Restaurant in Tinnum, Germany
Plan ahead: Sylt's Michelin star delivers.
BODENDORF'S is Sylt's strongest fine dining option — a Michelin-starred Modern French tasting menu inside Landhaus Stricker with a serious 850-label wine list and relaxed, precise service. Book four to six weeks ahead in summer. At €€€€, it is the right choice for a special occasion on the island, particularly if you start the evening at Miles Bar.
Getting a table at BODENDORF'S takes planning. This is not a walk-in restaurant, and its Michelin star — held since 2024 and reconfirmed for 2025 — means demand consistently outpaces supply on Sylt, where the island's short peak season compresses availability further. If you are visiting in summer, book at least four to six weeks ahead. Off-season, two to three weeks may be sufficient, but do not leave it to chance. The effort is worth it: BODENDORF'S is the clearest case for fine dining on the island, and at €€€€ pricing, it competes with mainland German one-star restaurants on both quality and ambition.
BODENDORF'S sits inside Landhaus Stricker at Boy-Nielsen-Straße 10, Tinnum, on the island of Sylt. The room is the first thing you notice: fresh, modern design with a considered, contemporary feel that avoids the stuffy formality common to hotel fine dining. For a first-timer, this matters. The space signals that the cooking here is serious but not self-serious , a tone the front-of-house team reinforces. The service is described as friendly and young, maintaining a relaxed atmosphere without sacrificing technical precision. If you have eaten at hotel restaurants where the room feels like a corporate event space and the service feels rehearsed, BODENDORF'S runs counter to that experience.
The kitchen operates a set tasting menu built on classical French foundations, led by chef-owner Holger Bodendorf and Denis Brühl. Dishes are structured rather than conceptual , the emphasis is on clear, precise cooking rather than narrative or provocation. The Michelin guide highlights the quality of sourcing and the discipline of execution: top-tier ingredients, combinations that are coherent rather than showy. For a first-timer arriving without a frame of reference, expect a formal progression of courses where each dish makes sense on its own terms. This is Modern French in the strict sense, not French-inflected fusion.
The drinks experience at BODENDORF'S extends beyond the dining room. Miles Bar , described as trendy and positioned as an aperitif destination before dinner , is worth factoring into your visit. For first-timers especially, arriving early for a drink at Miles Bar before moving to the restaurant is the recommended sequence. It gives you time to settle into the Landhaus Stricker setting, and the bar functions as a genuine standalone destination rather than a hotel lobby afterthought. The wine program at the restaurant itself is substantial: 850 selections, 6,000 bottles in inventory, with particular strengths in German wines, Bordeaux, French, and Italian labels. Wine Director Lara Karbstein oversees the list, and pricing is rated $$ , meaning a range of price points rather than a list that skews exclusively toward trophy bottles. Corkage is €26 if you want to bring your own. For a one-star restaurant in a hotel setting, this is a wine program that holds up to serious scrutiny.
At €€€€ and with cuisine pricing in the $$$ tier (typical two-course meal above €66), BODENDORF'S is not a casual expense. But the combination of a Michelin star, a La Liste score of 80 points (2026), an Opinionated About Dining ranking of #443 in Classical European dining (2025), and a Google rating of 4.8 across 104 reviews gives it a stronger endorsement stack than most comparable island destinations in Germany. The question is not whether it is good , the evidence is consistent , but whether the price-to-occasion fit works for your trip. For a special dinner on Sylt, it is the default recommendation. For a more casual meal, it is not the right tool.
