The story
Gasthaus zum Kreuz in St. Märgen has anchored authentic Baden cooking in the high Black Forest since 1683. The Schwer family now guides the kitchen through its third generation, blending time honored regional recipes with contemporary techniques. Fresh ingredients travel directly from local farms to the pass. Recognition from the Schlemmer Atlas and a 2026 BIB Gourmand designation confirm that their balanced approach resonates well beyond local borders. The dining room maintains a quiet, family run rhythm where guests receive direct attention from the hosts.
Seasonal menus highlight pike perch alongside roasted venison and braised monkfish. The kitchen frequently presents the Genussmenu MS, a five course tasting sequence crafted by the head chef to showcase local produce. Chefs finish each plate with hand harvested herbs from the garden plot. Wine pairings drawn from an extensive cellar accompany each course, grounding the Baden culinary tradition in glass and soil. Larger parties receive coordinated main courses to ensure consistent pacing and flavor balance across the table.
Set among rolling meadows and dense pine forests, the property offers a quiet retreat from valley traffic. Wooden furnishings and soft textiles create a relaxed country house environment that feels lived in rather than staged. Fifteen individually arranged rooms and suites provide separate sleeping quarters for those extending their stay past dinner. The adjacent WaldRaum Spa features a panoramic sauna and infrared cabin where visitors recover after hiking trails or winter sports.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
Location
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