Must-see restaurants in Stuttgart & the Black Forest

  • Schwarzwaldstube

    The Black Forest

    Schwarzwaldstube commands big forest views from its rustically elegant dining room. Head chef Torsten Michel performs culinary magic, carefully sourcing…

  • Restaurant Bareiss

    The Black Forest

    Claus-Peter Lumpp has consistently won plaudits for his brilliantly composed, French-inflected menus at Restaurant Bareiss. On paper, dishes such as…

  • Rebers Pflug

    Swabian Alps Region

    Hans-Harald Reber presides over the stove at this 19th-century country house, one of Schwäbisch Hall’s Michelin-starred haunts. He puts an imaginative…

  • Wolfshöhle

    Freiburg

    With tables set up on a pretty square, Wolfshöhle is a summer-evening magnet. The menu whisks you off on a gastronomical tour of the Mediterranean, with…

  • Nigrum

    Baden-Baden

    This dark, seductive, gold-kissed glamour puss of a restaurant has insiders whispering Michelin star. Profound, season-driven flavours here are presented…

  • Zur Forelle

    Ulm

    Since 1626, this low-ceilinged tavern has been convincing wayfarers (Einstein included) of the joys of seasonal Swabian cuisine. Ablaze with flowers in…

  • Kreuzblume

    Freiburg

    On a flower-festooned lane, this pocket-sized restaurant with clever backlighting, slick monochrome decor and a menu fizzing with bright, sunny flavours…

  • Voglhaus

    Konstanz

    Locals flock to the ‘bird house’ for its chilled vibe and contemporary wood-and-stone interior, warmed by an open fire in winter. Wood-oven bread with…

  • Weinstube am Stadtgraben

    Stuttgart

    The Swabian food served at this warm, rustic, wood-beamed wine tavern in Bad Cannstatt is the real deal, albeit with a refined touch. Expect dishes that…

  • Café Schäfer

    The Black Forest

    Confectioner Claus Schäfer uses the original 1915 recipe for Black Forest gateau to prepare this sinful treat that layers chocolate cake perfumed with…

  • Cube

    Stuttgart

    The food is stellar but it actually plays second fiddle to the dazzling decor, refined ambience and stunning views at this glass-fronted cube atop the…

  • Schlossbergrestaurant Dattler

    Freiburg

    One for special occasions – or, heck, any occasion – this refined restaurant atop the Schlossberg has panoramic windows affording compelling surround…

  • s'Wirtshaus am See

    Lake Constance

    Right on the lake front, this restaurant goes in for the new-wave rustic look, with a sleek blonde-wood interior, contemporary fireplace and funky stag…

  • Turmbräu

    The Black Forest

    For a lively night out in Freudenstadt, this is your place, with a microbrewery that doubles as a beer garden. Sit in ye-olde barn to munch hearty grub…

  • Kommödchen

    The Black Forest

    A drop of good old-fashioned sophistication in Karlsruhe's southern Südstadt neighbourhood, Kommödchen keeps things cosy with soft lamplight, bistro…

  • Zimt und Zucker

    Stuttgart

    Cheerily decorated with cartoon murals and candy-bright colours that make it look like a kid has been let loose on the interior design, this laid-back…

  • Gerberhaus

    Ulm

    This warm, inviting woodcutter’s cottage hits the mark with its delicious mix of Swabian and Italian-inspired dishes. Plump for a river-facing table and…

  • San Martino Gourmet

    Konstanz

    A class act with space for just 16 lucky diners, this Michelin-starred restaurant rests against the old city walls. Jochen Fecht’s season-inspired food…

  • Casa do José

    The Black Forest

    A slice of Portugal in the heart of Karlsruhe, Casa do José extends a heartfelt bemvindo (welcome). The look is modern-rustic, with beams suspended above…

  • Rizzi

    Baden-Baden

    Book well ahead to snag a table at this insanely popular restaurant, housed in a pastel-pink villa overlooking the Lichtentaler Allee. In summer, the tree…

