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The 38 Essential Berlin Restaurants

Crispy vada pav at a bustling central food hall, kofte cooked on in-table grills at a modern Turkish spot, a Japanese-inflected tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant, and more of Berlin’s best meals

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Despite its formidable art and music scenes, the German capital has never really been seen as a serious food city. It isn’t loaded with glamorous destination restaurants with international name recognition, especially compared to other, flashier European cities — but that comparison is exactly the problem. Berlin isn’t trying to be Paris or Barcelona.

Berlin’s best spots tend to be low-key neighborhood haunts and candlelit bars that feel like living rooms. You can dine well at the fine-yet-fun Otto on a meal prepared by Berlin native and Noma alum Vadim Otto Ursus, and follow it up with an equally compelling meal at lovingly graffitied kebab shop Rüyam. Meanwhile, Berlin’s location at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe has made it a hub for transplants, who serve khachapuri, curry, empanadas, Japanese pasta, and everything in between. And while the city doesn’t have as many specialty dishes to its name as some other capitals, it leans into prized signatures like currywurst (fried sausage doused with curry-powder ketchup and served with fries) and döner kebab (by way of Turkey).

Note: Some Berlin restaurants only accept cash, and service at many places can be almost aggressively inattentive, even in some higher-end spots. Chasing down servers to take your order or pay is a regular part of dining out in Berlin — embrace it.

Tim Forster is a freelance writer and editor based in Berlin, covering food, culture, and technology. He is the food editor at the Berliner and former editor of Eater Montreal .

With Berlin’s huge Turkish population, it’s not hard to find lahmacun around town. But Örnek, in the Gesundbrunnen area just east of Wedding, merits a detour. Behind the counter, a whole team stretches out circles of dough, topping them with ground meat, tomato, onion, and herbs, and cooking them fresh to order. The flatbreads go for under 2 euros a pop, so you can grab a few and save some for a snack later. The kebabs of chargrilled lamb or chicken, served in fresh bread with supremely tangy garlic sauce, are also worth your time. Örnek can get pretty busy, so be prepared to lurk out front waiting for your order. There’s also an outpost in Neukölln.

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Curry Baude

Visitors in the market for currywurst often gravitate to the big names like Curry 36 or Konnopke’s Imbiss — both of which are fine. But locals prefer Curry Baude, little more than a window tacked on the side of the Gesundbrunnen U-Bahn station. Owned by butcher Reina Lehmann, Baude offers a quality-to-price ratio that’s off the charts, a sausage that attains crispy-yet-juicy equilibrium, and a ketchup-to-curry ratio that’s near perfect. Sure, the service may be gruff, even by German standards, but that’s part of the charm.

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To call this side-street dining room a pizzeria wouldn’t be quite accurate, although its springy sourdough pies with toppings like mushroom cream or ’nduja are worth a visit. It’s hard to pin down the rest of chef-owner Jared Bassoff’s menu; “modern European” would be technically correct, but it undersells comforting-creative bistro dishes, like tender pieces of pork shoulder dotted with local vegetables or a sundae with milcheis (German-style ice cream) that fuses the chef’s American background with Germany.

Wen Cheng Handpulled Noodles

When Wen Chang opened in summer 2021, it usurped the title of “Berlin’s hottest line” from (in)famous nightclub Berghain. The restaurant now has three locations (two in Prenzlauer Berg, one in Friedrichshain), so the lines are less chaotic, but the spicy bowls of hand-pulled Shaanxi-style biang biang noodles are better than ever. The brief menu centers around the silky wheat flour noodles, pulled into satisfyingly thick ribbons, with the perfect amount of spring to each bite. The beef noodles, sauced with soy, vinegar, and Sichuan peppers, are a staple, but every menu item excels, particularly the vegan options.

