A L'Ami Fritz

We had dinner at Hotel & Restaurant l’Ami Fritz twice during our Alsace holiday, after trying quite a few local cafés and restaurants. This one stood out: the food was delicious and top quality, the staff were lovely, and dining outside was a breathtaking experience. A big thank you to the whole team. We can’t wait to return to Ottrott.

I only came for a meal. In summer, the terrace under the old plane trees makes this a lovely place to sit. The cooking is good and fairly classical, with a mostly tourist crowd. The wine list leans toward Alsace, as you’d expect, but has a decent selection of other French wines too. Service was reasonably quick.

What makes L‘Ami Fritz in Ottrott so special is how much it feels like a traditional Alsacian Winstub, with its wooden ceilings and well-aged interior. It sits about halfway between Colmar and Strasbourg, and the food is a real pleasure: classic French cooking in the Alsacian style, without fuss or cheap tourist gimmicks. Tradition is clearly at the heart of it. Choosing from the tempting menu was the hardest part, especially with the daily specials changing. We loved the Foie Gras, which could hold its own in a Michelin-starred restaurant, and the Quenelles De Brochet and Coer De Ris Et Rognons De Veau were excellent. There’s a superb wine list, prices are very reasonable for the quality, and the service is quiet and impeccable. The garden looks inviting in summer. Such an intimate, joyful place for an Alsacian meal.

The setting is lovely, and the restaurant serves typical French dishes at a decent level. I found the atmosphere a bit too strict for my taste. I’d rate it 3.8.