"Sven Usinger's pine-panelled one-star turns French classics into Freiburg's most polished dinner — reserve it for the occasion that matters."
About Zirbelstube
Zirbelstube is the fine-dining room of the Colombi Hotel, a Leading Hotels of the World property on the edge of Freiburg's old town. The name comes from the Swiss-pine (Zirbe) panelling that lines the walls — warm, hushed and unmistakably grand, the kind of room built for a milestone rather than a Tuesday.
Chef Sven Usinger, schooled in Michelin kitchens, holds a star here for cooking that prizes classic French technique and top ingredients over trend-chasing. It is the most formal table in the city; for a lighter Freiburg evening, compare the modern Jacobi or the long-running Zur Wolfshöhle.
The Kitchen
Usinger's menu reads as a love letter to French classicism: Breton scallops, turbot cooked to a melting turn, and Breton lobster handled with restraint. There is an entrecôte for the traditionalist and a fully vegan tasting menu for those who want the technique without the meat — a quietly modern touch in an otherwise classical kitchen.
You can take it as a four-, five- or six-course set menu or order à la carte. Weekday lunch menus run a comparatively gentle €30 to €50, while the full tasting climbs to around €100 — the price of a serious occasion in a hotel of this standing.
The Room
The Zirbelstube is all warm pine, white linen and measured light — elegant without being stuffy, and quiet enough for conversation to carry. Service is formal and well-drilled, as you would expect from a Leading Hotels address. It is a room that rewards dressing up.
Best for an anniversary or proposal
Zirbelstube is made for an anniversary or a proposal — the panelled room, the classical cooking and the unhurried service all point at a milestone. For other Freiburg tables, see Eichhalde or browse the French guide and the city's fine-dining picks.
Not for
Not for a casual, low-key bite or a budget evening — this is a formal hotel dining room with prices and pacing to match.
Frequently Asked
Who is the chef at Zirbelstube?
Sven Usinger, who trained in Michelin-starred kitchens and leads the Colombi Hotel's fine-dining room, cooking classic French menus.
Does Zirbelstube have a Michelin star?
Yes. The Colombi Restaurant Zirbelstube holds one Michelin star in the MICHELIN Guide Germany.
What is Zirbelstube known for?
French classics — Breton scallops, turbot and Breton lobster — plus a full vegan tasting option, served in a wood-panelled room inside the Colombi Hotel.
How much does dinner cost at Zirbelstube?
Weekday lunch menus run roughly €30 to €50, while the multi-course tasting menu reaches around €100 per person.
Where is Zirbelstube located?
Inside the Colombi Hotel at Rotteckring 16, on the edge of Freiburg's old town in Baden-Württemberg.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Zirbelstube
Book through the Colombi Hotel; the kitchen closes early in the week.
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Practical Information
AddressRotteckring 16, inside the Colombi Hotel
NeighbourhoodCity centre, by the old town
CuisineFrench fine dining
PriceLunch menus €30–50; tasting menu around €100
Dress CodeSmart; jacket appreciated
SeatingFormal dining room; reservations advised
ReservationReservations recommended, especially weekends