Sarajevo Berlin

This casual day-and-night Bosnian counter in Wedding dishes up the best börek in the city. For a few euros, servers hack off a hefty quarter from one of the large circular specimens behind the counter. The flaky dough delivers just the right combo of grease and crunch, and comes filled with herbed potatoes, spiced ground meat, or cheese with spinach. True to the restaurant’s Balkan roots, the small menu also features some succulent (and similarly cheap) cevapcici.

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Courtesy of his experience with Danish superstar René Redzepi at Noma, chef and Berliner Vadim Otto Ursus applies his formidable expertise on fermentation with aplomb. The result is out-of-the-box, bright, and imaginative takes on German cuisine, served up in a stylish, brutalist space. The restaurant is small, so book ahead. If you can’t nab a table, consider heading to  Trio  over in Mitte, where Ursus offers pitch-perfect takes on German pub fare.

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If you have even a hint of a sweet tooth, there’s no way around a trip to northern Mitte (right by the Berlin Wall memorial) for superb specimens of French baking, courtesy of pastry pros Anna Plagens and Stephan Zuber. Du Bonheur’s pastries are exquisite in terms of texture and flavor. The mille-feuille is a highlight, but you can’t go wrong with anything, from the eclairs to the macarons.

La Criolla Empanadas

Berlin is home to diaspora communities from pretty much every South American country, but it’s only in recent years that the city’s minuscule Latin American food scene has started expanding, as budding restaurateurs set up small shops to offer ceviche, arepas, and — in the case of this counter service spot in Prenzlauer Berg — Argentine empanadas. The restaurant’s name nods to the classic beefy Creole option, but the menu covers a range of Argentine specialties like spicy chicken and Italian-influenced ricotta-spinach, all encased in smooth, soft, wheaty shells.

Gully Burger

The Pfefferberg Markthalle is a hub for top-notch casual dining in Berlin, and while you can’t go wrong with any of its restaurants, Gully Burger is a standout. Americans may find the name to be a slight misnomer, as the go-to menu item is a superb buttermilk-brined chicken sandwich loaded with Indian spices; for vegans, the crispy, tamarindy take on a vada pav (fried potato sandwich) is also a formidable choice. For sides, you have your choice of fries or sweet and spicy samosa chaat.

A Berlin institution, Lokal was among the first places in the city to embrace nose-to-tail cooking and heavy use of regional ingredients. A refreshingly simple restaurant with an unpretentious-yet-classy, seasonal bistro menu and a casual vibe, it’s still an exemplar of modern, terroir-focused German cooking after more than a decade on the scene.

Zur letzten Instanz

Depending on how you measure it, Zur letzten Instanz may be the city’s oldest restaurant. The historic two-story building and garden has housed restaurants and bars since 1621 (although it didn’t pick up its current name until 1924), and it’s been in the same family since its postwar reopening in the ’60s. The central location means the restaurant skews a little touristy (and it’s played host to notable visitors like Charlie Chaplin and Jacques Chirac), but the classic Berlin dishes here are the real deal. The eisbein (pork knuckle) is a classic, but other dishes like cabbage-wrapped pork belly shine too.

Cookies Cream

Cookies Cream may wield a Michelin star, but as you walk up to the entrance — in an alleyway delivery dock — it’s clear the restaurant isn’t your typical exemplar of fine dining selected by a tire company. Owner Heinz “Cookie” Gindullis’s background in the Berlin club scene is evident in the vibe, with hot red banquettes and industrial-chic exposed concrete (not to mention a large painting of a German expletive). The anything-goes approach extends to chef Nicholas Hahn’s outré, all-vegetarian, lineup (a small a la carte selection and a tasting menu), which includes items like potato ceviche or a dish of red peppers infused into items like chips and ice cream. The mostly natural wines are paired with superb care, but it’s worth choosing the option to mix a wine pairing with the restaurant’s non-alcoholic drinks to get a taste of some of the team’s creative, house-made juices and ferments.

This legendary deli dates back to the 1920s, when it started out as a specialty smokehouse with a focus on fish. Nowadays, Rogacki has spread its wings to sell some of the finest meats, charcuterie, and smoked seafood in West Berlin. You’d be remiss not to try the smoked freshwater trout and eel, which are both pulled from the waters surrounding the city. Otherwise, grab some sausage, bread, and other treats, and jump on a train to the lakes around Grünewald for a picnic lunch.

