5 Best Restaurants in Tiergarten, Berlin

One of Germany's top restaurants, Facil is also one of the more relaxed of its class: the elegant, minimalist setting—it's in the fifth-floor courtyard of the Mandala Hotel, with exquisite wall panels and a glass roof that opens in summer—and impeccable service make this feel like something of an oasis in the busy city. Diners can count on a careful combination of modern takes on German classics and inspiration from across the globe, best sampled in the four- to eight-course set meals.

Tucked into a courtyard in the Tiergarten district near galleries and cool boutiques, Oh, Panama (named after a popular German children's book) has a contemporary, artsy decor that perfectly matches its eclectic international cuisine—think small, shareable plates or more substantial mains, with a fine selection of fish, meat, and veggie options. Hip Berliners and in-the-know tourists enjoy expertly mixed seasonal cocktails or a glass of natural wine with their meal.

If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind dining experience, head to this half-timber house—built more than 100 years ago as a pub and guesthouse along the Paris–Moscow railway—that stands dwarfed by a government complex and the hotels and office buildings around Hauptbahnhof. Today, it serves dishes so intricately prepared they look like works of art, with unique flavor combinations; in addition to the à la carte menu, there is a three-course set menu, with a vegetarian option, in the evening.

Forget the fast-food options at Zoo Station. Instead, follow the train tracks to the back of the taxi and bus queues, where you'll enter Tiergarten and within 100 yards come upon the best hideaway in the area: Schleusenkrug. In warmer weather you can order at the window and sit in the beer garden or on the back patio, watching pleasure ships go through the lock. Inside is a casual restaurant with a changing daily menu.