The Café Guglhupf, a well-loved establishment tucked away in a courtyard near Munich’s Marienplatz, will permanently close its doors on June 30, marking the end of a nearly 48-year legacy. Originally founded in 1977 by Alfred and Gusti Eisenbarth, the café became known for its traditional Bavarian Guglhupf cakes and its inviting atmosphere. In 2021, their children, Marc and Irmi Eisenbarth, took over the reins in an effort to continue the family tradition alongside their full-time careers. However, rising operational costs, a changing consumer landscape, and skyrocketing rent—exceeding 30% of revenue, far above the recommended industry range—have made the business unsustainable.
The closure comes as another blow to Munich's gastronomy scene, which has already seen the loss of multiple iconic locations in recent years. The café’s struggles are emblematic of broader challenges facing small, independent eateries in the city, including soaring utility costs, staff shortages, and shifting dining habits. "The gap is widening," Marc Eisenbarth explained. "Those who used to come three times now visit once, and some no longer come at all." The economic strain has been exacerbated by critical reviews online when staff shortages led to slower service, creating a vicious cycle for the café’s reputation.
For the café’s 30 employees, many of whom served loyal patrons for decades, the closure has been an emotional blow. Sofia Angelou, who worked at the café for 15 years, described it as a second home. While the news of the closure wasn’t entirely unexpected, it still left staff disheartened, with some describing it as losing a piece of their community. Fortunately, local restaurateurs have expressed interest in hiring the displaced employees, and efforts are underway to help them secure new positions.
As the doors close on June 30, the fate of the café’s location remains uncertain. Discussions are ongoing about potential interim uses, including pop-up ventures, but nothing has been confirmed. For longtime patrons of Café Guglhupf, there’s a small silver lining: the beloved cakes will still be available at Oktoberfest this year, providing a bittersweet opportunity to savor the flavors of a cherished institution that has now become a memory.
The Café Guglhupf, a well-loved establishment tucked away in a courtyard near Munich’s Marienplatz, will permanently close its doors on June 30, marking the end of a nearly 48-year legacy. Originally founded in 1977 by Alfred and Gusti Eisenbarth, the café became known for its traditional Bavarian Guglhupf cakes and its inviting atmosphere. In 2021, their children, Marc and Irmi Eisenbarth, took over the reins in an effort to continue the family tradition alongside their full-time careers. However, rising operational costs, a changing consumer landscape, and skyrocketing rent—exceeding 30% of revenue, far above the recommended industry range—have made the business unsustainable.
The closure comes as another blow to Munich's gastronomy scene, which has already seen the loss of multiple iconic locations in recent years. The café’s struggles are emblematic of broader challenges facing small, independent eateries in the city, including soaring utility costs, staff shortages, and shifting dining habits. "The gap is widening," Marc Eisenbarth explained. "Those who used to come three times now visit once, and some no longer come at all." The economic strain has been exacerbated by critical reviews online when staff shortages led to slower service, creating a vicious cycle for the café’s reputation.
For the café’s 30 employees, many of whom served loyal patrons for decades, the closure has been an emotional blow. Sofia Angelou, who worked at the café for 15 years, described it as a second home. While the news of the closure wasn’t entirely unexpected, it still left staff disheartened, with some describing it as losing a piece of their community. Fortunately, local restaurateurs have expressed interest in hiring the displaced employees, and efforts are underway to help them secure new positions.
As the doors close on June 30, the fate of the café’s location remains uncertain. Discussions are ongoing about potential interim uses, including pop-up ventures, but nothing has been confirmed. For longtime patrons of Café Guglhupf, there’s a small silver lining: the beloved cakes will still be available at Oktoberfest this year, providing a bittersweet opportunity to savor the flavors of a cherished institution that has now become a memory.
