Die Ratsstuben

The story

Die Ratsstuben, Ettlingen (Karlsruhe): French & International Dry-Aged Steaks

Die Ratsstuben, at Kirchenplatz 1 in Ettlingen (Karlsruhe), is a French and international kitchen listed as Michelin Recommended in 2026. Leonhard Bader is both host and chef.

Leonhard Bader at the stove

Bader trained as a cook at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, and his recipes still show the international years that followed. His approach is grounded. Excellent ingredients should carry the plate, with no chichi. Creative touches sit beside classically interpreted dishes. A past summer menu paired French and Thai ideas in a milk-fed veal main, cooked in an Asian broth and served with Thai curry hollandaise.

Dry-aged beef and the glass chamber

The house keeps its own aging chamber, and selected beef matures on the bone for at least 60 days. The menu lists dry-aged rib eye and New York strip from heifer, bone-in cuts, and a cote de boeuf for two. The Schlemmer Atlas gave the restaurant 2.5 Kochlöffel in 2026 and singled out whole turbot, steaks and a Chateaubriand for two.

Midday plates and the old town setting

The midday menu runs from Ratsstuben Flädlesuppe and house-made Maultaschen to Thai curry spaghetti, Wiener Schnitzel and a Cordon Bleu made with Baden-Württemberg pork. The restaurant sits in the old town, with the town hall tower and the little river Alb around the corner. Guests can also sit outside.