Twenty years in Munich have taught me that the city's greatest luxury isn't exclusivity — it's authenticity. I'm drawn to places where you can still feel the people behind them. Family-run institutions, neighbourhood favourites and beautiful spaces where craftsmanship speaks louder than algorithms, and quality never has to compete with an Instagram feed. Summer is when Munich feels most like itself. Mornings begin in the Isar, afternoons drift towards the lakes, and evenings almost always end around a table with friends. These are the places that have shaped my perfect Munich summer.
Where I go to float: Naturbad Maria Einsiedel
There are places you recommend, and then there are places you almost want to keep to yourself. Naturbad Maria Einsiedel belongs to the second category. Fed directly by the Isar, this natural pool lets you drift with the current rather than swim against it. On warm summer mornings, it's one of the few places where Munich feels unexpectedly wild — green, peaceful and wonderfully untouched. Afterwards, I always wander over to the beer garden at Asam Schlössl. Hidden beneath old chestnut trees, the former hunting lodge feels beautifully timeless. Good Bavarian food, cold beer and absolutely no rush. It's one of those places that quietly reminds you how elegant simplicity can be.
Address: Maria-Einsiedel-Straße in Munich
The drive is part of the destination: Hubl Fischerei, Bad & Boote I Starnberger See
Some places become more beautiful because they never change. Hubl Fischereibad in Bernried has exactly that kind of charm. A family-run lakeside retreat with vintage pedal boats, homemade streusel cake, perfectly kept lawns and an atmosphere that feels refreshingly untouched by time. Even getting there is part of the experience. Driving through Bernried feels like moving through a perfectly composed postcard of Bavaria — flower-filled gardens, historic wooden houses and quiet streets that seem almost too picturesque to be real. This is summer at its slowest.
Address: Bernried at Starnberger See
The long lunch: Zum Fischmeister I Starnberger See
If I had to choose one place that captures summer by the lake, this would probably be it. Whether you sit inside the historic restaurant or outside beneath the trees, everything feels wonderfully relaxed. Freshly caught Renke is the classic, although the schnitzel has earned its legendary reputation for good reason. My favourite ritual is simple: lunch first, a swim afterwards at the little bathing spot beside the restaurant, then dessert as the afternoon slowly turns into evening. If you still have room, drive a few minutes to Seeshaupt for a spaghetti ice cream at Allora Signora. Whenever possible, go during the week. The weekends belong to everyone escaping the city.
Address: Ambach at Starnberger See
The pizza I'd cross town for: Pizzeria Grano
Munich has plenty of Italian restaurants. Grano simply feels Italian. Hidden behind the Stadtmuseum, everything is wonderfully uncomplicated. Red-and-white checked tablecloths, little plastic chairs, a short menu and pizzas straight from the oven. No unnecessary reinvention, just consistently delicious food served without fuss. Sometimes that's all you need. Friday lunch is my favourite time to go.
Address: Sebastiansplatz, Munich City Centre
My favourite little restaurant: Malva Menue Restaurant
I love restaurants that know exactly who they are. Tucked away in Haidhausen, Malva isquietly confident. Two young chefs create beautifully balanced seasonal menus that never feel overworked or theatrical. Three or four courses, thoughtful wines and one of the loveliest little terraces in the neighbourhood. Reserve outside if the weather allows.
Address: Haidhausen, Munich
Sundays done right: Goldene Bar
Every city needs a terrace where afternoons naturally become evenings. For me, that's Goldene Bar. Hidden behind Haus der Kunst, it has become my favourite Sunday ritual. I usually start with an exhibition, take a short walk past the Eisbach surfers and end up here for an early evening drink. The terrace is generous, lively and effortlessly beautiful without ever feeling too polished. Sunday is when Munich feels most like itself.
