Berggericht - Michelin Star with Two-Continent Wine Estates
One Michelin star restaurant where the chef owns wine estates on two continents — Schloß Frankenberg in Austria and Vergenoegd Löw in South Africa. The 6-course Tiroler Festschmaus with wine pairing is Kitzbühel's ultimate wine dinner.
What to do there
3 things to do
When ordering the Tiroler Festschmaus, ask Martin Kern: 'Which wines tonight are from the chef's own estates?' The chef owns vineyards on TWO continents — Austria (Schloß Frankenberg) AND South Africa (Vergenoegd Löw) — exceptionally rare for a Michelin chef. Most partner with vineyards, but here the chef OWNS them across hemispheres. Martin Kern, diploma sommelier (Gault Millau Service Award 2019, Sommelier of Year 2012), orchestrates pairings from the chef's dual estates. Request at least one Austrian and one South African pour during your 6-course tasting (€150-180 with wine pairing). The dual-continent terroir comparison within a single meal tells the story — taste how identical winemaking philosophy expresses differently across continents.
Backup:If Martin isn't available, any sommelier can identify the house estate wines on the list. The wine menu explicitly notes their own vineyards.
The 6-course Tiroler Festschmaus mirrors historical Tyrolean Festschmaus (feast days) — celebrations marking alpine farming milestones. One Michelin star while staying rooted in regional identity: Tyrolean free-range chicken ballotine stuffed with poultry farce alongside modern accents like yellowfin mackerel with coriander-kiwi sauce. Ask your server during the tasting menu: 'What's the historical significance of the Festschmaus format?' and 'Which course most closely reflects traditional Tyrolean feast day cooking?' Listen for stories about alpine farming celebrations and how modern technique elevates century-old ingredients.
Backup:The menu itself has course descriptions. Read them for clues about which dishes honor tradition (chicken ballotine, local game) versus global influences (yellowfin mackerel, Asian spices).
Kitzbühel's medieval center has been pedestrian-only for centuries, and Berggericht is tucked into this historic core — finding it means walking cobblestone alleys that predate skiing by 500 years. From Vorderstadt (main pedestrian street), look for signage pointing toward 'Hinterstadt' or 'Berggericht.' The restaurant entrance is understated — watch for a small plaque. The journey reveals Kitzbühel's transformation from medieval mining town to alpine luxury capital, and the approach to dinner is part of the experience.
Backup:Use Google Maps pin, but don't rely on it blindly. The pedestrian zone has no cars, so GPS sometimes glitches. Ask any shopkeeper for 'Berggericht' — locals know the Michelin star spot.
