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.

Sort by:
Fodor’s Choice Lowest Price Highest Price A-Z
12 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...

  • 1. Café Einstein Stammhaus

    $$$$ | Schöneberg

    In the historic grand villa of silent movie star Henny Porten, the Einstein is one of the leading coffeehouses in town, and it charmingly recalls the elegant days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, complete with an artsy, high-brow clientele and slightly snobbish waiters gliding across the parquet floors. Order Austrian delicacies such as Tafelspitz or schnitzel (the small order is plenty large), coffee, and, of course, some cake.

    Kurfürstenstr. 58, Berlin, Berlin, 10117, Germany
    030-263–9190
    cafeeinstein.com

    Known For

    • Shady garden behind the villa
    • Apple strudel with vanilla sauce
    • Outdoor seating in a beautiful courtyard

  • 2. Distrikt Coffee

    $ | Mitte

    Known for having one of the best breakfasts in Berlin (think avocado toast and toasted brioche with berry preserves), the filtered coffee at Distrikt is far from an afterthought, with beans chosen from some of Europe's top roasteries. Tea lovers aren't left out with a fine selection from Kreuzberg's Companion Coffee & Tea, served up with a scrumptious choice of cakes.

    Bergstr. 68, Berlin, Berlin, 10115, Germany
    030-5459–4033
    distriktcoffee.de

    Known For

    • Breakfast served every day till 4 pm (and till 5 pm on Sunday)
    • Instagrammable brick-walled interiors
    • Hipsters waiting outside

  • 3. Café Frieda

    $$$ | Prenzlauer Berg

    Billed as a classic all-day hangout, with selections from the vinyl records lining the walls played by the friendly staff, this more casual offshoot of neighborhood favorite Mrs. Robinson’s serves up coffee, drinks, and French bistro-inspired meals from morning till night. Opt for freshly baked goods—including sourdough bread, made daily—at any time of day, or nibble on retro dishes like Oysters Rockefeller or oeuf à la mayo along with Berlin’s black-clad foodies.

    Lychener St. 37, Berlin, Berlin, 10437, Germany
    030-4471–9800
    cafefrieda.de

    Known For

    • Wide selection of vermouth
    • Soft serve made from raw milk
    • Seasonal ingredients from local producers

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.

  • 4. Café Liebling

    $ | Prenzlauer Berg

    A local favorite, this cozy, casual café is open from early morning into the wee hours, making it the perfect spot for everything from breakfast to a light lunch to evening drinks. There’s an affordable daily quiche and salad plate as well as a nice selection of cakes; if the weather is agreeable, find a spot on the sunny terrace, across from pretty Helmholtzplatz park.

    Raumerstr. 36A, Berlin, Berlin, 10437, Germany
    030-2631–8861
    cafeliebling.berlin

    Known For

    • Outdoor seating
    • Tasty breakfast options
    • Fine choice of cakes and tarts

  • 5. 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
    morgenland-berlin.de

    Known For

    • Brunch buffet
    • Sidewalk seating
    • Casual atmosphere

  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Café Pförtner

    $$ | Wedding

    There are plenty of places in Wedding for a quick falafel or döner but if you're looking for something different, head to Italian-inspired Café Pförtner, at the entrance to the Uferhallen on the Panke canal. The squat, brick café space may be small, but Pförtner makes good use of what there is, adding long tables out front in good weather and, in a nod to the Uferhallen's previous incarnation as a BVG garage, turning a brightly painted bus into a dining area next door.

    Uferstr. 8–11, Berlin, Berlin, 13357, Germany
    030-5036–9854
    pfoertner.co

    Known For

    • Daily changing menus with veggie and meat dishes at lunch and expanded dinner menu
    • Homey, seasonal Italian dishes, including homemade pasta and risotto
    • Outdoor dining area with a cool vibe

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.

