Berlin Restaurants

Berlin has plenty of unassuming neighborhood restaurants serving old-fashioned German food but happily, the dining scene in this thriving city has expanded to incorporate all sorts of international cuisine, as well as healthier, more contemporary versions of the German classics.

As in many other destinations around the world, eating locally sourced and organic food is more and more the rage in Berlin. Restaurants now understand that although they could import ingredients from other European countries, there are plenty of fresh farm resources closer to home. Look for the name Brandenburg, for instance, before Ente (duck) or Schwein (pork) on a menu–-it's the rural area just outside of Berlin. In spring, definitely look for the weisser Spargel, white asparagus from nearby Beelitz, which is all the rage, showing up as a main course with a variety of sauces, in pastas, soups, and even desserts.

When it comes to international cuisine, Berlin options run the gamut. Italian food is abundant, from relatively mundane pizza and pasta establishments to restaurants offering specific regional Italian delicacies. Asian restaurants, in particular, are popular, as is Turkish food, especially the beloved döner shops selling pressed lamb or chicken in flat-bread pockets with a variety of sauces and salads—always great for a quick meal, and a perennial late-night favorite. Wurst, especially Currywurst—curry-flavored pork sausage served with a mild curry ketchup—is also popular if you're looking for a quick meal on the go.

Old-fashioned German and especially Berlin cuisine is getting harder to find these days, as most restaurants aim to attract customers by reinventing the classics in the so-called Neue Deutsche Küche (new German cuisine) movement. But real, old Berlin classics are still lurking around town if you know where to look. Berlin's most traditional four-part meal is Eisbein (pork knuckle), always served with sauerkraut, pureed peas, and boiled potatoes. Other old-fashioned Berlin dishes include Rouladen (rolled, stuffed beef), Spanferkel (suckling pig), Berliner Schüsselsülze (potted meat in aspic), Hackepeter (ground beef), and Berliner Leber (calves' liver with cooked apples and onions).

Weekend brunch buffets are popular in Berlin and restaurants all over the city get crowded with patrons lingering over the meals.

It's worth noting that Berlin is known for its curt, slow service, except at high-end restaurants. Also keep in mind that many of the top restaurants are closed Sunday, and sometimes Monday as well.

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  • 1. BRLO Brwhouse

    $$ | Kreuzberg

    A cross between a craft brewery, a hip outdoor beer garden (spring through fall only), and a casual indoor restaurant inside reused shipping containers, BRLO is a quintessential Berlin spot to spend an afternoon drinking and eating. If the weather's nice, grab a striped lounge chair outside and choose from a range of modern bar snacks at the beer garden, open every day except in winter; otherwise, head indoors for a choice of vegetable-focused mains along with meats cooked in their own smoker.

    Schöneberger Str. 16, Berlin, Berlin, 10963, Germany
    030-5557–7606

    Known For

    • Cool, fun outdoor and indoor setting
    • Tasty barbecue and vegetables
    • Beers brewed on-site

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Restaurant closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Tues.–Fri. Beer garden closed Mon.
  • 2. Curry 36

    $ | Kreuzberg

    This currywurst stand in Kreuzberg has a cult following and just about any time of day or night you'll find yourself amid a crowd of cab drivers, students, and lawyers munching on currywurst mit Darm (with skin) or ohne Darm (without skin). Go local and order your sausage with a big pile of crispy fries served rot-weiss (red and white)—with curry ketchup and mayonnaise.

    Mehringdamm 36, Berlin, Berlin, 10961, Germany
    030-251–7368

    Known For

    • Berlin's most famous currywurst
    • Vegan currywurst for non-meat eaters
    • Late-night eats (open till 5 am)
  • 3. Die Henne

    $ | Kreuzberg

    The 100-plus-year-old Kreuzberg stalwart has managed to stick around thanks in part to its most famous dish, which is still just about all it serves: a crispy, fried half chicken. The rest of the menu is short: coleslaw, potato salad, a few boulette (meat patty) options, and several beers on tap; for "dessert," look to the impressive selection of locally sourced brandies and fruit schnapps.

    Leuschnerdamm 25, Berlin, Berlin, 10999, Germany
    030-614–7730

    Known For

    • Scrumptious fried chicken
    • Front-yard beer garden
    • Charming historic setting

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
  • 4. Horváth

    $$$$ | Kreuzberg

    In a cozy wood-paneled room with a colorful mural of Berlin scenes along the wall and a sleek open kitchen, Austrian chef Sebastian Frank puts a creative spin on dishes from his native country. Vegetables (along with touches of meat and fish) become the stars of the show with innovative cooking techniques and a judicious use of herbs, many grown on his roof terrace, in a choice of five- or eight-course menus; each dish pairs perfectly with unique wines primarily from Eastern Europe.

    Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44A, Berlin, Berlin, 10999, Germany
    030-6128–9992

    Known For

    • Celeriac baked in salt dough and matured for 12 months
    • Mushroom liver “foie gras” with apple balsam reduction
    • Wonderful wine selection from the former Austro-Hungarian empire

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
  • 5. Lode & Stijn

    $$$$ | Kreuzberg

    In their namesake restaurant on a side street in Kreuzberg, Dutch chefs Lode van Zuylen and Stijn Remi combine ingredients primarily from small producers in interesting ways—expect lots of dry-aged and cured fish and meat—in regularly changing four- or seven-course tasting menus. With a minimalist aesthetic inside, the focus remains on the beautifully plated food, along with the large wine list with lots of natural selections from across Europe.

    Lausitzer Str. 25, Berlin, Berlin, 10999, Germany
    030-6521–4507

    Known For

    • Head-to-tail preparations of fish and meat
    • Stellar natural wine list
    • Friendly, helpful service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. No lunch
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  • 6. Markthalle Neun

    $ | Kreuzberg

    Thanks to the efforts of local activists, this century-old market hall was saved from becoming a chain supermarket and instead turned into a center for local food vendors, chefs, wine dealers, and brewers. From Monday to Saturday, a large and rotating variety of food and drink is on offer for lunch and all afternoon; Tuesday to Saturday finds the weekly market with tempting food products for sale, from fruits and vegetables to bread and fish (with an expanded market on Friday and Saturday); and the space also hosts a dazzling array of rotating events, so it's best to check what's on before heading there.

    Eisenbahnstr. 42/43, Berlin, Berlin, 10997, Germany
    030-6107–3473

    Known For

    • Tasty and varied food choices from local entrepreneurs, from barbecue to crepes to Turkish dumplings
    • A fun, hipster scene
    • A good selection of beer, wine, and coffee

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 7. Restaurant Tim Raue

    $$$$ | Kreuzberg

    The conservative decor belies the artistry on offer at this Michelin-starred restaurant from Germany's most famous celebrity chef. Upscale Asian-influenced cuisine, combining Japanese, Thai, and Chinese flavors and techniques, can be sampled in either classic or seasonal seven-course tasting menus for dinner or four- to eight-course tasting menus for lunch; pair your food with splendid wines from one of the most comprehensive lists in Berlin.

    Rudi-Dutschke-Str. 26, Berlin, Berlin, 10969, Germany
    030-2593–7930

    Known For

    • Peking duck "TR" (duck three ways)
    • Langoustine with wasabi Cantonese-style
    • More than 800 wine choices

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Tues.–Thurs.
  • 8. Tulus Lotrek

    $$$$ | Kreuzberg

    Tucked onto a charming, leafy street, this quirky Michelin-starred restaurant decked out in green jungle wallpaper and wood floral details, with a cozy outdoor terrace, focuses on the "experience" of their food, serving up beautiful and interesting dishes using unusual ingredient combinations. Diners can choose from a six- to eight-course tasting menu, and vivacious co-owner Ilona Scholl will happily suggest (and encourage) whimsical international wine pairings to match.

    Fichtestr. 24, Berlin, Berlin, 10967, Germany
    030-4195–6687

    Known For

    • Relaxed, fun service
    • Only six- or eight-course tasting menus
    • Large selection of nonstandard wines

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. No lunch
  • 9. Beba at Gropius Bau

    $ | Kreuzberg

    Anchored by an indoor vertical garden filled with vegetables and herbs used in many of its dishes, this casual eatery inside the Gropius Bau museum focuses on ancient Jewish recipes from around the world. Choose from a selection of organic vegetable-forward mezzes including labneh (strained yogurt) with challah bread, cauliflower with herbed tahini, and zucchini latkes, finished off with tasty cakes baked by renowned Berlin pâtissière Cynthia Barcomi.

    Niederkirchnerstr. 7, Berlin, Berlin, 10963, Germany
    017-4402–6806

    Known For

    • Inexpensive nibbles and more substantial plates
    • Freshly made vegetarian dishes
    • Herbal lemonade

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
  • 10. Café Morgenland

    $$ | Kreuzberg

    Within view (and earshot) of the elevated U1 line, Café Morgenland is a relatively unremarkable neighborhood haunt on weekdays but on Sundays it devotes an entire room to the extremely popular brunch buffet, which means table space can be scarce. The Turkish-inspired dishes (an ode to the home country of many a Kreuzberg native) are a delicious alternative to the more traditional brunches served elsewhere in Berlin.

    Skalitzerstr. 35, Berlin, Berlin, 10999, Germany
    030-6110–7677

    Known For

    • Brunch buffet
    • Sidewalk seating
    • Casual atmosphere
  • 11. Defne

    $$ | Kreuzberg

    In a city full of Turkish restaurants, Defne stands out for its exquisitely prepared food, friendly service, and pleasant setting. Beyond simple kebabs, the fresh and healthy menu here includes a selection of hard-to-find fish dishes from the Bosphorus, such as acili ahtapot (spicy octopus served with mushrooms and olives in a white-wine-and-tomato sauce), as well as delicious meze and typical Turkish dishes like "the Imam Fainted," stuffed eggplant with tomatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and pine nuts.

