It is difficult to resist a good currywurst of a street stall after an intensive day of tourism, but it is also worth sitting to enjoy an Apfelstrudel in one of the many Berlin cafés or to pay homage to the classic German knuckle.
In Berlin there are also healthy alternatives to eat (later we give you a few recommendations). Choosing the best among the best currywurst venues is a bit difficult, so we are going to recommend several and so you can try the one that best fits your itinerary (we warn that they all claim to be the pioneers of currywurst, so do not eat much head).
German beer: how was it going to be missing? The most common is the Pilsen, the classic blonde beer, but be encouraged to try different varieties because if you are a beer lover, in Berlin you will enjoy and much.
As you can imagine, the variety of typical German restaurants, underground bars, cuquis cafes and shabby-but-essential places in a city with the size of Berlin is considerable.
The truck stop places are remarkably good quality and value. Don’t expect deep-fried grease, have a schnitzel with potato salad and enjoy! Did you realise that the doner kebab in a pitta bread was invented in Berlin?
Even so, we have selected all our favorite places to fill the belly (and we have sorted them by categories and neighborhoods to make it easier for you to locate them all). You won't miss a good place to eat in Berlin.
If you don't want to leave Berlin without putting a good knuckle between your chest and back (or two), here are our recommendations with the best typical restaurants in Berlin:Kreuzberg district
1. Curry 36, Mehringdamm 36
Cheap, simple and specialized in currywurst (although they also have other options). It opens until dawn, so if you go out in the neighborhood and need an energy kick at 4 in the morning, this is the place. Berlin's most typical and savory dish deserves a special section in the food section.
The truth is that currywurst doesn't have much science, but if you ask a Berliner for a typical dish of his city, they would definitely recommend trying this one. It is nothing more than a sliced sausage, accompanied by chips, with ketchup and curry on top. Naturally, a museum for his famous sausage could not be missing in the city of Berlin, it is the Deutsches Currywurst Museum (not a joke).
A full-fledged fast food, but that tastes good when it catches you hungry and that you can enjoy in almost any corner of the city.
2. Witty’s, Wittenbergplatz
They have several stalls around the city, but the most famous is Wittenbergplatz, next to the exit of the station, next to the KaDeWe galleries. We don't know how much organic a sausage can have, but at Witty's they boast of making them organic and the truth is that they are good - within what is a sausage with potatoes. If this place does not catch you well, there is another in the middle Friedrichstraße 141.
Close the menu when ready. Never leave a tip on the table. When you order coffee or other soft drinks, refills are not free. Something unusual (norm in Germany) folks ask to sit in extra chairs at the table.
3. Burgermeister, Oberbaumstrasse 8
Burgermeister is a kiosk under the train tracks, very simple but very famous among tourists and Berliners. Piri's Chicken Burgers (in Wiener Strasse 31), specialize in chicken burgers breaded with spicy sauce. Both are in the neighborhood of Kreuzberg.
4. BBI - Berlin Burger International, Neukölln, Pannierstrasse 5
A very small but highly recommended hamburger that you have to go with time, because the place fills up quickly. If you order an appetizer and main meal and your guest only orders a main meal the server will ask when they would like to receive the meal. Usually the same time as your meal unless they’re really hungry. This is another nice thing, you don’t have to order an entire meal, you can just order dessert or a drink.
5. Patta, Krossener Strasse 16
The Germans, and especially the city of Berlin, are very aware of vegetarianism and it is possible to find many options to eat well (it is also common for most restaurants to offer dishes for vegetarians and even vegans). A very cozy and economical place where the specialty is stuffed potatoes, very tasty and with vegetarian options (you can even choose the ingredients).
6. What Do You Fancy Love?, Knesebeckstrasse 6
A nice coffee with fresh and quality food and a great option for breakfast or a quick but healthy drink. Cakes, bagels, natural juices, fruit with muesli and all kinds of alternatives for vegetarians.
7. Hummus & Friends, Oranienburger Strasse 27
A great Lebanese where many of the dishes are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, but with options for everyone (which makes it ideal for sharing).
Did you know that restaurants are taxed additionally for the number of umbrellas they have outside and those cool signs that extend outward are taxed by the centimeter (fee for usage of public ground), just some trivia.
