Between beloved haunts like Djimalaya, Neni, Kanaan and beyond, Berlin has had a vibrant Israeli food scene for a while. But over the past few years, opportunities to enjoy Israeli food culture in the city have multiplied.
Now it’s time to map out the best spots. Here are our insider tips on where to go for the tastiest Israeli food Berlin has to offer. L’chaim and bon appetit!
Café Pilz
Not only is the food at Cafe Pilz delicious – the restaurant’s colourful array of tasty small plates is also totally vegan. Between its delicious homemade pita bread with za’atar (a seasoning mix with thyme and sesame), creamy hummus, roasted eggplant, and the best baked potatoes in Berlin, these small plates pack a big punch.
- Café Pilz Weisestr. 58, Neukölln, details.
Kanaan
Kanaan has been a long time favourite among foodies not just for the delicious dishes served there, but also for its atmosphere. As an Israeli and Palestinian establishment, it’s not just a place for eating, it’s a place for unlikely encounters, for hospitality, and for learning.
The glue that holds it all together? Hummus. And not your average hummus, either: The menu features hummus in stuffed grape leaves, sabich, egg with pickled veggies, and much more. Want to try cooking like Kanaan yourself? The restaurant also offers a shakshuka-kit for a delicious meal you can make at home.
- Kanaan Schliemannstr. 15, Prenzlauer Berg, details.
ShiShi
Run by queer activist Shani Ahiel, ShiShi is the perfect haunt for night owls on the hunt for a late night meal on a charming courtyard terrace. Featured on its mouth-watering menu are, among other things, smoky lamb fresh off the grill with eggplant puree, scorched lemon, and sheep cream cheese, not to mention some refreshing peach and beet carpaccio. Wash it down with some natural wines or a signature cocktail.
- ShiShi Ritterstr. 12, Kreuzberg, details.
Kitten Deli
Look’s like the cat’s out of the bag: The beloved neighbourhood cafe Katie’s Blue Cat got a new littermate back in 2020. Kitten Deli is balancing the cafe’s baked goods and coffee with some hearty Israeli comfort food. Expect a delicious selection of silky hummus, shakshuka, roasted cauliflower, kohlrabi with harissa, and sabich.
- Kitten Deli Friedelstr. 30, Neukölln, details.
Aviv 030
This new restaurant, as its name would imply, will transport you all the way to the Israeli capital in just one bite. With kebabs made using meat from the blood sausage factory around the corner, vegetarian sabich, panko-crusted cauliflower, and fried oyster mushrooms all served either on warm pita bread or as a plate with creamy hummus, the menu is rich in flavour and variety.
Pair your meal with some delicious natural wine – and one of the restaurant’s regular DJ sets. And here’s an insider tip: If it’s a weekend, be sure to try the plucked brisket in challah brioche.
- Aviv030 Richardstr. 76, Neukölln, details.
Middle
If you’re a regular over at Kitten Deli, you may taste some similarities here at Middle Berlin. In addition to their endeavours on Friedelstrasse, they’re now also bringing delicious Israeli dishes to Reuterkiez: Hummus with various toppings, roasted cauliflower and kohlrabi, and creative takes on salad, to name a few.
- Middle Mainzer Str. 39, Neukölln, details.
Joseph
A collaborative effort between Israeli chef Yossi Elad and Frankfurt’s Ardinast-brothers, the Amo Hotel restaurant Joseph specialises in contemporary Israeli cuisine, from succulent sandwiches on challah bread to small and large plates to enjoy on your own or share with fellow foodies. And with a convenient location on Friedrichstrasse, it’s a favourite among seasoned Berliners and tourists alike.
- Joseph Friedrichstr. 113, Mitte, details.
Prism
Interested in fine Israeli dining? Prism is the perfect place for it. One of our all-time favourite Israeli eateries, the food is as innovative as it is delicious. From their aromatic charcoal-grilled lamb and buttery soft pulpo to their home-cured camel pastrami, it’s easy to see (and taste) how Prism earned a Michelin star. Enjoy world-class cuisine in their private dining room in the 19th-century apartment over the restaurant for a feast fit for a king.
- Prism Fritschestr. 48, Charlottenburg, details.
Night Kitchen
Open until late and specialising in family-style cooking, Night Kitchen is the perfect place to share a midnight meal with friends. Between their crispy but soft pulpo, scallops tossed in spicy harayme sauce, and extensive selection of drinks, you can take your time sipping and savouring well into the night.
- Night Kitchen in den Heckmann-Höfen, Oranienburger Str. 32, Mitte, details.
Neni
Enjoy a meal with a view of West Berlin on one of the city’s most scenic terraces at Neni. Belonging to the Hotel Bikini Berlin, the restaurant is all about hospitality, from its inviting atmosphere to its delicious food. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the first places that comes to mind for Berliners looking to enjoy Israeli cooking.
- Neni Berlin Budapester Str. 40, Charlottenburg, details.
Djimalaya
Yuppies, hipsters, expats, born-and-raised Berliners: Everybody knows Djimalaya is a reliable source of tasty Israeli cuisine, from hummus and shakshuka to meat fresh off the grill. Decorated with wooden furniture and concrete walls, it’s an urban oasis for contemporary cooking.
- Djimalaya Invalidenstr. 159, Mitte, details.
Layla
With a name that means ‘the most beautiful night’, it makes sense that Layla gets liveliest in the late evening. After all, its menu will make you never want to leave: Start with some Jerusalem sesame bread with paprika aioli and doah with olive oil before moving on to smoked trout donuts and medjoul dates on the side.
Still hungry? Try their grilled octopus with Japanese eggplant and Ethiopian tahini before finally rounding things off with sweet angel hair and candied pistachios with rhubarb jam. Oh, and don’t forget to hit the bar for a digestif afterwards.
- Layla Hallesche Str. 10, Kreuzberg, details.
This article has been adapted from the German by Seraina Birdsey.