  • 7. Cafe Rix

    $ | Neukölln

    Located in a small courtyard off the busy Karl-Marx-Strasse in Neukölln, Cafe Rix is a quiet oasis with a golden ceiling—a remnant from the building's heyday as a dance hall. The café is popular for its extensive menu all day long; on a nice day, stop by for a "Kaffee und Kuchen" (coffee and cake) to enjoy on their outdoor terrace.

    Karl-Marx-Str. 141, Berlin, Berlin, 12043, Germany
    030-686–9020
    caferix.de

    Known For

    • Historic building
    • Large breakfast selection till 2 pm every day
    • Relaxed atmosphere

  • 8. Fine Bagels

    $ | Friedrichshain

    Located inside the bookshop Shakespeare & Sons, Fine Bagels is their in-house coffee shop and bakery. They serve hand-rolled and boiled New York–style bagels (don't miss the Zaatar-spiced bagel) and other traditional Jewish pastries, breads, and cakes.

    Warschauer Str. 74, Berlin, Berlin, 10243, Germany
    No phone
    finebagels.com

    Known For

    • New York-style bagels
    • Jewish food specialties (especially around Jewish holidays)
    • Great casual atmosphere

  • 9. Habel am Reichstag

    $$$ | Mitte

    Under the arches of the S-bahn tracks connecting Friedrichstrasse with Hauptbahnhof, Habel am Reichstag seems unassuming from outside, but inside you'll find old Berlin elegance melded with industrial chic: leather banquettes, crystal chandeliers dangling from the arched brick ceilings, and rumbling trains overhead. The no-nonsense waiters serve local classics, like lamb, Wiener schnitzel, weisser Spargel (asparagus), and Knödel (dumplings) with mushrooms and ham. There's a huge wine selection.

    Luisenstr. 19, Berlin, Berlin, 10117, Germany
    030-2809–8484
    www.wein-habel.de

    Known For

    • Huge wine selection
    • Cool underground location
    • Seasonal menu

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun., Credit cards accepted

  • 10. Hackescher Hof

    $$$ | Mitte

    This beautiful, wood-paneled restaurant is spacious but almost always crowded. It's located right in the middle of the action at bustling Hackesche Höfe, and a solid place to eat German food while doing some excellent people-watching. The clientele is a fun mix of tourists and locals, which gives the place a vibrant, lively atmosphere; when the weather is good there are tables outside in the courtyard, too.

    Rosenthalerstr. 40–41, Berlin, Berlin, 10178, Germany
    030-283–5293
    hackescher-hof.de

    Known For

    • Good-quality German dishes
    • Brandenburg wild boar (when available)
    • Convenient, central location

  • 11. Pasternak

    $$ | Prenzlauer Berg

    Russian treats such as dumplings, borscht, blini (Russian pancakes), and much more are the mainstays at this casually refined restaurant with a lovely outdoor terrace for when the weather is nice. There are several set menus available for lunch and dinner, and the breakfast selection is second to none, with a wide range of set menus and egg dishes (including delicious shakshuka) alongside standards like pancakes and French toast. if you come for the weekend brunch you can try just about all of the delicious dishes, as well as dessert, in an extensive buffet.

    Knaackstr. 22/24, Berlin, Berlin, 10405, Germany
    030-441–3399
    restaurant-pasternak.de

    Known For

    • Gourmet takes on old-fashioned Russian dishes
    • Charming setting inside and out
    • Very popular and varied breakfasts

  • 12. Schleusenkrug

    $ | Tiergarten

    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.

    Müller-Breslau-Str., Berlin, Berlin, 10623, Germany
    030-313–9909
    www.schleusenkrug.de

    Known For

    • Outdoor drinking and dining
    • Good choice of beer and wine
    • Flammkuchen and schnitzel

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Fodor's Choice (31) Family (8)

Recommended Fodor’s Video

  2. Destinations
  3. Europe
  4. Germany
  5. Berlin
  6. Restaurants