Top 10 Places to Eat in Berlin

Last updated: October 2026

Where to eat in Berlin depends on what you want: street food in Kreuzberg, currywurst under the U-Bahn tracks, a hearty meal in an old tavern or a beer garden in a park. Berlin is not a city of white tablecloths. The best places to eat in Berlin are often a market hall, a kebab queue, a sausage stand or a long bench under chestnut trees.

This guide covers ten places that show the city’s food at its best, from a currywurst stand run by the same family since 1930 to a Vietnamese market hall in the east. Each entry has a short practical list, and the sections after them cover plans, dishes, budgets and FAQs. If you are planning the wider trip, our guide to the best places to visit in Germany shows where Berlin fits alongside the country’s other cities.

Quick answer: Where should you eat in Berlin? Start with the classics: a vegetable kebab at Mustafa’s, currywurst at Curry 36 or Konnopke’s, and street food at Markthalle Neun. Add a sit-down meal at Zur letzten Instanz or Georgbräu, then finish with a beer garden at Prater Garten or Café am Neuen See.

Quick list: where to eat in Berlin

1. Markthalle Neun

Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg is the best place to graze your way through Berlin’s food scene under one roof. This historic market hall works as a covered market for produce, bread, cheese and meat, with small counters where you can eat on the spot. It is where much of the city’s food-loving crowd gathers, and the mix of traders gives it a relaxed, neighbourhood feel.

The big draw is Street Food Thursday, when the hall fills with cooks from around the world serving everything from dumplings to tacos. Entry is free and you pay at each stall. The official Berlin tourism page for Street Food Thursday lists the current schedule, and visitBerlin’s Markthalle Neun page has the address and background.

Go hungry and walk a full lap before you choose. Share plates with a friend so you can try more, and keep some cash as a backup, as a few stalls prefer it. On a quieter weekday the hall is also a good spot for a relaxed lunch if the Thursday crowds are not your thing. Many visitors also pick up bread, cheese or other snacks here to eat later in the day.

• How to get there: Eisenbahnstraße 42, Kreuzberg, a short walk from Görlitzer Bahnhof (U1).
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Thursday evenings for Street Food Thursday, or a weekday for a calmer visit.
• Tip: Check the official page for the current schedule before you go, as special events can change the usual routine.

2. Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap

Mustafa’s is the vegetable kebab that put a Berlin kebab shop on the tourist map. Grilled chicken and vegetables are stuffed into flatbread with salad and sauces, and the result is messy, hot and generous. Whether it is the best kebab in Berlin is a matter of taste, and locals argue about it, but it is a distinctive version of the dish that you will not find on every corner.

The queue is part of the experience. The business moved from its old kiosk by the U-Bahn station to a shop unit at Mehringdamm 33, on the opposite side of the road, and the queue followed. Plan on a wait at busy times and treat it as a chance to people-watch. The street is lively, with plenty going on around you while you stand in line.

The move changed the set-up, so look up current details before you travel rather than relying on older guides that still describe the kiosk.

If you are travelling with someone who does not eat meat, this is also one of the few famous Berlin stops that gives you a proper, filling choice. It is just across the road from Curry 36, so you can pair the two in one outing.

• How to get there: Mehringdamm 33, Kreuzberg, right by Mehringdamm station (U6 and U7).
• How long to spend: 30 to 60 minutes, including the queue.
• Best time to go: Queues vary, so try an off-peak time if you can.
• Tip: Check the opening hours online before you go, and take your kebab to a nearby bench or wall.

3. Curry 36

Curry 36 is the place to try currywurst, Berlin’s best-known fast food. Currywurst is a sliced sausage covered in curry-spiced ketchup and served with chips or a bread roll. Curry 36 is a counter on Mehringdamm that has run since 1981 and still draws a steady queue, so it has become a landmark in its own right.

You order at the hatch, take your tray to a standing table and eat on the spot. You can choose the sausage with or without skin, and the skin version gives more bite. Add chips and a drink and you have a classic Berlin meal for a modest sum.

Curry 36 is just across the road from Mustafa’s new shop, so the pair make an easy double stop. Many visitors try one, then the other, which is a fun way to compare two Berlin classics in a single outing. If you want the stand with the longer family history, Konnopke’s, covered next, is the one to compare it with.