For more options in the area, see our full Tinnum restaurants guide, our full Tinnum bars guide, and our full Tinnum hotels guide. If you are building a longer trip, our Tinnum experiences guide and wineries guide cover the broader island.
| Detail | BODENDORF'S | The Table Kevin Fehling | Schanz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Tinnum, Sylt | Hamburg | Piesport, Mosel |
| Price tier | €€€€ | €€€€ | €€€€ |
| Michelin stars | 1 Star (2025) | 3 Stars | 2 Stars |
| Booking difficulty | Hard (peak season) | Very hard | Moderate |
| Wine program | 850 selections, 6,000 bottles | Extensive | Strong Mosel focus |
| Format | Set tasting menu | Set menu | Set menu |
| Setting | Hotel restaurant | Standalone | Hotel restaurant |
Also worth considering for context on the broader German fine dining tier: Victor's Fine Dining by Christian Bau in Perl, ES:SENZ in Grassau, Waldhotel Sonnora in Dreis, Bagatelle in Trier, and JAN in Munich. For Modern French reference points outside Germany, see Sketch, The Lecture Room and Library in London and Colonnade in Lucerne.
Yes, if classical French technique at the one-star level is what you are after. The set menu is built on structured, precise cooking with high-quality sourcing , not experimental, but consistently executed. At €€€€ pricing with a 4.8 Google rating and La Liste recognition, the value proposition holds for a special occasion dinner on Sylt. If you want more creative ambition at a similar price point, CODA Dessert Dining in Berlin or Aqua in Wolfsburg push further.
Arrive early enough to have a drink at Miles Bar before dinner , it is the recommended way to start the evening and worth the time. The room is modern and relaxed for a one-star restaurant, so do not expect formality. The format is a set tasting menu only, dinner service. Book well in advance, particularly between June and August when Sylt peaks. Cuisine pricing sits above €66 for a typical two-course benchmark, so factor in wine separately.
No specific group policy or private dining information is available in the current data. Given the fine dining tasting menu format and typical one-star restaurant capacity constraints, larger groups (six or more) should contact the restaurant directly before assuming availability. For group fine dining in Germany with confirmed private room options, venues like Vendôme in Bergisch Gladbach may be easier to plan around.
It can work. The relaxed service style and modern room reduce the social awkwardness that can come with solo fine dining in more formal settings. The tasting menu format means you do not need a companion to navigate an à la carte menu. The wine list's range ($$, with options below the trophy tier) also makes managing a solo wine spend more practical. That said, no counter seating or bar dining option is confirmed in the data, so verify the solo seating arrangement when booking.
At €€€€ with a Michelin star, 850-label wine list, and a 4.8 Google score from over 100 reviews, it is priced in line with what it delivers. On Sylt specifically, it is the strongest fine dining option available at this tier. The comparison to mainland alternatives is fair: BODENDORF'S offers less creative ambition than Aqua or Vendôme, but a more accessible, relaxed experience. If the island setting is already part of your trip, the premium is justified.
BODENDORF'S is the clear fine dining anchor in Tinnum and on Sylt broadly. For comparable Modern French cooking in Germany, Schwarzwaldstube in Baiersbronn is the classical French benchmark at the three-star level, and Tantris in Munich sits in the same Modern French tier. Within reasonable travel of northern Germany, The Table Kevin Fehling in Hamburg is the most prestigious alternative if you are willing to move to a city setting. See our full Tinnum restaurants guide for the complete local picture.
