Auberge de l'Ill

A Culinary Memory and a Souvenir for Life A visit to Auberge de l’Ill – Haeberlin Family, Illhaeusern, Alsace For decades, the Auberge de l’Ill has been one of my absolute favourite restaurants, and each visit reminds me why this house is so exceptional. From the moment you arrive, you are overwhelmed by the setting. Situated directly along the gentle river Ill, the auberge is surrounded by a beautifully designed garden that gives the impression of stepping into a painting. Nature, serenity and architectural charm blend into a scene of quiet beauty. The restaurant itself is no less impressive. Its atmosphere is refined and elegant – a perfectly achieved balance between classical tradition and modern touches. It is a style that feels harmonious, timeless and deeply connected to the house’s heritage. The welcome, as well as the entire service, is exceptionally warm. Every member of the team is friendly, attentive and sincerely dedicated to the well-being of the guests. Their professionalism, combined with genuine kindness, ensures that no wish remains unfulfilled. The highlight – or rather the succession of highlights – is, of course, the cuisine created by Marc Haeberlin and his team. Every dish is beautifully presented, but the true magic lies in the flavours: delicate yet full, precise yet generous, always carrying the unmistakable signature of the Haeberlin family. A personal joy for me was the return of the legendary “Saumon soufflé”, a classic of the house for decades. I have enjoyed it many times before, and once again it was simply exquisite. When it comes to wine, one can rely entirely on the recommendations of Sommelier Serge Dubs. His outstanding selection – each wine perfectly matched to the corresponding dish – brought the menu into complete harmony. Once again, a heartfelt thank you to Marc and the entire team for this wonderful afternoon among friends. You are exceptional hosts, and this experience will remain a cherished memory.

Auberge de l’Ill isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a culinary institution. The experience blends classic French elegance with razor sharp execution of signature dishes. The Breton lobster with buckwheat and black lemon was delicate and focused, the foie gras was seared to perfection with a balanced sweet acidity, and the Miéral pigeon tournedos was a reminder of why France remains the world’s culinary academy. Desserts follow the same line: a deep, satisfying grand cru chocolate and a chestnut creation that feels like edible craftsmanship. Service is classic, the space is elegant, and everything here runs with the precision of decades of tradition. An emotional, beautifully crafted experience that shows exactly why this place became a legend.

Incredibly over-rated. The 5 star reviews here are either too old when this place might have been better or people are just uneducated and easily impressed. Amusing. First of all, the menu options served in the restaurant are not those available on their site. I tried ordering the "Formule Jeune Menu" - Served at lunch except Sunday and at dinner except Friday and Saturday (excluding public holidays) From November 2nd 2025 to April 30th 2026 - this is stated on the site (came on a non-holiday Monday) I was told they only serve the Haeberlin and Vegetarian one. Okay, I might have misunderstood and I said fine, we'll take 2 Haeberlin menus. When the waiter came back to take the order, he insisted on pointing out that they wrote on the website that the menu I asked about was only served at launch. Of course it was a very rude way and he tried to intimidate my fiancée. It was clearly not needed as we already ordered the menu he suggested. I was also not asked about any allergies or dietary restrictions. 2 stars michelin restaurant not caring at all about any of these potential issues. But yea, can't understand how this place even has one star, not to mention it has 2. Apart from the sommelier, almost all staff needs re-training. Horribly arrogant and fake, right into your face. Also, 2 star michelin restaurant without a minimal dressing code? Excuse me?? You pretend to be so good but I eat next to people dressed like they just woke up/walking their dog in the park. Disappointing again, made the place feel kitsch rather than special. Second point, let's talk about the food. Unfortunately it's out-dated, not served at its best and really inappropriate regarding location. You started with 2 fish dishes that were literally the only good ones from the entire menu. I'm giving credit when deserved. But it wasn't something specific to Alsacia or special, I mean Saint Jaques is a classify French dish, at least that you could do properly. Then you came up with one of the worst lobsters I've eaten. You combined sea with mountain which is not an easy thing to do and you definitely failed. It wasn't bad from the first bite, but it was definitely too heavy after the second one. The deer was good, but apart from the meat being cooked at perfection, nothing special, could be served much better. And then it was disaster. Deserts were so bad that I would prefer the cheapest industrial cake from a random shop rather than the pear. You served a caramelized pear with sour cream, caramel cream, chestnut ice cream and chestnut cream. Are you for real? How can anyone eat this and not throw up? If you're not from a country that uses lot of sugar in food and by definition used to very sweet deseets, you'd become nauseous instantly from this combo. Top 3 worst deserts I've tried. By a great margin! The 4 mini cakes at the end were kind of a bad joke. You're offering this on a 300 EUR menu. Literally laughing in your clients' face :) 1 out of 4 was special, the rest of them were just mediocre. The wine I was recommended was indeed good, but I expected it to be since it wasn't made by you. The staff was not speaking English very well and lacked inspiration when asked about the story or recommendations regarding wine. Not surprised since the food was also lacking inspiration. All in all, save your time and money. You can eat better at traditional places in Strasbourg or other places in neighborhood, just not here. I'm not sure how this place ended with so many good reviews and still being so bad at the food they serve. Either too old reviews and easy go get stars being so local and without fierce competition, or just mixed reviews from the hotel/other sources. This place doesn't even deserve one star. It's extremely expensive for what they offer, chef lacks creativity, food is actually bad overall, I can't think of any reason to promote this place as a "distinguished" restaurant.

