Kurt's Euro Bistro — Restaurant in Duluth

I've been hearing about this restaurant since it opened many years ago but never got the chance to go until now.

Located in a shopping center I was a bit skeptical from the outside but once we opened the front door I was immediately relieved and taken by the authentic German atmosphere - wooden furniture, color, lighting...so German. The bar area is just like most German bars, really took me back.

Service was perfect. We were immediately greeted and taken to our table. Our waiter, JD, was at the table asking for our drink order within a minute. The entire meal he made sure we had everything we needed and followed up. This is how you serve people!

I've been attempting to try German restaurant that open in or around Atlanta for years, I've seen many come and go. The main reason I believe for the failures, and there can be many in the restaurant business, but for Germans it's the cook to order mentality. Americans expect the food within 20 min.of ordering. Germans fail when they take 30 minutes plus. Kurt's was perfect! This was a huge relief for me getting our food on time.

We started with the Classic Swiss Fondue. Holy Moly! I've had fondue in Switzerland many times. I'm talking the best in the world 10000 feet up in the alps with a local farmer's family which is how they make $ during the winter months. So I know what it is, what it should taste like and Kurt's done a fantastic job with his version. I will go just for this the next time I have a craving. The "only" thing I would add is a bit more white wine.

For entree's we ordered the Pork Shank "Schweinehaxe" and Jaeger Schnitzel. The Pork Shank was cooked perfectly, tender and juicy. Had so many great flavors of garlic, onion and other herbs that reminded me of my Oma's (German Grandmother) cooking. Note the portion is HUGE. No way one person can eat it all. So order it and share and be prepare to take some home. I ate on it for days. The asparagus was cooked great but we had one piece that was old, should never had left the kitchen, see photo.

The Jaeger Schnitzel was perfect. The veal was tender, beaten and the breading had all the right touches and flavors that you'd expect. The Jeager - woodland mushroom's and gravy were delicious. The mushrooms had a great tangy flavor, so good that I ate them all first. I'm not a fan of spätzle so I won't give that a review but to say it was good, I've had it with my family in Munich many times. I would say it needed a little more gravy sauce, maybe add more from the mushroom gravy?

Why 4 and not 5 stars? The asparagus, whoever released that plate should have noticed and taken it off. Then there was the salt issue. Both the pork shank and schnitzel were a bit over salted. I get that salt brings our flavors but in today's US we are over salted and over sugared causing heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. All restaurants need to do better when cooking. A bit less salt would have been perfect.

Would I go back! Oh yeah! The menu looks amazing and I want to try it all! If not for that I will be back for...

(This is an edit because it’s my umpteenth time here… this update reflects my most recent experience):

For three decades, my wife and I have cherished our visits to Kurt’s Euro Bistro in Duluth. I always treasured my occasional chats with Kurt Eisele, the owner and visionary behind this family-owned gem, and now regret not expressing more fully my admiration for his culinary artistry and European roots. Sadly, Kurt passed away earlier this year, leaving a void that lingers.

Celebrating my birthday earlier this week, my family brought me back to Kurt’s, and as always, it was exceptional. The service was impeccable, warm, and personal - our server, likely one of the dedicated staff who’ve been with Kurt’s for years, made us feel like family. The cocktail, wine, and beer selections were stellar, with a curated wine list and unique European beers that paired perfectly with the menu. This time, I savored a crisp Romaine Hearts Caesar salad with added sardines, setting the stage for the main event. Kurt’s entrees remain unmatched - my perfectly breaded Veal Weinerschnitzel with homemade spaetzle, my wife’s sauerbraten, and my adult children’s Bratwurst Skillet, Salmon L’Alsace, and vegetable pasta were all exquisite. Kurt’s serves the finest European cuisine in Gwinnett, blending German classics with contemporary flair. In dozens of visits over the years, I’ve never had a single disappointing experience.

The intimate, cozy atmosphere, with its white cloth tablecloths and elegant yet welcoming decor, makes every meal feel like a special occasion - especially for my birthday. They presented me with a delightful birthday torte, which I paired wonderfully with a Dow 20-year Port. Kurt’s legacy endures in every dish and in the care poured into this neighborhood bistro. Kurt’s remains a treasure, and I’ll keep coming back to honor the magic Kurt...

Update: Came back for more tonight for a very special occasion. Once again, everything we ordered was amazing! We both ordered fish dishes. Chilean Sea Bass and a pasta dish with Shrimp and Scallops. I can’t tell you how absolutely delicious it was. Cooked to perfection! I am truly impressed with this restaurant. Original review: Excellent restaurant! This is really a German restaurant, not really “European” when used as a general term. Therefore, when we read the reviews we weren’t so sure about what exactly they were offering. Now, let’s get down to it: This place is very good indeed! High quality cuisine with a good selection of German dishes. We had the night special which was a Pork chop with a sweet vegetable sauce and mashed potatoes. The Pork chop was cooked to perfection: It was juicy, soft, and delicious! I don’t particularly favor sweet dishes, but this one was very good. The mashed potatoes were perfect. My wife decided for the grilled Flounder and mashed potatoes. Also delicious and perfectly cooked. The fish was soft and juicy with aromas of lemon and garlic that were just right. We also ordered a bottle of Pinot Griggio and for dessert... we had a chocolate mousse cake with fruits and a Raspberry sorbet, with a home made almond crust that was to kill for!! The atmosphere is a bit heavy and for an older type of clientele, but nice and elegant without being too overwhelming. It is very authentic, the service was optimal, and the price was fair, although a bit pricey. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be back for more. A note for Kurt: What’s up with the facial expression on your wine glasses and menus?!! Very...