Municipality 4: Essen am Tegernsee | Tegernsee

The history of the town of Tegernsee dates back to 1260. That year, Benedictine monks established a monastery and brewery, laying the foundation for what is now Tegernsee. Over 200 years ago, it became the summer residence of the Bavarian king, a connection that can be felt in the Ducal Brewery Tavern (Herzogliches Bräustüberl) in Tegernsee. Tegernsee is not only about culture (classical and folk music by the lake, exhibitions, museums, etc.), but also about tradition (three different forest and lake festivals each year) and customs. Besides Tegernsee Castle and Tegernsee Abbey, the town also boasts the famous brewery tavern and the parish church of St. Quirinus. Those who prefer to soak up the sun can do so at the lido at Point in Tegernsee. All this exploring is sure to work up an appetite, so I'm going to find a good place to eat right now.

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Cozy lobby at the Aran in Tegernsee.

Stations 1 and 2: Aran and Tegernsee Castle Distillery

Anyone driving from Munich to Lake Tegernsee will quickly find themselves on Seestraße and will see the building located directly on the lake to their right. Aran. Aran (founded in 1999) has locations in various German cities, including Munich on Theatinerstrasse, and is synonymous with bread and coffee culture. The Tegernsee Aran not only impresses with fresh bread, spreads, and coffee, but also with its inviting interior and a beautiful conservatory, perfect for breakfast, coffee, and enjoying the lake view. The menu includes bread with various spreads, egg dishes, light snacks, cakes, and, of course, coffee creations. Customers can choose from two, three, or six spreads, served with two, four, or eight slices of bread. Individual slices of bread with a single spread are also available (from €3 including bread; varieties include: basil cream, hummus, honey mustard cream cheese, apricot rosemary, cream cheese, Obatzda, salmon cream cheese, egg salad, wild boar curry, tuna artichoke, crab, and seasonal spreads). Espresso (macchiato), latte macchiato, hot chocolate, and various teas are available from €2.20. During the test, we sampled both the scrambled eggs with tomato and Parmesan (€7.50) – one of the few hot dishes – and the aforementioned "3-spread set" (€11) with four slices of bread. The bread is fresh, and the spreads are delicious and varied. Aran is ideal for a snack, a satisfying "Brotzeit" (…which is essentially what it is…), or a creative breakfast. Homemade cakes are also available. A cozy lounge area invites you to take a seat; those who enjoy browsing will appreciate the integrated shop area with its books, coffee cups, coffee, and other treats. For me, Aran is the perfect place for either a very sunny day with a view of the shimmering lake or when the sky is overcast and you simply want to sit in a cozy and warm café. The service is friendly and helpful. All the bread spreads were patiently explained until a choice had been made.

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The Kaiserschmarrn from the Tegernsee Castle Distillery

The Tegernsee Castle Distillery This was my go-to spot for lunch in Tegernsee. On sunny days, the spacious terrace is ideal for sunbathing while enjoying Bavarian delicacies. During my visit, it was a bit cloudy, so my companion and I sat inside the Tegernsee Castle Distillery. Lots of wood, soaring dormer ceilings, a typical Bavarian ambiance, traditional Bavarian music, and plenty to see, such as a view of the distillery's stills. Seated under the high dormer ceilings, we were served a basket of pretzels and the menu by friendly staff. It featured numerous Bavarian classics, such as roast pork belly, pork knuckle with bread and potato dumplings, beef goulash, meatloaf, and other Bavarian snacks. Local char, a lumberjack steak, and vegetarian dishes were also on the menu. My companion and I had a fantastic culinary start to our visit. To start, we were served homemade spreads (Obatzda, rendered pork fat, and char cream) with bread and the aforementioned pretzels (for €7.80). This was followed by a platter prepared especially for us, featuring half a duck and half a pork knuckle with a bread dumpling and a potato dumpling (duck: €25.90; knuckle: €12.60). My companion preferred the duck, I the knuckle; we both agreed on the crispy crackling. Unfortunately, the potato dumpling barely tasted of potato, but the two different jus – thick and without any visible fat – were wonderfully intense. I was very much looking forward to the final Kaiserschmarrn. While at an Italian restaurant it's bruschetta and seafood, at a Bavarian restaurant it's the Kaiserschmarrn that serves as a good indicator of the overall quality of the kitchen. On the plus side: After our plates were cleared, we were asked if we needed a break, as the Kaiserschmarrn would take 20 minutes to prepare, meaning it was made fresh. One might assume this is standard practice everywhere – unfortunately not. Luckily, it was at the Schlossbrennerei Tegernsee. Served with stewed plums (delicious!), applesauce, and a kind of jam (which I didn't need, or rather, I'm not familiar with it), the Kaiserschmarrn came with quite a lot of powdered sugar and a bit too much egg. It wasn't fluffy, but it was a lovely yellow color. All in all, it's a Kaiserschmarrn I would order again, even though it lacked a certain lightness. I would return, if at all, because of the friendly staff, the typical Bavarian ambiance, and the quality of the meat – it was excellent. Perhaps you could try the Schlossbrennerei Tegernsee next time as an alternative to the Tegernseer Bräustüberl, which is just a stone's throw away.

