Think of a traditional German dish and (most of the time) you’re thinking of something South German. Weißwurst, Schweinshaxe, Schnitzel, you name it. And maybe that is part of the reason that, in Berlin, German food can sometimes feel a little under appreciated. This list is here to change that. This is our selection of the best German food in Berlin.
Rogacki
Rogacki has been at home in Charlottenburg since 1932, both as a daytime restaurant and as a delicatessen. Dishes are conjured up from the delicatessen range, like fillet tips with chanterelles or stir-fried vegetables with wild rice.
Above all though, Rogacki is about fried, steamed or smoked fish. The fish fillet with potato salad is their classic dish, that cements Rogacki as a West Berlin institution, alongside the likes of Grill Royale and Borchardt.
- Rogacki, Wilmersdorfer Str. 145/46, details.
Lebensmittel in Mitte
This is one of our favourites. Lebensmittel in Mitte started out as a delicatessen, selling groceries alongside their regular menu, hence the name. It hardly does that anymore, but it does provide some excellent German food.
Try the classics like Käsespätzle (you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better version in the city) or Bavarian pork with dumplings and Sauerkraut. Or turn up for lunch and discover they’re serving some half-forgotten German classic like Senfeier (literally, mustard eggs). It’s got a nice, cosy rustic atmosphere and a great selection of German wines. It’s also *the* place to go when spargelzeit inevitably rolls around.
Last tip? The lunch menu is significantly cheaper than at dinner time.
- Lebensmittel in Mitte, Rochstr. 2, Mitte, details.
Trio
This one is a newcomer to the list. Trio grew out of some lockdown-lunches organised by chef Vadim Otto Ursis at his small plates restaurant in Prenzlauer Berg and that simplicity remains the focus. Expect regional ingredients, done very, very well.
The fare is distinctly old-school. Try Senfei (mustard eggs), trout, pickles, mushroom goulash with bread dumplings, Königsberger Klopse (Prussian meatballs) and many more traditional German classics. Just make sure to book ahead!
- Trio, Linienstr. 13, Mitte, details
Borchardt
As mentioned before, Borchardt is an institution. A traditional favourite meeting place of the rich and famous as well as celebrities of every stripe. Its legendary Wiener Schnitzel alone makes it worth visiting once. Whether at lunchtime or in the evening, there is an unmistakeable “see and be seen” element to Borchardt, but it’s still delicious.
- Borchardt, Franz. Str. 47, Mitte, details.
Prater Garten
We love Prater Garten here at Exberliner, in fact our writer Änne Troester had some interesting thoughts on it. It’s also one of our favourite beer gardens. But did you know that the food is excellent too? Creamy pumpkin soups, grilled fish, Königsberger Klopse and Appel strudel to finish it off. We’ll see you there!
- Prater Garten, Kastanienallee 7-9, Prenzlauer Berg, details.
Kumpel & Keule
As of early 2023, Kumpel & Keule’s Skalitzer Strasse restaurant has closed its doors. But you can still get stuck into their legendary Fleisch im Brotmantel and Bouletten, or pick up some house-made Würstchen to prepare at home.
The butcher’s shop and food stall in Kreuzberg’s Markthalle Neun is part of a new wave of meat-eaters seeking to make meat consumption more ethical and environmentally friendly, rethinking every step of the process from paddock to plate. The best part is, it’s delicious, not to mention, they also serve craft beer (made by their friends) and excellent wines.
- Kumpel & Keule, Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstr. 42/43, Kreuzberg, details.
ENGELBERG
It doesn’t get any more German than the breakfast offered here. On the adorable Oderburger Straße get your fill of Brötchen or sourdough bread with cheese and cold-cuts, and choose your own Wurst to go with it! If that’s not your thing try the Goulash or Käsespätzle.
- ENGELBERG, Oderberger Str. 21, Prenzlauer Berg, details.
Dicke Wirtin
Dicke Wirtin on Savignyplatz is one of the last beacons of Berlin pub culture with a good selection of beers and classic pub cuisine at reasonable prices: sourdough bread with Griebenschmalz, meatballs and stews. You will find neighbourhood locals and tourists here, as well as suits rushing in to catch the football.
- Dicke Wirtin, Carmerstr. 9, Charlottenburg, details.
Max & Moritz
Another place where you can find some traditional Berliner authenticity. Max & Moritz, named after German folklore’s most mischievous duo, this is a great place to soak up pub atmosphere. Pro tip: try the Bollenfleisch, a stew with green beans and lamb. If you’ve never tried Eisbein, here is the place to do it (don’t waste your money on Tim Raue).
- Max & Moritz, Oranienstr. 162, Kreuzberg, details.
Clärchens Ballhaus
There are some months of the year when you’d rather sit outside! The courtyard at Clärchens is one of the best spots in Berlin (and definitely in Mitte) to do that. If its too cold, don’t stress! The interior is gorgeous too. Expect radishes, Riesling, Wiener Schnitzel (with or without anchovies – and even a vegetarian option!) and some classic Berlin hospitality.
- Clärchens Ballhaus, Auguststr. 24/25, Mitte, details.
Restaurant Austria
Ok, this is not *technically* German, but we’re going to include it anyway. Nothing beats a fried chicken with potato salad. Except maybe Viennese style goulash. Not to mention the Wiener Schnitzel, the original veal, followed by apple strudel or Kaiserschmarrn.
In the rustic, down-to-earth tavern on Kreuzberg’s Marheinekeplatz, particularly popular amongst younger foodies, you can take a culinary tour of Austria and discover some of the incredible wines they grow in the mountains over there.
- Restaurant Austria, Bergmannstr. 30, Kreuzberg, details.
Schnitzelei
As the name suggests, they do schnitzels here. And not only Viennese style, but also without breading or even rolled, if that’s your thing. If that’s too much of a schnitzel for you, you should try the German tapas – a specialty of the house: classics such as meatballs, Königsberger Klopse or currywurst served as small plates. Not a new idea, but delicious nonetheless.
- Schnitzelei, Röntgenstr. 7b, Charlottenburg;
- Schnitzelei Mitte Chausseestr. 8/Novalisstr. 11, Mitte;
- Schnitzelei Wilmersdorf, Landauer Str. 8, Wilmersdorf, details.