Liu Chengdu Weidao Nudelhaus

A true gem among the somewhat dreary chain restaurants that dominate this office-heavy part of town, Liu is Berlin’s go-to for sharp bowls of Sichuan-style noodles in a range of varieties. Head over at lunch for the hand-made tianshui noodles, laden with sesame, which are a standout. But top-notch chile oil, soy sauce, and Sichuan peppercorns make all options a good bet, from meat to mushrooms. The spicy chilled noodle dishes in summer are a refreshing mix of hot and cold.

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Die Backpfeife

Germany’s bread culture may have its own UNESCO listing, but the good stuff isn’t always easy to find among Berlin’s endless discount supermarkets and train station bakery chains. Enter baker Mattis Harpering, who churns out sourdough, rye, and other glutenous marvels from this wooden shack at Holzmarkt, a boho riverside hangout. If you’re feeling snacky, there are also delectable grilled cheeses, cinnamon rolls, and other classic treats.

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Larb koi thai home cooking.

Don’t be fooled by Larb Koi’s humble description of its offerings as home-cooked fare; at this gem, tucked in a touristy stretch of Friedrichshain, chef Monay Sakarin dishes up some of Berlin’s finest Thai food. With the exception of a superbly tangy papaya salad, the small menu skips standard dishes that you can get elsewhere and leans into specialties from various regions, like a Southern curry with a full, deep-fried sea bass or a phenomenal (if elusive) octopus curry. Despite Berlin’s heat-averse food scene, Larb Koi isn’t scared to play with some serious spice.

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Aleppo Supper Club

This cozy Syrian bistro just off busy, bar-hoppy Boxhagener Platz may serve Berlin’s best hummus. It’s creamy and garlicky, with just the right amount of lemon tang, and the version with toasted nuts is a particular highlight. The rest of the menu focuses on specialties from the city of Aleppo, such as pomegranate salad or kibbeh with tender meat and crispy bulgur. Meze are a big focus, so bring a group and order the whole menu.

Many Vietnamese restaurants tend to cater to blander German tastes. That’s not the case at this multipurpose Charlottenburg restaurant. A banh mi stacked with luscious pate, juicy pork, and crisp vegetables to go? Check. A rich bowl of pho with fixings like meatballs or tenderloin? Also check. French fusion tartares? Check as well (and definitely worth your time). The minimalist brasserie vibe will make you want to stick around for another beer after your meal.

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Nobelhart & Schmutzig

The counter bar that wraps around chef Micha Schäfer’s kitchen is a stunner, and an effective stage for his tasting menu. The chef forgoes unsustainable imports to focus on ingredients from the Berlin-Brandenburg region. The menus take a New Nordic approach to German items from asparagus to kohlrabi — only in season, of course. Though meat is fading out of focus at Nobelhart & Schmutzig, meals usually feature a bite or two, such as absurdly tender lamb. It’s all deftly paired with contemporary wines by owner and host Billy Wagner, who is widely regarded as one of the best sommeliers in the city.

Lamazère Brasserie

Berlin’s robust French community means that most neighborhoods have a reputable brasserie dishing up steak frites and duck confit. Lamazère is at the top of that class. It’s little wonder, considering chef-owner Régis Lamazère was raised by a father who cooked at a two-Michelin-starred restaurant on the Champs-Élysées. He sticks to short menus, mixing brasserie staples like tartares with more novel dishes, often with plenty of meat and earthy flavors from mushrooms and herbs. There’s ample (and surprisingly affordable) fine French wine and a superb rice pudding for dessert.

Berlin’s small Georgian food scene punches above its weight. While you can count on pretty much any place focusing on the cuisine, Charlottenburg’s Salhino might have the edge, offering saucy stews loaded with fresh herbs and barbecue skewers with adzhika (red pepper sauce). The classics, like khachapuri and fat khinkali filled with meat or cheese, also stand strong. Don’t skip a tapluri (honey cake) or buffalo milk yogurt laden with nuts and honey for dessert.

