We visited nearly 15 Japanese restaurants across various European cities (including Düsseldorf) between February and April—each run by Japanese chefs—and Kicho in Stuttgart stands out as one of the very best.
We dined at Kicho for lunch in April and returned in early August for both lunch and dinner. One unique feature is their traditional Japanese zashiki room, with authentic tatami mats, which adds to the immersive dining experience.
The food is exceptional and truly authentic (the taste might be slightly salty for Japanese). The service is warm, quick and attentive, and the pricing is more than reasonable for the quality offered.
For lunch, on both visits, we chose the Large Sushi set (€25.50), which included a chef’s greeting and miso soup—excellent value for money.
For dinner, we tried the Tempura Menu (€60.00), which included five assorted starters (oyster, radish, chicken, okra, and wagyu croquette—subject to change), a daily special (I had sashimi), a generous serving of tempura, and dessert. Every course was beautifully prepared and delicious.
The sake selection is not extensive, but what they offer is well-curated, and you can enjoy high-quality sake that pairs beautifully with the dishes.
We thoroughly enjoyed each visit and will definitely return to Kicho whenever we're in Stuttgart.