Fachwerk

The story

Fachwerk Hattingen: Michelin Recommended Mediterranean & Westphalian Cuisine

At the Old Town Hall

Fachwerk sits in the heart of Hattingen, on the Untermarkt beside the historic old town hall. It is a place for eating, drinking, and celebrating – and the kitchen team around Semi Hassine makes sure the food is the star. In 2026, the Michelin inspectors awarded the restaurant a coveted Recommendation, acknowledging the skilled, honest cooking that defines the house.

Westphalian Roots, Global Accents

The menu is rooted in Westphalian tradition but refuses to be pinned down. “We don’t commit to one style,” the restaurant explains. You will find honest home-style cooking alongside regional specialties, but also excursions into international haute cuisine. This is down-to-earth Westphalian food with cosmopolitan influences – and Mediterranean touches appear naturally, whether in a ragout of shrimp and octopus with a Tom Kha Gai infusion or a Thai-spiced crème brûlée with peanut butter ice cream.

Seasonality and locality are non-negotiable. Strawberries in winter or asparagus from Chile? No. “We give preference to local and regional produce with short transport routes,” the team states. Ingredients appear only when nature offers them and they taste best.

What to Expect

The current Menükarussell (menu carousel) runs from February to March 2026, showcasing the kitchen’s range: beef tartare with wasabi, pumpkin, and ginger; crisp braised duck leg with roasted pointed cabbage, spicy pea purée, nut butter, and old soy sauce. The Mediterranean influence is subtle but present – in the seafood, the olive oil, the light-handed seasoning.

The dining room is relaxed, the service led by Patrizia Weidemann-Hassine and Karuan Aziz, who guide guests through a thoughtful wine selection. An outdoor seating area adds to the appeal in warmer months.

A Chef’s Philosophy

Semi Hassine has also published a cookbook, Bock auf handfestes Essen: Einfach & gut, which reflects his approach: hearty, honest, and unpretentious. At Fachwerk, that philosophy translates into plates that are both familiar and surprising – a Mediterranean-inflected take on Westphalian comfort that earned the restaurant its Michelin nod.