Eating and drinking in Berlin

The renovated brick hall from the 19th century is one of Kreuzberg’s liveliest spots. On weekdays you’ll find the regular stalls selling cheese, bread, wine and coffee from Berlin’s artisan producers, along with small snacks for a quick bite. Thursdays evenings from 5 p.m. the hall transforms into a street food stage with rotating chefs from all over the world and long beer stands in the middle.

Actually, this is the staff canteen of the architectural firm David Chipperfield; in the afternoon, the doors are also open to external guests. Exposed concrete, a green inner courtyard and a small, daily changing menu with organic ingredients. Booking is recommended, because the tables fill up quickly. The atmosphere is rather quiet and focused.

For years, this unassuming eatery on Kastanienallee has been serving vegetarian fusion cuisine that on paper shouldn’t work. Naan pizza with mango and coriander, Indian burritos, dal bowls. Sounds crazy, tastes surprisingly good. In the summer, you sit on the wooden benches outside the door and watch Kastanienallee come to life.

The Berlin question of faith for decades: Curry 36 or Konnopkes? We say both. Curry 36 has the advantage that there is still a queue in front of the counter even at three o’clock in the morning. Classic order: Currywurst without intestines, with fries from Schranke. Next door is Mustafa, so you can easily combine that with a double round of street food.

The probably most photographed eatery in Berlin, right next to Curry 36 on Mehringdamm. In the flatbread they serve roasted potato and eggplant mix, feta cheese, fresh mint and a hint of lemon. The line is reliable; plan a wait of 20 to 30 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, come on weekdays between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.; it’s more relaxed then.

Berlin's oldest currywurst stand, located under the metro bridge on Schönhauser Allee since 1930. The Konnopke family still makes their sauce themselves, in three different spiciness levels. Original from East Berlin with open-air seating, in winter with heating stoves. Important: Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Probably the most famous Viennese schnitzel in the Republic, served in a high room with stucco and mirrors from the early 20th century. Politics, acting and business have sat side by side here for generations; sometimes at neighboring tables. The ordering process is automatic: schnitzel with potato salad and prunes. The online reviews are mixed; the schnitzel is not that good. Book several days in advance; on weekends, perhaps a week in advance.

Berlin's oldest tavern, founded in 1621, and thus one of the few addresses in the city with a date from the Thirty Years' War. Lamb ribs, boulettes, Berliner Weiße, plus tiled stoves and wood-panelled rooms. Obviously, that's touristy. But in the honest version. Closed on Sundays.

Since 1954, probably the most authentic Berlin pub in Charlottenburg, founded by former boxer Franz Diener as a meeting place for artists, actors, and old West Berlin. Black-and-white photos of regulars from decades hang on the dark wooden paneling. On the map: Berlin specialties like potato salad, Wiener schnitzel, codfish, and Kölsch from the tap. Tables are shared if necessary, which is part of the concept. Reservations are advisable on weekends.

One of Germany’s most renowned cocktail bars, regularly featured in the World’s 50 Best lists. Hidden behind a black facade on Brunnenstraße, hardly visible from the outside. Inside it’s small and focused, with only bar seats. Cash only, reservation is advisable. Prepare for a quiet evening with several cocktails; standing beer is not available here.

On the 10th floor of the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, with panoramic views of the zoo’s monkey enclosure and the Tiergarten behind. The cocktails are solid, the view makes for an evening to remember. In the summer, the terrace opens, so reserve your spot in advance; the seats are in high demand. Accessible even without staying at the hotel.

On Pfefferberg-Areal in Prenzlauer Berg, the former brewery grounds that today is home to artists, galleries, and locals. At KINK you decide: drinks at the long bar or the seasonal menu with an Asian twist at the table. Both on the same level. In the summer, the courtyard opens with a campfire. Two rest days per week; check the opening hours beforehand.

Homemade pasta and Neapolitan pizza in a setting that looks like an American diner from the 70s. Bright colors, round lamps, a counter-style atmosphere. A must-order dish: the truffle pasta with mascarpone, which has been a regular customer since the restaurant opened. In the summer, there are terrace tables overlooking the vineyard garden. Reserve well in advance; it’s also full on weekdays.

Classic Italian cuisine with the courage to innovate its own interpretations, led by an Italian-born team. The menu features Tortelli with Burrata and Truffle, Vitello Tonnato, and Branzino. Classic dishes that are well prepared. The wine list is long and focuses on Italy, with recommendations from the sommelier, who takes the time to get to know you. Many regulars, which is usually a good sign.

