Gasthaus Restaurant Kirchenwirt — Restaurant in Leogang

When travelling, we often dine at restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide — from Bib Gourmand to three stars — and can therefore confidently say when a place does not meet the expected standard.

To begin with the positives: every dish we ordered was cooked perfectly. The kitchen clearly masters the art of cooking. The beef tartar, kidney, salad, schnitzel in butter, and venison steak were all excellent, and there is nothing to criticise regarding the preparation of the food itself.

However, there were two major areas where our experience was deeply disappointing: dietary accommodation and service.

Dietary accommodation: One of us is coeliac. When making the reservation by phone, we specifically asked if gluten-free adjustments were possible and were told that this would not be a problem. Yet on arrival, we were informed that only certain dishes could be ordered and that no modifications would be made. The manner in which this was communicated was also rather strict and inflexible. Because of this, we were unable to enjoy the full degustation menu.

In 2025, gluten intolerance is widely recognised across Europe, and in many cases substituting gluten-free flour for regular flour requires minimal effort. While it would be understandable in a small local bistro, it is truly surprising to encounter such rigidity at a Michelin-starred restaurant. This felt unnecessarily narrow-minded and not in line with the level of hospitality one expects at this level.

The same issue arose with dessert. The chocolate pine cone was offered with a strict refusal of any gluten-free adjustment. Yet when a non-coeliac at the table ordered it, I was told I could try the pine cone itself but not the sponge cake surrounding it. This was frustrating — if the chef had chosen to serve the pine cone with a simple fruit drizzle or another naturally gluten-free accompaniment, it would have been inclusive and welcoming. Instead, the approach felt dismissive and unaccommodating.

Service: The service, unfortunately, was far below Michelin standard. Not once were we asked if we enjoyed our dishes after plates were cleared. Water was poured only when initially brought to the table, after which we had to serve ourselves for the entire evening.

When we ordered the kidney dish to share, it arrived on a single plate, and we were simply told to switch and share. At this level, it should not be difficult to serve it in two smaller portions, or at the very least, provide an additional plate.

Conclusion: The food itself was excellent, but the lack of flexibility regarding dietary needs and the poor service made the overall experience miserable, especially given the price point. One expects far more attentiveness, hospitality, and guest focus at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Frankly, it feels as though the restaurant relies on its history and reputation, assuming that it will always attract clientele — and therefore does not bother to deliver a truly customer-focused experience, particularly to guests from abroad.

I am genuinely tempted to report this to Michelin, as I believe the current standard does not merit the recognition. Until improvements are made, I cannot recommend this restaurant to anyone accustomed to high...

Als Hochzeitsplanerin für intime Hochzeiten habe ich das Privileg, viele wunderschöne Orte für Trauungen kennenzulernen. Der Samerstall in Leogang gehört dabei definitiv zu meinen absoluten Lieblingsstandesämtern für intime Hochzeiten. Diese charmante Außenstelle bietet genau das, was sich Paare für eine kleine, persönliche Zeremonie wünschen: eine unvergleichliche Mischung aus rustikalem Charme und malerischer Bergkulisse.

Die gemütliche Atmosphäre des Samerstalls sorgt dafür, dass sich Brautpaare und ihre Gäste sofort wohlfühlen. Besonders schätze ich, dass man hier trotz des offiziellen Rahmens eine warme und herzliche Zeremonie erleben kann, die Raum für Emotionen und persönliche Akzente lässt. Egal ob Sommer oder Winter, diese Location versprüht immer eine ganz besondere Magie.

Wenn ihr eine intime Hochzeit in den Bergen plant, kann ich euch den Samerstall wärmstens ans Herz legen. Hier findet ihr einen Ort, an dem sich das Herzstück eures Tages – die Trauung – so persönlich und stimmungsvoll gestalten lässt, wie ihr es euch wünscht.

Fotos sind von Alexandra...

Sehr schöner Abend in Leogang– Service und Ambiente wirklich hervorragend, genau so, wie man es in einem Sternerestaurant erwartet: aufmerksam, herzlich und professionell, ohne aufgesetzt zu wirken.

Das Menü war geschmacklich auf hohem Niveau, allerdings hätten wir uns bei der Zusammenstellung etwas mehr erwartet. Der vierte (von sechs) Gang vor dem Hauptgericht war lediglich eine Kugel Eis – in vielen vergleichbaren Häusern eher als Refresher geführt und nicht als vollwertiger Gang. Auch insgesamt wirkte das Menü etwas schlanker als in anderen Restaurants dieser Liga – nicht falsch verstehen, kleinere Portionen sind hier völlig in Ordnung, aber im direkten Vergleich fehlte ein kleines bisschen Substanz im Gesamterlebnis.

Mit rund 160 € für das Menü bewegt man sich preislich im oberen Bereich, da hätte das Setting im Menü einen Tick runder sein dürfen. Dennoch ein sehr gelungener Abend – mit kleinen Abzügen in der Menüstruktur, aber starkem Service und schöner Atmosphäre.

Auf jeden Fall eine Empfehlung, wenn man auf...