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Gastro Awards 2026

Feinschmecker: Überfahrt is Restaurant of the Year

Current guide: "The 500 best restaurants in Germany 2026" published

Der Feinschmecker: 15 restaurants rated five Fs

HAMBURG. There is a lot going on in the German restaurant industry: in a restaurant dossier in its latest issue, published today, the magazine "Der Feinschmecker" shows how much creativity and innovative power the industry exudes despite all the challenges it faces. Because one thing is clear: cooking in Germany's restaurants is more exciting than it has been for a long time, restaurateurs are testing new concepts and further developing hospitality as a whole. The "next generation" is emerging with great personal commitment, especially in the young scene. "In many places, the rigid menu structure is giving way to flexible and hospitable à la carte offerings, there are attractive prices for young foodies, Sunday roast is making a comeback, and spectacular new openings are providing exciting impetus," says editor-in-chief Gabriele Heins about the trends in the industry.

For the current dossier, she spoke with hotelier Hermann Bareiss, among others, who has transformed the "Hotel Bareiss" in Baiersbronn into a leading luxury resort in Europe in terms of employee management and training. The editorial team honours him with the "Lifetime Achievement" award and looks back with him on 75 years of building up the business. The issue also focuses on Joachim Wissler, who has shaped the top restaurant "Vendôme" for 25 years. In an interview, he talks about his departure from the kitchen and the transformation of the industry.

New guide "The 500 Best Restaurants in Germany 2026"

The issue also includes the new guide "The 500 Best Restaurants in Germany 2026" as a special extra. For this booklet, Feinschmecker's experienced team anonymously and independently tests restaurants throughout Germany every year. The 500 best restaurants are rated with up to five Feinschmecker "F"s.

Gastro Awards: Women assert themselves in a male-dominated field – new "Team Spirit" category

Every year, the editorial team also honours the best of the best in a total of thirteen different categories with the Gastro Awards – from "Rising Star of the Year" to "Lifetime Achievement". Particularly interesting this year is the new award category "Team Spirit": Facil (Berlin) receives this Feinschmecker Gastro Award for the first time for a great and consistently excellent all-round experience thanks to an outstandingly well-coordinated team – a real novelty in the rather hierarchically organised catering industry. Women are still severely underrepresented in top-class gastronomy, but there are strong personalities who serve as role models: "Female chefs are still too rare in the restaurant industry, even in 2026. I am therefore all the more delighted that this year we are presenting six of the thirteen individual awards to women – more than ever before," says editor-in-chief Gabriele Heins. "It is also striking where the culture of enjoyment is traditionally strongest in Germany: five of the awards go to Baden-Württemberg."

These are the winners of the 2026 Gastro Awards:

  • Restaurant of the Year:"Überfahrt"(Rottach-Egern) with head chef Cornelia Fischer and sommelier Marie Christin Baunach
  • Hostess of the Year: Eva Klink ("Wielandshöhe", Stuttgart)
  • Sustainability: "Alte Überfahrt" (Werder)
  • Chef of the Year: Douce Steiner ("Hirschen", Sulzburg)
  • Lifetime Achievement: Hermann Bareiss (Hotel Bareiss, Restaurant "Bareiss", Baiersbronn)
  • Rising Star of the Year: Cédric Staudenmayer ("Cédric", Weinstadt)
  • Team Spirit:"Facil"(Berlin)
  • Young Concepts: "arc"(Hamburg)
  • Patissière of the Year: Julia Orschiedt ("Pietsch", Wernigerode)
  • Inn of the Year:Grüner Baum(Michelstadt) run by mother-daughter duo Barbara and Erika Bär
  • Innovation of the Year: "Frühstück 300 0"(Berlin)
  • Sommelière of the Year: Maria Vizsnyai ("Steins Traube", Mainz)
  • Wine bar of the year: "High Fidelity" (Stuttgart)

Perfect in every respect: Fifteen chefs with the highest Feinschmecker rating

A total of fifteen chefs will receive the editorial team's highest rating of five gourmet "F"s in 2026. Many of them have been cooking at the highest level for many years and have already received multiple awards from Feinschmecker.

