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Gasthaus Ruf Seefeld – Do you know that feeling when you wake up on your day off and just want to get out into nature? You have time, a car, and you're hungry? Yes? Great! Because I know that feeling all too well. I recently had that feeling again, so my companion and I got in the car and drove to Seefeld, near Lake Ammersee. Our destination was once again the Gasthaus Ruf – known for its excellent Bavarian cuisine. My companion and I had already been there once before, thanks to a reader's recommendation, and we were completely satisfied. So, there was nothing stopping me from satisfying my renewed craving for Bavarian food at the Gasthaus Ruf again. Another great decision. Since I've now eaten so well at this restaurant twice, and since you simply have to love Bavarian cuisine, I naturally want to share this tip with you and encourage you to take a little trip into the countryside and dine there.

Gasthaus Ruf in Seefeld: Cozy atmosphere and Bavarian know-how

Seefeld is located approximately 35-40 minutes by car from Munich and is accessible from Munich via the A96 motorway. As soon as you arrive and enter, you'll notice that you've landed in a visually typical Bavarian restaurant or inn. There's plenty of light wood in the form of wooden ceilings, a wooden bar, and wooden furniture. Checkered tablecloths, fresh flowers right next to the beer mats on each table, soft cushions on the chairs, and lamps above the tables that couldn't be more Bavarian. The inn is both cozy and rustic. Divided into three different rooms – a main dining room and two smaller rooms, as well as a small additional room for groups of up to 12 people – the inn offers a total capacity of 180 guests. During my visit, I had the opportunity to see all the rooms and even the adjoining wine cellar. This is what, in my opinion, clearly distinguishes Gasthaus Ruf from many other Bavarian restaurants. Here, you can not only enjoy fine dining but also celebrate in style. While Bavarian dishes are served in the small rooms and the main dining room, in the wine cellars below, guests can eat, drink and celebrate extensively – if desired, even until late into the night.

But even that doesn't cover everything that makes it special. Gasthaus Ruf is not only a family-run business, celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, but also boasts its own butcher shop and slaughterhouse. True meat lovers who know a thing or two about the subject are aware that slaughtering practices and regulations in Germany are highly regulated, which is why very few restaurants can offer meat from their own slaughterhouse. With its adjacent butcher shop, spacious wine cellar (where wine tastings can be booked), excellent food, and friendly service, this restaurant has definitely become one of my favorites for a truly authentic Bavarian experience in the Munich area.

Gasthaus Ruf – the menu and our selection

Now, let's talk about the food at Gasthaus Ruf: My companion and I were greeted immediately upon entering and asked about our reservation and table preference. Once seated at one of the 32 cozy tables, it wasn't long before the menus were presented. The menu features a daily changing selection of dishes – predominantly meat. While meat is the main focus, vegetarians are also catered for with options like Käsespätzle (cheese spaetzle), a vegetable platter with egg, or filled Maultaschen (Swabian ravioli) on a salad. In addition to the daily specials, the menu is divided into sections for aperitifs, cold appetizers, soups, salads, snacks, classic dishes, fish, grilled dishes, pan-fried dishes, and desserts. Besides classics like schnitzel, roast pork, sauerbraten, and roast duck, there's also a daily special. From calf's liver and roast suckling pig to Hungarian goulash with bread dumplings and the Swabian platter with fried pork medallions – the menu leaves nothing to be desired for (Bavarian) diners.

On my two previous visits, I've enjoyed a French onion soup with cheese toast (€4.70), a pumpkin cream soup (€4.80), and, most recently, a black salsify soup with truffle oil (€4.80) as starters with my companion. The soups here are fantastic, and you should definitely order a starter before your main course. For our main courses, we had sauerbraten of young beef in red wine sauce with potato dumplings and salad (€12.80), homemade cheese spaetzle with fried onions and mixed salad (€8.80), and the aforementioned colorful vegetable platter with a fried egg, boiled potatoes, and sour cream (€10.50). In short, the food was perfect. Very juicy and tender meat, generous portions, and the cheese spaetzle were incredibly cheesy and delicious. (I've often been served Spätzle with just three crumbs of shredded cheese when ordering Kässpatzen in other restaurants. So, good Kässpatzen aren't as easy to make as you might think. At Gasthaus Ruf, it's definitely top-notch, not a flop!) The food here is simply superb. Regular readers know that I'm a big fan of Bavarian cuisine and have often been disappointed when large, well-known Bavarian restaurants in the city prioritize "quantity over quality" and "Oh, the next tourists will be here soon!" over friendly service and authentic Bavarian food. In my opinion, a short drive to the surrounding countryside is even more worthwhile. Here, you'll receive a warm welcome, every guest is treated kindly, and the food tastes better than in many well-known restaurants in Munich's city center.

Something else worth mentioning: In addition to the restaurant area, there's a winter chalet for the colder months, where you can comfortably sit and eat together in a heated room. Very cozy and "griabig," as we Bavarians say. 🙂 In the summer, the chalet transforms into a beer garden with space for another 100 people. Here, you can choose from the full menu or pick up something delicious to eat on-site from the Ruf butcher shop. As you can see, a visit to the Gasthaus Ruf is worthwhile in both summer and winter, whether you choose the restaurant, the wine cellar, the winter chalet, or the beer garden.

Gasthof Ruf: Hard facts and personal conclusion

We're open daily except Wednesdays – the kitchen is closed then. Otherwise, you can drop by from 10:00 AM to midnight, even on Sundays and public holidays. You can see the wine cellar in the photos and rent it for your private or business events. We can also provide service, food, and wine tastings. The inn's wine list is also worth checking out, and you should definitely take a look at the back of the menu when you arrive. Catering with food, service, and tableware is also available, and you can ask for more details when you visit if you're interested. Parking is easy right at the inn. Card payments are accepted. It's best to make a reservation, especially if you're coming around lunchtime or in the evening. Dogs are welcome.

My personal conclusion: „"It was great!" That's usually enough for a true Bavarian. To elaborate a bit: For me, it always makes a difference to get to know the "behind the scenes." Here you're eating in a family-run inn that's been around for 150 years and even has its own butcher shop. So the meat for all the dishes comes from their own farm. They cook with a lot of heart and joy, and the right approach to service and staff is also important. The Ruf family cares just as much about their guests leaving satisfied as they care about making them feel comfortable and want to come back. The service is incredibly friendly, the inn is always packed, and after leaving, you're glad you were there. It's no wonder that Gasthaus Ruf has been awarded the "Star of Hospitality" for the third time this year. So I say quite clearly: "We'll be back!" What about you?

Tested location: Gasthaus Ruf – Seefeld
Address: Marienplatz 2a, 82229 Seefeld
Website

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