Lindenhof

The story

Lindenhof Emsdetten: Bib Gourmand Country Cooking & Mediterranean in a Boutique Hotel

Family Roots and a Philosophy of Care

The Hankh family has welcomed guests to the Lindenhof in Emsdetten for three generations. What began as a family-run inn has grown into a boutique hotel and restaurant where the staff’s “Hankh zum Besonderen” – a knack for making things special – is felt in every detail. The property combines historic architecture with modern touches, and the restaurant seats up to 60 guests in a setting that blends old-German elements with contemporary elegance. In warmer months, meals can be enjoyed on a terrace or a sheltered balcony.

Chef Udo Hankh and the Kitchen’s Approach

At the heart of the restaurant is chef Udo Hankh, who leads a team that treats cooking as an act of love. The menu draws on regional, seasonal ingredients and emphasizes sustainability – not as a selling point but as a promise. The cuisine is rooted in country cooking, with clear Mediterranean influences that appear in dishes such as Tatar vom Yellowfin Thunfisch with avocado, grapefruit, and tobiko caviar, or Kikok Maispoulardenbrust prepared Tom Kha Gai style with wok vegetables and jasmine rice. The menu changes with the seasons, and a vegetarian menu is always available, featuring creations like walnut-ricotta ravioli with spinach, pear, and browned butter.

Standout Dishes and the Wine List

The à la carte selection includes a classic Wiener Schnitzel from veal, a Bürgermeister Stück from Angus beef with beans and kohlrabi, and Skreifilet from the Lofoten Islands with Riesling beurre blanc. Desserts are equally thoughtful: a Bourbon vanilla crème brûlée with pear and white coffee ice cream, or a moelleux au chocolat with mango, condensed milk cream, and blood orange sorbet. The wine list, curated by the family, features about 100 labels from both old and new world regions, with a focus on harmonious pairings.

Award-Winning Quality

The Lindenhof’s restaurant has been awarded the Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide for 17 consecutive years – a recognition of its consistently high quality, excellent value, and the skill of the kitchen. This award, along with other accolades like the 6 Pfannen from Gusto and a black hat from Gault&Millau, underscores the restaurant’s commitment to outstanding, unpretentious cuisine. Whether you come for a multi-course tasting menu or a simple dish from the seasonal offerings, the Hankh family’s dedication to genuine hospitality and fine country-Mediterranean cooking makes every visit memorable.