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Lake Tegernsee and its communities

DINING AT LAKE TEGERNSEE – A culinary tour around the lake – Located about 50 kilometers south of Munich, Lake Tegernsee is not only a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, wellness aficionados, spa visitors, and water sports fans, but also a culinary paradise. This lake, shimmering in shades of emerald green, light blue, and turquoise, with its alpine pastures, mountains, and five surrounding municipalities, has much to offer. So, I spontaneously set aside a week to explore Bad Wiessee, Kreuth, Rottach-Egern, Tegernsee, and Gmund in detail and indulge in the diverse and varied cuisines of Lake Tegernsee. Five municipalities, five days, five stops await you on my "Dining at Lake Tegernsee – A Gastro Tour Around the Lake.".

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At breakfast at Schuster's.

Lake Tegernsee: Interesting facts and information

Before things get delicious, things get interesting. Although I suspect every Munich resident is familiar with Lake Tegernsee, there are still some surprising facts to discover. Measuring 6.4 kilometers long and 1.4 kilometers wide, Lake Tegernsee nestles against the edge of the Bavarian Prealps, framed by the local mountains – Wallberg, Leonhardstein, and Hirschberg. Fed by mountain streams, it's steeped in tradition – whether in the form of seasonal festivals, forest and lake celebrations, or typical local events. Lake Tegernsee also boasts a wealth of wellness and health attractions, including Germany's strongest iodine-sulfur spring and numerous spas and health resorts. Around Lake Tegernsee, there's never a dull moment – summer or winter. And the same goes for the culinary scene: whether you prefer hearty Bavarian fare in the form of delicious alpine cuisine or upscale dining with a Michelin star – Lake Tegernsee has it all. Numerous establishments, restaurants, and inns prioritize quality and local sourcing in their product selection, as well as warm hospitality. A wide array of traditional beer gardens with lake views, terrace restaurants, breakfast spots, and historic establishments ensure full stomachs and happy faces. I even tried my hand at some of the local cuisine on my first day in Bad Wiessee.

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One of many cakes: homemade cheesecake at Café Krupp

Municipality 1: Essen am Tegernsee | Bad Wiessee

Bad Wiessee lies on the western shore and, thanks to the aforementioned iodine-sulfur spring, has been known for over 100 years for its healing natural effects on people. Athletes play on the 18-hole golf course, children enjoy the mini-golf course, winter sports enthusiasts use the cross-country ski trails, and the lakeside promenade invites visitors to stroll or dine. Also located in Wiessee is what is probably Bavaria's most famous casino, complete with a wide range of games and entertainment. And I discovered that the local cuisine is also delicious, as I discovered during my visit to five different restaurants on my first day.

Main course of the 4-course menu at Relais & Charlet Wilhelmy

Stations 1 and 2: Schuster's Milk & Coffee Bar (breakfast) and Freihaus Brenner (lunch)

Opened since August 2012, the „"Shoemaker's"“ As the ultimate breakfast hotspot in Wiessee, this cozy breakfast café boasts a cozy atmosphere with plenty of wood, a prominent bar complete with a cake counter, and a warm ambiance. It offers seating for up to 35 guests at approximately 10 tables – both inside and on the adjoining terrace. The menu, including breakfast options (available until 4:30 pm), is impressive. A wide variety of breakfasts awaits you, including nine different signature breakfasts (ranging from €5.90 for items like "two Weisswurst with a pretzel and sweet mustard" to €15.90). In addition, there are grilled sesame bagels (for example, with chickpea spread, avocado, mild organic smoked tofu, onions, caraway seeds, sprouts, and greens; for €7.90), open-faced sandwiches (various types for €6.90), rice pudding, muesli, fruit and yogurt variations, as well as various shakes, smoothies, and egg dishes (two fried eggs with bread for €4.40 or a "Strammer Max" for €8.90). At Schusters, every breakfast lover is sure to find something to their liking. They also offer homemade (some gluten-free) cakes and a daily changing hot dish, soups, and salads. Anyone who appreciates simple, uncomplicated, yet special food will love this cozy café. "We do a lot of things by feel and the way we like them ourselves. Our guests appreciate that," says owner Brigitte Schuster. Also nice: the little shop in the café, which offers jams, honey, and small gifts. Thumbs up for making as much as possible from scratch: jams, soups, chickpea spread, dumplings, cakes, etc. By the way, your mug will be filled with a weekly changing filter coffee from small roasters, and your espresso cup will be Supremo coffee. I can recommend the bagel with chickpea spread mentioned above, as well as the "Alpengruss" breakfast (for €12.90) with alpine spritzer, fried eggs on cheese and herb bread, smoked ham, cheese, South Tyrolean flatbread, an organic bread roll, butter, cream cheese, and homemade jam. Take a good look at the menu, though; it holds many surprises.