One of the best Japanese restaurants in Berlin, run by a Japanese family that has been based in Prenzlauer Berg for decades. Sushi and sashimi of a quality you rarely find in Berlin, prepared in front of the guests. A good indicator: The proportion of Japanese guests on an average evening is high. Book well in advance, sometimes weeks in advance.

A Vietnamese brasserie from the Kuchi family run by The Duc Ngo, right in the Kantstraße. The pho pots simmer in the display case for twelve hours, and you can taste it in every bowl. Small, lively, reasonably priced. Besides pho, the menu also includes Banh Mi, summer rolls and grilled tofu. In the summer, the windows open onto the street, and then the restaurant becomes part of the Boulevard life.

Small, very authentic Sichuan noodle shop in Mitte, run by a family from Chengdu. Hand-made noodles in a hearty broth with the typical Sichuan pepper crunch that leaves your mouth numb. The menu is short: Beef Noodle Soup, Dan Dan Noodles, plus small appetizers like Mapo Tofu, cold cucumber salad, Wan Tan in chili oil. It tastes like Sichuan without any German adaptation. Cash only, so bring some cash.

Restaurant and bar in a building on Knesebeckstraße, right next to Savignyplatz. Lebanese and Mediterranean menu with classic mezze, hummus, baba ganoush, kibbeh, plus grilled dishes and mixed grill for sharing. Nice indoor and outdoor areas, a separate shisha lounge in the back for a longer night. You sit in the front for eating, in the back for smoking. Long opening hours, until six o'clock in the morning on weekends. Reservations are advisable.

Small Lebanese family restaurant in Wrangelstraße, personally run by the owner. The menu is classic and focused on the essentials: falafel with various sauces, hawawschi (a type of Lebanese stuffed pizza), homemade shawarma, fresh flatbread, classic mezze. Guests praise the black tea that arrives unprompted at the table and the friendly family atmosphere. An honest address without marketing gimmicks.

Berlin’s only three-star restaurant and thus the culinary highlight of the city. Marco Müller cooks modern German cuisine using consistently regional ingredients. Depth over effect, substance over show cooking. The wine pairing matches the menu. Book weeks, sometimes months in advance.

Berlin's loudest and perhaps most polarizing star chef, with a line that he consistently follows: Asian-inspired cuisine without bread and without butter. Classic dishes on the menu include Wasabi Langustas, Pekingente, and the tasting menu. If you like Tim Raue, you'll appreciate this clear stance. Book weeks in advance.

Brutal local cuisine is the concept here. All ingredients come from a 200-kilometer radius around Berlin. No black pepper, no lemon, no olive. Instead, everything Brandenburg has to offer is of the highest quality. One menu, one counter, ten seats. If you like that, you’ll find a political stance on food here.

Hidden in a backyard behind the Westin Grand Hotel, the entrance leads through the delivery area. If you don’t know it, you won’t find it. The vegetarian fine dining restaurant has a Michelin star and remains one of the most unusual addresses in the city to this day. Tasting menu with wine pairing, secret bar charm, discreetly staged. Good for a first visit because the entrance alone is a story.

One of the most consistent addresses for vegan burgers and comfort food in Berlin, consistently rated highly for years. On the menu: burgers with homemade patties and several vegan cheese varieties (including blue cheese imitation), plus fries, vegan chicken nuggets, coleslaw and vegan cheesecake for dessert. Plant wall, a mix of tables and seating arrangements, relaxed atmosphere. Prices are very fair compared to other vegan restaurants in the city.

Verōnika is located in the former Tacheles, one of the most historic places in the Berlin art scene. Today, the Fotografiska is home here, among other things. High, freshly renovated ceilings, plenty of space, and a modern brasserie kitchen. Our tip for the entire evening: stroll through the changing exhibitions first, then have a drink on the rooftop terrace at sunset, followed by dining at Verōnika downstairs.

Right on the Landwehrkanal in Kreuzberg, with a summer terrace from which you can watch the ships as they dock. French-inspired decor with modern accents, good wine list with many natural wines. Weekend brunch with long wait times, dinner in a more leisurely pace in the evenings. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Hidden in the second courtyard of a side street in Mitte and notoriously hard to find. That’s part of the charm. String lights, candles, live piano in the courtyard in summer. The menu is seasonal and international, with small plates to share that arrive one after another. One of the most romantic addresses in the city for a date or a quiet evening for two.