  • Jan-Philipp Berner & Jan Fehling, "Söl'ring Hof", Sylt
  • Christoph Rüffer, Restaurant Haerlin, Hamburg (Christoph Rüffer receives the highest gourmet rating of 5 "F" for the first time)
  • Marco Müller, "Rutz Restaurant", Berlin
  • Sven Elverfeld, "Aqua", Wolfsburg (unfortunately, after the editorial deadline, it was announced that Sven Elverfeld will close Aqua on 20 March 2026)
  • Dennis Kuckuck, Restaurant Vendôme, Bergisch Gladbach (Dennis Kuckuck succeeded Joachim Wissler in October 2025)
  • Hans Stefan Steinheuer & Christian Binder, Steinheuers Restaurant, Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler
  • Thomas Schanz, "schanz. restaurant.", Piesport
  • Clemens Rambichler, "Sonnora", Dreis
  • Christian Bau, Victor's Fine Dining, Perl-Nennig
  • Claus-Peter Lumpp, Restaurant Bareiss, Baiersbronn
  • Torsten Michel, Schwarzwaldstube, Baiersbronn
  • Benjamin Chmura, Tantris, Munich
  • Jan Hartwig, JAN, Munich
  • Tohru Nakamura, Tohru in der Schreiberei, Munich
  • Edip Sigl, es:senz, Grassau

The ratings of the gourmet guide "The 500 Best Restaurants" 2026

Changes to last year's guide.

