Alsace is famous for three things: its unique fusion of German and French cultures, great wine and gastronomy. Here is Falstaff's pick of the best places to eat and drink, village by village.
Alsace's density of Michelin-starred restaurants is astonishing for a region this small: there are 26 of them. But everything is on offer, from fine-dining to simple tarte flambée.
Marlenheim
Le Cerf
A four star hotel that blends modern and old-fashioned Alsatian spirit. The food is greatly inspired by Alsatian cuisine, but with modern plating and vibrant flavours.
Note that the wine menu is packed with great quality Alsace wines from domaines like Pfister and Frédéric Mochel.
30 Rue du Général de Gaulle, 67520 Marlenheim, France
+33 388 877373, lecerf.com
Bergheim
Wistub du Sommelier
Right in the centre of the famous winemaking village of Bergheim you find Wistub du Sommelier. Wistub or winstub is Alsatian dialect for the German Weinstube, a homely inn serving wine and local food, but Wistub du Sommelier is more of a wine-focused restaurant. The wine menu is impressive boasting names like Beck-Hartweg, Marcel Deiss, Kreydenweiss, Jean-Marc Bernhard and many more. The steak tartare is highly recommended.
51 Grand Rue, 68750 Bergheim, France
+33 389 736999, wistub-du-sommelier.com
Illhaeusern
Auberge de l’Ill
It is this famous restaurant run by the Haeberlin family that put this village on the map. Although they lost one Michelin star recently, the quality of the food is impeccable. The house is known for its salmon soufflé and foie gras terrine.
2 Rue de Collonges au Mont d'Or, 68970 Illhaeusern, France
auberge-de-l-ill.com/en
Ribeauvillé
L’Arbalète
l’Arbalète in Ribeauvillé is a great spot for casual dining and sampling local specialities. A new generation is at the helm now, making delightful tarte flambées and escargots, but it is their choucroute garnie that you must try.
If you find yourself in Ribeauvillé in one of the colder months, l’Arbalète will have soup a l’oignon gratinée, oozing with cheese.
50 Grand'Rue, 68150 Ribeauvillé, France
Zellenberg
Jean Huttard
A recent refit of the Jean Huttard winery included the constuction of a new wine bar. Every Friday you can enjoy tapas with a great glass of Jean Huttard’s wine.
Fun fact: This place identifies as female-owned.
10 Route du Vin, 68340 Zellenberg, France
alsace-jean-huttard.fr
Kaysersberg-Vignoble
Winstub Le Chambard
This winstub is situated in a five-star hotel in the idyllic village of Kaysersberg-Vignoble. It is a good place for lunch and dinner. The food is of the same standard as in La Table d’Olivier Nasti, the fine dining restaurant in the same hotel. The choucroute is great and the wine menu is excellent.
9 Rue du Général de Gaulle 13, 68240 Kaysersberg, France
lechambard.fr/fr/restaurant-la-winstub.html
Riquewihr
La Dime
In business ever since 1963, La Dime often draws a crowd. Bernard and Christiane Hommel run the restaurant in old-fashioned Alsatian style and with great expertise. This is a spot for casual dining, a quick bite or simply a drink in the sun.
49 Rue du Général de Gaulle, 68340 Riquewihr, France
ladime.net
Strasbourg
L’Alsace à Boire
In Alsace’s capital and in close proximity of Petite-France, you will find this wine shop that doubles as a wine bar. A sleek and chic décor houses a great selection of wines, mixing highly acclaimed and established names with the rising stars of Alsace. Many wines are served by the glass and are great value.
Ribeauvillé
Le Goupil
Open from May to December, Le Goupil is right in the centre of the idyllic village of Ribeauvillé. This is a place to sample local charcuterie with a glass of Alsace Pinot Noir. Hard to beat for value and with a great selection of Alsace wines. Look out for Kientzler, Trapet, Domaine Loew and Albert Mann.
2 Place de l'Ancien Hôpital, 68150 Ribeauvillé, France
goupilbaravin.wordpress.com
Bergheim
VitisBar
Part of Domaine Halbeisen in Bergheim, this is a great place if you want to grab a glass of Alsace Riesling after a walk through the Bergheim vineyards. The family has been making wine since 1737 and their own wines feature exclusively on the Alsace list. They have, however, a relatively large selection of new world wines: most unusual for Alsace.
3 Route du Vin, 68750 Bergheim, France
vitisbar-alsace.fr
Colmar
Le Cercle des Aromes
With currently over 200 wines by the glass, Le Cercle des Aromes is a must-visit when in Colmar. It is the perfect place to sample multiple grand crus side-by-side. Great value means you can sample a whole lot of Alsace in one place.
5 Place Jeanne d'Arc, 68000 Colmar, France
lecercledesaromes.fr
Have fun eating and drinking in Alsace!
