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DINING AT LAKE TEGERNSEE – Gastronomic Tour | Day 3: Rottach-Egern – My tour around the beautiful Tegernsee lasts a total of five days. Bad Wiessee, Kreuth, Rottach-Egern, Tegernsee, and Gmund are the five stops. Each day a different town, packed with delicious highlights. On day one, I was on a culinary mission in Bad Wiessee (Article „EATING AT LAKE TEGERNSEE – Gastronomy Tour | Day 1: Bad Wiessee“), the following day took me to Kreuth (Article „DRINKING AT LAKE TEGERNSEE – Gastronomic Tour | Day 2: Kreuth”„) and now the third day is over and I was able to get to know Rottach-Egern from its „delicious“ side.

Essen am Tegernsee Bad Wiessee Kreuth Tegernsee Rottach Egern Gmund-76

The „Gäuwagerl Dreierlei“ at station 1 in Rottach-Egern

Municipality 3: Essen am Tegernsee | Rottach-Egern

The municipality of Rottach-Egern, situated on the southern shore of Lake Constance, is undoubtedly the first place Munich residents head to when they get in their cars and drive towards the mountains and lake on the weekend. Everyone knows Rottach-Egern, has spent some quality time there, enjoyed the scenery, and/or dined there. According to numerous locals and residents of the lake, finding good food in Rottach is no problem. The town boasts both upscale Michelin-starred restaurants (more on that soon), traditional Bavarian inns, luxury hotels, and cozy guesthouses. For me, a visit to Rottach-Egern is always like a mini-vacation. Whether Rottach's appeal lies in its scenic location at the foot of the Wallberg mountain, or in its rich array of art, boutiques, nature, and culinary delights, I don't know, but I do know that on this particular day, everything tasted absolutely delicious. Oh yes…a little tip outside of my restaurant tour: Be sure to take the lift up the 1722-meter-high Wallberg mountain and enjoy a unique view and a Bavarian snack with a panoramic vista. Now, on to food!.

One of the two appetizers from Fährhütte14. So delicious!

Stations 1 and 2: Snack Café Gäuwagerl and lunch in the ferry hut 14

The third day started in a place that was previously unknown to me. Café Gäuwagerl. The café, nestled in a beautiful Bavarian country house, made a great impression right from the moment you stepped inside. Firstly, because of the sign "Fancy some homemade Kaiserschmarrn, cakes, tarts, cream bread, and breadschetta?", and secondly, because the aroma of these treats wafts up to you as soon as you enter. The charming Gäuwagerl operates on a self-service basis, so you order what you like at the counter. The selection primarily features fresh cakes, but also includes small snacks and dishes: goulash soup (for €4.90), the "Gäuwagerl Trio" (with bread, rendered pork fat, horseradish, and Obatzda; for €5.90), breadschetta (for €5.90), or raclette bread (for €4.90). They also offer sausage salad with bread (for €7.50). Around 11:30 a.m., the aroma of cakes and various open-faced sandwiches (vegetarian, with bacon and leeks, or with char; from €7.50) fills the air. The highlight, however, is undoubtedly the selection of homemade cakes. Streusel and pound cakes are €3.20, cheesecake, raspberry tart, and other varieties are €3.40. Since the weather was kind to my companion and me during my visit, we found a sunny spot on the idyllic courtyard terrace – complete with an unobstructed view of the Wallberg mountain. We sampled the "Brotschetta" and the "Gäuwagerl Dreierlei" (a traditional Swabian dish). Everything was fresh, simply and unpretentiously presented, and just as delicious. The "Brotzeit" (a light meal) is good, but not elaborate or something you absolutely have to come for. The homemade cakes, on the other hand, are a different story. My fruit cheesecake was divine, wonderfully moist and fluffy. The blueberry crumble cake made by my first companion was a veritable berry explosion on the palate and would surely be a culinary delight for any blueberry and crumble cake fan. My second companion opted for the raspberry cream torte. Beautiful to look at, but the cream wasn't really to my taste. Whether you enjoy hiking or not, you absolutely must stop by here – even if it means driving. It's worth it even in the rain, as you can simply sit in one of the cozy little rooms. Café Gäuwagerl definitely needs to be on your "to do" or "to go" list. And for warmer days, they also offer homemade hay milk ice cream.