Address: Haus der Kunst, Munich
The bar that feels like home: Bar Davide
Some places are stylish. Others have soul. Davide and Tom have created one of the warmest bars in Munich. Every detail has been considered, from the interiors to the drinks and the beautifully curated evening menu. It's the kind of place where hospitality comes naturally, conversations become longer than expected and regulars are greeted like family. Jewellery designer Saskia Diez regularly cooks for dinners venues here — a perfect reflection of the creative community that surrounds the place.
Address: Glockenbachviertel, Munich
Aperitivo hour: L'Americano
People often say Munich is Germany's most Italian city. L'Americano makes a convincing argument. Come for one perfectly mixed spritz and chances are you'll stay all evening. The team welcomes everyone with warmth, humour and just the right amount of Italian charm. By your second visit, you'll probably hear a cheerful "Ciao!" before you've even found your table. Exactly how aperitivo should feel.
Address: Glockenbachviertel, Munich
What I'm wearing: Fashion by Casa Nata
Munich summers have their own rhythm.
You might start the morning floating through the Isar, spend the afternoon in meetings and finish the day over wine on a terrace – without ever going home to change. That's exactly why I reach for Casa Nata every summer. Designed in Germany and crafted from two beautifully breathable cotton qualities, the pieces are made for movement, ease and longevity. The silhouettes are clean, the colours quietly expressive and every style feels as appropriate by the lake as it does in the city.
Never overdressed. Never underdressed.
Just beautifully considered.
Address: Casa Nata Showroom, Elvirastraße, Munich-Neuhausen
Where I reset: Pilates
Pilates has been part of my weekly routine for years. Two or three sessions, depending on where I am in the city and what my calendar allows. Just like with restaurants, I'm drawn to places with substance rather than spectacle. Studios where people come to move well, not to perform. Where good teaching matters more than mirrors, perfectly coordinated outfits or filming the workout.
When I'm looking for precision, I go to Wunda Pilates with Anna Hammer. Her name says it all. Beautiful one-to-one sessions in a calm studio, with an emphasis on breathing, alignment and understanding the fundamentals. She teaches Pilates from the ground up, exactly as it was meant to be practised.
Address: Wunda Pilates, Landwehrstraße 39 RGB, Munich
If I'm after a proper challenge, you'll find me at Reformer Room with Ilana Begovic. Sharp tongue, a big heart and absolutely uncompromising classes. You'll leave stronger than you arrived.
Different styles, the same philosophy: no hype, no performance, just really good Pilates.
Address: Reformer Room, Franziskanerstraße 38, Munich
Casa Nata is all about effortless style - modern, timeless, and free from passing trends. With a focus on clean lines, premium materials, and refined details, each piece is designed to be a staple with a twist. The collection embodies a purist yet feminine aesthetic, offering strong, versatile essentials that can be mixed, matched, and reinvented time and again. It’s fashion stripped down to its essence - chic, confident, and uncomplicated.
Founded by Carolin Sangha in 2016, Casa Nata is a reflection of her personal style and creative vision. With a background in fashion and interior design, she has spent years shaping brands and collections with a sharp eye for quality and craftsmanship. Inspired by her upbringing in India, extensive travels, and passion for pure shapes and colors, she has created a label that merges minimalism with thoughtful details, making each design subtly unique.
Every Casa Nata piece is made in Germany, produced exclusively in a family-run atelier in Bavaria, where expert craftsmanship meets sustainable production methods. The collection is built around natural fibers, consciously sourced and minimally processed to reduce environmental impact. When leather is used, it is naturally tanned, and only the most responsible dyeing processes are applied.
Casa Nata believes in quality over quantity - choose well, and invest in pieces that truly last.
Beyond clothing, Casa Nata is a mindset - a way of dressing that feels effortless yet intentional. The brand collaborates with artists and creative women worldwide, developing projects that go beyond fashion and celebrate a shared vision of beauty, simplicity, and sustainability. With a showroom in Munich, Casa Nata welcomes those who appreciate timeless style, impeccable craftsmanship, and the freedom to dress with clarity and confidence.
.jpeg)
