Review Summary
Overall impression after several visits
Zur Gartenlaube is a Greek restaurant in Munich-Moosach near Westfriedhof. I visited several times and tried gyros, calamari, grill platters, cold and warm appetizer plates, dorade, lamb, moussaka, and grilled vegetables. The main strengths are generous portions, Greek grilled dishes, and a relaxed garden setting. On lighter visits, I paid around €10–20 per person. With a main dish and a drink, the bill usually came to €20–30 per person. When I added appetizers, fish, or larger grill dishes, the meal reached €30–40 or more per person. I sometimes got a table without waiting, but on weekends and busy evenings the wait could be long. If I had to recommend only one dish, I would recommend Gyros with Calamari.
Prices and Payment
Cost per person
The most common cost was €20–30 per person. That covered a main dish and a drink on many visits. A lighter lunch came to around €10–20 per person. When I ordered appetizers, fish, or larger grill plates, the total moved closer to €30–40 per person. With a group and several shared dishes, the bill increased quickly.
Specific price examples
I paid €10.90 for a warm appetizer plate on one visit. A larger appetizer plate cost €15.90. A cold appetizer plate for two was close to €20. Gyros, calamari, Grillteller, and Christos Teller usually brought the total to around €20–30 per person with a drink. Fish dishes and bigger orders with appetizers required a budget of €30–40 or more per person.
Payment process
Payment was handled after the meal through the service staff. The process was simple, but on busy evenings it took some time for the staff to return to the table. If there is another plan after dinner, asking for the bill a little earlier is the better choice.
Food Details
Cold appetizer plate
The cold appetizer plate was a good start to the meal. Tzatziki, different dips, pickled vegetables, olives, and bread worked well together. The taste was salty, fresh, and clearly Greek. For a two-person plate close to €20, the portion was not especially large. It was good for variety, but it was not the most filling option.
Warm appetizer plate
The warm appetizer plate included small portions of warm vegetables, cheese, stuffed vine leaves, and other hot items. At €10.90, the taste was good, but the portion did not impress me every time. It worked better as a shared starter before a grill dish. With warm bread and tzatziki, the plate became much more enjoyable.
Gyros
Gyros is one of the key dishes here. On good visits, the meat was well seasoned, not too fatty, and very good with tzatziki. The Sommergyros had a clear spicy kick, so it is stronger than a mild classic gyros. There were weaker visits as well. Once, the gyros was too dry and overcooked, and the fries were limp. This dish depends more on the day and the crowd level than some other menu items.
Gyros with Calamari
If I were ordering only one dish, I would choose Gyros with Calamari. It shows the restaurant’s strengths well because it combines seasoned meat and grilled seafood on one plate. With a drink, I usually paid around €20–30 per person. The portion was large and filling. On good visits, the calamari was tender, while the gyros added enough flavor without overpowering the seafood.
Grilled Calamari
The grilled calamari was one of the best dishes I had here. It was fresh, tender, and had a clean grilled flavor. With lemon, it tasted bright and not heavy. I preferred it with grilled vegetables rather than fries. Anyone who likes seafood can choose this before the classic gyros.
Grillteller and Christos Teller
The Grillteller and Christos Teller were generous plates. Several types of meat on one dish make them good choices for a first visit. The bifteki had a strong meat flavor, and the souvlaki was tender on good days. On one visit, one skewer was a bit tough, and the salad came without a prepared dressing. The meat portions were strong, but sides like fries and salad were not always at the same level.
Dorade and fish dishes
The dorade was a good dish for two people. On one visit, the fish was prepared at the table, which made the meal better. The fish was mild, clean, and worked well with vegetables, potatoes, tzatziki, and aioli. For anyone who wants something lighter than meat at a Greek restaurant, the fish dishes are a strong option. With appetizers and drinks, the bill can easily reach €30–40 or more per person.
Moussaka and lamb
Moussaka was a good choice when I wanted something soft, rich, and comforting. The sauce was deep and the dish was hearty. Korean visitors may find the seasoning slightly salty. The lamb dishes were more intense and paired well with Greek-style sauces. If you want a heavier meal than gyros, lamb is a good direction.
Vegetarian options
There were enough vegetarian options, especially among the starters. Grilled vegetables, Florini, Fawa, stuffed vine leaves, and Greek salad were all good choices. The vegetarian selection was solid for a Greek tavern. Still, if you want a large meat-free main dish, the choices are more limited than the grill menu.
Schnitzel and non-Greek options
The schnitzel was a useful option for anyone who does not want Greek food. The coating was light and crisp, and the meat was tender. Zur Gartenlaube is clearly a Greek restaurant, but this option works well for mixed groups.
Waiting Time and Reservation
Waiting time
The waiting time changed a lot depending on the day. On some visits I sat down immediately and the food arrived quickly. On weekends, warm evenings, and busy beer garden days, the wait was much longer. Once, I waited close to an hour for the food. With children or a fixed plan afterward, I would not visit spontaneously at peak time.
Reservation
A reservation is strongly recommended. In the evening and on weekends, both indoor and outdoor seats filled up quickly. Summer adds more seats in the beer garden, but it also brings more guests. For groups, a reservation is the safest choice.
Parking and Access
Parking
Parking depended on the day. Around Westfriedhof, I found free street parking on some visits, but on other days I had to search longer or use paid parking. When events take place around Olympiapark, parking becomes much harder. Arriving early by car is the better plan.
Public transport
The restaurant is easy to reach by public transport. From Westfriedhof, it is a short walk into the garden area. The location is unusual because it feels green and calm while still being within the city.
Service and Friendliness
Positive service moments
The service was friendly on several visits. The restaurant has a family-run feeling, and the staff often created a welcoming atmosphere. There were visits where the team found a table even when the place was full. I also had good explanations of dishes and small gestures after the meal.
Weaker service moments
The service was not always consistent. When the restaurant was very busy, ordering another drink became difficult. Sometimes it took too long for someone to return to the table. On one visit, the service felt stressed and less attentive. The food is strong, but service during peak hours is the main weakness.
Indoor and Outdoor Atmosphere
Beer garden
The beer garden is one of the best reasons to visit. Sitting among garden plots, trees, and greenery makes the meal feel relaxed. On warm evenings, it is a place where I wanted to stay longer. The outdoor area also works well for families because children have some space and a small play area nearby.
Indoor seating
The indoor area feels more like a rustic wooden lodge than a classic Greek restaurant. That makes the place distinctive. When the room is full, however, it gets loud. Conversations become harder. On cold days, the indoor temperature was not always ideal. For a quieter meal, an early visit or an outdoor table is better.
Restroom and Comfort
Restroom
The restroom was available inside and was clean during my visits. For a restaurant located inside a garden area, the facilities were better than I first expected. I had no major issue with the restroom.
Children and dogs
Zur Gartenlaube is suitable for families. The outdoor area, the small playground, and the relaxed setting make it easy to visit with children. Visiting with a dog was also uncomplicated. For high chairs or special requests, it is better to ask early on busy days.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The biggest pros are large portions, strong grilled dishes, a pleasant beer garden, and the green location. Gyros, calamari, Grillteller, Christos Teller, and dorade were the strongest dishes. For Munich, a €20–30 meal per person is reasonable with this portion size.
Cons
The main cons are waiting time and service inconsistency. On full days, food can take a long time, extra orders are harder to place, and table attention decreases. The indoor room can be loud. Some sides were also inconsistent, especially fries and salad.
Satisfaction and Revisit Intention
Satisfaction
My overall satisfaction is high. Not every visit was perfect, but the best dishes were convincing. I would order Gyros with Calamari, grilled calamari, Grillteller, and dorade again. Zur Gartenlaube is not the place for a rushed meal; it is better for a relaxed Greek meal with a reservation.
Revisit intention
I would visit again. I would especially go in summer, with a reservation and enough time. For a first visit, I recommend Gyros with Calamari. If sharing starters, I recommend combining warm appetizers with a grill dish. For a quieter visit, an earlier time is better than the main dinner rush.
Location Guide
From Westfriedhof
From Westfriedhof, walk toward the garden area. The restaurant is not in a typical shopping street but slightly hidden in the green. The walk is short and easy. It works well before or after a visit around Westfriedhof.
From Borsteimuseum and Olympiapark
From Borsteimuseum, head toward the garden area and follow the path into the greenery. From Olympiapark or SAP Garden, orient toward Westfriedhof. The restaurant is also convenient from Dantebad, making it a good meal stop after swimming.
Check the restaurant location on the map
Food Photos
This review is connected to the city review page below.
Munich Place Reviews