Zuger dreams of views and a risotto to fall in love with

Sometimes there are those evenings when nature does half the work for a restaurant, and the rest is gathered up with a generous helping of warmth. My visit to Genuss Galerie Röthelberg in Zug was exactly that kind of experience: a dreamlike sunset over the lake, bathing the Alps in golden light, and a team that welcomed me with open arms. Even if not every single detail was perfect, what remains is the feeling of a wonderfully rounded, cosy evening.

Ambience

Nou nou, what a backdrop! When you sit on the terrace and your gaze sweeps across Lake Zug to the majestic Alps, you instantly forget everyday life. Sitting up here at sunset is absolute madness and simply unique, even for the already spoilt Switzerland. It is prachtvoll, unpretentious, and just extremely cosy – a place where you would love to make time stand still.

Service

The service at Genuss Galerie is a real asset and absolutely top-tier for this level. Host Dennis and his colleague Sascha – an absolute rock star of a waiter – guide you through the evening with such warmth and attentiveness that you immediately feel as though you are among friends. This charming, elegant, and at the same time wonderfully uncomplicated approach is just pure joy.

Food & Wine

Culinary-wise, it was a truly successful evening, even if my critical palate has a minor point or two to make here and there. The gazpacho tomato soup was wonderfully lekker, but for my taste, it could have done with a touch less oil. The subsequent feta foam with tomato salad arrived on a crumb base – well-crafted, but the texture of the base was a little too sandy and dusty for me personally; a thick slice of rustic farmhouse bread would have pleased me more here. But then came the risotto. And what can I say? Dennis was right: he cooks an absolutely fantastic, extremely lekker risotto! I didn't really need the fried onions on top, but that is complaining at a high level. The pike in the main course was cooked absolutely to perfection, and the Greek dessert was a fine, rounded finish.

When it comes to the wine, however, we must briefly raise an eyebrow. With a rating of three out of five stars, the wine list is rather small, and the glasses... well, in my opinion, they are saving money in the wrong place. A beautiful wine demands a fine glass! But there is a sensational saving grace: you are allowed to bring your own wines. A wonderful offer that rounds off the evening perfectly.

The Chef

Dennis Siesser

Dennis Siesser is the Executive Chef and host of Genuss Galerie Röthelberg in Zug. His cuisine is characterised by a modern, precise, and consistently product-oriented signature, where he implements his own creations alongside the menus of high-calibre, rotating guest chefs.

Previously active as Executive Chef at the five-star superior hotel Kempinski Palace Engelberg (until early 2025).

A two-year stint as Executive Chef at the Frutt Mountain Resort on Melchsee-Frutt (from November 2021), where he positioned the restaurant 'Titschli' in GaultMillau, among other achievements.

Gained professional experience in various MICHELIN-starred restaurants, including the one-MICHELIN-star restaurant 'Schwarzer Adler' in Vogtsburg, Germany.

A native of Stuttgart, he started his culinary career in Germany before moving to the Swiss luxury hotel and restaurant industry.

Since April 2025, he has been running the kitchen of the newly opened Genuss Galerie Röthelberg in Zug and is also active in the team of the renowned Genuss Film Festivals Zug.

Location & History

The Genuss Galerie Roethelberg is located at Blasenbergstrasse 15 in Zug and offers a spectacular view of Lake Zug and the Swiss Alps. The historic building, built in 1902 and later renovated, looks back on a long gastronomic tradition. Following the closure of the predecessor establishment in 2024, the restaurant reopened in April 2025 with an innovative concept and rotating top chefs.

The restaurant is situated at the foot of the Zugerberg and offers a magnificent view of Zug, Lake Zug, and the Alps.

The current building and the associated farm building were constructed in 1902.

Previously, the house stood near the St. Verena Chapel, was dismantled by Melchior Schell, and rebuilt as an inn at its current location.

The name 'Roethel' goes back to Dorothea Schell-Utinger, who ran the inn until 1822 and was so called because of her ginger hair.

Prior to its re-establishment as 'Genuss Galerie Roethelberg' in April 2025, the venue was known as 'Ristorante Noi Roethelberg' and 'Pasteria Roethelberg', among other names.

The renovation of the historic restaurant, including the laying of herringbone parquet flooring, was carried out in close cooperation with the heritage preservation authorities.

Verdict

For 125 francs, paired with this bombastic view and the warm service, you get a really great experience here. The concept with rotating guest chefs and events still feels a little restless at times – a red, regional thread would give the whole thing even more stability. Nevertheless, Genuss Galerie Röthelberg is a real asset to Zug. It was a wonderfully gezellig evening, and I will certainly be back – next time with a fine bottle from my own cellar in my luggage!