The Japanese word IKIGAI can be translated as “What makes life worth living” and represents the quest for a meaningful and fulfilling life. This mindset guides the restaurant’s culinary direction, as well as its treatment of both employees and guests. The philosophy promotes appreciation, mindfulness, and a harmonious atmosphere. Executive Chef Christoph Rainer has for many years been at the helm of our two-starred casual fine dining restaurant, which since 2024 bears the name IKIGAI.
ikigai@schloss-elmau.de
+49 (0) 8823 18 880
At IKIGAI**, Christoph Rainer joins forces with close friends and fellow top chefs to create exceptional menus – driven by passion, creativity, and masterful craftsmanship.
Each edition reveals how friendship and the shared joy of cooking can give rise to unforgettable moments of culinary delight.
Cooking with Friends at the IKIGAI** with Reto Brändli Restaurant ECCO** in St. Moritz CH (Winter) / Restaurant ECCO** in Giardino CH (Summer)
Monday, 16 February
Awarded 18 Gault&Millau points and named “Rising Star of the Year 2026” in Switzerland, Reto Brändli and his team captivate guests with intense flavors and finely balanced menus.
Omakase Zensai | 6-Course-Degustations-Menu | Omakase Kanmi
Book your stay
Guests may attend this event without an overnight stay for 345€ per person by booking a table on OpenTable.
Cooking with Friends at the IKIGAI** with Silvio Germann Restaurant Mammertsberg** in Freidorf CH
Sonntag, 29 March
The Restaurant Mammertsberg in Freidorf has quickly become one of the top destinations in Swiss gastronomy. Silvio Germann was honored with 18 Gault&Millau points as well as the title “Chef of the Year 2024.”
Omakase Zensai | 6-Course-Degustations-Menu | Omakase Kanmi
Book your stay
Guests may attend this event without an overnight stay for 345€ per person by booking a table on OpenTable.
A compelling and exciting culinary proposition in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Contemporary yet cozy. An up-to-date interior with clear lines and lots of wood on the walls creates exciting contrasts and provides the perfect setting for the Japanese-French inspired creative cuisine that Christoph Rainer and his team serve guests here.
Above all, it is the informal atmosphere that attracts not only culinary connoisseurs but also many young epicures to Schloss Elmau. Far from rigid etiquette, anyone who wants to can immerse themselves in the world of Fine Dining. The exceptionally competent and friendly consultation provided by chef sommelière and restaurant manager Marie Helen Krebs and her unobtrusively attentive service team further enhance the pleasure of dining here.
From delicious Jausenbrettl snack platters to petits-fours finales: Anyone who has enjoyed the culinary artistry of Michelin-starred chef Christoph Rainer at our IKIGAI gourmet restaurant is unlikely to forget this epicurean experience. In this very special cookbook, four seasonal menus invite you to indulge your appetite and senses / pamper your palate. Readers also get an exclusive insight into work and everyday life at Schloss Elmau: from team meals to the Ikigai philosophy to Christoph Rainer’s inspiring trips to Japan (in German).
You can buy this book wherever books are sold. True to the maxim "Support your local dealer," we recommend that you purchase it from your neighborhood bookstore, online from our bookstore or next time you visit Schloss Elmau.
Since September 2017, Christoph Rainer has set accents with his cosmopolitan and creative approach to cooking, giving the IKIGAI its own distinct culinary identity.
When creating a dish, the team always focuses on the essentials: the product and its taste. Their creations often use only three main components and „aroma bridges,“ showcased by using surprising preparation techniques and flavor combinations. An intriguing interplay of sour, sweet and spicy, as well different textures and consistencies, turns the dishes into thrilling culinary experiences brimming with complexity and surprises. Braggadocio, however, is one ingredient you won’t find.
Christoph Rainer often finds inspiration on his travels. Sometimes it is an unknown product, at other times an unfamiliar tradition or technique that captivates him and inspires his team to come up with new dishes.
Sommelier of the Year, 2025
Marie-Helen Krebs is the first woman to be named “Sommelier of the Year” by Michelin Germany. The leading international restaurant guide thus recognizes not only her perfect service to guests and her outstanding flair for food-and-wine pairings with Christoph Rainer's creations at Restaurant Ikigai, but also her excellent wine list, which unmistakably bears her signature.
