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What to Eat in Berlin
Berlin's food options are wide-ranging, with an abundance of traditional German cuisine, a thriving ethnic food scene and even healthier, vegetarian options. Still, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to nosh on authentic dishes Berlin is known for.
A variety of sausages – everything from bratwurst to bockwurst (pork and veal) to the unique currywurst (sausage covered with ketchup and curry powder) – are ever-popular, as are staples like Wiener schnitzel (flattened, breaded, fried veal). German cuisine relies heavily on pork – so much so that you'll find eisbein (pork knuckle) served with potatoes and sauerkraut. Pop over to Zur letzten Instanz, the oldest restaurant in Berlin, for some traditional eats. It is one block off the Klosterstraße U-Bahn station.
Berlin also has a large Turkish influence (more than 200,000 Turks call the city home) and that's spilled over into the gastronomy. For a look at a variety of delicacies, check out Turkish Market along the banks of the Landwehr Canal in the Neukölln neighborhood (hop off the U-Bahn at U Kottbusser Tor or Schönleinstraße). Additionally, be sure to try a döner kebab sandwich, which was first introduced by Turkish immigrants (urban legend says it was invented in Berlin). The dish includes a special bread filled with thin slices of beef (or chicken or lamb ... take your pick) and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and a yogurt-based sauce. You'll find these sandwiches at numerous street vendors all over the city.
Finally, no trip to Berlin is complete without some (or lots) of bier (beer). Beer is a big part of German culture; the legal drinking age for fermented beverages is 16 (or 18 for distilled alcohol). Germany also takes the quality of its suds seriously. There are a number of regulations, known as Reinheitsgebot (literally translated to "purity order"), that limit the number of ingredients used in the brewing process to only malt, hops, yeast and water. There are biergartens all over the city, but one of the most beautiful, Cafè am Neuen See, is found in Tiergarten. Don't forget to say prost or zum wohl (cheers and bottoms up, respectively).
Find the Best Restaurants in Berlin
- #1
Clubrestaurant am Wannsee#1 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin
$ - $$ | German, European, Central EuropeanScabellstr. 10-11, 14109 Berlin GermanyRead More » - #2
Happies#2 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #3
Ristorante A Mano#3 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin
$ - $$ | Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Sicilian, Southern-ItalianStrausberger Platz 2, 10243 Berlin GermanyRead More » - #4
Restaurant Buschbeck's#4 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #5
Die Eselin von A.#5 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #6
Salamat#6 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #7
CEDRE BLANC#7 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #8
Sapori di Casa#8 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #9
Maison Umami#9 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #10
Burger Turm#10 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #11
La Gondola Due#11 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #12
Trattoria Portofino#12 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #13
Rueyam Gemuese Kebab#13 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #14
El Loco#14 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #15
Hasty Pastry#15 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #16
Hokey Pokey#16 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #17
MontRaw Restaurant#17 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #18
Restaurant Bieberbau#18 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #19
Masteca e Tasi#19 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin - #20
Flamingo Fresh Food Bar#20 of 8,670 Places to Eat in Berlin
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