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The main courses at Freihaus Brenner

In the Brenner Free House I arrived at the Freihaus Brenner around midday for lunch. To get there, you have to climb a relatively steep hill – either on foot or by car – and then you immediately see the Freihaus Brenner with its expansive terrace and breathtaking view of Lake Tegernsee. The sun was shining during my visit, so I didn't hesitate and found a spot on the terrace with its panoramic view. The Freihaus, specializing in Bavarian cuisine, can accommodate 140 guests both inside and out. The cooking is regional and seasonal, always with a touch of modern interpretation. Everything tasted wonderful, and with each bite and course, the Freihaus became more and more of a favorite of mine in Wiessee. I started with tuna carpaccio and veal tartare with Granny Smith apple, avocado, and soy sauce (18 euros), followed by marinated burrata with a colorful tomato salad and basil sorbet (14 euros). The intermediate course consisted of a beef consommé with one (two would have been nice, but okay, it was an intermediate course) semolina dumpling (for 7 euros) and a fantastic black pudding hash with apple and celery (for 12 euros), even if you don't like black pudding, it was simply brilliantly executed. For the main courses, there was one fish and one meat option. The freshly caught, pan-fried char (from the Wildbad Kreuth fish farm) was served with melted butter, lemon, and parsley potatoes (for 23 euros); the pink-roasted saddle of spring lamb with porcini mushroom cream sauce, celery root purée, and potato croquettes (small for 29 euros / large for 37 euros). Sitting comfortably on the terrace, enjoying a glass of wine (in our case, an open Pinot Gris), and savoring such a good meal – I definitely want to experience that more often. This is also possible with the regularly changing daily menu or every Thursday with an offal dish. Thumbs up, by the way, that at Freihaus Brenner, the entire animal – one animal is purchased by Freihaus every month – is used and nothing is wasted. In my opinion, everything here is perfect. A complimentary homemade spread to start, friendly service, good quality, a great view, and a fantastic atmosphere.

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Dinner at the Relais & Charlet Wilhelmy. Cheers!

Stations 3 and 4: Café Krupp (coffee and cake) and Relais-Chalet Wilhelmy

Station number three took me to the newly opened [building/facility] in November 2017. Café Krupp. Despite a hearty breakfast and lunch, I was really looking forward to a slice of homemade cake that afternoon. The moment I stepped into the small, simply decorated café, it was clear that my cake-loving companion and I were in for a treat. Almost all of the 15 tables inside were occupied, and everyone had one of the roughly 20 different kinds of cake (marble cake, apple cake, rhubarb tart, bee sting cake, various types of crumb cake, chocolate cake, etc.) on their plate. The Krupps cafés have been family-run since 1929 and, in addition to their location in Rottach-Egern, have also had a branch in Bad Wiessee since the end of 2017. They serve delicious cakes, sponge cakes, fruit cakes, and chocolates daily until 6 p.m. Two slices of cake (one a very moist and truly wonderful cheesecake with a fluffy filling, and the other a Swedish nut cake) and two pots of fine Dallmayr tea came to just under €18. Quality and location certainly come at a price. The café also has a terrace, which, while it doesn't offer a lake view, does provide plenty of sunshine. I would definitely come back for the cakes I tasted, even if the café isn't the coziest atmosphere – the deliciousness more than makes up for it. (Incidentally, they also offer a small, large, Bavarian, or French breakfast starting at €4.80.)

My favorite at the breakfast table: Bagel with silken tofu & chickpea spread

The first day ended as usual with station number four and dinner at „Relais Chalet Wilhelmy“ – located not far from my accommodation in Wiessee, the "Hotel Landhaus am Stein" (see next paragraph). The Wilhelmy Restaurant is open to both hotel guests and the public. They serve both à la carte dishes and set menus. During my visit, my two companions and I each had four courses (for €64). The individual courses can also be ordered à la carte. We started in a stylishly furnished private room (which also serves as the hotel's breakfast room) with a glass of Prosecco, either neat or with orange/elderflower juice. With a glass in hand and the inviting atmosphere, it was quite pleasant to linger. Then the meal began: The individual courses arrived quite quickly, one after the other, accompanied by a brief but friendly explanation at the table. The evening menu changes daily; ours started with "Tuna tartare with ginger, wasabi cream, and seaweed salad" (separately for €17). Quickly after clearing the table, we were served a quite tasty "White asparagus cappuccino with croutons" (separately for €9), followed by the main course and third course: "Sous-vide veal with burrata espuma and pesto, zucchini and tomato vegetables, and polenta" (separately for €26). The asparagus soup was the best dish, clearly homemade and wonderfully flavorful. The main course was an intriguing creation in itself, demonstrating a willingness to be creative in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the otherwise high-quality meat was a bit too dry. With the fourth course, dessert, a "semi-liquid chocolate cake" with vanilla ice cream and freshly marinated strawberries (available separately for €12), everything was fine again, and the evening unfortunately ended after a good two hours when they had to close. A pity, as I would have loved to linger with my glass of red wine (there were two red and two white wines to choose from). Nevertheless, I would definitely come back – also because of the idyllic location and atmosphere inside the chalet. Definitely Wiessee's most stylish option – with an idyllic view included – for a satisfying dinner.

