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Berlin is an exciting city in Germany that demands exploration. Sites like the Brandenburg Gate, Charlottenburg Palace, the Reichstag and the Berlin Cathedral are a must for travelers who want to dig deep into the city’s storied past that spans the centuries.
Parts of Berlin’s past aren’t pretty. A Nazi hub during World War II, the city was physically and spiritually split in half by a wall for 28 years starting in 1961.
Though the east and west sides of the city are now reunified, Checkpoint Charlie and the East Side Gallery remain as physical reminders of the infamous Berlin Wall and what it represented. Travelers could and should visit both attractions independently or as part of a Berlin city tour.
But history is just one aspect of Berlin to explore. This is a city that pulses with energy fueled by specialty coffee and craft beer. Artists and web developers have brought new life to Berlin while immigrants from Asia and the Middle East have made its food scene more diverse.
Berlin Food Favorites
Leave your impressions of German food behind when you visit Berlin. While you could easily eat Wurst (sausage) and Kartoffelpuffer (potato dumplings) at every meal, that would boring. Plus, you’d be missing out on huge portions of the current Berlin food scene.
This is a city teeming with both Michelin starred restaurants and food trucks. Some Berlin restaurants are temples to sausage while others omit all forms of meat from their menus. And it’s just as easy to find tasty food from half-way around the world as it is to chow down on traditional German dishes.
Feeling overwhelmed with all of the food choices in Berlin? One option is to get a quick introduction via a fun food tour. Otherwise, we recommend starting your culinary exploration with the following Berlin food favorites:
1. Currywurst
If Berlin were to have one signature food, that food would be Currywurst. Kiosks, stands and stalls serve the iconic Berlin snack food from dawn until dawn. Yes, you can easily find Currywurst at all hours of the day and night in Berlin. But what is Currywurst?
For the uninitiated, Currywurst is a Berlin street food typically served on a paper plate. Cooks smother sliced wurst (sausage) with tangy curried tomato sauce and sprinkle a generous amount of spicy curry powder on top. Most vendors also serve a meat-free version for people who are vegetarian, kosher or halal.
Expect to eat your Currywurst with a pile of french fries, making this dish the perfect snack food or late night treat. It’s also the Berlin food that best exemplifies the city’s global approach to cuisine with elements from Germany (wurst), the USA (ketchup) and India (curry).
Where to Eat Currywurst in Berlin
Bergmann Curry, Curry 36, Curry 61, Curry Mitte and Konnopke’s Imbiss
2. Bratwurst
Eating Bratwurst in Germany is as important as eating Pho in Vietnam or Souvlaki in Greece. Although Germans have literally been grilling sausage for centuries, Bratwurst stands are as popular now as ever.
You can find Bratwurst sandwiches at many of the same kiosks that serve Currywurst, making it easy knock these two foods off your Berlin food bucket list at the same time. Be sure to add a healthy amount of yellow senf (mustard) for the full Berlin Bratwurst experience.
Where to Eat Bratwurst in Berlin
Curry 36, Curry 61 and Kumpel & Keule
3. Schnitzel
Although its origin can be traced to Austria, Schnitzel is a classic German food enjoyed throughout Deutschland. Berlin is no exception.
German Schnitzel is similar to Austrian Schnitzel. Cooks traditionally prepare both versions by coating pounded veal escalope with a mixture of breadcrumbs, eggs and flour before frying the coated meat until it achieves a crunchy, crispy exterior.
Plan to eat Schnitzel along with potato salad and pickled cucumbers at a sit-down restaurant in Berlin. Pair the dish with a glass of German white wine for maximum Schnitzel satisfaction.
Where to Eat Schnitzel in Berlin
Alpenstück, Borchardt, Jolesch, Schnitzelei Mitte and Spätzle und Knödel
4. Königsberger Klopse]
Similar to Schnitzel, the meatball dish called Königsberger Klopse is another Berlin food favorite with ties to another country. In this case, those ties are to Prussia (currently part of Russia) where cooks first covered meatballs with capers and white sauce.
You won’t have any trouble finding Königsberger Klopse on menus at traditional restaurants. You can also eat naked meatballs at food stands and food markets if you’re not in the mood for the dish’s rich white sauce.
5. Döner Kebabs
Since the Turks and Germans have a history of cooperation that dates back to the 18th century, it makes sense that one of the most popular foods in Germany hails from Turkey. That food is the Döner Kebab.
Introduced by Turkish immigrants in the 1970s, the Döner Kebab has attained cult status in Berlin and the rest of Germany over the decades. And why not? The Middle Eastern sandwich is as filling as it is tasty.
Follow your nose and join the queue when you crave a Döner Kebab in Berlin after a late-night drinking session at one of the city’s many bars. Once your bread is filled with thinly sliced meat carved from a rotating spit, you can choose from ingredients like cabbage, cucumbers, onion and tomatoes. Don’t forget to add spicy sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Where to Eat Döner Kebabs in Berlin
Imren, Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap, Rosenthaler Grill und Schlemmerbuffet and Tadim
6. Asian Food
Berlin’s physical location in the center of Germany doesn’t stop it from being a European epicenter for Asian food. The city is home to a diverse variety of Asian restaurants ranging from frill-free joints serving one food genre to trendy restaurants fusing different cuisines.
You can virtually travel around Asia when you visit Berlin by eating food typically enjoyed in China, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. Berlin restaurants serve these Asian cuisines and more throughout the city.
