Au Vieux Couvent

The story

Au Vieux Couvent in Rhinau – Michelin-Starred Modern Cuisine in Alsace

A Family Legacy, Michelin-Starred Since 1983

In the quiet Alsatian village of Rhinau, Au Vieux Couvent has been a destination for gourmands for over four decades. What began as a small bistro run by the chef's grandmother has evolved into a Michelin-starred restaurant, a distinction the family has held since 1983. Today, chef Alexis Albrecht presides over the kitchen, continuing a lineage of talent that began with his father, Jean.

A Cuisine Grounded in the Land

Alexis Albrecht describes his cooking as warm, generous, and bathed in light. The kitchen’s philosophy is rooted in the land: vegetables come from the family's own garden, rare plants and edible flowers are foraged, and fish and game are sourced from local waters and nearby forests. This modern cuisine changes with the seasons, creating new flavours that are both inventive and deeply connected to the Alsatian terroir. A recurring speciality is the traditional matelote, a river-fish stew of pike, perch, tench, and eel served with homemade noodles and a flaky butter puff pastry—a dish that honours the chef's grandmother.

An Invitation to the Table

The setting is a classic Alsatian house, surrounded by wooded banks and waterways. Inside, the décor is modern and restrained: carved sycamore ceilings, warm orange walls, and large windows that frame the river landscape. Chef Albrecht, together with his wife Evelyne and his team, offers a welcoming, professional atmosphere. The restaurant also hosts special seasonal events, such as an Italian summer menu that explores the flavours of the peninsula, from Piedmont to Sicily. Whether for a celebration or a quiet evening, Au Vieux Couvent remains a true family home for fine dining.