Tokidoki, Madrid

Celebrated table

Tokidoki

Former filmmaker Loic Sturani channels his Japanese grandmother’s recipes into accessible plates recognized by Le Fooding.

The story

Tokidoki: Contemporary Japanese Cooking in Madrid

The Chef and the Kitchen

Tokidoki serves contemporary Japanese cooking in Madrid through the lens of former filmmaker Loic Sturani. He draws direct inspiration from his Japanese grandmother, translating childhood memories into accessible plates that travel well beyond traditional borders. His cinematic background informs a kitchen that values simplicity over complexity while maintaining precise technique.

Signature Plates and Weekend Service

The daily lunch lineup rotates around seasonal vegetables and carefully balanced proteins. Diners often encounter sliced katsu-style celeriac served with Bulldog sauce and tomato powder, alongside tender leek rolls dipped in a creamy kimizu preparation. Walk-in visitors can request freshly assembled takeaway bentos, while weekend guests secure seats for the Saturday brunch set. This weekend offering pairs four rotating Japanese-inspired dishes with unlimited tea and a sweet finish like sesame and buckwheat pudding.

Ambiance and Critical Acclaim

Recognized by Le Fooding for its 2026 guide listing, the dining room blends DIY wooden suspension lights with a vintage Japanese display cabinet and framed textiles. This curated space supports a menu that critics describe as uniquely surprising yet consistently approachable within the broader Japanese cuisine scene. Guests navigating the weekday lunch service simply walk in, while weekend reservations secure tables for the later dinner courses.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026
Le Fooding
Listed

Ambience

A glimpse inside

Details

At a glance

Le Fooding 2026 — Listed
Cuisines Brunch, Japanese

History

On the record

2026
Le Fooding — Listed

Apart from the flash of gray in his beard, former Italian filmmaker Loic Sturani has little to do with a Japanese grandma, whose cuisine he nevertheless promises to serve at Tokidoki. The fact remains that he puts his heart and soul into serving Japan on a plate, come lunch and dinner. That evening, the menu at this mish-mash of an eatery (DIY wooden suspension lights, Japanese display cabinet, framed traditional fabrics) featured: sliced katsu-style celeriac and Bulldog sauce with added tomato powder, served with crunchy tricolor pickles and tender leek rolls, to be dipped in a creamy kimizu sauce – a sort of Japanese sabayon. What else? A plump donut floating in a white and dark chocolate sauce, painted like a smiley, plus caramelized pear. Boy, aren’t we spoilt at granny Loic’s! // Molly Kale

Established

Location

Find us

Chaussée d'Alsemberg 128, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Belgium
Madrid, Spain
+32 486 55 68 31
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Map showing Tokidoki