Asian sushi bowl with fresh tuna at the ferry hut 14.

The Ferry Hut 14 Opened in 2014, hence the "14" – this restaurant is fantastic and was one of my personal highlights of the day. It's located right on the lake, or rather, you sit on a terrace overlooking the lake, directly next to the resort's adjacent sunbathing area. It's not easy to describe in words how it feels to sit at a set table on the terrace, gaze at the shimmering lake with its play of colors, and choose something from the well-organized and structured menu. In short, one word sums it up: mini-vacation. Besides a daily changing tableside recommendation, there's also a three-course set menu, offered for €79 including a bottle of house champagne. The à la carte menu features a variety of appetizers to start (we chose "Buratta on a colorful tomato salad with basil pesto" for €13 and "Raw marinated tuna with teriyaki marinade, soy and wakame salad" for €19). This is followed by pasta dishes (from €13); Main courses (we chose an "FH 14 Bowl with sushi rice and approximately 120 grams of raw tuna" for €27 and "Secreto of Iberico pork with blood oranges, cashew polenta, and peperonata vegetables for €27") and finished with a selection of desserts. They also offer steaks (from €31), Wiener Schnitzel (for €21), and various side dishes, such as hand-cut fries, roasted potatoes, sautéed spinach, and more (for €4 each). The sous-vide pineapple carpaccio with coconut ice cream (for €11) was too much for us, but the two starters and main courses were more than enough to know: I'll be back at Fährhütte14, even if my wallet is a bit full. The location and view are worth every penny, as are the quality, taste, and presentation of the food. The service is also friendly. And competent; minor mistakes are met with a friendly smile. A nice touch: Two kinds of bread (not homemade) are served beforehand, along with two (homemade) dips (char Obatzda and herb pesto). Open wines and rosés are also available, so it's worth stopping by even just for a glass and a view of the lake. Thumbs up!

My favorite course of the menu at Haubentaucher

Stations 3 and 4: Confiserie Hagn and Restaurant Haubentaucher

Located directly on Seestraße Confiserie Hagn I stepped in as a "sweet placeholder" because my original destination, Café Franzl, was unexpectedly closed. I'd been to Franzl about a year ago for a private aperitif. It was quite pleasant, with a lake view and cake. Unfortunately, I couldn't sample anything else on that occasion. So, I'll have to come back... No big deal, though, because instead, as an alternative, I spontaneously ended up at the small and wonderful Confiserie Hagn in Rottach-Egern. About the size of an average living room, it only has a few small tables placed directly in front of the impressive counter, which is packed with sweet delicacies. (My new favorite spot is the small table for two with a view of the window and Lake Tegernsee.) The best part: The approximately 40 different types of chocolates have been handcrafted for over 20 years in the over 100-year-old Enzianhütte by master confectioner and namesake Maximilian Hagn. From the white and blue diamond-shaped praline with Bavarian beer from Tegernsee, to crispy Florentines, delicious chocolate chimney cakes, crunchy nut pastries, and various cakes (e.g., bee sting cake, marble cake, Danish pastry, torte, etc., starting at €1.90), they have everything a sweet tooth could desire. The prices are exceptionally fair. Two espressos, three pralines, and a Florentine to try came to €7.90. Individual pastries are even available for under €1 each. It's also great that fresh bread is baked every Thursday afternoon, and you can pick one up (from around 4 pm). Confiserie Hagn should definitely be one of your stops in Rottach-Egern next time you're there. For the ambiance, the friendly service, and, of course, the pralines.

Cozy atmosphere right on the lake at Haubentaucher.