5 F

4.5 F

4 F

3.5 F

3 F

  • La Bécasse in Aachen
  • St. Benedikt in Aachen
  • Upgraded Abt- und Schäferstube Amorbach in Amorbach
  • New Epicures in Aschau im Chiemgau
  • St. Andreas in Aue
  • Alte Liebe in Augsburg
  • August by Christian Grünwald in Augsburg
  • Laudensack's Gourmet Restaurant in Bad Kissingen
  • Storchen in Bad Krozingen
  • New Joseph's Fine Dining in Bad Sachsa
  • Genuss-Apotheke in Bad Säckingen
  • Gourmet restaurant Berlins Krone in Bad Teinach
  • Le Jardin de France in Baden-Baden
  • Maltes Hidden Kitchen in Baden-Baden
  • Wintergarten in Baden-Baden
  • 1789 in Baiersbronn
  • PUR in Berchtesgaden
  • New Relais & Châteaux Restaurant Schote in Bergisch Gladbach
  • Bricole in Berlin
  • Upgraded eins44 Kantine Neukölln in Berlin
  • Hallmann & Klee in Berlin
  • Irma la Douce in Berlin
  • Julius Ernst in Berlin
  • Le Petit Royal in Berlin
  • neu Merold in Berlin
  • Nobelhart & Schmutzig in Berlin
  • Orania.Restaurant in Berlin
  • aufgewertet pars Restaurant in Berlin
  • upgraded Pots in Berlin
  • upgraded Restaurant Château Royal in Berlin
  • Restaurant Macionga in Berlin
  • Schwingshackl ESSKULTUR in Bernried
  • Maerz – The Restaurant in Bietigheim-Bissingen
  • Bootshaus in Bingen am Rhein
  • Schockes Küche in Birkweiler
  • The First in Blankenhain
  • New Hämmerle's Chef's Table Barrique in Blieskastel
  • Fine Dining by Phillip Probst in Bremerhaven
  • Speisenkammer in Burg im Spreewald
  • Panorama Gourmet Restaurant Sterneck in Cuxhaven
  • OX in Darmstadt
  • Schwarzer Hahn in Deidesheim
  • BjoernsOx in Dermbach
  • Jan Diekjobst Restaurant in Detmold
  • Ostseelounge gourmet restaurant in Dierhagen
  • Goldener Anker in Dorsten
  • Caroussel Nouvelle in Dresden
  • neu Stresa in Dresden
  • Jae in Düsseldorf
  • Lido Hafen in Düsseldorf
  • New WELA – Thai Dining Experience in Düsseldorf
  • Yoshi by Nagaya in Düsseldorf
  • Zwanzig23 by Lukas Jakobi in Düsseldorf
  • Traube Blansingen in Efringen-Kirchen
  • New Baiken by Schröer in Eltville am Rhein
  • Gourmet Restaurant Kronenschlösschen in Eltville am Rhein
  • Merkles Restaurant in Endingen am Kaiserstuhl
  • Clara – Restaurant im Kaisersaal in Erfurt
  • Estima by Catalana in Erfurt
  • Upgraded Kettner’s Kamota in Essen
  • Upgraded Teko by Lange Rodriguez in Essen
  • Erbprinz Restaurant in Ettlingen
  • Classroom in the Old School Fürstenhagen in Feldberger Seenlandschaft
  • Goldener Hahn in Finsterwalde
  • Das Grace in Flensburg
  • Philipp Soldan in Frankenberg (Eder)
  • Bidlabu in Frankfurt am Main
  • Carmelo Greco in Frankfurt am Main
  • Carte Blanche in Frankfurt am Main
  • Erno's Bistro in Frankfurt am Main
  • Lohninger in Frankfurt am Main
  • Main Tower Restaurant & Lounge in Frankfurt am Main
  • Masa Japanese Cuisine in Frankfurt am Main
  • Sommerfeld in Frankfurt am Main
  • Villa Merton in Frankfurt am Main
  • upgraded Michaels Leitenberg in Frasdorf
  • Eichhalde in Freiburg im Breisgau
  • Zirbelstube in Freiburg im Breisgau
  • Atable in the Amtshaus in Freinsheim
  • Genießer Stube – Daniel Raub in Friedland
  • Christian & Friends Tastekitchen in Fulda
  • New Tim's Kitchen in Fürth
  • Werners Restaurant in Gernsbach
  • Upgraded Eckert - Fine Dining in Grenzach-Wyhlen
  • Upgraded Die Mühlenhelle in Gummersbach
  • Ratsstuben in Haltern am See