Yes. It is the most credentialed restaurant on Sylt, with a Michelin star, a modern room that avoids stuffiness, and a service style described as friendly and attentive. The aperitif sequence at Miles Bar followed by dinner in the main room gives the evening a natural arc. At €€€€ it is clearly a destination spend rather than a routine dinner, which makes it well-matched to anniversaries, significant birthdays, or a trip-defining meal. If the occasion calls for three-star prestige, you will need to travel to the mainland.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BODENDORF'S | Modern French | €€€€ | La Liste Top Restaurants (2026): 80pts; Opinionated About Dining Classical in Europe Ranked #443 (2025); HIGHLIGHTS: • 1 MICHELIN STAR 2025 • CREATIVE COOKING; WINE: Wine Strengths: Germany, Bordeaux, France, Italy Pricing: $$ i Wine pricing: Based on the list\'s general markup and high and low price points:$ has many bottles < $50;$$ has a range of pricing;$$$ has many $100+ bottles Corkage Fee: $26 Selections: 850 Inventory: 6,000 CUISINE: Cuisine Types: French Pricing: $$$ i Cuisine pricing: The cost of a typical two-course meal, not including tip or beverages.$ is < $40;$$ is $40–$65;$$$ is $66+. Meals: Dinner STAFF: People Wine Director: Lara Karbstein Chef: Holger Bodendorf Owner: Holger Bodendorf; The fine dining restaurant of the gorgeous Landhaus Stricker proposes a fun culinary experience that comes courtesy of the team led by Holger Bodendorf and Denis Brühl. Meticulous work goes into preparing a set menu comprising clearly structured dishes based on classical foundations. Top-notch ingredients are used to create delectable combinations such as Breton cod with an intense nut butter foam, or US prime beef onglet with an exquisite peppery jus. The restaurant itself is impressive, too, with its fresh, modern design – a chic backdrop for the friendly young front-of-house team, who provide adept service while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere. Astute wine recommendations are also provided – they have over 1 200 labels. Tip: Head to the trendy Miles Bar for an aperitif before dinner.; Michelin 1 Star (2024) | Hard | — |
| Schwarzwaldstube | French, Classic French | €€€€ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Aqua | Contemporary German, Italian/Japanese, Creative | €€€€ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Vendôme | Modern European, Creative | €€€€ | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| CODA Dessert Dining | Creative | €€€€ | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Tantris | Modern French, French Contemporary | €€€€ | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
How BODENDORF'S stacks up against the competition.
Yes, if a structured set menu with classical French foundations is your format. Chef Holger Bodendorf's kitchen works with high-quality ingredients and clearly composed dishes, backed by a 6,000-bottle cellar and Michelin star recognition held since 2024. At €€€€ pricing, you are paying for precision and a full-evening experience, not flexibility. If you want à la carte choice, this is not the right room.
Book well in advance — this is a Michelin-starred set-menu restaurant on the island of Sylt, and it fills. The restaurant sits inside Landhaus Stricker at Boy-Nielsen-Straße 10, Tinnum, so factor in travel to the island. Arrive early enough to use Miles Bar for an aperitif before dinner; it is part of the same property and worth the extra time. Expect a formal but relaxed atmosphere from a young front-of-house team.
The venue data does not confirm private dining or group capacity limits, so check the venue's official channels before planning a group booking. What is clear is that BODENDORF'S runs a set menu with structured service, which suits groups happy to eat the same format. Parties expecting flexibility in ordering or an informal layout will find this a difficult fit.
It can work, particularly if you are comfortable with a set-menu format and a fine dining pace. The front-of-house team is noted for maintaining a relaxed atmosphere despite the Michelin-star context. Miles Bar also makes a solo visit more sociable if you want to ease into the evening. Confirm counter or smaller table availability when booking, as the restaurant does not publish seating layout details.
At €€€€ with cuisine pricing above €66 for a typical two-course meal, BODENDORF'S sits at the top of Sylt's dining market. The combination of a Michelin star (2025), an OAD Europe ranking (#443, 2025), an 850-label wine list priced accessibly (corkage €26, wine list rated $$), and skilled kitchen and front-of-house teams makes the spend defensible. If you are travelling to Sylt specifically for a serious dinner, this is the island's clearest high-end option.
There are no directly comparable Michelin-starred alternatives documented in Tinnum itself. On a broader German fine dining comparison: Vendôme and Aqua both operate at higher Michelin recognition levels but in different regions entirely. For Sylt visitors, BODENDORF'S is effectively the anchor fine dining option on the island — alternatives would require leaving Sylt.
Yes. A Michelin-starred set menu with a 6,000-bottle cellar, a dedicated aperitif bar, and a room described as fresh and modern covers most of what a special occasion requires. The service team is noted for being friendly and relaxed rather than stiff, which helps if formality is not what you are after. Book early — demand on Sylt is seasonal and tables at this level go fast.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
