Chef
Thomas Merkle
- Discipline
- Chef
- Based in
- Endingen am Kaiserstuhl, Germany
i. Biography
In Endingen am Kaiserstuhl, Thomas Merkle’s cooking is built on reduction as a working method, not as an exercise in plainness. At Merkles Restaurant, that means stripping a plate to what matters so the main flavors read cleanly and with precision. The cooking lands in balance: considered, pared back, and set with intent.
Coming Up
Today, Thomas Merkle is owner and chef of Merkles Restaurant.
Where They Are Now
Today, he works at the restaurant with two signature offers that shape the house’s rhythm. The first, “Einfach Merkle,” unfolds as a 7- or 8-course tasting journey and is described as “reduced to maximum enjoyment.” The phrase matches the kitchen’s register: direct, disciplined, and measured, with enough pace in the meal for each course to register on its own. The second, “Twenü,” brings a different tempo to the room. It is a special, affordable 3-course JRE menu for guests under 30, and it opens a more accessible path into the kitchen’s point of view. Together, the two menus set up a clear contrast: one longer and more settled, the other shorter and more immediate. In both cases, the work is about calibration, not display; about making each decision count. The menu titles carry that approach plainly. “Einfach Merkle” holds the room with a name that points back to the house while the food does the speaking. “Twenü” broadens access, giving younger diners a direct route into a kitchen whose language is precision and composure. Different points of entry, same underlying signature: reduction turned into pleasure.
Career - Owner and chef — Merkles Restaurant, Endingen, Germany
Signature
Thomas's signature dishes include Einfach Merkle and Twenü.
Honors
Thomas's honors include 100 Best Chefs Germany and Michelin star.
FAQ What is Thomas Merkle's current role? As of 2026, Thomas Merkle is Chef. What recognition has Thomas Merkle received? 100 Best Chefs Germany (2020).