  • Sonne

    The Black Forest

    Organic ingredients are selected with care to prepare creative regional dishes that speak profoundly of the land, be it salsify with marinated pomegranate…

  • Délice

    Stuttgart

    Natural, integral flavours sing in specialities such as red shrimp with tomato, wild herbs and sesame, and saddle of lamb with fennel, avocado and Roman…

  • Parkhotel Flora

    The Black Forest

    At the hotel of the same name, this elegant restaurant majors in well-executed regional and international dishes, from Black Forest trout in almond butter…

  • 5

    Stuttgart

    This glossy, nouveau-chic restaurant and lounge walks the culinary high wire with a Michelin star and chef Claudio Urru presiding over the stove. Food is…

  • Gasthaus Löwen

    The Black Forest

    This German-Italian bistro creates a modern mood with its brick floor, bare wood tables, globe lights and moulded chairs. Hailing originally from Venice,…

  • Ess Bar

    Konstanz

    The packed tables speak volumes at this minimalist-chic, monochrome-toned bistro, with banquette seating and a pavement terrace for summer-day dining. The…

  • Fräulein Lecker

    Ulm

    Almost Scandi in style with its clean-lined simplicity, this wine-store-bar-bistro lit by funky bottle lights is a wonderful place to try (and buy) local…

  • Schwarzwaldhaus

    The Black Forest

    With dark wood panelling, low beams, banquette seating and a Kachelofen (ceramic tiled oven), the Schwarzwaldhaus is a rustic tavern in the traditional…

  • Meze Akademie

    Swabian Alps Region

    Creative riffs on Greek meze (small dishes to share) take centre stage at this slick restaurant, with an open-plan design and bistro-style seating at bare…

  • Monte Christo

    Baden-Baden

    Bare wood tables, soft lighting and decorative tiles create a cosy feel at this tapas bar, where punchy Spanish flavours – from baked sheep's cheese with…

  • Christophorus

    Stuttgart

    Not only the cars at the Porsche Museum have va-va-voom. Christophorus is a sophisticated, grown-up affair, with red leather banquettes and linen-draped…

  • Valentin

    Lake Constance

    With a deft hand, the chef sources local, seasonal, largely organic ingredients to go into his Med-style dishes at this chic vaulted restaurant. Dishes…

  • Sol

    Konstanz

    Over the Rhine just north of the Altstadt, this cool and wholesome cafe has a chilled vibe, with exposed stone walls and an open deli kitchen. The menu…

  • Schneider's Weinstube & Vinothek

    Baden-Baden

    A charmingly old-school choice, Schneider’s brings you the best of Badisch food and Pinot wines to the table. You’ll receive a heartfelt welcome in the…

  • Zirbelstube

    Freiburg

    Freiburg’s bastion of fine dining is this Michelin-starred restaurant, decorated in warm Swiss pine. Chefs of exacting standards allow each ingredient to…

  • Tamara's Weinstube

    Konstanz

    With stone walls, low wood beams, soft lighting and a traditional Kachelofen (tiled oven), this wine bar is as cosy as they come. It's a terrific spot for…

  • Reiskorn

    Stuttgart

    With an easygoing vibe and bamboo-green retro interior, this imaginative culinary globetrotter serves everything from celery schnitzel with mango…

  • Super Jami

    Stuttgart

    Comic-strip murals bring a splash of colour to this cool, laid-back vegan deli. Great-value day specials such as Sri Lankan hoppers filled with thel dala …

  • Weinstube im Baldreit

    Baden-Baden

    Well hidden down cobbled lanes, this wine-cellar restaurant is worth looking for. Baden-Alsatian fare such as Flammkuchen (Alsatian pizza) topped with…

  • Kon-Ya

    Ulm

    Step across the river and into Neu-Ulm in Bavaria for winningly fresh and authentic sushi. Kon-Ya prepares excellent bento, filled with sashimi, maki and…