Berlin Eats: My Favorite Food in Berlin
Berlin is known for many things and food has to land amongst them. If you follow my adventures, be it on Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook, you’ll see a plethora of dishes that I try. Berlin is no exception to that – the city aspires to be a hub for many cuisines and you can see that as you walk down the street. I’ve collected some of my top recommendations below – so if you’re in town and want to prepare for a good eating journey alongside the historical experience, plot these spots down on your map. A bit of a warning: there are few actual ‘German’ recommendations here; I saved most of these for my visits to smaller cities, which you’ll see in a future post.
Currywurst – Konnopke’s Imbiss
Located near the Eberswalder Straße U-Bahn station (in fact, right under it), the Konnopke’s Imbiss stall can be found. This is the first currywurst stall in the East Berlin and the main contender for best currywurst in Berlin, rivaling mainly Curry 36 which is now a franchise.
Currywurst was created in the World War 2 years when someone mixed ketchup with curry powder from the British soldiers in Germany and poured it over grilled sausages (already a German favorite). You’ll find them everywhere in Germany, but it started in Berlin and having it here is as good as it gets
You’ll be asked, “Mit oder ohne Larm” which directly translates to “With or without skin”. The local answer is ‘Ohne’ but you can choose whatever you want. It’s always a good idea to get a side of fries, called Pommes Frites in German, and add some mayo to it. Skip the ketchup because the curry ketchup will be more than enough.
The location is such a historic destination also. People said that everyone who was anyone grabbed a bite here. People from West Berlin would come just for the currywurst and it became the de facto location for secret conversations, prompting Stasi soldiers to stand around the Imbiss and spy on the patrons. You’ll see many of these historical moments on painted walls around the Imbiss.
A Small portion of Currywurst with Fries and Mayo should only set you back 4,20 Euros, and it either be had as a filling lunch or snack.
Turkish Food – Konak’s Grill
Now everyone is going to tell you to go to Mustafa’s Gemuse Kebap, and if you have the time to wait 2 hours in line, totally go for it. It’s interesting to note that the Döner Kebap sandwich was popularized in Berlin and spread like wildfire through Europe because of its cheap price and delicious meat and vegetable mix. I am personally of the opinion that most Kebap places within the vicinity of a pub or club tend to be pretty darn good anyway, and you should definitely try them. Most set you back less than 4,00 Euros and can go as low as 2,50 Euros.
But when you’re in Berlin, aside from German culture, you’re also treated extravagantly to Turkish culture, especially if you head down to the Kreuzberg district. Here, I discovered another new favorite of mine – the Kofte. Koftes are Turkish meatballs (normally in the form of sausages) and here in Konak Grill, they’re famous for them. The meat mix is mindblowing. The savory meat is accentuated with a fragrant mix of herbs and spices and when they hit the grill, you can smell the treat. Slapped in between a french roll, topped with more fresh herbs and onions and then a spicy sauce, you have one of the best things you can buy in Berlin. This costs around 4,00 Euros.
German Deli – Rogacki
Endorsed by one of my favorite travel idols, Anthony Bourdain, Rogacki is everything a proper Delicatessen should look like. The moment you walk in, you know that the produce is fresh and that the folks behind the counter know what they’re doing. Rogacki has an array of fresh seafood, meats, and cheeses that you can just gorge your eyes on.
In fact, you can do one better and head to the back of the place where they serve cooked food for you. There’s a whole array and I really wish I had the capacity and money to try all of them, but I was reserved to the popular choice of the Fried Dish and Potato Salad. Now, this is an average dish – it’s good, but not mindblowing. What I will say though, is that as someone who likes to think he knows his food, I can tell that the smoked or baked food in the center of the restaurant would have been so much better. They’re famous for not only seasonal servings (including the German favorite of white asparagus), but also smoked eel. You can also have a starter of oysters and an accompaniment of some fine wines if you’d like. Let me know if you do try them, I want to know if I was right.
Most dishes here average between 7,00 to 13,00 Euros.
Asian Food – Thai Market
As a Singaporean and proud Asian, I have to have my regular dose of Asian food. You’ll find a decent number of Euro-Asian stalls and restaurants around Berlin, including the cheap 3 Euro take-away noodle box stalls. Those are so unhealthy but because they’re cheap, they’ve become something I’ve tried once or twice.
Asian Food, or Asian-inspired food, can be found no matter where around the world. It’s almost as ubiquitous as the American Cheeseburger. In some ways, it’s more of a peek into local inclinations rather than actual Asian flavors. There are some close to authentic spots in Berlin. Asia Deli, up north in Wedding, is a good spot. You see Asian customers speak in Mandarin to the restaurant owners, so you should know it’s good. I had the House Special (with Shrimp and Pork) and it was definitely more Eastern tasting than Western. If you’re also really craving Ramen, Cocolo Ramen is the best spot in Berlin, but that’s at a low bar. I personally didn’t like it at all and am saving my stomach till London for a proper bowl. There’s also a bunch of Asian inspired burger spots, all of which again didn’t meet my expectations but can satiate some cravings. Shiso Burger, Chilee and PHO are 3/5 rated locations in the Mitte.
