What and where to eat in Berlin

Now we don’t think we’re telling you anything new when we recommend you try a currywurst. But it is entirely possible you didn’t know just how much the Germans love this particular sausage. So much so that there’s even a Currywurst Museum! You can find this wonderful dish almost everywhere in Berlin, but the most famous is found at Konnopke's Imbiss, a legendary food stand in East Berlin found beside the U-Bahn in Prenzlauer Berg. This Berlin treasure has been serving incredibly happy customers ever since 1930.

Of course, no visit to Berlin would be complete without a traditional doner kebab. You’ll find stalls, cafés and vans throughout the city serving them all day, and in some cases, most of the night too. For a taste that’s a little different, try K'Ups Gemüsekebap in Prenzlauer Berg which has a special kind of doner. Made with chicken and grilled vegetables, and sprinkled with feta, it’s a lovely update on this classic item. The locals love this place just as much as the tourists because it’s open until one o’clock every morning and 3 am at the weekend.

With all this talk of meat, you’d be forgiven for thinking there were no vegan options available, but a simple Google search for vegan restaurant Berlin will return more than 40 results. Beyond this impressive group of restaurants, Berlin is also home to the first totally vegan supermarket in Europe. And even if you’re not in a fully vegan restaurant, there are still plenty of food options to choose from. 

One of our favourite places for vegan snacks and lunches is Cadadia, which has numerous gluten-free salads and soups, and sandwiches too. They use only seasonal ingredients, so the menu may look completely different depending on when you visit. If you’re new to veganism and not sure what you like, Alaska Bar serves up lots of smaller plates of vegan tapas. And if you’re looking for dining excellence, Cookies Cream has a Michelin Star and regularly plays host to German celebrities. 

Where to eat in Berlin also comes with its own history as there are a number of famous places you can eat. For instance, if you’re a chocaholic it doesn’t get any better than a visit to Rausch Schokoladenhaus in Gendarmenmarkt. Here, five generations of the same family have been making all things chocolate – including the world’s longest chocolate bar! You’ll also find every type of torte and truffle, including a mini-dessert version of the Brandenburg Gate! They even have a fabulous café where you can order something sweet with a cup of chocolate!

Another famous Berlin eatery is the Tajiktearoom. This was a gift to the old GDR (East Germany) from the republic of Tajikstan and specialises in central Asian and Russian cuisine. But if you want plenty of history with your meal, then head to Rogacki. A German-Polish deli and café, which has been delighting locals and visitors with their own smoked meats, fish, salads and artisanal breads, ever since 1928.