Rocket + Basil

Sisters Xenia and Sophie von Oswald let influences from their Iranian background and childhood in Australia shine through at this Tiergarten breakfast-brunch-and-lunch spot. Like a chilled-out Aussie cafe with a substantial food menu, the place serves hearty sourdough sandwiches that are among Berlin’s best, whether you go for a filling of ham and cheese or tahini-roasted carrots. The Persian stews with crisp saffron rice are a soul-warming delight on a cool Berlin day.

Falafel is ubiquitous in Berlin, but Levantine iterations tend to dominate. Switch things up and seek out the Sudanese version (sometimes called tamiya), which is usually served in Berlin with a rich, slightly spicy peanut sauce. The version at Omdur is made with perfectly fried falafel and tender magali (fried vegetables). Service is friendly and the charming yellow dining room is lined with photos of happy customers, making the restaurant ideal for a low-stress lunch or late-night snack.

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Adana Grillhaus

Adana is the most iconic Turkish grill at the heart of what’s historically been Germany’s largest Turkish neighborhood, making it the go-to choice. Grab a seat so you can watch the chefs grill spectacular lamb chops and minced adana (lamb) skewers over sizzling hot charcoals on an open fire. The trick to digesting all that meat is to order cold mezze to start, followed by plenty of raki with ice and water. There’s also a second location right around the corner on Skalitzer Strasse.

Izmir Köftecisi Konak Grill

While a lot of Berlin’s seemingly infinite döner spots offer serviceable kofte, Konak Izmir is a specialist worth seeking out, as many customers do to devour sandwiches from lunch until 3 a.m. The kofte sandwich is a sublime creation of spiced grilled sausages layered with fresh herbs, sauces, onion, and tomato. The bread, a hybrid between Turkish flatbread and a baguette, is a bit thicker here than at comparable places, helping it stand up to the fillings.

Bantabaa Food Dealer

This Kreuzberg restaurant started out in 2015 as part of a project to integrate West African refugees into the city. Years later, it’s a success story, dishing up Gambian dishes that are rich, earthy, and spicy; think domoda (saucy peanut stew with chicken or sweet potato), mustardy yassa chicken, and cassava fries with onion sauce. Don’t skip the drinks; options like tamarind or baobab lemonade are exquisitely refreshing on a sweaty summer day.

For homey Pakistani biryani, daal, and more, look no further than this bright counter in Kreuzberg. Owner Shabnam Syed draws on her mother’s recipes to put forward a small menu of dishes that offer a nuanced mix of flavors and spices. Rotating weekly specials allow Syed to put forward dishes that you’d otherwise never see in Germany. Don’t forget to add a lassi to round out your meal and grab a jar of house-made chutney to take home.

Bring a crew to this unassuming Chinese restaurant in Schöneberg, where you could pick a meal off the extensive menu blindfolded and walk away impressed. Soulful northeastern (Dongbei) cuisine is the name of the game, including spicy, tangy whole fish and salted, fried pork ribs. A few Sichuan touches like cucumber salad also slide into the menu (and are equally delicious).

Every Friday to Sunday from April to October (weather permitting), Thai vendors congregate under colorful umbrellas in a Wilmersdorf park to sell a sublime selection of homemade noodle soups, curries, desserts, and drinks. This massive picnic of dishes from throughout Thailand — especially the region of Isan — draws crowds from all over Berlin. As of 2024, new rules are set to push Thaipark out of Preußenpark after three decades, but it’ll continue as a street market on Württembergische Strasse right alongside the park.

Hovering ambiguously between the realms of British pub, bistro, and locavore neighborhood restaurant, St. Bart checks a lot of boxes: It’s affordable enough to frequent, upscale enough for a special occasion, and eminently friendly by local standards. The mostly small plates include a fancy Scotch egg, buttery scallops, and thoughtfully sauced local vegetables. Go on a Sunday evening for the sublimely English roast dinner, complete with Yorkshire pudding.