8. I am, Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse 30
A very tasty Asian food with good portions, reasonable prices and vegan options. Konfitüre are often made with cherries, plums or apricots, rather than the more usual strawberry and raspberry jam of the English-speaking world.
If you’re a veggie lover, most German restaurants can make changes to menu items so they’re vegetarian and most have a section on the menu.
9. Momos, Fehrbelliner Strasse 5
It is famous for its gyozas-like dumplings suitable for vegans and vegetarians and for all audiences, because the truth is that they are very good.
By law, menus are posted outside the restaurant so you can check prices and selections before entering or making a decision to eat there.
10. The Bowl, Warschauer Strasse 33
It is one of the most famous vegan restaurants in Berlin. The dishes are generous and heavy and the price is medium.
Another thing is most restaurants close between lunch and dinner so check these times as well.
Pankow
11. The Bird, Am Falkplatz 5, Prenzlauer Berg
Berliners have also signed up for this European fashion of filling it with burgers. In Berlin there are very good options, but if we had to keep a single hamburger, it would be The Bird (they have several locations with another in Kreuzberg, very close to the Schönleinstraße underground exit).
12. Konnopke's Imbiss, Schönhauser Allee 44A, Prenzlauer Berg
Curious about its situation under the tracks of a train, and certainly an interesting option for being in the heart of one of our favorite neighborhoods: Prenzlauer Berg.
Lastly, be polite never wave down the server with hand gestures. Making eye contact or taking out your wallet is a significant cue.
13. Prater, Kastanienallee 7-9
It is the oldest Biergarten in the city, and during the months of good weather it serves sausages and other typical German dishes on the banks of your terrace. In the country of sausages you will find all the varieties you can imagine, although the most common are the Bratwurst (white and spicy) and the Wiener (Vienna type, orange and softer).
14. Oderquelle, Oderberger Strasse 27
It is very close to the Mauerpark you will find this German restaurant with very good value for money. In places where it is traditional, types of fish such as cold, smoked mackerel (Makrele) or raw pickled herring (Rollmops) may be offered.
15. Salt n Bone, Schliemannstrasse 31
In this German restaurant the ribs are the specialty, although all the meat dishes are good. A familiar and cozy place (only open at night).
Invented in the 1950s when post-war Germans longed for everything foreign and exotic, that ring of canned Pineapple on a slice of toast wasn’t just a simple snack, but a symbol of new-found freedom and prosperity. Not especially popular today, but Toast Hawaii is still around and considered a piece of German cultural history. It also surfaced in Switzerland and Austria around the same time.
In establishments without waiter service (i.e., it’s a breakfast buffet), hard-boiled eggs (hartgekochte Eier) and/or a tray of scrambled eggs (Rühreier) are quite usual. Egg dishes that require waiter service and individual attention from the chef, such as poached eggs (pochierte Eier) and fried eggs (Spiegeleier) are less usual.
Mitte
16. Curry 61, Oranienburger Strasse 6
The most central of the three is the same style: a cheap place, with rich and unpretentious food and full of people at the door engulfing currywurst. For those who do not want to spend too much money at lunch time, in addition to saving time, Berlin offers multiple fast food options at street stalls, such as eating a kebab, some Asian-style noodles or, the most typical option, a currywurst or any other type of sausage. These options usually cost between € 3 and € 5.
17. Berliner Republik, Schiffbauerdamm 6-8
Next to the bank of the Spree is one of the most curious pubs in Berlin, where the price of beer is publicly traded from 17:00 hours. Also, the food is really tasty.
The coolest thing is watching the server write everything down on the check from memory and adding it in their head.
18. Maximilian's Restaurant, Friedrichstrasse 185
Here it is very typical and good to order your assortment of varied sausages (Bayerische Wurstparade), but the rest of the dishes are also very rich. If lunchtime catches you near Checkpoint Charlie you can approach.
Aufstriche refers to meat-based products that can be spread over slices of bread or on rolls. Similar, but not identical, to pâté - spreadable sausage is the term that is sometimes used in the English-speaking world, but is not very appetising-sounding and is not entirely accurate either - some of the Fleischaufstriche are raw.