Now that I’ve gone through the peripherals, I want to feature my favorite Asian Food destination in Berlin: the Thai Park. Open on weekends from late morning to afternoon, this is a collection of independent pop-up stalls that serve all kinds of South-East Asian food. Yes, there’s a bias, because even more than Asian, I’m South-East Asian, and this is my jam. You have fried fritters, dumplings, desserts, and my all-time favorite: NOODLE BOWLS. A good bowl of noodles is like a fire in the darkness, it’s such a welcome feeling. There were only two stalls I saw that sold soup noodles, and I quickly stood in line for one. It cost me only 6,00 Euros for a Tom Yam Pork Noodle, which came with a generous portion of char siew (barbequed pork), pulled slices of chicken, meatballs (which were so good) and a crispy wafer. The soup was so delicious, I drank it all. Really, if you’re spending a significant amount of time in Berlin, you have to make your way down to this spot in south of Charlottenburg.
Hidden Restaurant – Lavanderia Vecchia
Of course, Berlin is home to some really good chefs who can flex their muscles in the kitchen. You have the likes of Pauly Saal, Cookies Cream and Lokal, all of which were on my list of restaurants to check out but out-priced me once I favored weekend trips as my luxury of choice instead. If you do choose to check out these places, I’d love to hear your thoughts on them.
The one fine-dining/refined cuisine spot I decided to actually check out was Lavanderia Vecchia, specifically because it’s aesthetic is that of a laundry washer with laundry hung everywhere. It’s also really difficult to find, hidden not only in an inconspicuous street in the hipster district of Neukölln but also in the back courtyard rather than the front row of shops. You must look for the spot to find it.
This restaurant has a rotating menu and if you come for dinner, they have a standard fixed price course menu at 65,00 Euros, inclusive of half a bottle of wine. Now here’s the catch, if you come for lunch, you can get away with a three-course menu for 11,00 Euros. Granted, that’s mostly with their vegetarian options, but even my three-course menu (pictured above) set me back only 20,00 Euros. The gazpacho and stuffed beignets were really good and showing of both the chefs’ understanding of the fundamentals as well as their ability to be creative. The lamb chops really stole the show though, with a delicious crust and a sublime mashed potato accompaniment. The bread doused in olive oil that they serve at the table is also pure bliss. Make your way here if you can.
Burgers – Burgermeister/ Revolver
Every modern city can be graded on its ability to provide a solid burger. Even I, a consumer of a wide array of cuisines, will ultimately still crave a burger once in a while. Berlin will thankfully, not let you down. Burgermeister is a staple name amongst the youth and for good reasons. They have two locations, the more popular one in a renovated bathroom (yes, you read that right) is at Schlesisches Tor. But the one I’ll tell you to go to is the actual sit down location at Kottbuser Tor. Here you don’t have to stand in a line for up to an hour, and here you can avoid other annoying tourists.
I don’t know what makes it special. It could be the soft well-toasted bread. It could be the crispy lettuce or the perfectly grilled onions. It probably is the beef patty – noticeably hand-flattened and juicy with every bite. This burger rocks it. The Meisterburger comes with BBQ sauce and bacon and was a good choice for me. It really is what a balanced burger ought to be. I’ve heard the cheese fries here are also really good but I never had the capacity to eat both a burger and a whole plate of fries by myself. Let me know if you ever try them. A burger here sets you back on average around 5,00 Euros.
I also want to talk about Revolver Burger. It’s not necessarily all over the Berlin food scene, maybe not yet, but I chanced upon it on a quiet Sunday early afternoon after moving into my new hostel and needed a good lunch. This spot dishes out a range of burgers from the classics to burgers with avocado or halloumi. I decided to try the Halloumi Cheeseburger (Halloumi is a type of semi-hard cheese from Cypriot) and boy, was I in for a treat. Soft bun, juicy beef patty, fresh lettuce and a surprisingly good match with the halloumi. It’s definitely a bit heavier than a classic burger but I greatly enjoyed the meal. If you’re in the Mitte and want a good burger, trust this place to serve you well. A burger here sets you back around 6,50 Euros on average.
Side Note: I meant to try Bunsmobile, another well-reviewed burger that is sold from a food truck but both times I meant to find their location, they got rained out so I was really unlucky. If you try it, let me know!
Markets – Turkish Markt and Mauerpark Flohmarkt
Want to show me your city? Show me your market! Markets tell a person so much about how produce is sourced, how local entrepreneurs establish themselves and how communities support them. Markets are a peek into local craftsmanship and priorities. If you can’t find a market with fresh food in your city, you should move. Immediately.
