Walter Ponce
Café im Hinterhof is a vintage-style café in Munich’s Haidhausen neighbourhood, tucked into a quiet courtyard on Sedanstraße between Rosenheimer Platz and the Ostbahnhof. It serves specialty coffee, homemade cakes, breakfast and a light lunch, a nice contrast to the beer gardens and hearty Bavarian cooking Munich is known for.
As the name suggests (Hinterhof means backyard or rear courtyard), the café is hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Inside, it has a vintage charm with mismatched furniture, exposed brick walls and wooden beams. The seating area is small but intimate, perfect for a quiet chat or a solo coffee break.
Café im Hinterhof menu: coffee, cakes and breakfast
Coffee and drinks. The café serves specialty coffees made from ethically sourced beans, including espresso, cappuccino, latte and filter coffee. The baristas are skilled and clearly take pride in their craft. There are also loose-leaf teas, fresh juices and homemade lemonades.
Homemade cakes. One of the highlights. The display case is filled with treats like carrot cake, cheesecake, chocolate cake and apple strudel, made fresh daily with local ingredients whenever possible. There are vegan and gluten-free options too. Munich city guides also single out the café’s Zwetschgendatschi, the Bavarian plum cake.
Breakfast and lunch. The breakfast menu includes classics like muesli, croissants and avocado toast, while lunch features soups, salads and sandwiches. The food is simple but flavourful, and the portions are generous, which is why portions get three stars from me.
Menu (Frühstückskarte): https://hinterhofcafe.jimdofree.com/fr%C3%BChst%C3%BCckskarte/
Café im Hinterhof reviews: is it worth it?
The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with a mix of locals and tourists. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the café had free Wi-Fi when I visited, so it works for remote work or studying too.
Café im Hinterhof is a good find if you want a quiet spot to read a book or catch up with friends over coffee and cake, away from the busy centre. My overall rating is two stars: friendly and charming, with generous portions, at around 20-30 euros per person for brunch at the time of my visit.
Where is Café im Hinterhof? Address and getting there
Address: Sedanstraße 29, 81667 München, Germany Website: https://hinterhofcafe.jimdo.com/
Sedanstraße is on the east side of the Isar river in Haidhausen.
- S-Bahn: Rosenheimer Platz station is on the main S-Bahn line through the city centre, a few minutes’ walk away. München Ost (Ostbahnhof) is also close.
- Tram: several tram lines stop around Rosenheimer Platz and Max-Weber-Platz.
- On foot: from Marienplatz you can walk across the Isar in about 20-25 minutes.
Because the café sits in a courtyard, look carefully for the entrance. That is part of its charm.
Café culture in Munich
Munich’s coffee scene has grown a lot in recent years. Alongside traditional bakeries and Viennese-style cafés, you will find many independent roasters. A few things are good to know:
- “Kaffee und Kuchen” (coffee and cake) is a much-loved German tradition, usually in the afternoon. The cake selection is often best earlier in the day.
- Breakfast and brunch are popular on weekends, and the best-known spots fill up by late morning.
- Carry some cash. Many places take cards now, but smaller cafés may prefer cash.
- Sunday is quiet in Germany, as most shops are closed, but many cafés stay open and get busy.
Bavarian cakes to try
- Apfelstrudel: thin pastry filled with apples, raisins and cinnamon, often served warm with vanilla sauce
- Käsekuchen: German cheesecake made with quark, lighter than the American version
- Zwetschgendatschi: a flat plum cake, popular in late summer
- Prinzregententorte: a layered sponge cake with chocolate buttercream, named after Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria
What to do nearby
- Deutsches Museum: one of the largest science and technology museums in the world, on an island in the Isar
- Isar river banks: great for a walk, especially in summer
- Maximilianeum: the building that houses the Bavarian state parliament, overlooking the river
- Wiener Platz: a small square with a traditional market and maypole
If you are travelling around Germany, you might also like my review of Udum, a vegan restaurant in Cologne.
Tips for your visit
- Go early on weekends if you want a breakfast table, as the seating area is small.
- Ask about vegan and gluten-free options if you have dietary needs.
- Check current opening hours on the website before you go, as small cafés can change their hours.
FAQ
Where is Café im Hinterhof in München? At Sedanstraße 29, 81667 München, in Haidhausen, between Rosenheimer Platz and the Ostbahnhof.
What does “Hinterhof” mean? It means backyard or rear courtyard in German. The café sits in a quiet inner courtyard, which is why it is also searched as “Café Hinterhof München”.
What is on the Café im Hinterhof menu? Specialty coffee, teas and lemonades, homemade cakes, breakfast dishes like muesli and avocado toast, and a light lunch of soups, salads and sandwiches.
Does Café im Hinterhof have vegan or gluten-free options? Yes, at the time of my visit. Check the current menu online.
What do Café im Hinterhof reviews say? If you are looking for reviews (Rezensionen für Café im Hinterhof), mine is above: a charming, quiet courtyard café with good coffee and generous portions.
How much does a visit cost? Around 20-30 euros per person for brunch at the time of my visit. Prices may have changed.
