freistil.

The story

freistil. – Modern Seasonal Cuisine in Ofterschwang, Germany

A Place to Unwind

Perched at 800 metres in the quiet mountain village of Ofterschwang, freistil. is a boutique hotel and restaurant that blends modern alpine design with a genuinely relaxed atmosphere. The dining room, with its clean lines, warm wood, and large windows framing the Allgäu peaks, feels both sophisticated and inviting. The guiding motto is simple: "Zeit bei Freunden" – time among friends.

Constantin Kiehne and the freistil. Philosophy

Westphalian-born Constantin Kiehne trained at the Steigenberger Akademie and under two-star chef Johannes King before taking over the family hotel in 2013. In 2017 he opened the à la carte restaurant freistil., and by 2021 he had merged hotel and restaurant under the same name. Today, he leads a kitchen that values professional craft without pretension. The team sources ingredients predominantly from South Germany and the Alpine region, working with suppliers they know personally. Sustainability is built into the operation – from a combined heat and power unit to solar panels and a conscious reduction of packaging waste.

The Cuisine: Modern and Grounded

The menu changes monthly, reflecting what is in season. The kitchen describes its style as "modern-regional" – dishes that are straightforward in composition but precise in execution. The 6-gang menus offer two paths: one built around meat and fish, the other entirely vegetarian and vegan. Standouts from the current menu include konfierter Lechtaler Saibling with basil sorbet and ratatouille, and Tataki vom Rind with potato waffle, sour cream, and elderflower. On the vegetarian side, a Hummus von heimischen Kichererbsen with sunflower seeds and aubergine shows the kitchen’s ability to elevate simple ingredients. For those who prefer à la carte, the "kleine Karte" features classics like Allgäuer Kässpatzen and a signature dish of lukewarm Lechtaler Saibling with horseradish and Alblinsen.

A Michelin-Recommended Destination

The Guide Michelin lists freistil. as "Recommended", praising its "sympathetic-modern" style and commitment to regional, seasonal cooking. The same recognition has been echoed by critics like Jürgen Dollase of the FAZ, who noted the restaurant’s "decently grounded, sensorially diverse" approach. This is cooking that trusts the product and lets the flavours speak – exactly what makes a meal here worth the trip into the Allgäu Alps.