Restaurant in Gernsbach, Germany
Castle setting, one star, book early.
Two consecutive Michelin stars (2024 and 2025) and a 4.8 Google rating confirm that Werners Restaurant at Schloss Eberstein is a serious destination, not just a regional novelty. Chef Johnny Courtney delivers disciplined Classic French tasting menus in a castle above the Black Forest — a compelling combination for a special occasion dinner in Baden-Württemberg. Book four to six weeks ahead; this one fills fast.
The common assumption about Werners Restaurant is that it's a regional curiosity — a fine-dining outpost tucked away in a small Black Forest town that punches below its weight compared to the bigger names in Germany's Michelin circuit. That assumption is wrong. Back-to-back Michelin stars in 2024 and 2025 confirm that chef Johnny Courtney is producing Classic French cooking here at a level that warrants a dedicated trip from Stuttgart, Frankfurt, or further afield. If you're planning a special occasion dinner in Baden-Württemberg and you haven't considered Gernsbach, you should.
Werners Restaurant operates from Schloss Eberstein, a castle position above the Murg valley that sets the tone before you've even sat down. The setting matters for a special occasion: the arrival alone signals that this is not an ordinary dinner reservation. But don't book on atmosphere alone. The reason to come is Chef Johnny Courtney's tasting menu, which sits firmly in the Classic French tradition — structured, technique-led, and built around progression rather than provocation.
Classic French at this level means the tasting menu follows a disciplined arc: each course earns its place by shifting the register slightly , in richness, in texture, in intensity. The format is not designed to surprise you with conceptual flourishes but to satisfy through precision and coherence. If you're drawn to avant-garde or experimental formats, venues like CODA Dessert Dining in Berlin or Aqua in Wolfsburg will suit you better. If you want a tasting menu that rewards attention and respects classical structure, Werners is the right room.
The Michelin endorsement here is consecutive and current , stars in both 2024 and 2025 , which removes the question of whether the kitchen has maintained its form. It has. For a restaurant of this profile to hold its star through successive assessments while operating in a town of Gernsbach's size speaks to consistency, not a single inspired season. That consistency is exactly what you need when the occasion demands it: an anniversary, a significant birthday, a business dinner where the room cannot let you down.
Seasonality is built into the Classic French framework, and at star level you should expect the current menu to reflect what's available now in the Black Forest and Baden region. Spring and early summer tend to bring lighter preparations; autumn menus in this part of Germany lean into game and root vegetables. Whatever the season, the architecture of the tasting menu , the pacing, the balance between courses , is where Courtney's kitchen earns its recognition. This is not a restaurant that coasts on its location's beauty; the food is doing the work.
Google reviews sit at 4.8 from 144 ratings, an unusually high score that holds even at this price tier, where expectations are demanding. At €€€€ pricing, you're committing to a full tasting menu spend that will likely run to several courses plus wine. That is not a deterrent if the occasion justifies it , and for a Michelin-starred tasting menu in a castle setting, the pricing is consistent with what comparable German one-star venues charge. For context on what €€€€ delivers elsewhere in the country, see Schanz in Piesport or JAN in Munich.
One practical note for planning: Gernsbach is not a major transit hub. The town sits in the Murg valley between Baden-Baden and Forbach. If you're travelling by train, Baden-Baden is the nearest substantial rail connection. Many guests travelling for a special occasion choose to stay locally or in Baden-Baden and build the dinner into a longer weekend. Our full Gernsbach hotels guide covers accommodation options in the area, and our Gernsbach experiences guide is useful if you're building a wider itinerary around the visit.
Reservations: Book well in advance , demand for a one-star tasting menu in a setting this distinctive outpaces supply, and booking difficulty rates as Hard. Aim for a minimum of four to six weeks ahead; key dates (Valentine's Day, significant public holidays, summer weekends) will require more lead time. Dress: Smart dress is appropriate for a castle-set, Michelin-starred dining room of this calibre , treat it as you would any formal special occasion dinner. Budget: €€€€ , plan for a full tasting menu with wine pairing; this is not a venue where you'd reasonably order à la carte on a first visit if the kitchen is running a set menu format. Getting there: Schloss Eberstein, 76593 Gernsbach , a car or pre-arranged transfer is the most practical option if you're not staying locally.
For more options in the area, see our full Gernsbach restaurants guide, our Gernsbach bars guide, and our Gernsbach wineries guide.
| Venue | Awards | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Werners Restaurant | Michelin 1 Star (2025); Michelin 1 Star (2024) | €€€€ | — |
| Schwarzwaldstube | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | €€€€ | — |
| Aqua | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | €€€€ | — |
| Vendôme | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | €€€€ | — |
| CODA Dessert Dining | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | €€€€ | — |
| Tantris | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | €€€€ | — |
How Werners Restaurant stacks up against the competition.
Bar dining is not confirmed in the available information for Werners Restaurant. Given the Schloss Eberstein castle setting and the Michelin-starred tasting menu format, this is a sit-down reservation venue. check the venue's official channels to ask about informal seating options before assuming flexibility.
Book at least four to six weeks in advance, and further out for weekend dates or special occasions. A consecutive two-year Michelin star (2024 and 2025) in a small Black Forest town means demand consistently outpaces the number of covers available. Last-minute availability is unlikely.
Gernsbach itself has no direct comparable at the Michelin level, so your alternatives are regional. Schwarzwaldstube in Baiersbronn holds three Michelin stars and is the region's highest-rated table. For a change of setting, Vendôme near Cologne offers comparable classic European fine dining at a higher price point. Werners is the right choice if you want the star experience without the competition for tables that the three-star venues command.
The location is part of the experience: Schloss Eberstein sits above the Murg valley, so the arrival matters as much as the meal. Expect a tasting menu format driven by classic French technique under chef Johnny Courtney, at a €€€€ price point. Confirm dress expectations and menu format when you book — there is no published menu or hours information available to review in advance.
Yes, more so than most options at this price range in the region. A Michelin-starred tasting menu in a castle above the Black Forest is a strong setting for a milestone dinner, anniversary, or significant birthday. The €€€€ pricing and advance booking requirement mean you should treat it as a planned event, not a spontaneous outing.
For classic French cooking in an architecturally distinctive setting, the Michelin star — held in both 2024 and 2025 — is a reliable quality signal. If tasting menus are your format and you are already travelling into the Black Forest region, Werners justifies the trip. If you want more culinary ambition per euro, Schwarzwaldstube in Baiersbronn is the regional benchmark.
At €€€€ with two consecutive Michelin stars, Werners sits in the tier where value depends on how much the total experience matters to you, not just the food. The Schloss Eberstein setting adds something that a city restaurant at the same price cannot replicate. For the Black Forest region specifically, it is one of the few ways to get a credentialed fine-dining experience without driving to Baiersbronn or Stuttgart.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
