Where the fox says goodnight to the hare! Without a doubt, the Gasthof zum Hirsch in Goppertsweiler – a sleepy village in southern Germany – is truly a hidden gem at Michelin-star level.
Goppertsweiler is located near Lake Constance and the Austrian border with the state of Vorarlberg. The Swiss border with eastern Switzerland is also only about a 35-minute drive away. It’s an ideal location… but no one comes to Goppertsweiler “voluntarily”. The small town is remote and quiet.
A few years ago, I discovered this inn and its restaurant and was surprised by the many good reviews. However, no one in my circle of friends and acquaintances had heard of this place. That piqued my curiosity. After countless visits, a review of this hidden gem was inevitable and more than deserved.
Expert Management
The Gasthof zum Hirsch in Goppertsweiler has been run by the Frick-Renz family since 1995. While Artur Frick-Renz serves as the head chef, his partner, Ulrike Frick-Renz, handles the service.
Artur Frick-Renz is a culinary maverick with extensive experience in the kitchen. After training as a chef and pastry chef, he gained valuable experience in renowned restaurants. His career began at the legendary “L’Auberge de l’Ill” with Paul and Jean-Pierre Haeberlin. Other notable stops include the “Waldhorn” by Albert Bouley in Ravensburg, Germany, and the “Posttürmle” by Robert Stark in Oberstaufen, Germany. A culinary adventure also took him to Discovery Beach in Barbados before he worked at the Golfhotel Bodensee in Weißensberg, Germany. He is also a regular guest chef on German TV.
Versatile Offerings
In addition to a traditional inn with only eight rooms, gourmet cooking courses are also regularly offered. However, if you think you can get a spot on short notice, you’re mistaken. The courses are booked out for many months. Even when I inquired, the next available spot was five months away. But the true jewel of the entire establishment is undoubtedly the restaurant, which is the focus of this review.
The Menu
In addition to the classic à la carte menu, there are also select multi-course menus, including the surprise menu “Lass mi machen” (Eng. “Let me do it…”). You can choose between four and six courses. Wine pairings are also available for an additional charge. One thing should be said right away: considering the absolutely outstanding quality at Michelin-star level, the price-performance ratio is sensational, six courses for 79 EUR (about 88 USD).
The dishes and menus are not presented on a menu but are lovingly and personally explained at each table on a large menu board.
We opted for the six-course surprise menu…
The Gourmet Dinner
Let’s be honest. For a rather rustic-looking inn in the German countryside, one would typically expect a down-to-earth cuisine, served just as unpretentiously. But this does not apply at all to the Gasthof zum Hirsch in Goppertsweiler. Service, cuisine, quality, and presentation are, in my opinion – no matter how special this may sound – at an international Michelin-star level!
The amuse-bouche traditionally consists of three small appetizers. A true explosion of flavors, encompassing all the senses, from salty and vegetable-based to fishy, everything is represented.
Along with it came a wonderful, fresh bread with a homemade spread. The spread and the bread harmonized wonderfully together.
The first appetizer was a fresh salmon dish with excellent vegetables.
This was followed by a hearty beef soup with dumplings. Not only was the flavor exceptional, but the soup’s temperature was also perfectly balanced, not too hot and not too cold.
The wine pairing offered alongside the courses featured wonderful wines from various countries.
As a small refreshment in between, there was a homemade orange ice cream, accompanied by a hint of orange peel, which provided a true explosion of flavor on the palate.
For the main course, a Bodensee Grassland Rib-Eye steak was served with fresh potato strudel and vegetables. It was a true delight and a harmoniously coordinated main course.
The dessert could not have been better either. A wonderfully fresh ricotta-strawberry tartlet with equally fresh sorbet. The presentation alone was a visual delight.
All in all, it was a very successful evening with outstanding, friendly, and warm hosts. It’s no wonder that the Gasthof zum Hirsch is known far beyond the national borders, reaching neighboring Austria and Switzerland. Therefore, it is not surprising that reservations are always necessary, and it’s best to make them days in advance.