19. Löwenbräu, Leipziger Strasse 65
A rather touristy place but with dishes that take you out of a hurry among which the half-meter sausage stands out. Aufschnitt is usually, some form of salami or cold sausage that can be sliced.
Würste are some kind of sausages may be offered, but of the German variety (and hence boiled or steamed) rather than of the English variety (definitely not ‘bangers’ and not grilled or fried). Senf (mustard) will be available alongside, even at 6 am in the morning. If sausages are available, then meatballs may also be offered alongside the sausages, especially if they are a local speciality, like the Bouletten in Berlin - again, always with Senf.
20. Marjellchen, Mommsenstrasse 9
In the quiet district of Charlottenburg, near the famous palace, you will find a classic German food restaurant that will not leave you indifferent. Of course, only open for dinner and should be reserved.
21. Rausch Schokoladenhaus, Charlottenstrasse 60
Very close to Gendarmermarkt do not miss the best known chocolate shop in the city, which in addition to making real chocolate with chocolate offers a very good menu at noon. Open from 10:00-20:00 hours.
22. Cocolo Ramen, Gipsstraße 3
Without a doubt, one of our favorite restaurants in Berlin. It is a Japanese tavern (but like those in Japan, not the ones with dragons and red lanterns) where the star dish is ramen. They prepare it in front of you and there are several options to choose from, all equally good. You have to go early because the place is small and full (open from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am).
23. Flamingo Fresh Food Bar, Neustadtische Kirchstrasse 8
It is perfect for breakfast or snack for their homemade cakes, although you can also eat, because they prepare sandwiches and light dishes. It is economical and opens until 6:00 pm.
24. Co Chu, Invalidenstrasse 29
A very authentic Vietnamese in a well decorated place and cheap prices. Open at noon and until 11 pm.
Neukölln Neighborhood
25. Papilles, Flughafenstrasse 25
A curious place where there are them, because the letter does not read it, but it is told by its waiters sitting with you at the table. Modernly apart, the truth is that the food, with a French touch, is very good, with quality ingredients and dishes with a special twist. The prices, in addition, are very reasonable, and it opens both at noon and at night. Definitely one of our favorites to get out of typical German food.
26. Pasternak, Knaackstrasse 22-24
It is a Russian restaurant well known to the inhabitants of the neighborhood, with quality food at reasonable prices.
27. Umami, Knaackstrasse 16-18
Tasty Indochina dishes are served at shared tables topped by lanterns.
28. Mami Camilla, Hufelandstrasse 36
A delicious homemade pizzeria (only open in the afternoon until 11 pm).
29. Ushido-Japanese BBQ, Lychener Strasse 18
It is a Japanese restaurant where the specialty is not sushi, but meat, because the protagonist is the Japanese barbecue that is located in the center of the table so that you can prepare what you want.
30. Ristorantino Cotto e Crudo, Eberswalder Strasse 33
This Italian offers typical and homemade dishes of Italian cuisine, and both wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes are highly recommended.
31. Suzette crêperie, Pappelallee 15
It is a French creperie that serves both sweet and savory crepes. Worth! By the way, they also offer gluten free crepes.
32. Blumencafé, Schönhauser Allee 127
One of the most charming cafes in Prenzlauer Berg, located inside a flower shop. A small botanical garden perfect for breakfast on a Sunday brunch without haste before taking a walk through the market of the Mauerpark.
33. Café Anna Blume, Kollwitzstraße 83
Another well-known coffee in the neighborhood. Their homemade cakes are delicious and although it is usually full, they always find a place for you. In winter, warm your hands with a good cup of chocolate while in summer, enjoy an ice cream on its terrace.
Charlottenburg Neighborhood
34. Il Pastificio, Richard-Wagner-Strasse 35
A real Italian, with typical Sardinian dishes. Familiar, homemade and of average price. Open only in the afternoons and evenings.
35. La Tia Rica, Knesebeckstrasse 92
It is a Chilean restaurant, with good dishes and wines, where you can taste the best of the country's cuisine at reasonable prices. Open for dinner only.
