Zum Ochsen

The story

Zum Ochsen in Schönwald: Michelin-Recommended Country Cooking in the Black Forest

A black forest kitchen with purpose

In the quiet Black Forest town of Schönwald, near the source of the Danube, the Hotel Zum Ochsen has been home to a particular kind of hospitality: one that is deeply rooted in the region yet open to the world. The restaurant’s philosophy is captured in three words — zuvorkommend, leidenschaftlich, authentisch (attentive, passionate, authentic). The Michelin inspectors recognised this spirit in 2026, awarding it a Michelin Recommended badge, a testament to the kitchen’s consistent, honest cooking.

The team is led by Stéphanie Sinnig and Arjan Ptok, who together define the kitchen’s approach: regional, sustainable, and handmade. The menu changes with the seasons, drawing on producers from the nearby Black Forest and beyond. Every ingredient is chosen with care — the restaurant is certified for allergen management, and sustainability runs through the entire operation, from LED lighting to a combined heat and power plant that generates its own electricity.

What’s on the plate

The menu is a playful, confident take on Baden country cooking. Starters include a delicate Kalbstatar with marinated mushrooms and a Lachscarpaccio with passion fruit marinade and seared scallop. Soups range from a vegan Schwarzwurzelsuppe (salsify soup) to a rich Wildkraftbrühe with pistachio dumplings.

Main courses show the kitchen’s range: Zander with horseradish risotto, Hirschragout with barberries and creamed savoy cabbage, or a classic Tafelspitz (boiled beef) with horseradish sauce and bouillon potatoes. For those who want to go all in, the seasonal menu — a three-course affair priced at €79 — might feature calf’s fillet with whiskey jus, oyster mushrooms, and Jerusalem artichoke cream. A vegetarian menu is also offered, and desserts like Tannenhonigeis (fir-honey ice cream) in a crisp wafer with boozy cherries show the kitchen’s playful side.

The dining room

The atmosphere is that of a traditional Black Forest parlor — Schwarzwaldstuben — warm and unhurried. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch on Sundays and holidays (by reservation only), and evening service from 17:30 to 21:00. Dogs are not permitted in the dining room, a reflection of the allergen certification. The terrace and parking are available for those who prefer to dine outside.

Zum Ochsen is a restaurant that knows exactly what it is: a place where the cooking is confident, the ingredients respected, and the hospitality genuine. The Michelin recommendation is not a surprise — it is the natural result of years of quiet, excellent work.