We are staying for 3 nights based in Colmar very early September. Our first day/night will definitely be in Colmar (a Sunday) but the next 2 we will be exploring the wine villages so I'm not quite sure where we'll end up for lunch or dinner. I believe next day we'll be in Strasbourg for lunch and then either Turckheim or Colmar again for dinner. Last day will likely be in Riquewhir for lunch and Ribeauville for dinner (bike day). Therefore, making reservations for meals may be a little tough and quite frankly, we don't want our adventures to be restricted by meal (or wine tasting) reservation times. The conundrum is that it seems with so many great restaurants and wineries in the area, I'm concerned about being turned away and missing out on some of the best. For reference, my wife and I very much enjoy a good quality cafe style meal with a local bier or wine and views/people watching rather than a 2-3 hour Michelin sit down. I'd love to have one nice meal similar to that but otherwise, we're all about the tarte flambee and quick local options. Same with wineries...would love to just be able to walk in to do a nice tasting on a whim. Is this feasible or should we go ahead and reserve a few things. I do not mind, but would rather not ha! Thanks for any help!!
Posted by
Chicagoland
1226 posts
My experience is from staying in Colmar for 7 nights in October 2022.
You can always find somewhere to eat in both the villages and Colmar without a reservation. You may have to wait for a table and it may not be the best restaurant in town.
That said, if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant you should reserve, even at lunch. You will be competing with both the day trippers and the locals.
For the best Tarte Flambée in Colmar, book a table at La Soï, extremely popular and very delicious. There were a few restaurants in Colmar that I couldn't get my first choice of evenings.
Posted by
OP
15 posts
Thank you JeanM. I have La Soi on my list and think we may visit here first day for late lunch. Did you book by phone or email when you made reservations? Any others you can recall that we must try and should reserve. Again, I am not opposed to lining up a reservation or two but didn't want to be frustrated at missing out on decent places all because we did not.
Posted by
Freedonia
17862 posts
I remember many restaurants in Colmar dispalying signs in the evening saying Tables only with reservations.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1226 posts
I believe La Soi only takes phone reservations.
I had another great dinner in Colmar at L'Epicurien. It's not the typical Alsatian menu, more French bistro.
In Turckheim I enjoyed lunch at L'Autrefois. It had only been open a few months when I was there.
In Niedermohrschwihr, for traditional Alsatian food, I had lunch at Caveau Morakopf. Their trout dish was very good. I think we were the only tourists in town with its twisted church spire and WWI memorial recognizing their liberation by US soldiers.
In Eguisheim I had a nice lunch outside at Caveau Heuhaus, traditional Alsatian menu. No reservation, but the restaurant quickly filled inside and out and folks were turned away.
These were the best meals during my week. Enjoy your time in Alsace.
Posted by
OP
15 posts
Thanks all for the tips. Came back to say that the La Soi advice was definitely on point! We also had such a great dinner at Caveau Saint Jean that we ended up going twice! Never ended up making any reservations.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7979 posts
When we stayed in Equisheim in 2024, reservations were recommended. There are few restaurants in town and between the ones that were closed (the days we were there) and the ones that were fully booked with groups, there were very few options. Some restaurants close on Mondays, others on Tuesday, and some didn’t open until 9pm.
There were a number of places in Eguisheim for wine tastings with no reservations required. We stayed at Le Hameau d'Eguisheim and got a free wine tasting for staying there. The owners own a vineyard.
One night in Colmar we got to Brasserie des Tanneurs very early to beat the crowds. Had we waited until later we wouldn’t have gotten a table right away. At another restaurant on a different night we arrived before dinner was being served so had a drink so as not to lose the table, then ordered dinner as soon as the kitchen opened. I think the name was L’Amandine.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12334 posts
Probably too late now to help. My view was developed after eating absolutely awful food, sans reservations, in Beaune one trip.
The good restaurants get enough business to fill up each night, so reservations are a must for eating well. The places with open seats in the evening aren't good restaurants. What's an English speaker who is only in town for a short stay to do? The good news, you can usually get a same day reservation.
Here's my technique. When you check into your lodging, ask whoever checks you in (even Airbnb host) to help you get a reservation for that night. I usually ask for "good food, nothing fancy" so they don't send me to the most expensive restaurant in town. They know the restaurants. They also can converse in French with the restaurant for you. If you're happy with the place, ask before leaving if it's possible to eat there tomorrow evening. If not, ask them for a recommendation and, yes, ask if they can help you call for a reservation. If not, hit up your host again. Contrary to common opinion, the French are incredibly helpful when you treat them politely.