    Planufer 92c, Berlin, Berlin, 10967, Germany
    030-8179–7111

    Known For

    • Large selection of traditional Turkish meat and seafood plates
    • Delicious vegetarian dishes
    • Lovely location on the bank of the Landwehrkanal, with outdoor terrace

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • 12. Five Elephant

    $ | Kreuzberg

    In addition to brewing first-rate, quality coffee from beans roasted on the premises, Five Elephant serves some of the best cake in town, including a cheesecake that has become something of a local legend. Inside, the café is bright, modern, and welcoming, usually with cool jazz playing on the sound system. Like most of its coffee-brewing brethren, the café sources its own coffee directly from growers, and makes sure interactions along every step of the chain are fair and humane.

    Reichenbergerstr. 101, Berlin, Berlin, 10999, Germany
    030-9608–1527
  • 13. Jolesch

    $$ | Kreuzberg

    The front bar area and a cozy dining room are usually filled with chattering locals and the occasional dog peeking out from under the table (pets are allowed in unexpected places in Berlin, including many restaurants). The house specialties include Viennese classics like Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel, along with a few "modern" Austrian dishes, but look for surprises, too, on the seasonal weekly menu, which is full of interesting ingredients and unusual combinations.

    Muskauerstr. 1, Berlin, Berlin, 10997, Germany
    030-612–3581

    Known For

    • A mixture of traditional and contemporary Austrian cooking
    • Some of the best Wiener schnitzel in Berlin
    • Classic Viennese desserts like Sacher torte and apple strudel

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat.
  • 14. Mariona

    $ | Kreuzberg

    This bright, welcoming space just off Kreuzberg's Lausitzer Platz serves tasty Catalonian tapas created from locally sourced ingredients that put a bit of sunshine on the plate during the dreary months. The colorful dishes on the daily changing menu are often unique pairings of sweet and savory ingredients, which combine well with the list of Spanish wines. Expect at least one fresh fish dish, like octopus with potatoes and grilled tomatoes; one soup, like the classic Spanish salmorejo (tomato and bread); and a few meat dishes with at least one expertly cooked, juicy steak, best accompanied by a glass (or bottle) of tempranillo.

    Skalitzerstr. 94b, Berlin, Berlin, 10997, Germany
    030-6167–1214

    Known For

    • Fresh seafood tapas from Catalonia
    • Dinner only
    • Friendly service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No credit cards
  • 15. Marqués Rene Maschkiwitz

    $$ | Kreuzberg

    In a city where it seems as if 10 new restaurants open every day, this Spanish and Portuguese tapas spot has been spared much of the hype, but that's a good thing: Marqués serves high-end, inventive food and Mediterranean wines, without pretension. The menu is extensive, so talk it over with friendly staff, who will advise and serve you delights like sizzling plates of chorizo, and salted, fried pimientos de padron, the small, green, Spanish peppers. To sate a larger appetite, try the beef fillets or pasta with mixed seafood—a rarity in land-locked Berlin. The cocktail bar in the basement serves stellar creations.

    Graefestr. 92, Berlin, Berlin, 10967, Germany
    030-6162–5906

    Known For

    • Speciality cocktails
    • Outdoor seating
    • Classic Spanish tapas
  • 16. Mustafa's Gemüse Kebab

    $ | Kreuzberg

    For the traditional döner kebab, head to Mustafa's for mouthwateringly delicious vegetable kebabs (also available with chicken for those who can't resist a bit of protein, but the vegetarian is what people rave about). The line can sometimes stretch down the block, but it's well worth the wait, and this is a traditional street stand, so no seating.

    Mehringdamm 32, Berlin, Berlin, 10961, Germany

    Known For

    • Toasted pita bread stuffed full of roasted veggies with sauce and feta cheese
    • Döner kebab (seasoned meat in a wrap with salad)
    • Long lines at all hours
  • 17. Richard

    $$$ | Kreuzberg

    On an industrial Kreuzberg street, Richard isn't relying on foot traffic to bring in customers; but everyone who knows about it raves. The unassuming facade hides an elegant white interior with stained-glass windows, an intricate, carved wood ceiling, and modern paintings. The food, which is French influenced, is equally elegant: try the appetizer of clams, mussels, and octopus, a simple but perfectly prepared dish of polenta with mushrooms and black truffles, and excellent mains like venison or roast suckling pig. You can order à la carte or choose one of the prix-fixe options.

    Köpenickerstr. 174, Berlin, Berlin, 10997, Germany
    030-4920–7242

    Known For

    • Elegant decor
    • Classic French cuisine
    • Roast suckling pig

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 18. Rutz Zollhaus

    $$$ | Kreuzberg

    Along the Landwehr Canal, this charming half-timber former customs house turned Rutz restaurant’s little sister has a cozy interior with arched windows inside and an expansive outdoor terrace in summer. Chef Florian Mennicken, who trained at Michelin-starred Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer and Facil, prepares hearty German classics, accompanied by a wonderful selection of wines from both Germany and across Europe.

    Carl-Herz-Ufer 30, Berlin, Berlin, 10961, Germany
    030-2332–76670

    Known For

    • Choice of 200 wines
    • Königsberger Klops (meatballs in creamy white sauce)
    • Locally sourced meat and fish dishes

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. Apr.–Sept. and Sun. and Mon. Oct.–Mar. No lunch

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