First up is Mocca (Herzogstrasse 2, Tel. 33 03 97 81). In a move that could signal the beginning of the end for the sort of cool, clinical bars that have besieged the city in the past, this Eastern chillout zone replaces what was previously Munich’s water bar, H2O. Yes, Oriental lounges, with their floor cushions, low tables and chiffon drapes, are big news. Watch out for one appearing on a street corner near you soon.

Speaking of which… another new, loungey, Oriental restaurant has opened in Schwabing. On the corner of Schellingstrasse, Mao (Schleissheimerstrasse 91, Tel. 543 56 71 52) serves stylish Chinese and Thai dishes.

Or take a look at Champor, Munich’s first Malaysian restaurant (Warthestrasse 5, Tel. 99 31 77 64, www.champor.de). As well as a range of special offers, including an all-you-can-eat buffet on Monday evenings for € 12, the restaurant offers a cook-and-dine special. Diners can prepare their own three-course meal, with the help of Champor’s chefs.

Most of the action on the European front seems to be happening in the Glockenbachviertel. At the small but special Tabula Rasa (Holzstrasse 18, Tel. 23 23 18 74), owner Magarete Vila uses organic ingredients to prepare a selection of Jamie Oliver-inspired daily specials for around the € 4–6 mark. Neighboring Amalon (Holzstrasse 16, Tel. 23 22 58 40) is also a popular place and reputedly serves up the best prosecco risotto in Munich. Dishes cost between € 5 and € 15.

For a stylish Italian, head to Vino’s (Eversbuschstrasse 40, Tel. 81 88 83 39). There’s none of your typical red and green deco here—instead this café, winebar and restaurant bears the trademarks of many a modern bar in Munich, with its spacious, dark wooden interior.

Meanwhile, sherry lovers shouldn’t miss an evening organized by Bodega Sandemann. Comprising a five-course meal with appropriate sherries, the event takes place on September 12 at the Hong Kong Bar at Kapuzinerstrasse 39 (Tel. 201 02 05) and on September 13 at Hotel Bittmann in Grosshesselohe (Tel. 749 11 70). For details and reservations contact the respective venue.

While Munich entertainment king Michi Kern’s been having a few problems with the neighbors at his newly opened club and vegan bar Zerwirk, there’s another animal-free zone opened in Schwabing. Natural (Occamstrasse 13, Tel. 38 36 71 56) has been designed according to the principles of feng shui, promising to be a true feel-good zone.

There have even been changes at one of Munich’s most traditional institutions. Yes, the Hofbräuhaus has started offering lighter fare at its new Bräustüberl on the first floor. Dishes include salad of glacéed duck liver and smoked fish and zucchini terrine. But, fear not. If, after all this new-fangled stuff, you’re really in need of some proper food, yes, they still serve a mean Schweinshaxe…