The street itself is worth a stroll, with shops, cafes and a steady stream of people heading to and from the station. It is a good snapshot of everyday Kreuzberg rather than a polished tourist zone.

• How to get there: Mehringdamm 36, Kreuzberg, next to Mehringdamm station (U6 and U7).
• How long to spend: 20 to 30 minutes.
• Best time to go: Late evening, when the area is lively and the queue is often shorter than at lunch.
• Tip: Try the sausage with skin first, then switch if you prefer it softer.

4. Konnopke’s Imbiss

Konnopke’s Imbiss is the currywurst stand with the longest family history in this guide. It stands under the elevated U-Bahn tracks at Schönhauser Allee in Prenzlauer Berg and has been run by the same family since 1930, which makes it among the longest-running currywurst stands in the city.

The food is simple: sausage, sauce and a roll or chips. The setting is what makes it, with trains rattling overhead and a mix of locals and visitors at the counter. It is the natural partner to Curry 36, so if you try both you can decide which version of the sauce you prefer, and which setting suits you better.

The stand is closed on Sundays and opening days differ between listings, so check before you set off. It is easy to build into a walk, since Kastanienallee and Prater Garten are only a few minutes away, and the streets around Eberswalder Straße are full of cafes, small shops and places to sit.

For a currywurst crawl, many visitors start in Prenzlauer Berg and finish in Kreuzberg, or the other way round, using the U-Bahn to hop between the two. That gives you two neighbourhoods and two classic stands in a single afternoon.

• How to get there: Schönhauser Allee 44b, under the tracks near Eberswalder Straße station (U2).
• How long to spend: 20 to 30 minutes.
• Best time to go: A weekday lunchtime, when it is open and usually not too crowded.
• Tip: Combine it with a stroll along Kastanienallee and a drink at Prater Garten.

5. Zur letzten Instanz

Zur letzten Instanz is the place for a hearty old-Berlin meal in historic surroundings. The restaurant says it has served guests since 1621, which is why it is often described as one of the city’s oldest, though several Berlin taverns make the same claim. The name “Zur letzten Instanz” is usually dated to 1924 and linked to the nearby courthouse. Its official website has the menu and booking details.

The menu is classic German tavern cooking. Look for Eisbein, pork knuckle served with sauerkraut and mash, and Königsberger Klopse, meatballs in a creamy caper sauce. Portions are large, so come hungry and consider sharing a starter.

This is a sit-down meal, so it suits an evening when you want a break from street food and a taste of traditional Berlin dining. The old streets around it, in the historic centre of Mitte, are pleasant to walk before or after you eat, and the restaurant is close to several of the sights most visitors already plan to see.

Because it is popular with visitors and groups, book a table in advance for evenings and weekends, and arrive a little early so you are not rushed. If the weather is poor, it is a warm and atmospheric place to shelter and linger over a long meal.

• How to get there: Waisenstraße 14 to 16, Mitte, a short walk from Klosterstraße station (U2).
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Evening, with a table booked in advance.
• Tip: Share a starter, as the main courses are filling.

6. Prater Garten

Prater Garten is widely called Berlin’s oldest beer garden and the best place for a long, relaxed evening. It sits in a courtyard on Kastanienallee in Prenzlauer Berg, and it has been operating since 1837. You will find long benches under chestnut trees and food served from the kitchen, with a crowd that mixes locals and visitors. The city’s official beer garden page has the details.

Expect grilled chicken, pork knuckle and other hearty dishes alongside the house beer. When the weather turns, the indoor restaurant keeps going all year, so it is not only a summer stop. That makes it a useful backup if the forecast changes while you are in town.

It works well after a walk around Prenzlauer Berg, and it pairs naturally with Konnopke’s, only a few minutes away. Order a round, settle in and let the evening unfold, as people do here. The garden has a laid-back, communal feel, and sharing a bench with strangers is part of the charm.

The beer garden itself runs through the warmer months, so check the season dates for your trip. On sunny weekends the shaded tables fill quickly, so arrive early if you want a good spot.