  • Haebel in Hamburg
  • Upgraded Heimatjuwel in Hamburg
  • Jellyfish by Stefan Fäth in Hamburg
  • Landhaus Scherrer in Hamburg
  • Nikkei Nine in Hamburg
  • Petit Amour in Hamburg
  • Piment in Hamburg
  • BIO Fine Dining Restaurant 1950 in Hayingen
  • aufgewertet Oben in Heidelberg
  • HIO – Der Acker kocht. in Hilzhofen
  • Wappen-Saal in Hohen Demzin
  • Scala Hotel Restaurant in Jena
  • Upgraded 5 Sen:ses By Mario Aliberti in Karlsruhe
  • Malathounis in Kernen
  • Christians in Kirchdorf
  • Upgraded Schwarz in Kirchheim a.d. Weinstraße
  • New cølbo in Klingenberg am Main
  • irori in Knittelsheim
  • Maximilian Lorenz in Cologne
  • taku in Cologne
  • New Ursprung – the restaurant at Widmann's Alb.leben in Königsbronn
  • Restaurant Villa Rothschild Grill & Health in Königstein im Taunus
  • Ich weiß ein Haus am See in Krakow am See
  • Adler in Lahr
  • Keidenzeller Hof in Langenzenn
  • Upgraded Wullenwever in Lübeck
  • Favourite restaurant in Mainz
  • Steins Traube in Mainz
  • Marburger Esszimmer by Denis Feix in Marburg
  • Upgraded MIND in Markt Indersdorf
  • Borst in Maßweiler
  • Junsui in Meerbusch
  • Upgraded Meisenheimer Hof in Meisenheim
  • Jin in Munich
  • Pageou in Munich
  • BOK Restaurant in Münster
  • Restaurant Spitzner in Münster
  • Spielweg in Münstertal
  • Alte Baiz in Neuhausen
  • Forsthaus Strelitz in Neustrelitz
  • Wilde Klosterküche in Neuzelle
  • Upgraded Burgrestaurant Nideggen – Brockel Schlimbach in Nideggen
  • Restaurant Seesteg Norderney in Norderney
  • Entenstuben in Nuremberg
  • Imperial by Alexander Herrmann in Nuremberg
  • Tisane in Nuremberg
  • Upgraded Veles in Nuremberg
  • Waidwerk in Nuremberg
  • Wonka in Nuremberg
  • Ess Atelier Strauss in Oberstdorf
  • Hotel Restaurant Zur Post in Odenthal
  • Gourmet Restaurant Silberdistel in Ofterschwang
  • Falconera in Öhningen
  • Balthasar in Paderborn
  • New Marcel von Winckelmann in Passau
  • Gasthaus Jakob in Perasdorf
  • Pavo in Pfronten
  • Huberwirt in Pleiskirchen
  • kochZIMMER at the Gaststätte zur Ratswaage in Potsdam
  • Atelier Sanssouci in Radebeul
  • Kaisersaal in Ravensburg
  • aufgewertet Ontra in Regensburg
  • Mittermeier in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
  • Il Barcaiolo in Rottach-Egern
  • New Eatrenalin in Rust
  • Gourmet restaurant "fine dining RS" in Salach
  • Hofstube Deimann in Schmallenberg
  • Nico Burkhardt gourmet restaurant in Schorndorf
  • Reber's Pflug in Schwäbisch Hall
  • Esszimmer in Schwendi
  • Restaurant Harzfenster in Seesen
  • Kaupers Restaurant im Kapellenhof in Selzen
  • Feinschliff in Sinzig
  • Philipp in Sommerhausen
  • Baron.ess in Sonderhofen
  • Hirsch in Sonnenbühl
  • New Laesâ in Stuttgart
  • Wielandshöhe in Stuttgart
  • Hardy's Bar & Restaurant in Sylt
  • KAI3 in Sylt
  • New Tipken's in Sylt
  • Beckers Restaurant in Trier
  • Upgraded June Restaurant in Übersee
  • Hotel Restaurant Seehalde in Uhldingen-Mühlhofen
  • Upgraded bi:braud in Ulm
  • Seestern in Ulm
  • Blauer Salon in Usedom
  • Upgraded Kulmeck Restaurant by Tom Wickboldt in Usedom
  • New The O'Room in Usedom
  • Johanns in Waldkirchen
  • Upgraded Cédric in Weinstadt
  • Admiral in Weisenheim am Berg
  • Gasthof Alex in Weißenbrunn
  • ZeitWerk in Wernigerode
  • Kuno 1408 in Würzburg
  • MiZAR in Würzburg
  • Landhaus Köpp in Xanten

