A Guide to Eating and Drinking in Berlin
- Berlin Information
- Eating & drinking in Berlin
- Night life in Berlin
- Getting around in Berlin
- Things to do in Berlin
- Where to stay in Berlin
- Berlin street map
Berlin is a genuine cultural and culinary melting pot. Nowhere else in Germany provides such an eating and drinking smorgasbord, ranging from traditional German dishes to world-class Indian, Greek, Japanese, Thai and, especially, Turkish restaurants.
Traditional German food tends to be rather on the heavy side and served in large portions. But while some guide books might suggest that Germans rarely stop guzzling down pig’s knuckle and 'schnitzel', this is an archaic preconception.
A more common German snack – ideal for the budget traveler – is the humble ‘currywurst’. A curried sausage with tomato sauce and chips, they can be bought for very little from ‘imbisses’ (fast-food vendors) across town.
During the afternoon, it’s also worth taking time out to sample the great German habit of ‘kaffee and kuchen’ (coffee and cakes) in one of the many patisseries that line the city’s streets.
Other budget eating options include the famous doner kebab. Although these can be found right across the city, the best place to pick one up is arguably in Kreuzberg which is, historically speaking, the Turkish district of the city.
In West Berlin, the most fashionable (and expensive) restaurants are on and around Savignyplatz in the smart district of Charlottenberg. For sheer quantity of places to eat, though, the best place to go is probably Mitte, on the other side of the Tiergarten.
Student travelers and backpackers on a budget generally head for Prenzlauerberg to the northeast of Mitte. Although very trendy, it’s still an area where you can get a good meal that won’t upset your budget.
Another important aspect of the city’s eating and drinking habits is its love of beer. And, whilst Bavaria might have more beer halls, Berlin does have two of its own breweries, Schultheiss and Kindl.
Beer traditionally comes as ‘Bock’, which is dark and rich, ‘Pils’, which is strong but slightly lighter and ‘Export’, the lightest and smoothest variety. ‘Berliner Weisse’, a pale-colored wheat beer served with fruit syrup, is also popular.
Ultimately, though, like many capitals, Berlin is so thoroughly modern and cosmopolitan that it’s possible to avoid anything that is, strictly speaking, German. And the real trick to the city's greatness, is that it mixes cultures, cuisines and histories without ever sacrificing its own vibrant and distinct identity.