• How to get there: Kastanienallee 7 to 9, Prenzlauer Berg, a short walk from Eberswalder Straße station (U2).
• How long to spend: Two hours.
• Best time to go: A warm early evening in the garden season.
• Tip: Arrive early on sunny weekends to get a table in the shade.

7. Georgbräu

Georgbräu is the easiest place to combine a proper meal with a riverside setting. It is a brewery restaurant in the Nikolaiviertel, the small historic quarter beside the River Spree, serving hearty Berlin and German dishes such as pork knuckle and homemade potato soup alongside beer brewed on site.

There is plenty of space, with several themed rooms inside and a beer garden beside the water, so it copes with groups well. The house beer is served at the brewery, so it is worth trying a glass while you are here. The kitchen leans on traditional dishes, which suits visitors who want to taste classic Berlin cooking without hunting around.

The location is a draw in itself. You can wander the cobbled lanes of the Nikolaiviertel, then sit by the water with a drink and watch the boats go by. It is a touristy part of town, but the brewery is a straightforward option for a proper sit-down meal near the central sights, and it is easy to reach on foot from the historic centre.

If you are visiting in warmer months, ask for a table outside to enjoy the river view. In cooler weather, the interior rooms are cosy and give you a sense of old Berlin brewing culture.

• How to get there: Spreeufer 4, Nikolaiviertel, Mitte, near Klosterstraße (U2) and Alexanderplatz.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Lunchtime or early evening, when the riverside garden is at its best.
• Tip: Share a few dishes across the table to sample more of the menu.

8. Dong Xuan Center

Dong Xuan Center is the best place in Berlin to eat Vietnamese food. Found in Lichtenberg, it is the city’s largest Asian market, a complex of halls selling groceries, goods and food. The city’s official page gives the background and address.

For eating, the draw is Vietnamese cooking, such as bun cha, grilled pork with rice noodles and fresh herbs, and pho, the fragrant beef noodle soup. Stalls and small restaurants inside the halls serve these dishes, and the choice can change, so look at what other diners are eating and pick a counter that looks busy.

It is less polished than central Berlin, and that is the appeal. You order, sit among local families and shoppers, and enjoy food that reflects the city’s Vietnamese communities. It is also a good place to browse for snacks, spices and drinks to take home, so allow time to wander the halls after your meal.

The city’s page lists it as closed on Tuesdays, but opening days vary between sources, so check before making the trip. It is further from the central sights than most places on this list, so it suits a day when you want to explore beyond the usual tourist areas.

• How to get there: Herzbergstraße 128 to 139, Lichtenberg, by tram M8 to Herzbergstr./Dong-Xuan.
• How long to spend: Two to three hours, including shopping.
• Best time to go: Lunchtime on a weekday or Saturday.
• Tip: Bring cash and look at what other diners are eating before you order.

9. Maybachufer Turkish Market

The Maybachufer market is the most pleasant way to eat a casual lunch in Berlin. It runs along the Landwehr Canal in Neukölln on Tuesdays and Fridays, with a large number of traders selling vegetables, cheese, olives, bread and Turkish speciality foods, plus fabrics and other goods.

Graze your way along the stalls, pick up flatbreads and dips, and eat by the canal. Most stalls prefer cash, so bring some with you. The atmosphere is lively and crowded, especially on Friday afternoons, and it feels like a genuine neighbourhood market rather than a show for visitors.

If you want to cook, the produce is excellent and good value, and if you do not, there is plenty to eat as you go. The stalls run from late morning, so a late breakfast or early lunch is a good plan, and you can finish with a walk along the water.

It is also a good place to pick up picnic supplies for the canal bank or a nearby park. Fresh bread, olives, cheese and fruit are all easy to carry, and you can eat whenever you find a spot you like.

• How to get there: Maybachufer, Neukölln, by U-Bahn line U8 to Schönleinstraße, or U1, U3 or U8 to Kottbusser Tor and a short walk.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Tuesday or Friday, from late morning, with earlier arrival for the best choice.
• Tip: Go earlier in the day for fewer people and a better selection.

10. Café am Neuen See

Café am Neuen See is the best lakeside spot for a beer garden meal in central Berlin. It sits beside a lake in the Tiergarten, the city’s big central park, and serves grilled dishes and drinks in a café and beer garden setting. You can also hire a boat on the lake, which makes it more than just a meal. The city’s official beer garden page has the details.

