If you’ve already ticked off the usual suspects when it comes to gastronomic holidays (yes, Barcelona, we mean you) then look to the Black Forest – an area of Germany associated with picturesque villages and the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. With its epic scenery and abundance of Michelin-starred restaurants and traditional eateries, this region will soon find its way into your heart, mostly through your stomach…Here we showcase its food highlights.What’s the area known for?
As well as a number of award-winning high-end restaurants, a quick glance at the menu of any village guest house in the Black Forest will reveal a number of culinary treats that shouldn’t be missed, and that you don’t have to pay a fortune for. Dishes from the Baden tradition include Venison “Baden-Baden”, “Bibiliskäs with Brägele” – a fine quark with herbs and roast potatoes – and of course, “Black Forest Gateau” (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte).
Where should you book?
In Baden-Baden head to the delightful Le Bistro, in Karlsruhe don’t miss Zum Kleinen Ketterer for traditional German food and beer and in Gernsbach (District of Rastatt) try Hotel Schloss Eberstein for dinner with stunning views.
Guests big and small should head to Ammolite – The Lighthouse Restaurant at Europa-Park – the only two Michelin-star restaurant in a theme park in the world. And if you want to splash the cash further there are a multitude of Michelin-starred restaurants in the Black Forest which you can find more information on here. In fact, the town of Baiersbronn – considered the culinary capital of Germany – even boasts an impressive eight Michelin stars and only has around 15,000 inhabitants!
And don’t forget the wine…
Wine connoisseurs will appreciate the full flavour of Baden wines, including the Gutedel, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Silvaner, Grau- und Weißburgunder, Bacchus, Chardonnay, Nobling, Muskateller, Kerner, Traminer and Blauer Spätburgunder. Wine cellars invite guests to test both their best vintages and new specialities and wine festivals are celebrated throughout the entire summer and autumn. In Breisach on the tip of the Kaiserstuhl, Europe’s most significant wine cellar is to be found.
Don’t visit without trying…
A proper “Vesper” is typical for the Black Forest region. Usually eaten between meals it involves hearty homemade sausage, smoked trout and Black Forest ham eaten with crusty farmer’s bread. A real Vesper is always accompanied by a “Wässerli” (a schnapps). Today, even the local residents of the Black Forest eat Vesper in place of their evening meal.
How to get there
#FLYBADEN to the Black Forest from London Stansted to Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden Airport. Follow @fly-baden’s #SummerSeries for six weeks of specials on this stunning destination or for more information visit fly-baden.com.