2.5 F

  • Restaurant Schattbuch in Amtzell
  • Goldammer Restaurant in Aschaffenburg
  • Upgraded Schwabenstube in Asperg
  • SoulFood in Auerbach in the Upper Palatinate
  • New Nose & Belly in Augsburg
  • Sartory in Augsburg
  • Leos by Stephan Brandl in Bad Kötzting
  • Hirsch Genusshandwerk in Bad Liebenzell
  • Restaurant Nigrum in Baden-Baden
  • Kaminstube in Baiersbronn
  • Bonvivant Cocktail Bistro in Berlin
  • Heritage in Berlin
  • upgraded India Club Restaurant in Berlin
  • Loumi in Berlin
  • Otto in Berlin
  • New Stoke in Berlin
  • New Veronika in Berlin
  • GUI in Bielefeld
  • Freustil in Binz
  • Solo Du in Bischofswiesen
  • Five in Bochum
  • Theodor’s Restaurant in Bonn
  • New Park Restaurant in Bremen
  • New Schnüsch in Büsum
  • New Kucher's Gourmet Restaurant in Darscheid
  • Rebstock-Stube in Denzlingen
  • new Porte Neuf in Detmold
  • New Die Burg in Donaueschingen
  • Vida in Dortmund
  • Wibbelings Hof in Dortmund
  • Upgraded Das Palais in Dresden
  • elements in Dresden
  • New Heiderand in Dresden
  • Restaurant Genuss-Atelier in Dresden
  • The Gourmet Stube at Gasthaus Hummel in Duggendorf
  • New Schlosswirtschaft Heitzenhofen in Duggendorf
  • Frau Specht in Duisburg
  • New Agata's in Düsseldorf
  • Restaurant Setzkasten in Düsseldorf
  • Jean in Eltville am Rhein
  • Bachstelze in Erfurt
  • Anneliese in Essen
  • Chefs & Butchers in Essen
  • New La Petite Cave de Jeannette in Essen
  • Pierburg – Erika Bergheim in Essen
  • New Sawito in Falkensee
  • Oettingers Restaurant in Fellbach
  • Alt Wyk in Föhr
  • Franziska – Progressive German Vintage Cuisine in Frankfurt am Main
  • new L'Arôme in Frankfurt am Main
  • Zenzakan – Pan Asian Supper Club in Frankfurt am Main
  • Upgraded Restaurant Karner in Frasdorf
  • Stubn in the Frasdorfer Hütte in Frasdorf
  • Enoteca in Freiburg im Breisgau
  • Bastian's Restaurant in Friedberg
  • New REGIONAL Friesoythe in Friesoythe
  • Goldener Karpfen in Fulda
  • Vinophil in Gaggenau
  • Speiseberg in Halle
  • Cornelia Poletto in Hamburg
  • Upgraded Fischereihafen Restaurant in Hamburg
  • New Glorie in Hamburg
  • Grill in Hamburg
  • New Koer in Hamburg
  • La Maison d'Avignon in Hamburg
  • Upgraded Matsumi in Hamburg
  • Restaurant Félix in Hamburg
  • The Lisbeth in Hamburg
  • Handwerk in Hanover
  • New Marie in Hanover
  • Diergardt in Hattingen
  • Die Kurfürstenstube/summer restaurant with terrace in Heidelberg
  • Mary Jane Space in Heidelberg
  • Upgraded Rebstock La Petite Provence in Heilbronn
  • 1811 Carmelo Riccardo Cali in Hofheim
  • New Restaurant Mohn in Hohnhorst
  • Clinton's in Hoppegarten in Hoppegarten
  • Rebstock Waldulm in Kappelrodeck
  • Kesselhaus in Karlsruhe
  • Ahlmanns in Kiel
  • Schiller's Manufaktur & Brasserie in Koblenz
  • Verbene in Koblenz
  • Alfredo in Cologne
  • Upgraded Hanse Stube in Cologne
  • Henne Wine Bar in Cologne
  • Ito in Cologne
  • Le Moissonnier in Cologne
  • maiBeck für dich in Cologne
  • Pottkind in Cologne
  • Restaurant Zur Tant in Cologne
  • new La Boucherie in Kreuzwertheim
  • LECH-LINE in Landsberg am Lech
  • New HochZwei in Langenau
  • Frieda in Leipzig
  • Upgraded kuultivo in Leipzig
  • Restaurant Macis in Leipzig
  • Valentin in Lindau
  • Pankratz in Mainz
  • Rodesand in Malente
  • New Dobler's in Mannheim
  • New Mizu in Marburg
  • Weinhaus Anker in Marktheidenfeld
  • Anthony's Kitchen in Meerbusch
  • Landhaus Mönchenwerth in Meerbusch
  • Das Marktrestaurant in Mittenwald
  • Acetaia in Munich
  • Der Dantler in Munich
  • Mountain Hub Gourmet in Munich
  • Mural Restaurant in Munich
  • Upgraded Weinhaus Neuner in Munich
  • Stephans Stuben by Marco Langer in Neu-Ulm
  • New LEU in Niederkassel
  • Buchner Welchenberg 1658 in Niederwinkling
  • Venus - Schloss Restaurant Nordkirchen in Nordkirchen
  • Novalis in Nörten-Hardenberg
  • downgraded Koch & Kellner in Nuremberg
  • Upgraded MINNECI in Nuremberg
  • Weinklang in Nuremberg
  • Würzhaus in Nuremberg
  • Restaurant Kevin Gideon in Oldenburg
  • Iko in Osnabrück
  • Villa Hammerschmiede in Pfinztal
  • Schlossanger in Pfronten
  • Rolin in Pinneberg
  • Die Brasserie in Pirmasens
  • Landgasthaus zur Linde in Pliezhausen
  • Robert Stolz eat.share.live in Plön
  • New Pino in Potsdam
  • Wachter Foodbar in Prien am Chiemsee
  • New Atelier Tian in Ravensburg
  • Aska – Traditional Sushi Bar in Regensburg
  • upgraded Heim's Restaurant in Reil
  • HEIMAT in Reit im Winkl
  • New Restaurant Fachwerk at Hotel Stadt Kassel in Rinteln
  • Landgasthof Adler in Rosenberg
  • Kulinarium in Röthenbach an der Pegnitz
  • Fährhütte 14 in Rottach-Egern
  • Haubentaucher in Rottach-Egern
  • Bees Restaurant in Rüdesheim am Rhein
  • New Das Philippin in Rutesheim
  • Le Comptoir in Saarbrücken
  • New Midi Restaurant & Market in Sankt Ingbert
  • DiVa in Scharbeutz
  • Lindenstube at Landhotel Voshövel in Schermbeck
  • Eisenbahn in Schwäbisch Hall
  • Gourmet restaurant "1751" in Schwerin
  • New Tante Anna in Sprockhövel
  • Sonne in St. Peter
  • Kunz Gourmet in St. Wendel
  • Kurt im Gutshaus Stolpe in Stolpe an der Peene
  • Délice in Stuttgart
  • Hupperts in Stuttgart
  • New Waldhorn in Stuttgart
  • Upgraded Zur Weinsteige in Stuttgart
  • New Seegarten in Sundern (Sauerland)
  • Wein- & Tafelhaus Oos in Trittenheim
  • new Restaurant Chiemgauhof in Übersee
  • Restaurant at Filseck Castle in Uhingen
  • new Löwen in Ulm
  • Uwe & Uli – At home with us in Usingen
  • Pades Restaurant in Verden (Aller)
  • Weinstock in Volkach
  • Bachofer in Waiblingen
  • Laurentius in Weikersheim
  • Restaurant AnnA in Weimar
  • neu Markos - Syrlin Speisewelt in Weingarten
  • New Esszimmer by Philipp Weigold in the Alte Post in Weinheim an der Bergstraße
  • new Altes Kelterhaus by Markus Plein in Wintrich
  • Upgraded Shiraz in Wuppertal

