräuhaus and Hotel CORTIINA. Italian words mingle with suits, white trainers and foamed milk. People sit at small tables, greet passers-by and, if you didn’t know any better, you’d think you were in the centre of Italy.
Rudi Kull, who now runs five individual, timeless bars, restaurants and a boutique hotel in Munich together with Albert Weinzierl, knows how to create authentic flair. When the two met over 20 years ago, Munich’s city centre was deserted in the evenings – today they have shaped Munich’s restaurant scene like no other, not least thanks to their courage and a special eye for detail.
It all began in 1996 with a French bistro in New York style – a vision that Rudi Kull brought with him to Munich from his first stops in Los Angeles and New York and which his partner Albert Weinzierl realised with great attention to detail. In 2001, Kull and Weinzierl brought the concept of the boutique design hotel to Munich with the CORTIINA. Few rooms, a top location and that typical, eclectic mix that characterises boutique hotels and always has a very personal touch. This fits perfectly with its gastronomic concepts, each of which stands for a harmonious overall concept and impresses above all with its understatement. The individual signature of the two owners is unmistakable and is characterised by the successful fusion of space, architecture and high service quality. Everything is unpretentious, lively and authentic – like a short holiday in Veneto. But Rudi Kull also has some personal tips for Munich – Italy’s northernmost city after all.
Personal tips from Rudi Kull
I can forget the time at Museum Brandhorst – my favourite place is the Cy Twombly room. This spatial staging is unique due to the mutual effect and coordination between architecture and art. Museum Brandhorst
Theresienstraße 35a
80333 Munich
The Bratwurst Glöckl on Frauenplatz in Munich offers the best beer in town as well as very good Bavarian cuisine.
Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl am Dom
Frauenplatz 9
80331 Munich
www.bratwurst-gloeckl.de
Our Buffet Kull offers urban flair and sophisticated brasserie cuisine just a few steps away from the Cortina Hotel.
Buffet Kull
Marienstraße 4
80331 Munich
www.buffet-kull.de
The afternoon classes at the Jivamukti yoga school bring me into balance. Here there is space for movement and stillness – physically and mentally. Jivamukti Yoga
Buttermelcherstraße 11-15
80469 Munich
You have to know the Schmalznudel aka Cafe Frischhut at Viktualienmarkt! A Munich original with delicious pastries and coffee. Schmalznudel – Cafe Frischhut
Prälat-Zistl-Straße 8
80331 Munich
I find vases and florals from all over the world at the Blumen Company in the lively Glockenbach neighbourhood. Owner Julius Linke has created a place here that could just as easily be in Paris. Flower Company
Rumfordstraße 43
80469 Munich