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Pigs at work on the Boarhof farm.

Station 6: The Boarhof

One station from Wiessee that spontaneously joined was the Boarhof in Holz, The Boarhof, which has been around since 2004, is a self-sufficient farm run by the Bogner family. Once you step onto the grounds, you feel transported back in time to the area with its own farm, farm shop, and café. During a short, approximately one-hour guided tour (for €10, including a small farm snack at the end), you'll pass cultivated fields, a variety of fruit trees, greenhouses, pigs, geese, and garden beds, learning all about the Boarhof and how the farm is run, managed, and how people live here. The best part, in my opinion, is that absolutely everything produced on the farm ends up either in the café (where you'll also get your snack at the end) or is sold in the farm shop. Fascinating, isn't it? You can take a virtual tour here. look around the Boarhof. Remember to visit the Boarhof farm when you're in Wiessee, and it's best to book a spot for the tour (on their website). It's well worth it, and you can take home bread and pastries, vegetables and eggs, savory and sweet preserves in jars, sausage, cheese, butter, and yogurt afterwards.

My room at the Hotel Landhaus am Stein

Accommodation in Bad Wiessee: Hotel Landhaus am Stein
Since the focus is on gastronomy, there's only a brief digression regarding hotels. I stayed overnight at the Country house by the stone In Wiessee. A hotel run with great passion, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional hospitality, featuring cozy, rustic rooms, a small spa area with a pool, and massage/beauty treatments. My highlight was the exquisite breakfast. Jams are homemade, cakes are baked on-site, and every buffet item is selected with expertise and a commitment to using the finest ingredients. So, if you, like me, are looking for a charming, family-run hotel with a great breakfast in Wiessee, then get in touch with Hotel Landhaus am Stein (best regards from me!).

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Part of the inviting breakfast buffet at the Landhaus am Stein

…what to expect in the next article:

My first day was packed with delicious food, very diverse and varied. While breakfast at Schusters was varied and colorful, lunch was... TEXT WILL BE ADDED. Coffee and cake were the perfect "energizer" for me when it came to "sweet indulgences," and in the evening, I enjoyed a chic dinner in a pleasant atmosphere – albeit with limited time. Bad Wiessee presented itself to me in a diverse and vibrant culinary light. The next article will cover my second day at Lake Tegernsee and my tour through Kreuth. I sampled five different establishments. Look forward to a visit to the first coffee roastery on Lake Tegernsee; a wonderful surprise menu at the Gasthaus zum Hirschberg; the finest smoked char from the Ducal Fish Farm; homemade cake from the "Altes Bad" (Old Bath); and Japanese delicacies at the MIZU Sushi Bar within the Bachmair Weissach Hotel.

+++ This article was created in cooperation with Tegernsee Valley Tourism GmbH. Thank you! +++

Contact for inquiries

Tegernsee Valley Tourism – Learn everything about Lake Tegernsee | Phone: +49 8022 927380

Bad Wiessee:
1. Schuster's Milk & Coffee Bar | Münchner Str. 35, 83707 Bad Wiessee |
Telephone: 08022 1887877 | Open: Thursday – Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. Brenner Free House | Freihaus 4, 83707 Bad Wiessee | Tel.: 08022 86560 |
Open: Wednesday – Monday from 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
3. Café Krupp | Adrian-Stoop-Straße 8, 83707 Bad Wiessee |
Telephone (Rottach-Egern branch): 08022 706479
4. Relais-Chalet Wilhelmy | Freihausstraße 15, 83707 Bad Wiessee |
Tel.: 08022 98680
5. Boarhof in Holz | Max-Obermayr-Weg 6, 83707 Bad Wiessee |
Open: Thursday 2 pm – 6 pm, Friday: 9 am – 6 pm, Saturday 9 am – 12 pm