Where to Eat Asian Food in Berlin
Cocolo Ramen (Japanese), Kin Dee (Thai), Kotti Dang (Vietnamese), Madame Ngo (Vietnamese), Monsieur Vuong (Vietnamese), Nihombashi (Japanese) and The Tree (Chinese)
7. Vegetarian + Vegan Food
From donuts to Michelin starred cuisine, Berlin has it all when it comes to meat-free food. The city is a mecca for people who choose to omit proteins like beef, chicken and even cheese from their diet. Surprisingly, this is not a new trend since vegetarian societies in Germany date all the way back to the 19th century.
Give the Berlin vegan culinary scene a chance even if you’re a carnivore. If you take a vegan food tour, you can taste a range of vegan foods representing different styles and price points . Worst case scenario, you can grab a wurst or döner kebab later if you’re not satisfied.
Where to Eat Vegetarian + Vegan Food in Berlin
Brammibal’s Donuts, Cookies Cream, Frea, Feel Seoul Good, Kanaan, Kiiro Vegan Burger, Plant Base and Store Kitchen
8. Pfannkuchen (Berliner Donuts)
While JFK wasn’t claiming to be a donut when he famously stated “Ich bin ein Berliner,” we can understand any potential confusion on the matter. After all, Pfannkuchen are called Berliner Donuts outside of Berlin.
Similar to jelly donuts eaten around the world, Berlin’s Pfannkuchen are yeasty pastries filled with jam, fried in oil and sprinkled with powdered sugar. You can eat one for breakfast with coffee or as an afternoon snack
Where to Eat Pfannkuchen in Berlin
Bäcker Walf, Bäckerei Ladewig, Bäckerei Siebert, Brammibal’s Donuts and Hofpfisterei
9. Brunch
Brunch become a thing in New York before hopping the pond to cities like Amsterdam and Lisbon. Berlin restaurants have not only embraced the festive midday meal, but they’ve have added their own twists.
Incorporating Berlin food trends like plant-based food and specialty coffee, Berlin brunches are a weekly event that you don’t want to miss when you spend a weekend in Berlin. Pick a spot and spend a leisurely meal with friends as a precursor to an afternoon of touring or a night out on the town.
Where to Eat Brunch in Berlin
Allan’s Breakfast Club, Annelies, Benedict, Fine Bagels, Geist im Glass, Hallesches Haus and Hallmann und Klee
10. Brezels
Germans have been baking and eating salted Brezels for centuries. They can even take credit for introducing the knotted Bavarian snack to America when German immigrants introduced the knotted snack to cities like Philadelphia.
You won’t have to look hard to find a Brezel in Berlin since the carbalicious treat is sold at markets, train stations and bakeries throughout the city. Depending on your mood and hunger level, you can chooses a traditional Brezel, a sweet dessert version or a Brezel sandwich .
Where to Eat Brezels in Berlin
Alpenstück Bäckerei, Brezel Bar, Brezel Company Berlin and Hofpfisterei
11. Apfelstrudel
Apfelstrudel is another German food with Austrian heritage. Popular in Bavaria and readily available in Berlin, the dessert was invented by Austrian bakers at the tail end of the 17th century before traveling to cities like Italy’s Trento and Berlin.
Unless you’re lucky enough to be invited to a home dinner, you can eat Apfelstrudel at a Berlin restaurant after a hearty meal of traditional German dishes like Schnitzel (see above) and Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle). Pour vanilla sauce over your slice of Apfelstrudel to ramp up the sweetness one delicious notch.
Where to Eat Apfelstrudel in Berlin
Alpenstück Bäckerei, Café Einstein and Meierei
12. Specialty Coffee
Berlin claimed its stake in the specialty coffee zeitgeist in 2010 when The Barn opened and started distributing its beans to European cities like Lisbon, Lyon and Paris. Dozens of roasters and cafes have since sprung up all over the city, caffeinating Berliners all day every day.
Start your Berlin coffee exploration at The Barn but don’t stop there. With a little planning and the Google maps app loaded on your smartphone, you can easily visit numerous third wave coffee shops located in the Kreuzberg and Mitte neighborhoods.
Where to Drink Specialty Coffee in Berlin
19grams, Annelies, The Barn, Bonanza Coffee Roasters, Concierge Coffee, Distrikt, Father Carpenter and Five Elephant
13. Craft Beer
Berlin’s beer scene has transcended the days when Reinheitsgebot purity standards only permitted three ingredients in the production of mass-marketed beer. Thanks to hipsters and hopheads, craft beer is now popular at Berlin bars, brewpubs and beer gardens.
Quench your thirst by taking a Berlin beer crawl if you’re limited on time. Otherwise, stake your claim on a barstool and leisurely sample different craft beers each night during your visit.
Where to Drink Craft Beer in Berlin
Birra, BRLO Brwhouse, Eschenbräu, Hopfenreich, Hops & Barley, Protokoll Berlin and Straßenbräu
Berlin Quick Facts
- Country – Germany
- Continent – Europe
- Currency – Euro
- Language – German
- Restaurant Tipping – Service Typically Included.*
* You can leave a ‘little something extra’ (no more than 5-10%) for excellent service.
Hungry for More in Germany?
Check out our restaurant and coffee guides for Hamburg. Berlin and Hamburg are just a two-hour train ride apart.
Plan Your Berlin Stay
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About the Authors
Daryl & Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website and YouTube. The married Food and Travel content creators live in Lisbon, Portugal.
