GlobetrotterGirls' Insider Berlin Guide: Top Restaurants, Cafés, Bars & Must-Try Eats
This expert guide features our personally tested favorites in Berlin, curated from years of exploring the city. Discover the best restaurants, beloved coffee shops, favorite bars, vibrant food markets, and iconic Berlin dishes.
This list is curated but ever-evolving.
Explore our other Berlin Quick Guides:
GlobetrotterGirls Quick Guide to Berlin: An overview of the German capital
GlobetrotterGirls Quick Guide to Berlin: Neighborhoods of Berlin
GlobetrotterGirls Quick Guide to Berlin: Parks, lakes and outdoor Berlin
Berlin boasts hundreds of thousands of dining spots. We've sampled many from our extensive list and will update this guide with each return visit. Share your recommendations in the comments.
Best Brunch Spots in Berlin
Brunch is a German staple, especially in Berlin, where it lingers into the afternoon daily. Expect platters of cheeses, cold cuts, fruits, boiled eggs, jams, salads, and rolls. For a stunning shared breakfast étagère (for 2-4), visit Anna Blume (Kollwitzstraße 83) in Prenzlauer Berg. In Kreuzberg, A.horn (Carl-Herz-Ufer 6) offers homemade bagels and muesli by the Landwehr Canal. Try Morgenland (Skalitzer Straße 35) for another excellent option.
Iconic Turkish Food in Berlin
Turkish flavors are woven into Berlin's food scene, much like Tex-Mex in the US. The Döner Kebab reigns supreme—affordable (€2.50–€3.50), quick, and satisfying for any meal.
Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap on Mehringdamm draws epic lines but delivers hype-worthy döner, including vegetarian. Across the street, Curry 36 serves Berlin's top Currywurst (also at Bahnhof Zoo).
Top Ethnic Restaurants in Berlin
Berlin's neighborhoods overflow with global cuisines; German spots are rarer. Most Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, Lebanese, Turkish, Italian, or Japanese eateries impress—check Foursquare for locals' picks.
Our standout favorites:
- Sushi at Cube (Zossener Straße 18) and Aiko (Brunnenstraße 193)
- Lebanese at Maroush (Adalbertstraße 93) in Kreuzberg
- Unique pizza at Ron Telesky’s (Dieffenbachstraße 62) or naan pizzas at W-Imbiss (Kastanienallee 49)
- Mexican at Maria Bonita (Danziger Straße 33)
- Thai at Thai Inside (Dircksenstraße 37) in Mitte or Mao Thai (Wörther Straße 30) in Prenzlauer Berg
- Vietnamese at Hamy Café (Hasenheide 10) in Neukölln, Via He Hai (Dieffenbachstraße 58a) in Kreuzberg, or Good Morning Vietnam (Alte Schönhauser Straße 60) in Mitte (skip overpriced District Mot)
- Middle Eastern at Knofi (Bergmannstraße 98) or Weinblatt (Dieffenbachstraße 59); €1 bread at Tandur Lasan (Kottbusser Damm 6)
- Sudanese at Sahara (Reuterstraße 56)—peanut sauce shines
- Turkish breakfast/lunch at La Femme (Kottbusser Damm 77)
- Neapolitan pizza at Pizzeria Papa Pane di Sorrento (Ackerstraße 23)
- Indian at Khushi (Kollwitzstraße 37) in Prenzlauer Berg or Agni (Kaiserin-Augusta-Allee 1) in Moabit
- Baklava at Kılıçoğlu Baklavacı (Adalbertstraße 9)
Bergmannstraße in Kreuzberg offers Indian/Middle Eastern lunch deals (~€5 for starter, main, dessert). Citywide, these are great value.
For authentic German fare, try Schwarzwaldstuben (Tucholskystraße 48). Beer gardens: Café am Neuen See in Tiergarten or bustling Prater Beer Garden in Prenzlauer Berg.
Best Desserts in Berlin
Satisfy sweet cravings at Anna Blume (Kollwitzstraße 83) for cakes or Princess Cheesecake (Tucholskystraße 37). Quark stalls at Mauerpark/Maybachufer markets mimic frozen yogurt. Kunefe at Hasir (Adalbertstraße 12) or Gel Gör İnegöl Köfteci (Kottbusser Damm 80).
Top Coffee Shops in Berlin
Berlin's coffee scene thrives. Favorites: St. Oberholz (Rosenthaler Straße 72a) for people-watching; The Barn (Auguststraße 58) for flat whites; Bonanza Coffee Roasters (Oderberger Straße 35); Milchschaum (Bergmannstraße 3); Milch & Zucker (Core Tex Records 37); scenic Café am Engelbecken (Michaelkirchplatz).
Best Bars in Berlin
- Mein Haus am See (Brunnenstraße 197-198) for quintessential Berlin vibes
- Rooftop Klunkerkranich (Karl-Marx-Straße 66) in Neukölln—epic sunsets
- Sisyphos (Hauptstraße 15, 10317 Berlin-Lichtenberg)—club in a former dog cookie factory
Best Workspaces for Digital Nomads
BetaHaus (Prinzessinnenstraße 19-20) in Kreuzberg: Top co-working with coffee, lunches, and startup buzz. Plugs everywhere.
St. Oberholz (upstairs) in Mitte: Mac-heavy, spacious, with solid food/coffee.
Share Your Berlin Restaurant Tips
Help grow this trusted guide—add your favorites in the comments!