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A standout among Berlin’s newer Turkish dining options, Fes shakes things up by offering Korean-style in-table grills and excellently seasoned kofte, skewers, and more to slap down on them. But don’t get too entranced by the barbecue: The mezze platters are stars in their own right, with silky smooth hummus, tangy cacik, and much more.

Felix Austria

While German restaurants can often fry up a solid schnitzel, anyone with passing knowledge of the German-speaking culinary world knows that Austria tends to do it better. This old-school spot in rapidly gentrifying Bergmannkiez certainly backs up that reputation. Pull up a chair at a candlelit table and dive into a perfectly crispy, juicy Wiener schnitzel with potato and cucumber salads. The menu is small, but you can also go for saucy goulash or cheesy spätzle. If you don’t want a schnitzel the size of your face, the menu thoughtfully offers smaller portions too.

Even before you pick up a fork, drink in the impressive dining room at Eins44, a former distillery with white-tiled walls and cavernous ceilings. Fortunately, chef Julius Nowak and team don’t rely on just looks. A small, seasonal menu strikes the perfect balance between casual and fine dining, coming off eminently refined without crossing the line into fussy. The a la carte and tasting menus shift regularly. Expect dishes that capture foraged and farmed flavors of Germany and central Europe, like uber tender venison or earthy morel mushrooms, as well as left-of-center dishes like broccoli with white chocolate and almond cream or potato risotto.

Famous for their fatteh and musabbaha (a well-spiced hummus variant), the Palestinian owners of Azzam, led by chef Hussam Azzam, draw a melting pot of diners from multicultural Neuköllnn. As is the norm in many of Berlin’s Levantine eateries, many menu items are available both in sandwich form or as hearty platters (there’s no wrong choice here). The interior is pretty bare bones, so grab takeout and head to the nearby canal at Weichselplatz.

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Rüyam Gemüse Kebab

Don’t waste 45 minutes of your life queuing with the tourists at Mustafa’s, home of Berlin’s most famous chicken döner kebab. Instead, hit up the less-touristy Rüyam, which is even better. You’ll get a crispy yet pillowy flatbread filled with tender, well-marinated chicken döner, grilled vegetables, a fistful of fresh herbs, and just a sprinkle of cheese and lemon juice. As with any Berlin döner, choose between sauces like garlic or sesame to top it all off. There’s another location in Prenzlauer Berg.

Jemenitisches Restaurant

In a part of the city loaded with Turkish and Syrian food, give some love to one of Berlin’s very few Yemeni restaurants (which expanded to a second location in Moabit, on the north side of town). The cuisine here mixes influences from the Arabian Peninsula, India, and the Horn of Africa into a uniquely hearty selection of dishes. Try a cheese- or meat-stuffed sambosa and the saucy lamb stews, best soaked up with flaky malawah. Or go for the zurbian, a biryani-like dish with slow-cooked meat and creamy yogurt.

Hallmann und Klee

Chef Sarah Hallmann’s Michelin-starred restaurant is partly notable for its focus on reforming macho restaurant culture and flattening the kitchen hierarchy. Based on the splendid food here, it’s working. The tasting menu varies, but often balances earthy local produce with nods to Japan in ingredients like yuzu and nori. Opt for the six-course tasting menu, or show up without a reservation for access to a small bistro menu if you don’t want to commit.

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Krasselt's Imbiss

What began as a cart in a Berlin market in 1959 is now ground zero for the definitive version of currywurst, Berlin’s uniquely funky sausage dish. This should come as little surprise, given that the snack bar’s founder was nicknamed the “ curry professor .” Don’t pass on the ketchup; Krasselt’s makes its own house version, and it’s part of why this imbiss (fast food restaurant) soars above much of its competition. Plus, Krasselt’s doesn’t draw long lines of tourists.

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