As you may be aware, the German Tourist Board is running the theme of ‘Culinary Germany’ throughout 2018 in order to highlight some of the fantastic local ingredients used in the country’s cuisine. Things like asparagus, potatoes, fresh fish and beautiful cuts of meat are all turned from humble produce into hearty dishes that are full of heritage.
Although not seen as a gourmet destination, Germany also has its fair share of Michelin-starred restaurants. If you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking to sample the best of the best during your holiday, these venues won’t disappoint.
Atelier, Munich
Image: Hotel Bayerischer Hof
The French word atelier refers to an artist’s studio and so it’s no surprise that the décor of this Munich restaurant is highly artistic. Created by a Belgian art dealer, the surroundings immediately give this three-Michelin-starred venue a feeling of luxury and intimacy.
It’s not just the walls where you will find art though, as Chef Jan Hartwig has been praised for his modern approach to cooking. The choice of either five or seven courses from tasting menus is headlined by the Guinea fowl ‘Excellence’ served with a Vin Jaune, artichoke, risoni, carrot and chicken fond.
Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin
By City Foodsters (IMG_0804) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Found just around the corner from Checkpoint Charlie, Restaurant Tim Raue may only have two Michelin-stars but has recently earned its place on the list of the world's 50 best restaurants – the only dining venue in Germany to make the list, coming at number 37.
The interior of the restaurant mirrors the harsh yet trendy characteristics of Berlin’s Kreuzberg district where Tim grew up and the menu features a range of Asian-inspired delights made with lactose-free dairy products.
As well as a la carte options, there is an eight-course tasting menu which features typically German ingredients such as asparagus and pumpkin prepared in a Japanese style alongside suckling pig, lobster and Wagyu beef. Diners also have the option to eat at the Krug Table, which is situated next to the kitchen and offers a menu where every dish is accompanied by Krug Champagne.
The Table | Kevin Fehling, Hamburg
Kevin Fehling’s The Table is located in the recently regenerated HafenCity district and is as trendy as this popular part of Hamburg. The name is inspired by the concept of having just one long table, which snakes through the space to offer diners the chance to socialise but still sit in separate groups. It also means that you can see straight into the open kitchen to watch everything being prepared.
The food itself aspires to be high-quality but without the airs and graces associated with many gourmet restaurants. The dishes are very modern in appearance, giving you that feeling where you know something is going to taste amazing even before you pick up your fork. Some plates, like ‘Magic Table’, mimic the design of the curved table in appearance.
Gästehaus Klaus Erfort, Saarbrücken
Set within a beautiful English garden, Klaus Erfort’s Gästehaus focuses on taste and service. ‘The truth is on the plate’ is used as a kind of motto by the restaurant and it sums up the fact that every ingredient can be tasted before combining perfectly with the other flavours of the dish. The cooking is clean and modern and guests rave about the wine pairings too. As far as three-Michelin-starred restaurants go, it is at the more affordable end of the scale (if such a thing exists) and will certainly provide an evening to remember.
Aside from a la carte options, diners can either choose a full eight-course tasting menu or opt for a half or three-quarter option. Standout dishes include ‘langoustine ‘Royale’ cooked on sea salt with artichoke’ and ‘crisp dark chocolate with passion fruit’.
Schwarzwaldstube, Baiersbronn
You may not have heard of the small town of Baiersbronn, nestled in the heart of the Black Forest, but the fact that it is home to two three-Michelin-starred restaurants makes it somewhat of a gourmet hotspot in Germany. The goal at Schwarzwaldstube, found within the Hotel Traube Tonbach (a member of Relais and Chateaux’s group), is to produce light dishes that also pack a punch in the flavour department – and they rarely fall short of this mark.
Using the spectacularly fresh ingredients from the forest around the restaurant, head chef Torsten Michel has managed to lift German cuisine to the heady heights that few believe it can reach. Venison, rabbit, apples, pine nuts and mushrooms are just a few of the Black Forest’s gifts to the plate and they are combined with a touch of French flair to create masterpieces to savour.
There is a small and grand taster menu, with five and seven courses respectively, but guests can also choose the six-course vegetarian option. Highlights include ‘medallion and braised shoulder of domestic deer with turnips and pepper jus with Bourbon Pointu’ and ‘small tartlet with glazed heart cherries in sherry brew, pistachio almond crème and cinnamon sablé, elderberry ice cream with sour cherries’.
If you would like to taste gourmet German food at any of these restaurants, or any of the other high-quality dining venues across the country, we can help you plan your trip. Call us on 0800 988 3369 or click here and we will tailor-make your perfect itinerary.
