Pala
This hip café sits in an unlikely location: the courtyard of the Karstadt at Hermannplatz. But while the development of that historic location continues to ignite controversy, this ramshackle spot with a sunny rooftop terrace and outdoor garden feels like an oasis of calm.
You can stop in for a frappé or a flat white, or try one of their family recipes, delivered with a light, modern spin. Try out briam (slow-cooked vegetable stew) or gemista (stuffed tomatoes and bell peppers). Another great choice is the roasted aubergine, served in Greek yogurt and topped with pico de gallo, tahini and pine nuts. It looks great, tastes great, and everything costs less than €10.
- Pala Carpark Innenhof, Hasenheide 4-5, Kreuzberg, Mon-Thu 11-18, Fri+Sat 11:00–19:00, pala-berlin.de
Ouzeri Angeliki
This restaurant’s bright blue interior recalls the Greek seaside, and the seafood platters served up will make you feel like you’re on holiday, too. Since late 2021, Angeliki “Aggela” Fafouti has been serving up some great seafood in her new spot in Charlottenburg. For €22, get a seasonally changing platter that may include fried sardines, anchovies, mussels, shrimp, calamari and octopus – and wash it down with a cold Mythos beer. Aggela has a loyal following, she used to cook for a canteen next to Greek Orthodox church in Stieglitz. Visit on a Sunday for the legendary €15 Sunday brunch.
- Ouzeri Angeliki Droysenstr. 5, Charlottenburg, Mon+Wed+Fri 14:30–22:00, Tue+Sat 13:30–22:00, 10:00–15:00 Breakfast buffet, www.instagram.com/ouzeri.angeliki/
Taverne Platia
Platia means square in Greek – and in summer this Schoneberg Taverna fills up the entire Bricks-Höfe (a former post-office) to make a Greek village square in the middle of the city. The space is big, and so are the plates. Sharing is recommended for dishes such as the enormous plates of Meze, lamb chops sides of patates tiganites, or cheese-topped fried potato discs. The tzatziki is delicious and creamy, while the lamb, meats and squid are grilled to perfection.
Prices aren’t cheap – it’s easy to pay over €40 per person – but that’s the price of quality.
- Platia Hauptstraße 27, Schöneberg, Tue-Sun 17:00–00:00, summer holidays until 18.8.2022, taverne-platia.de
Cretan and hip: Myxa
Out in Neukölln, Myxa has for years been a meeting place for young Greek expats in Berlin. The small café is fairly unassuming, but beneath its humble decor you’ll find an exciting menu which combines classics like flat whites, quiche and caramel brownies with Greek treats like the mocha, frappé or spanakopita. In particular, try the Cretan starter Dakos which combines juicy tomatoes and feta. Wash it down with a Greek-inspired cocktail!
- Myxa Lenaustraße 22, Neukölln, daily 11:00-22:00, myxaberlin.de
Rises Delicacies
Restaurant, or delicatessen? This friendly spot looking out over Weinbergspark is a bit of both. Rather than a long menu, three or four dishes are cooked each day and served alongside Rises’ own homemade bread. If you’d rather try your hand at Greek cuisine yourself, stock up on quality Greek ingredients and prepare a feast at home. Sometimes, the simple things are the best.
- Rises Delicacies Veteranenstraße 25, Mitte, Tue-Sat 11:00–21:00, instagram.com/risesdelicacies/
Taverna Ousia
Taverna Ousia is one of the best known Greek restaurants in the city, and it’s not for nothing. This place is crammed every evening because it does a great job, has a warm atmosphere and serves tasty little bites ranging from tarama to keftedes to garides, all to share. There’s a great wine list, too.
- Taverna Ousia Grunewaldstraße 54, Schöneberg, Wed-Mon from 17:00, taverna-ousia.de
Inofilos
Speaking of Greek wine, Inofilos up in Prenzlauer Berg is a specialist wine shop and online store run by Andreas and Sonja Buxbaum. They know the winegrowers personallym and this extensive knowledge allows them to bring a new generation of Greek quality and natural wines to Berlin. On top of their range of wines and spirits, they stock a range of German and Austrian wines, plus brandies, olive oil and other goods.
- Inofilos Schliemannstraße 35, Prenzlauer Berg, Mon 15:00–20:00, Tue–Thu, Sat 11:00–19:00, Fri 11:00–20:30, inofilos.de
Apló
After living abroad for years, Alex Kirgiannakis was missing one thing: fresh, juicy Greek street food, served with lots of vegetables. Apló on Rosenthaler Platz is his attempt to recreate the taste of Athens and Thessaloniki in Berlin. Many of the ingredients are organic, or imported directly from Greece. The meat falls into this latter category: cuts specifically tailored for gyros and souvlaki skewers make a perfect meal, and there are excellent vegan and vegetarian options, too.
- Apló Torstraße 118, Mitte, Tue-Sun 12:00-22:00, aplofoods.com
Pikilia
This Zehlendorf Taverna serves upscale Greek cuisine. It sources its produce from select Greek farms, as well as getting fresh local ingredients from the surrounding area. Not sure what to order? Take a clue from the name: Pikilia is a mixed starter plate to be shared with friends. Once you’ve had that, try the wild boar filet or grilled octopus.
- Pikilia Spanische Allee 72, Zehlendorf, Mon–Fri 16:00–00:00, Sat&Sun 12:00–00:00
Ta Panta Ri
Technically speaking, Ta Panta Ri isn’t Greek, but Cypriot. Either way, the food is great and you’ll see a lot of familiar dishes. Start with the meze and small starters, stuff like tzatziki, tarama, aubergine salad, garlic bread, olives and stuffed vine leaves. For your main course, try the lamb or gyros.
- Ta Panta Ri Düsseldorfer Straße 75, Wilmersdorf, Mon-Sat 16:00–00:00, tapantari.eu
Kouzina
At Kouzina, lunchtime means gyros and bifteki served with tzatziki and french fries. The bifteki is made with high quality meat, meaning it can be cooked for a shorter time and retain its juices. Calamari and octopus are also on offer served straight from the grill. In short: Kouzina is a warm, relaxed, modern Greek restaurant, suitable for any occasion.
- Kouzina S-Bhf Savignyplatz, Else-Ury-Bogen 597, Charlottenburg, daily 12:00–23:00, kouzina-berlin.de