I was waiting for a long time to come to this place. It was definitely worth the wait. First, the staff makes you feel like home, and the service is beyond great. Then, the food, which is a surprise after another. You can’t miss this place if you are in Alsace!

As always, it was an awesome experience at the restaurant and the adjacent Hôtel des Berges. The staff are very friendly and provide top-notch service. The food is delicious - light yet full of flavour, and delicately prepared. The cheese chariot is an additional highlight for connoisseurs. Breakfast the next morning in the garden was another delightful experience. In a nutshell, an experience worthy of three Michelin stars, even if the Guide currently awards it only two - an incomprehensible decision.

Fantastic experience, service, food, wine, atmosphere. Sommelier was on point with matching wines. Don’t hesitate, it’s incredible. Thanks from Australia!

Amazing!! The food was absolutely delicious. The staff were friendly & professional.

A Culinary Symphony – Perfection at Haeberlin Restaurant Dining at Haeberlin Restaurant by Marc Haeberlin was an experience beyond compare—a masterclass in fine dining where every detail was executed to absolute perfection. From the moment we sat down, it was clear that we were in for something special. The service was flawless—timing, synchronization, and attentiveness at a level that is rarely achieved. Every course arrived with effortless precision, never rushed, never delayed, allowing us to fully savor each dish. The staff was warm, professional, and deeply knowledgeable, making the evening feel both refined and welcoming. The bread&butter served was spectacular—an entire, beautifully baked bread, accompanied by an unforgettable garlic Gugelhupf that was rich, fragrant, and utterly addictive, so delicious they could have been a course of their own. Then came dish after dish of extraordinary flavors, each one a testament to craftsmanship and innovation. The wine pairing was equally outstanding, with every glass carefully selected to enhance and elevate the flavors on the plate. And then, the grand finale—the millefeuille with Tahiti vanilla. Delicate, impossibly crisp layers with the most fragrant, luxurious vanilla cream—a dessert so perfect, it was pure bliss. Haeberlin Restaurant delivers a flawless, world-class dining experience, where every element—food, service, ambiance—comes together in perfect harmony. A meal to remember, and without a doubt, a place worth returning to. Thank you for this experience!