„Last but not least“ definitely applies to station number 4 on the third day, because that too Restaurant Haubentaucher This is one of my new favorites for when I travel to Rottach-Egern on Lake Tegernsee and am willing to spend a bit more. Opened just over a year ago, the Haubentaucher serves upscale cuisine in the evenings in the form of four- or five-course menus, as well as delicious antipasti, small snacks, six to eight daily specials, and soups during the day. The restaurant's name is well-chosen: it refers to a type of bird, is a friendly Bavarian joke, and also conveys a message to the guest that they don't aspire to be a Michelin-starred restaurant in the strictest sense, but rather aim to impress with consistently high-quality, honest cuisine without any unnecessary frills. And that's exactly how I experienced the five-course menu I tried (four courses for €58, each additional course €12). The menu is shrouded in mystery, by the way, because until the first course is served, you have no idea what will be on the table. Any allergies are noted beforehand; otherwise, the menu is a surprise, and the choice of four or five courses is decided in advance. The ingredients are excellent and fresh, and the service is young, friendly, and highly competent. The creations, such as "Tuna, Sardine, Prawn, Aubergine Salsa, and Spiced Yogurt" (Course 1) or the following "Tyrolean Spinach Dumpling, Fresh Morels, and Parmesan" (Course 2), were absolutely delicious. The "Fillet of Sea Bream with Two Kinds of Pak Choy and Vegetable Curry Broth" (Course 3) not only showcased the usual freshness but also demonstrated the kitchen's boldness with its extravagant combination of fish, subtle spice, and vegetables. Course 4 – "Braised Veal Cheeks and Pink Roast Beef with Pea Ravioli and Celery Salad" – was, along with Course 1, my favorite of the evening. The sous-vide meat melted in my mouth, and the paper-thin pea ravioli impressed with their intense flavor and refinement. Before emptying our wine glasses (the house recommendation: Grüner Veltliner, Müller-Grossmann winery, Kremstal) and finishing with hazelnut schnapps, we had a choice between a cheese selection (mountain cheese, three kinds of cow's milk Camembert, etc.) and butter crumble, rhubarb, and gratinated zabaglione with basil sorbet. Thumbs up again! Both for the menu and for the fact that the bread, pasta, cakes, pastries, and jams are all homemade. I'll be back – if only to try the Vinschgerl rolls they offer in the afternoon. (Reservations are a must! There's room inside and on the terrace for about 35-40 people, and it fills up in no time.).

What delicious cake! – Enjoyed at Café Gäuwagerl

…where it also tastes good or „my future Rottach plan“

Since even my stomach has its limits, meaning capacity constraints, I unfortunately couldn't try nearly everything that tastes good in Rottach-Egern. Too many delicious options lurk in Rottach's restaurant kitchens. Tegernsee Valley Tourism shows you on its website (here), where it also tastes good and proves once again that nobody has to come home hungry from the lake or go to Munich.

…what to expect in the next article:

Three out of five municipalities have now been "covered" or explored. Of course, each municipality has much more to offer in terms of restaurants, but I want to show you what you might not immediately think of when your stomach starts rumbling before or after an outdoor adventure at Lake Tegernsee. I already know Bad Wiessee, Kreuth, and Rottach-Egern a bit better; next up are Tegernsee and Gmund. Article 4 (Municipality "Tegernsee") takes me to the Aran, the Tegernsee Castle Distillery, the Sundowner Sassa Bar, and "Das Tegernsee" Hotel, complete with its Alpine Brasserie, Restaurant Senger, and beer garden. I'm already excited and will take you along live and via Instagram.

+++ 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

Rottach-Egern:
1. Snack Café Gäuwagerl | Feldstraße 16, 83700 Rottach-Egern |
Telephone: 08022 704438 | Open: Tuesday – Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm/6:00 pm (summer)
2. Ferry Hut 14 | Weißachdamm 50, 83700 Rottach-Egern |
Tel.: 08022 188220 | Open: Wednesday – Sunday from 12:00 – 15:00 and 18:00 to 22:00
3. Confiserie Hagn | Seestraße 80, 83700 Rottach-Egern | Tel.: 08022 673137 |
Open: Monday – Friday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday from 9:00 am; Sunday from 7:30 am
4. Restaurant Haubentaucher | Seestraße 30, 83700 Rottach-Egern | Tel.: 08022 6615704 |
Open: Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm;
Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm