Eating out in Berlin is fun for all: its ridiculously inexpensive compared to any other Western European capital; its impressively multicultural (although it is often modified to suit German tastes); vegetarians can eat quite well here and needless to say the land of wurst has enough rich and creamy sauced meat dishes to enrapture your average carnivore; lastly - the standards have gone from pitiful depths to recent years of increasingly decent dining experiences - at least you can call it as much from whence you'd wished you'd stayed at home.

There are particularly worthwhile Italian restaurants - proximity allows for good produce and there are enough Italians in Berlin who have banded together a number of places to choose from that  won't disappoint,
also Asian restaurants with authentic food from Japan, Thailand and China are in supply. Regards German restaurants: from the many regions of this land you'll find great food offered from rustic to fine dining establishments.

All prices must include VAT by law. Only upmarket restaurants may ask for a further service surcharge. Note that it is best to ask if credit cards are accepted before you sit down -- it's not that common to accept credit cards in some parts of the city. Most likely to be accepted are Visa and Mastercard, all other cards will be only accepted in some upmarket restaurants.

Irish Oasis

The Lir

In winter enjoy fish and chips with a pint or spanish tapas with a glass of wine in front of the open fire. Alternatively in summer sit in the beer garden under the palms and enjoy a cool pint of cider.

NEW WORLD INDIAN

Der Imbiss

This street, the Kastanienallee, is a lively hub of hip Prenzlauer Berg boasting second hand and groovy boutique clothes shops, record stores, hairdressers, bars, cafes and cheap eats – of which „Der Imbiss" is one of Berlin’s best. Excellent curries, soups, naan  pizzas, (their clay oven provides a special roasted  flavour), and lassies/health drinks – home made and delicious.



REAL TURKISH

Hasir

Hasir is considered as one of Europe’s best Turkish  restaurants with several upmarket establishments in Berlin. This place however is the original, with the  same high standard kitchen but cheap, cheerful and true to its roots in the hub of Kreuzberg – Berlin’s   „little Istanbul." It offers an unpretentious setting,  Turkish charm, and good value for money. The lamb dishes are very tasty, the lentil soup with fresh oven baked bread is delicious – finish with a rice pudding.



REAL BERLINISCH

Tiergartenquelle

From the outside one may be forgiven for scepticism, this is a rather unremarkable if not dingy location, underneath the S-Bahn, but do yourself the favour and try out this fabulous local which is charming on the inside. The bier is cheap, the portions are big, the food is German i.e. rich and tasty. Share the large communal wooden tables with the regulars: during the day often the professors/students of the TU and at night the neighbourhood locals. Warning: raucous table dancing has been known to happen in the wee hours. 



VEGAN & VEG

Maja's Deli

Excellent daily soups, oven backed dishes, fresh juices, very good coffee and cake – and very cheap. For those that aren’t vegan or vegetarian do not be put off – this is simply good food made from organic produce. Maya has a pretty little shop front, sit on a bench outside and enjoy the afternoon sun in the middle of lovely inner-city Prenzlauer Berg.



SAUERKRAUT & BULGUR

Sauerkraut & Bulgur

The name says it all, this bar-restaurant-café serves delicious German  and Mediterranean food. It has a cosy terrace and pleasant beergarden. If you are strolling down the fabulous Karl Marx Allee or visiting the East Side Gallery (the longest remaining stretch of The Wall) then be sure to drop in.



VERY WURST

Witty’s Imbiss at Wittenberg Platz

What kebab is to Turks the currywurst is to Berliners. Currywurst is the local snack and constitutes a spiced sausage with curried tomato sauce. Witty’s  Imbiss (or take-out) however has one up on others – its sausages are made from organic high quality meats. If you don’t relish the currywurst just try the bratwurst with mustard and some golden fries and sit on a park bench on the square overlooking the KaDaWe – Europe’s largest luxury deparment store.





What to eat?

Berliner Fare.

    * Königsberger Klopse: Veal meatballs with white sauce and capers.
    * Typical snacks: Doner Kebab, Falafel, Bratwurst, Bockwurst or Curry  Wurst.
    * Matjes Filets: pickled and salty herring or Bismarck Herring sour herring in white sauce.
    * Eisbein: broiled pigs trotter with sauerkraut bay leaf and mustard.
    * Boulette: a Berliner meat paddy served with mustard.
    * Pellkartoffeln mit Quark und Leinöl: freshly peeled steamed potatoes with milk yogurt and  linseed oil.

FLYING DUTCHMAN

Van Loon

Van Loon is a Dutch sailboat anchored in Kreuzberg's pretty harbour the Urbanhafen. This is a great place to  enjoy a beer along the railings of the deck. The ship’s galley serves affordable German food on the terrace and in the ship's cabin. Evening menu items include fresh fish to rumpsteaks.


FROM THE OLDEST BREWERY

Weihenstephaner

Sit on the open square of Hackescher Markt and watch the world go by – literally, the nearby  Museum Island and local hustle and bustle of  Mitte with boutiques, galleries and bookshops draws international visitors and Berliners to this Greenwich Village type hub of the city. The kitchen serves Bavarian and international styled cuisine. It’s very good and  affordable. Stemming from the famous Bavarian  brewery you can be sure they have an excellent  selection of well drafted beer. Menu items include dark beer roast pork to ribbon pasta and fresh prawns.


TIERGARTEN & ZOO

The Schleusenkrug

A terrific little beergarden in the Tiergarten Park nestled on the lock of the canal alongside the famous Berlin Zoo. You can watch the boats go by and enjoy a beer and the BBQ to the accompaniment of wild animals  screeching and birds chirping.



BERLIN’S OLDEST BIERGARTEN

Prater Biergarten

It is simply an institution. (Est. 1837). Sit under the grand Kastanian trees, enjoy the sun, grab a weissbier (see Summer Drinks page 23) and bretzel or bratwurst (2 €). Note: The Prater Restaurant (adjoining) has excellent Wiener Schnitzel and Königsberger Klopse – veal dumplings in white sauce with capers.



AUSTRIAN HOME-COOKING

Austria

This wonderful restaurant tucked away between the market square and the beautiful Hasenheide Park has the best "Wiener Schnitzel" in town.  The interior sports heavy wooden furnishings and number of antlers on the wall – true to its Alpine roots, on warn evenings  take a seat outside. The fare is unpretentious honest to goodness Austrian. Note the portions are huge!



REAL BERLINISCH

Weltrestaurant Markthalle

The food is excellent, especially the wild game. The bar-restaurant's interior is panelled in wood with a long, elegant bar and several large oak tables. It looks like an upscale beer hall, which it is, and the staff are both attentive and friendly. This is truly a local institution (over 100 years old). Note they  also have a disco in the basement!



CHECKPOINT CHARLIE

Café Einstein

The CIA used to have their offices above this café restaurant, the Stasi  opposite, John le Carré would perch himself here and garner inspiration for his best selling spy novels. Despite being on Berlin’s most touristed intersection the food offered includes freshly made baguettes. Even just visit for coffee and cake and look out over this Cold War marvel.


Lenin on Berlin

You can’t hold a revolution in a city where the people obey the keep off the grass signs.