Rüssel's Hasenpfeffer

The story

Rüssel's Hasenpfeffer in Mehring – Country Cooking with Wild Game

Rüssel's Hasenpfeffer

In the quiet Dhrontal valley near Mehring, the Rüssel family has turned a former mill into a haven for genuine hospitality. The Hasenpfeffer is the more rustic of the two restaurants in Rüssels Landhaus, and it is here that the family's passion for hunting and local produce takes centre stage. The name itself is a nod to the classic German dish, and the kitchen specialises in country cooking that draws on the flavours of the surrounding forests, meadows and rivers.

Patron Harald Rüssel, a chef with a long career in starred kitchens, opened the hotel and restaurant with his wife Ruth in 1992. Their son Frederik now leads the kitchen team alongside his father, and the family's own hunting grounds supply much of the game. The menu changes with the seasons, offering modern interpretations of hearty Landhausküche – think geflammter Saibling with tiger milk and chipotle, or confierter Kabeljau with pickled gherkin and potato mousseline. Vegetarian options are always available, and the kitchen accommodates allergies and intolerances.

The setting is relaxed and welcoming. The restaurant has a private dining room for small groups, and in warmer months the terrace by the pond is a favourite spot. The Hasenpfeffer is open for lunch and dinner on most days, and the family also offers special events like Easter menus and spring arrangements.

The Michelin Recommended award recognises the quality of the cooking here. While the Gourmet Restaurant next door holds a Michelin star, the Hasenpfeffer offers a more accessible but equally sincere expression of the same philosophy: food that is honest, regional and made with care. This is country cooking at its finest, rooted in the landscape and the family's own traditions.