Gîte du Moulin

On the Wine Road south of Colmar, the picture postcard wine-growing village of Ammerschwihr nestles in Kaysersberg Valley, dubbed the valley of stars - Michelin stars of course! It is home to a veteran chef and former member of the Auberge de l’Ill team, Julien Binz, for whom the world of cooking has no secrets. Against a plush, stylish background, he rustles up seasonal dishes founded on lashings of culinary technique with an Alsace accent: duck foie gras crafted two ways; a “striped” trout with choucroute and a creamy Kaefferkopf riesling sauce; tortellini of Munster cheese and a buttery sto

Schillinger is a name that resonates particularly strongly in Alsace. First there was Jean, then there was his son Jean-Yves, who, after a period on the New York City restaurant scene (Destinée, Olica), returned home in 2002. Here in this restaurant bordering the Champ-de-Mars Park, he is full of bright ideas. His cuisine embraces one tradition after another with disconcerting ease – Alsace, the United States, Brittany and Japan. Confident in his strengths, he deploys a no-holds-barred approach – as in, for example, his Breton lobster cooked in a Cona coffee maker and served with the claw in a

The Maison des Têtes, a listed Renaissance edifice lavishly decorated with grimacing faces, is as superb as Colmar itself. The restaurant's decor is minimalist, in keeping with Éric Girardin's tasting menu, which showcases the terroir of Alsace. Each dish is the epitome of beauty, flavour and delicately refined aromas. You will be won over by the trout "in three acts" and its hollandaise sauce with herbs, or the pigeon with cabbage, orange and cashew nuts. There is also a brasserie, plus guestrooms that sport a spirit of timeless elegance.

Martin Schongauer, one of the greatest late-15C engravers and painters from the Rhine, had his studio just across from this establishment, whose walls date back to the Renaissance. The chic, cosy interior, by contrast, has a decidedly contemporary vibe. When it comes to the food, Loïc Lefebvre cooks up precise modern cuisine, which is rife with creative twists and, needless to say, evolves with the seasons. Freshness, subtlety and also indulgence are the hallmarks of his Marennes oyster poached with green apple and dill, or his matured Salers beef tenderloin with red wine sauce.

The Le Valtrivin team, previously in Lapoutroie, has a new home in Ammerschwihr, in the heart of the Haut-Rhin vineyards. It's a brilliant move for this establishment, which is passionate about showcasing Alsace wines – and many others. Here within these old stone walls, a couple is at the helm – he takes pleasure in recommending gems from his incredible wine list; she rustles up appealing contemporary dishes, using top-notch local and seasonal ingredients. Be sure to indulge in one of her truly refined desserts. Highly recommended!

In this quintessential Alsace village, this imposing 16C half-timbered house is the domain of a chef who crafts delicious modern cuisine peppered with influences from further afield. The lunch menu is simpler. To wash it all down, try one of the organic wines from the family estate. Very pleasant terrace in summer.

This former butcher's shop in the "Little Venice" neighbourhood has been transformed into an appealing brasserie with the feel of a modern winstub and a buzzing atmosphere. The menu features carefully prepared Alsace specialities and, in a nod to its past, some choice cuts of meat. On sunny days, diners make a beeline for the terrace on the banks of the River Lauch.