Think bustling bistros, stuffed and smeared bagel sandwiches and foldable pizza slices: the flavours of New York City are coming in hot to the Hauptstadt. The growing popularity of this dynamic cuisine represents a deep connection between two cities that have long thrived on cultural fusion and immigrant-driven food fare.
Both NYC and Berlin share a reputation for being Meccas of creativity, grittiness and reinvention. While the former quickly embraced grab-and-go convenience, the latter has been slower to follow suit. That’s changing, and the growing wave of NYC-style restaurants in Berlin is proof of this.
I lived in NYC for 20 years and ordered Chinese takeout at least once a week.
One of the clearest signs of this shift is the emergence of New York-style pizza spots. At the tail end of last year, two more NYC-inspired slice shops popped up in the city, a concept that was practically nonexistent in Berlin half a decade ago. One of these newcomer joints, Slice Society, is run by co-owners Marcus Hagemann and Alex Welskopp, who recognise the growing appetite for Big Apple bites in Berlin. “NYC-style pizza is just special. It’s simple, unpretentious and all about quality ingredients,” Hagemann shares. “There’s a certain rawness and authenticity to both cities, so the connection feels natural.”
John Margulies, owner of trailblazing NYC-style slice supplier Magic John’s Pizza emphasises that it’s not just the great food which pulls Berliners in, but the full New York City experience. “Sure, the food has to slap, but the vibe, service, pace and style are so important to the collective experience that you can’t just credit one or the other,” he explains.
The very fact that NYC’s food carries a presence in Berlin tells a story of migration and cultural exchange. Many of New York’s most iconic foods – bagels, pastrami, cheesecake – were brought over by Jewish immigrants fleeing persecution in the 19th and 20th centuries. It’s a full-circle moment: the very flavours that German and Polish Jews helped shape into the modern-day food staples of NYC are now returning to Berlin.
Both cities have culinary identities that are deeply tied to immigrant communities. Just as NYC’s food landscape has been fostered by Italian, Chinese and Jewish influences, Berlin’s has been profoundly impacted by Turkish, Vietnamese and Middle Eastern cuisines. Döner, Berlin’s most beloved street food, is a direct product of Turkish migration. Similarly, many of NYC’s signature dishes wouldn’t exist without the immigrants who brought their culinary traditions with them.
NYC-style pizza is just special. It’s simple, unpretentious
It’s not just pizza that’s making its mark. Arriving earlier on the scene, bagel shops have carved out their own rightful residence in Berlin. One of the first to introduce authentic, hand-rolled and boiled bagels to the city was Fine Bagels. Based in Friedrichshain, this shop has been serving Berlin since 2013, fostering the city’s appreciation of the New York staple. Across the Spree, in Alt-Treptow, stands Masha’s Bagels & Delicatessen, a bagel shop and bakery inspired by NYC’s Jewish delis. Along with bagels, they offer quality Jewish classics like challah and Matzo ball soup.
Shaul Margulies, owner of Babba Chu, saw another major gap in Berlin’s food scene: NYC-style Chinese takeout. “After living in Berlin for 10 years, we all terribly missed simple, New York-style Chinese takeout,” he says. “I lived in NYC for 20 years and ordered Chinese takeout at least once a week.” His decision to open Babba Chu was as much about filling his own personal craving as it was about introducing Berliners to the concept of Chinese takeout.
However, Shaul notes that Berliners are sometimes less open to trying new flavours than their New York counterparts. “New Yorkers take on more of a ‘live and let live’ attitude, whereas Berliners are more vocal about their likes and dislikes. As a result, we find ourselves a bit more conservative with the dishes and menu choices we make.”
Both being cultural capitals of their respective countries is part of what makes NYC-style food easy to transplant. Berlin’s vibrant and grungy vibe pairs well with the inventive and fast-paced spirit of NYC’s food scene and if the current trend is any indication, we could soon see more, from classic delis to 24-hour diners. And who knows – perhaps in the process, Berlin will put a unique spin on these New York classics, creating something entirely new.
New York Hot Spots
- Slice Society Torstr. 173, Mitte, details
- Magic John’s Pizza Oranienburger Str. 48, Mitte, details
- Fine Bagels Warschauer Str. 74, Friedrichshain, details
- Masha’s Bagels & Delicatessen Bouchéstr. 15, Alt-Treptow, details
- Babba Chu Auguststr. 63, Mitte, details
Honorable Mentions
- Barcomi’s (Cheesecake) Bergmannstr. 21, Kreuzberg, details
- Bertie (Bistro) Schwedter Str. 13, Prenzlauer Berg, details
- Benedict (Brunch bar with Eggs Benedict) Uhlandstr. 49, Wilmersdorf | Göhrener Str. 5, Prenzlauer Berg, details
- Round & Edgy (Cookies & Banana Pudding) Rochstr. 3, Mitte | Maybachufer 21, Kreuzberg | Tauentzienstr. 21-24, Schöneberg (KaDeWe), details