36. Boulevard Friedrichstrasse, Friedrichstrasse 106c
German knuckle (Eisbein) from Berlin is eaten cooked, although you will also find it roasted, and always accompanied by sauerkraut (cabbage roasted in strips with a light touch of vinegar) and boiled potatoes. If it is well prepared it is a delight.
A piece of raw beef (in some traditional varieties also horse meat) is submerged in a mixture of vinegar, wine, water and various herbs and spices. The acid breaks down and tenderizes the meat, giving it a very sour taste in the process (Sauerbraten means sour roast).
After a few days, the meat is taken out of the marinade, roasted in an oven, and often served together with dumplings and red cabbage. Done right it’s delicious, and the meat is so very tender, it frays when you try to cut it, much like pulled pork from the US.
Try it in the following restaurants Sophieneck (Grosse Hamburger Strasse 37), Ständige Vertretung (Schiffbauerdamm 8), Brauhaus Georgbraeu (Spreeufer 4, in Nikolaiviertel) and Zur Letzten Instanz (Waisenstrasse 14-16), close to the Nikolai district and the Alexanderplatz - it is essential to book.
37. Back Palace, Nikolai, Propststraße 1-4
Apfelstrudel is an Austrian dessert, but this puff pastry and apple pie served with vanilla ice cream is a very typical dessert also in Germany. Don't miss the one at this tiny cafe in the Nikolai neighborhood where all the desserts are homemade - if you don't have the apple pie, ask yourself for homemade Belgian waffles. They have nothing to do with those that serve elsewhere.
Rote Grütze is a northern German dessert dish made from red currents and served with quark cheese or vanilla sauce. It was originally made with groats (hence the name), but is sometimes made with potato starch instead.
38. Sheers Shnitzel, East Side Gallery, Warschauer Strasse
Schnitzel is a more Viennese than Berlin dish, but it is also served in all German restaurants. It is nothing more than a breaded pork steak or veal and accompanied by potatoes and a few slices of lemon. They say that the best in Berlin are those here, let's say, modest, but with a lot of fame thanks to this dish.
It is also highly recommended to try the Schnitzel Wirtshaus zum Mitterhofer (Fichtestraße 33, in the Kreuzberg district) and Imbiss 204 (Prenzlauer Allee 204, Prenzlauer Berg).
Obst (fruit) are either in the form of fresh fruit or made into a fruit salad. Beerenkompott (berry compote) may be offered in season.
Tips for eating in Berlin
Before looking for where to eat in Berlin, keep these tips in mind. German food is usually quite blunt and high in caloric content.
Berlin is a relatively cheap city in terms of food and, depending on the budget of each one, the city offers a multitude of gastronomic possibilities.
Sometimes it is not necessary to look for a street stall since, sometimes, it is the stalls that move towards people. This is the "Ich bin ein berliner", some curious sellers who have a grill hanging on their shoulders where they make sausages on the fly.
At dinner time is when you usually feel more like sitting quietly in a restaurant to taste typical Berlin dishes. Depending on the type of restaurant you choose, the price varies a lot, but a dinner for two can be around 35 or 40 euros.
Be careful with the schedules (but not too much). We already know that the Germans eat and eat dinner before the rest, but Berlin, as a good capital, is something else Flexible with schedules and most restaurants in tourist areas are open all day.
Even so, we advise you not to eat later than 2:00 pm, and for dinner, no later than 8:30 pm - 9:00 pm (or it is very likely that you are already without a table).
If you drink water specify that you want it without gas (unless you like it that way). If you only ask for a bottle of water, the most usual thing is to be served with gas, so if you don't want it, ask for Still Wasser (or in English, still water).
In almost all areas of the city you can find very varied restaurants, although some of the most notable areas are the Barrio de San Nicolás (Nikolaiviertel), with some typical Berlin restaurants, and Alexanderplatz, where there are restaurants of all kinds.
Another area that is popular among Berliners is Simon Dache Strasse, near the Frankfurter Tor metro. It is a fairly cheap area with very varied restaurants. If you want international restaurants, the Jewish Quarter is a safe option.
And as for tips it is usual to leave a tip (do not be surprised if when you bring the bill, a waiter tells you that the tip is not included), rounding the price of the bill or adding 10% of the total.