Berlin has tons of market and every week I tried to visit one or the other. A solid one to check out purely for food is Markthalle Neun, in Kreuzberg. This is mostly hipster food all in one location – but solid choices nonetheless.
One of my favorites was the Turkish Market, open only on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Here you can purchase a range of extremely cheap fruits and vegetables, cheeses, spices, clothes, and rugs. There are colors, smells, and flavors that tickle your senses. You can buy some warm boreks and balaclava and fill your stomach. It’s really one way of experiencing the diversity of Berlin’s food scene without being stuck in a restaurant every time.
I also want to give a special shoutout to Butter Bronson. Now, I found this food truck at the Mauerpark Flohmarkt (Fleamarket), which I recommend any visitor to Berlin to checkout. It’s a really expansive flea market with all kinds of interesting trinkets and produce as well as accompanying live performances that attract the picnic crowds. But at the back of the market, food trucks sell their stuff and Butter Bronson called out to me. Chicken Sandwiches are not easy to do well. It takes time to brine your chicken, it takes skill to craft the right batter, and it’s a craft to fry it just the right way. These folks do all of those to the highest degree and you get to savor all of it a couple of quick bites. The chicken sandwich is a game-changer, and the fried chicken is rightfully the star. I had the simple sandwich, which cost about 7,00 Euros, but now I wish I got more than one because the memory still lingers.
As they’re a food truck, you’ll have to check out their Facebook page for where they’ll be.
Bars – Strandbar
If there’s one thing you’re not going to have any shortage of, it’s going to be bars. There’s really a whole variety and they all promise pretty affordable offerings. Here’s a quick list before I jump into my top recommendation:
- BRLO Brewhouse– This is a craft brewery with a pretty sweet Biergarten (or beer garden) and a solid range of brews. Their German IPA was a knockout for me. Also if you can try their BBQ Sandwich. It was a solid meal for me and a spicy one to match.
- Klunkerkranrich– This is a bar on top of a functioning mall, and it’s actually rather difficult to find. Go early or go late but if you go around sunset, you’re going to find yourself in a line rather than at the bar. If you do get to catch the sunset, you’re a lucky person because it’s one of the best spots to watch it from. The place is whimsical and fun and everything a hipster wants their bar to look like.
- Prater Biergarten – Want good beer and want to enjoy the summer too? Prater is my favorite beer garden to soak in the atmosphere and the weather while drinking some tasty beers all night.
- Literally, any Späti – A Späti is a convenience store that sells a range of products but especially alcohol. And even more importantly, beer. Good ones sell them for 1,00 – 2,50 Euros and you can just buy a couple and go out to a park or bench and drink them with your friends. There’s even a Späti bar crawl that you can join to explore a lot of these.
There are of course a lot more bars to check out but I wouldn’t be able to remember/add all of them here. One that I think everyone should visit though is Strandbar. Now, this is going to sound a bit touristy, but Strandbar really shines with its own light. It’s situated right on the Spree near Museum Insel, which is why it has a touristy vibe, but it also has an objectively amazing aesthetic and decently priced alcohol to match. It’s also situated adjacent to a small pizza kiosk and a bunch of evening food trucks so if you want food to go along with your evening, it’s there. The Monbijou theater is right next to the bar too so you can pre/post game your night of culture with a glass of cold wine. What’s especially cool about the bar is also starting at 8 PM, they open up a dance-floor for all kinds of ballroom dancing from Salsa to Tango. It was fun just to watch but if you’re keen to join the fun, I think it costs only a couple of euros.
Special Mentions
I’m not going to be able to summarize all my food reviews in one spot and that’s unfortunate. There were some real stars on my list that I never got to visit, and some decent spots I visited that perhaps can mature in time. So here’s a list of everything that doesn’t fit that may be worth checking out if you’re in the area:
- House of Small Wonder – Great brunch spot in Mitte, eggs are creamy but the sandwich is slightly lacking. Instagram aesthetic is on fleek.
- W – Der Imbiss – Indian Fusion store that primes itself on its Naan bread. Naan is actually really good and the pizzas are tasty. Price point is high for what you get though.
- RISA Chicken – If you want fast food in Berlin, skip the McDs and go to RISA. RISA is fried/grilled chicken at such a low price point, you wonder how they achieve it. The chicken is also good. Get their sweet potato fries, it’s delicious.
- Adana Grillhaus – Turkish style grilled meats. Delicious, and if you go to the smaller outlet, you get to see their giant grill.
- Piri’s Chicken Burgers – They may call themselves a chicken burger place, but the chicken takes supporting role to the spicy piri sauce that comes with the burger. Beware of the Trauma sauce, it is lethal. All in all, a solid sandwich. Come on Mondays for really low prices on everything.
I hope this list helped! I really loved my time in Berlin and had a blast. Low food prices and a great variety is bound to make anyone happy. Show some love if you want to see more of these posts or leave some comments if you have differing thoughts too!
Tschuss!