Auberge came highly recommended by another foodie friend and it was definitely worth the visit. It is quite a ways away from Colmar and you will need a car to get there, but once you're there and eat there, you'll find out it is totally worth it. The hotel and restaurant is located by the river with beautiful willow trees. It's such a picturesque location. Now, on to the food. We did the seasonal tasting menu. Every dish was beautifully displayed. Not only that, there was balance in each dish. Each ingredient was there for a purpose to enhance the main ingredient. My favorite dish that blew me away was the langoustine on mashed beetroot and creamy potatoes. I would've thought the earthiness of the beet would drown out the delicate flavors of the langoustine. It definitely did not. The beet was actually slightly sweet, which complemented the langoustine. Definitely come for the food and stay for the views.

Be cautious about some of the high praise you read for this restaurant. The food is absolutely excellent, the restaurant itself is gorgeous, but parts of the experience might leave you wanting. Service, for example. Typical of high-end French restaurants, the waiters' attitudes are *ahem* a touch different than one might find in the States. Though never explicitly rude, the servers at Auberge de L'Ill demonstrate a chip on their shoulders at all times. I waited more than 30 minutes to be offered water, for instance, and when I was brought the incorrect glass of wine they pushed back rather than acknowledge their mistake. They ended up apologizing and giving me the wrong glass on the house, but their initial reaction was strange to say the least. The meal itself is about as French as things get, and by that I mean make sure you bring your heart meds. Butter cream this, lobster with butter that, heavy and fatty pigeon... All delicious and all prepared well, but this isn't the kind of meal you could safely have very often. Get ready for pure decadence squared... For a dorky, course-by-course description, I invite you to go here: ow.ly/Lr96301ml8R This is, without doubt, a special restaurant... But don't get your hopes up too high.

Absolutely sublime. The pre-drink on the terrace was lovely, and the setting is one of the best I've ever eaten at. You are on the back of a river and near the bridge, with trees and gardens all around the restaurant. Such a lovely atmosphere. Once inside, we ordered a bottle of Chateau Margot after our white wine plates and it complemented the lamb and the meat divinely. We also tasted the salmon which helped them earn their 3 stars designation, and it was indescribably good. Service was top-notch, everyone treated us very kindly and they spoke in French and English to accommodate all of us at the meal. :) My waiter even created my cheese plate for me because I told him I was a cheese "novice"; he was very sweet! Will be back again, for the price and service, I was surprised! What a bargain compared to many restaurants I have visited in the states!!

This restaurant is the only 3 star Michelin restaurant in Alsace. Last time I ate there was at least five years ago and I remember being a bit disappointed by the food at the time. Today, I was pleasantly surprised by the remodeling of the place and must say the setting is absolutely gorgeous whether inside or outside. We had a drink in the restaurant's garden before lunch and seeing wild storks walk on the grass and fly over our heads was breathtaking and at the same time so typical of Alsace. As for the food, I must say it was very good but once again, I feel a bit frustrated as I don't think I tasted anything that would qualify as particularly creative or amazing. Service was friendly and maybe even a bit too informal at times. All in all, I had a very good time and so did my taste buds. I, particularly, recommend the pigeon rib stuffed with cabbage, truffles and Foie Gras. Let me also something that is not related to food: cell phone reception is very poor in the restaurant and the city. Extremely slow data connection speeds (no 3G, and very slow EDGE). No wifi.

I ate the greatest meal of a lifetime here. Phenominal food and a 1919 La Tache. I have eaten so many great meals, but none were better than here. Eat here, even if you have to take a second mortgage on your house.

Worth every centime. Fourth time we've been there in 40 years. Still impeccable food preparation and service. Bubbly on the river bank, cute storks flying around, gorgeous site. M. Haeberlin still the charming host. We're going back!!!

Fantastic meal, the somelier made a great recommendation - which led me to ordering a whole case of the same 2003 St-Emillion and the pre-drink on the patio continues to be a wonderful tradition. Highly recommended.

I'll keep it short: Amazing! Absolutely up to what you would expect from one of France's best restaurant. Unforgettable