Alsace Wine Route-NonTouristy Towns?

Posted by JosiePosie (SFO) on 04/24/22 07:08 PM

Hi All,
One day on the Alsace Wine Route in mid-May, we expect traffic and tour buses along the main drag. Must be back in Strasbourg by 7pm (19:00).

Where to go for a simple lunch (salads! vs stubs) around 11 or 12 (assuming that most close by 2pm) in a non-touristy spot with great food?? Appears that Colmar will likely be the southernmost we can make with our time. Also very willing to get off the beaten path if there is a village that is still authentic.

Towns and/or restaurants much appreciated. If nothing stands out, we could just stop at a grocery and pick up food for a picnic somewhere.

All suggestions welcome!

Posted by Tim

Wyckoff, NJ, USA

04/24/22 07:35 PM

7330 posts

You don't say explicitly that you are going to have a rental car. What constitutes "authentic." Does that mean that you imagine Band of Brothers is about to turn the corner, or does it mean the late medieval buildings have some original wood on them? You don't mention castles, wineries, French Cemeteries, American Cemeteries, or German Cemeteries.

Our highlight was the Michelin 3-Star L'Auberge de L'Ill (Eye-El-El). It's expensive, but I'm sure it's better than most of the restaurants in Strasbourg. But the "pretty" towns are pretty rewarding. Who cares about the quality of the food if all you want is a salad? I mean, mache is mache. All subs in France are better than all Hoagies in Philadelphia. Even the ones that are pre-made and sitting in the display case.

Either you want to see the Unterdenlinden Museum or you don't. You might have a pleasanter day if you don't go so far from your 7PM destination. But POPULAR towns like Riquewihr and Ribeauville are very nice, especially in flower time.

Posted by Eatsrootsandleaves

Waikikamukau

04/24/22 10:23 PM

444 posts

We stopped for an overnight in the small town of Barr and stayed 4 days (2018). No big ticket tourist things. Just a lovely typical Alsatian town in a magnificent setting. A short distance from Straz by train (or car).

Posted by Eatsrootsandleaves

Waikikamukau

04/24/22 10:26 PM

444 posts

P.S we had a picnic lunch one day at a 13th C ruined castle about 3 km walk into the forested hillside (no one else about).

Posted by Fred

San Francisco

04/25/22 03:00 AM

14540 posts

A very doable and enjoyable day trip from Strasbourg is the small town of Obernai. Staying in a two star small hotel in Strasbourg, the Mrs and I took the train there in 1999 as part of our summer trip in France.

It certainly was not swamped by tons of foreign tourists, saw some Americans but mostly Germans arriving in tour buses. I like Obernai, quaint, very Alsace in feel and looks. She made the right choice in going there.

Posted by bjohnston9093

04/25/22 06:19 PM

43 posts

Kaiserburg is very nice, small and less touristy. Plus, it has an excellent Michelin starred restaurant.

Posted by bjohnston9093

04/25/22 06:20 PM

43 posts

The town of Kaiserberg is very nice and smaller than some of the others. Plus, it has a Michelin starred restaurant.

Posted by JosiePosie OP

SFO

04/27/22 05:16 PM

96 posts

All,
Thank you for your suggestions: yes of course, we will be driving. I have read in previous posts that the Wine Route is extremely popular and loaded with tour buses. Wherever they go, I'm not! (: Decided on driving straightaway south to Colmar for lunch, then rambling up the route to get back by 7.
Cheers!