It is a great place to end a day of sightseeing, with a table under the trees and a drink in hand. The park setting makes it feel far from the city centre, even though it is right in it. The city’s tourism page notes you can have a good time here even in winter, so a sunny cold day can work if you dress warmly.

The menu is relaxed and designed for sharing, which suits a group after a long walk. If you are visiting in summer, expect it to be busy on warm evenings and weekends, so go earlier in the day or on a weekday for a quieter table by the water.

Hours differ between sources, so check the venue before you go. A walk through the park is part of the appeal, so allow time to stroll before or after you eat.

• How to get there: Lichtensteinallee 2, Tiergarten, a walk through the park from Zoologischer Garten station.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: A sunny late afternoon.
• Tip: Combine it with a walk around the park before you eat.

How to pick the right place to eat in Berlin

If it is your first time and you have limited meals, choose by mood:

• Quick and cheap: Curry 36, Konnopke’s or Mustafa’s.
• Sit-down and traditional: Zur letzten Instanz or Georgbräu.
• Social and relaxed: Prater Garten or Café am Neuen See.
• Variety: Markthalle Neun or the Maybachufer market.
• Something different: Dong Xuan Center.

Dishes to look out for in Berlin

• Currywurst: Sliced sausage with curry ketchup.
• Gemüse kebap: A vegetable-filled kebab in flatbread.
• Eisbein: Pork knuckle, served with sauerkraut and mash.
• Königsberger Klopse: Meatballs in a creamy caper sauce.
• Bun cha: Grilled pork with rice noodles and herbs.
• Pho: Vietnamese beef noodle soup.
• Schrippe: The Berlin word for a bread roll.

Suggested food plans for 1, 2 or 3 days

Day 1: Kreuzberg classics

Start with the Maybachufer market if it is a Tuesday or Friday, then try Mustafa’s and Curry 36 on Mehringdamm. On a Thursday, finish at Markthalle Neun for street food.

Day 2: Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte

Have a currywurst at Konnopke’s, wander Kastanienallee and spend the evening at Prater Garten or at dinner in Zur letzten Instanz.

Day 3: Further afield

Eat Vietnamese food at Dong Xuan Center, then head to Georgbräu by the river or Café am Neuen See in the Tiergarten.

Where to stay for the best food

• Mitte: Central, close to Zur letzten Instanz and Georgbräu.
• Prenzlauer Berg: Leafy and cafe-filled, close to Konnopke’s and Prater Garten.
• Kreuzberg: Lively, with the best street food choices on your doorstep.
• Charlottenburg: Quieter and more traditional, with easy access to the Tiergarten.

Getting around Berlin

Berlin’s public transport is run by BVG and covers the U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn, trams and buses, with one ticketing system. Fares are based on zones, and most of the places in this guide are in the central ones. Use the official BVG site and its journey planner for current routes and tickets, as services and fares change.

Many of these places cluster along a few lines: Kreuzberg on the U6 and U7, and Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte on the U2.

Budget guidance for eating in Berlin

• Cheap eats: Currywurst, kebabs, market stalls and Vietnamese food.
• Mid-range: Sit-down meals at a tavern, brewery or beer garden.
• Special occasion: Fine dining is outside this list, which focuses on everyday food that locals and visitors both eat.

Booking, tipping and cash

Book tavern and brewery meals for evenings, as popular places fill up. Street food stalls and counters need no booking. Carry some cash, as many stalls, markets and small shops prefer it. In German restaurants it is usual to round up or add a modest tip when you pay, telling the server the total you want to pay rather than leaving money on the table. Opening hours change often, so check each venue before you go.

Plan More Food Trips in Germany and Europe

Once your Berlin meals are sorted, use our guide to the top places to visit in Germany to choose your next stop, or read about the magical castles in Germany for a day out beyond the city. If you enjoy planning a trip around food, see where to eat in Copenhagen for another city with a strong market and street food scene. For a winter visit, our list of the best Christmas markets in Europe is a good place to look for festive stalls and seasonal snacks.

Featured image: Photo by Alex Hernandez on Unsplash