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„"Six tapas, one 'Pink Sassa' please!" – What a view from the Sassa Bar terrace!

Stations 3 and 4: Sassa Bar (from Leeberghof) and „Das Tegernsee“

I had been looking forward to the third stop the whole time. After a rather heavy lunch, I took a short break, and then we set off – albeit initially with thick rain clouds – to the Sassa Bar, Located high on the mountain, belonging to the Leebergalm, this small bar (only 36 m² for 30 to 35 guests) is open daily from 4 pm, except on Mondays (closed). With its diverse drinks, delicious tapas, inviting terrace (seating for 90-100 people), lounge furniture and music, and a stunning view, it offers the perfect atmosphere for cocktails and sundowners. Weather permitting, I can't imagine a more beautiful spot than up here, enjoying a drink – in my case, the "Pink Sassa" with Ramazzotti Rosato and fresh berries – and tapas. Besides a small snack menu (currywurst, burgers, bruschetta, or tacos; from €8.50), the "Alpentapas" (classic tapas) are definitely worth ordering. For between €2.90 and €4.50, you can choose from 14 savory and two sweet tapas creations. The 6-piece tapas set is a fair €21.50; the 10-piece set is €32.50. Of course, I had to try them, and so I ordered "Parma ham grissini with marinated melon ball," "Smoked brook trout fillet on marinated cabbage," "Seared king prawn in sweet chili sauce," "Beef fillet skewer with spicy bean salad," "Seasoned Bavarian beef fillet tartare," and "Grilled scallop on arugula risotto." If you can't resist something sweet, you can choose the crème brûlée of the day with marinated berries or warm chocolate flan with vanilla ice cream, both €4.90, also served tapas-sized. What I really love is that the Sassa Bar is often open until 1:00 a.m., and the place is always buzzing with dancing and celebrating. Tapas are served from 6 pm to 9:30 pm, and individual snacks can be ordered afterward; before that, there's a small afternoon menu. No one leaves this cozy, trendy bar hungry or thirsty – it's popular with both locals and tourists. On Sundays from 4 pm, it's "Sunday Sunset Chill Out": delicious creations from the bartender, relaxed music, tasty tapas, and the perfect sundowner atmosphere.

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The Almfleckerl from the Alpenbrasserie.

After a nightcap at the Sassa Bar, we went to dinner at the „"Lake Tegernsee"“. The chic hotel is quite well-known around the lake and its culinary offerings comprise the Alpenbrasserie (since 2014), the small, cozy beer garden (established over 20 years ago), and the fine-dining restaurant "Senger," completely renovated in 2017. "Das Tegernsee" intentionally showcases a wide range of cuisines. The Alpenbrasserie presents Alpine dishes in a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere, offering panoramic views across the entire Tegernsee. In addition to soups and salads (from €9), there are five different main courses (from €17) as well as the "Alpine delicacies," which include the "Almfleckerl" (a type of flatbread) with sour cream, Schlierach Valley bacon, and mountain cheese (€13), which my companion and I sampled, along with Mediterranean and Alpine tapas (€17/€18). I had just come from the Sassa Bar, where I enjoyed some truly excellent tapas. Perhaps that's why the tapas served in the brasserie didn't quite grab me. They were nicely presented, but unfortunately, the taste was better. I did, however, really enjoy the Alpenfleckerl (a type of Austrian pasta). Next time, though, I'd probably opt for a "regular" main course (for example, the fried chicken with potatoes, radishes, and lamb's lettuce for €21). I appreciated the separate wine bar and brasserie, as well as the bar area with its small balcony overlooking the lake. The lounge in front of the fireplace – perfect for an aperitif before dinner – also exudes a cozy atmosphere. Overall, "Das Tegernsee" is a very stylish and appealing establishment. I was delighted to have the opportunity to view two very stylish suites (starting at just under €800 per night), from which I happened to catch a glimpse of the beer garden with its sturdy wooden benches and cozy atmosphere – unfortunately, the weather was dreary and overcast. Besides table service, the beer garden offers classic Bavarian delicacies (pretzels, Obatzda cheese spread, Weisswurst) as well as snacks and homemade lemonades/iced teas. A highlight is said to be the beer garden burger with its juicy beef patty and particularly delicious "secret" dip. If I ever manage to get to the lake again in the sunshine, it's definitely on my list.

