The capital city of Bavaria is more or less equally split these days between tradition and modernity. On the one hand it’s well known as one of the country’s most traditional places, famed for its charming Altstadt (old town), large and lively beer halls and gardens (not forgetting the Dirndl-and-Lederhosen-heavy Oktoberfest), and its meaty cuisine (think weisswurst, liver dumpling soup and suckling pig). On the other hand it is also an undeniably well-heeled and cosmopolitan city. While it might lack the cool edge of Berlin or Hamburg, the city has long been known for its superb cultural life, which spans several world-class museums, galleries and theatres including the Pinakothek der Moderne, the Alte Pinakothek, the Museum Brandhorst, the Bavarian National Museum and the National Theatre, as well as lush green spaces including the Englischer Garten (English Garden) and Olympiapark (the Olympic Park). In food terms, Munich has been shaking off its typically german “meat-and-beer” reputation with a growing number of chic, modern restaurants offering everything from seasonal ingredients to vegan and vegetarian cuisine, and niche establishments serving a broad range of international dishes. There is a growing army of independent craft beer (and cocktail) spots, and the city’s famed connection to Italy is showing itself more prominently too, not least in the shape of Eataly, a large-scale operation located in the Schrannenhalle that showcases a vast array of Italian foodstuffs.