When I lived in Stuttgart, Germany, I spent my time travelling (mostly), working in a lab, and getting to know the city. The city centre was just a 15-minute S-Bahn ride away, so I made it my mission to try as many local spots as possible. My Google Maps quickly became an ever-growing list – from cozy Swabian kitchens to trendy cafés – and now I’m excited to share my favourites with you.
Whether you’re just visiting, new to the city, or simply looking for something different, here are some of my favourite places to eat in Stuttgart:
German Restaurants
Ochs’n Willi
This restaurant is in the perfect location – just right off the main square, across from the palace (Schlossplatz). The decor is very Swabian and the food is delicious! It’s a local favourite so I’m pretty confident with this pick. I usually end up ordering käsespätzle (cheesy pasta – think german mac&cheese). This restaurant has the cheapest – just order it without the unlimited salad (who needs that?).
Herr Kächele Maultaschen und mehr
This place was my go-to place for Maultaschen, a popular food in Swabian cuisine. It’s a type of dumpling, usually filled with ground pork, beef, and spinach – basically the german version of ravioli. Whenever I was strolling around town and had a craving for a Maultaschen (happened more than you think – they’re SO good!) I would grab their “Maultaschen to-go”, basically just a singular handheld Maultaschen – perfect for a midday snack.
Restaurant Tauberquelle
I love this restaurant simply because of its beer garden in the back. It’s super cosy and beautiful in the summer. It is quite small so make sure to make a reservation!
Weinstube Kachelofen
This restaurant is located in one of my favourite parts of the city centre. It’s surrounded by tons of other restaurants and bars. This is one of the best käsespätzle’s in Stuttgart! It was cash only when I went, so just make sure to have some handy! We didn’t realize and half the group had to run to an ATM (not ideal!).
Non-German Restaurants
Umami Ramen
Hands-down the best ramen in Stuttgart. It is a bit pricy – but it was the perfect meal on a cold, rainy day. The line can get quite long, so make sure to plan to get there early!
TangBa
This place had just opened when we went. It’s a hot pot restaurant where you pick as many toppings and you pay by weight. We waited about an hour in line but it was totally worth it!
Kim’s So
This restaurant is a bit hidden, located next to a parking lot, and behind some buildings. It also has only a few tables, so we waited in line for about 45 minutes. The food was so good and I’m so sad I didn’t get to go twice!
ALATURKA
I got to try Alaturka with a bunch of friends. This place is super hyped online – and people either love it or call it overrated. I honestly really liked it. The meat and bread were so good. The staff were super nice, they gave us a bunch of sigara boregi (flaky dough stuffed with cheese) for free!
Cafes and Dessert Spots
Lumen
The best place for breakfast in Stuttgart! It’s located in Stuttgart-West, surrounded by a bunch of other cool cafes and restaurants. They have so many options – from savoury to sweet kinds of breakfasts. Their coffees are also really good!
Gelateria Kaiserbau
The BEST place for gelato in Stuttgart. In summer 2024, one scoop was only 2 EUR, and no extra cost for a cone! It’s located next to Marienplatz, a lively square that hosts a farmers market and some festivals. Marienplatz is also where the Degerloch incline is located. You can take the incline up to the “Haigst” stop and walk across the street to Santiago de Chile Place, my favourite lookout in Stuttgart.
TallTree
This cafe is located in Vaihingen, a suburb 15 minutes away by S-Bahn from the city centre – close to campus, where I lived! It was my favourite spot to get work done off-campus. They had lots of coffee options, delicious cake, and gelato! The staff always made me feel welcome, they were so patient when I would attempt to order with my A1 level german. It’s attached to the mall, so I would usually head to get groceries after I got my work done.
Zeit Für Brot
This bakery is a chain, you can find them pretty much all over Germany. However, this absolutely does not diminish how DELICIOUS this place is. They’re known for their cinnamon buns and they offer sooo many flavours. Their coffee is also super good! It’s located on the main floor of my favourite building in Stuttgart, the Calwer Passage. This building features thousands of plants on its facade to keep it cool during the summer (yay sustainability!).
Other Honourable Mentions
These places didn’t quite make the full write-up (mostly because I didn’t take any pictures), but they’re still 100% worth visiting:
- Kuchenliebe: Two locations in Stuttgart, great for studying.
- Wyld Tagesbar: Another great studying spot!
- Lin’s Wok: Delicious, quick takeout.
- Da Sergio Pasticceria & Gelateria: Really good Italian pastries.
I really wish I had more time to try even more restaurants around Stuttgart! There’s always something new popping up, and I feel like I barely scratched the surface of what the city has to offer food-wise. Whether you’re living in Stuttgart or just passing through, I hope this guide helps you find your new favourite spot. And if you stumble upon a hidden gem, send it my way – my Google Maps list is always open for additions!
Have you been to Stuttgart? Let me know your favourite places to eat in the comments!
YUMMMM. It’s lunchtime, and I’m starving, so this post is watering my mouth. I would try ALL THE FOOD.
My Mom used to make us Maultaschen, but I’ve never seen them to go. Would be fun to try this.