The creatively presented Cordon Bleu at Restaurant Senger.

The actual dinner then took place in the "Senger" restaurant, one floor below. You can order à la carte or from a set menu ("Gourmet Menu" – four courses with a choice of main course for 70 euros). We opted for two à la carte dishes, as we had already enjoyed tapas appetizers in the Alpenbrasserie. After three different appetizers (from 14 euros) and three intermediate courses (from 16 euros), six different main courses follow (between 22 and 38 euros). My companion chose the "Beef fillet from the lava stone grill with truffle jus, green beans, and potato rösti" (for 38 euros); I opted for one course from the set menu (also an option!), namely the "Cordon Bleu of calves with bresaola and hay-milk cheese filled with potato and watercress purée and glazed carrots" – priced roughly the same as the beef fillet. The main courses, along with the aperitif I enjoyed beforehand (a kind of "melon spritz" in the aforementioned fireplace lounge), were the highlight of my visit to "Das Tegernsee" and Restaurant Senger. My companion's beef fillet was also delicious and cooked to my liking. The cordon bleu was exceptionally creative in its presentation, tender, and delicious in combination with the other components. I wouldn't order the dessert again ("Grilled pineapple with lemongrass, tonka bean, and ginger" (also from the menu); nor would my companion order the "Chocolate and passion fruit as a brick and sorbet" (for €14), as there was relatively little chocolate involved, and I ate most of it. (On the plus side: When we pointed this out at the table, we were served a quartet of delicious and definitely chocolatey pralines.) All in all, "Das Tegernsee" is definitely a chic establishment with very attentive service, friendly bar staff, and the right ambiance, but a somewhat underdeveloped culinary concept. Undoubtedly, everything is fresh, and I appreciate the focus on local products; however, I would primarily return only for a nightcap at the bar or the à la carte dishes in the fine dining area. I'll give the beer garden another chance on a sunny day.

My fruity and refreshing melon spritzer; (view from the balcony)

…where the food still tastes good in Tegernsee

Tegernsee Valley Tourism has obviously been around longer than I have when it comes to culinary delights by the lake. Even with the best will in the world, I simply couldn't try everything. Therefore, Tegernsee Valley Tourism is also providing you with a list of other great places to eat in Tegernsee. here before.

…what to expect in the next article:

My final stop will be Gmund. There, I'll guide you through familiar and lesser-known restaurants, sample the local cuisine, and enjoy the various dishes and drinks. I'll be visiting Dürnbecker, the relatively new "K1411" bar at Gut Kaltenbrunn, and the Gasthaus Herzog Maximilian. Look forward to it (at least as much as I do!). If you'd like to relive my past few days through photos and short clips – all filmed on location – you can find them on my Instagram channel.

+++ 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

Tegernsee:
1. Aran | Seestraße 8, 83684 Tegernsee |
Telephone: 08022 6634700 | Open: daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
2. Tegernsee Castle Distillery | Castle plaza 1, 83684 Tegernsee |
Tel.: 08022 4560 | Open: Wednesday – Monday from 11:00 am to 12:00 am
3. Sassa Bar (in the Leeberghof) |Leeberghof, Ellingerstraße 10, 83684 Tegernsee |
Tel.: 08022 188090 | Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM
4. Lake Tegernsee (Restaurant „Senger“; Alpenbrasserie; beer garden) |Neureuthstraße 23, 83684 Tegernsee |
Tel.: 08022 1 82-0 | Open: Alpenbrasserie: Tuesday – Saturday from 6:00 pm;
“Senger“: Dinner daily from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm; Beer garden: Friday to Sunday from 12:00 pm