2 F

  • Heine's Wine & Dine in Baden-Baden
  • Löwengrube in Freiburg im Breisgau
  • Schillingshof in Friedland
  • New Lamm in Muggensturm
  • new 1804 Hirschau in Munich

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Überfahrt

Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt
Überfahrtstr. 10
83700 Rottach-Egern

Wielandshöhe

Alte Weinsteige 71
70597 Stuttgart
Chef: Vincent Klink
Seating capacity: 65
Employees: 21

Hirschen

Hirschen
Hauptstr. 69
79295 Sulzburg
Chef: Douce Steiner
Seating capacity: 45
Employees: 14

Bareiss

Bareiss
Hermine-Bareiss-Weg 1
72270 Baiersbronn
Chef: Claus-Peter Lumpp
Seating capacity: 34
Employees: 16

Cédric

Weinstadt-Hotel
Marktstraße 39
71384 Weinstadt

Facil

The Mandala Hotel
Potsdamer Str. 3
10785 Berlin
Chef: Michael Kempf, Joachim Gerner
Seating capacity: 48

Arc

Eppendorfer Weg 58
20259 Hamburg

Pietsch

Breite Str. 53A
38855 Wernigerode

Steins Traube

Poststr. 4 - Finthen
55126 Mainz

Eva Klink

What?
Gastgeberin

Where?
Wielandshöhe in Stuttgart

Douce Steiner

What?
Chef de Cuisine

Where?
Hirschen in Sulzburg

Cédric Staudenmayer

What?
Chef de Cuisine

Where?
Cédric in Weinstadt

Julia Orschiedt

What?
Sous Chefin

Where?
Pietsch in Wernigerode

Maira Vizsnyai

What?
Sommelière

Where?
Steins Traube in Mainz

Gourmet-Club