The street-food classics
Yes, you should try currywurst at least once: sliced sausage with a ketchup-based curry sauce, usually served with fries from a kiosk. But the snack many Berliners actually eat most often is the döner kebab, which the city has made its own, stuffed with grilled vegetables, salad and generous sauces.
Look out too for Vietnamese banh mi and pho, a legacy of the many Vietnamese families who settled in the east, and for falafel shops that stay open long after the bars close.
Market halls and food markets
Covered market halls are a good way to sample a lot in one visit. Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg is known for its weekly street-food evenings and producer stalls, while other districts have their own neighbourhood halls with butchers, bakers and lunch counters.
Outdoor weekly markets pop up across the city. They are perfect for picking up bread, cheese and fruit for a picnic in one of the parks.
Brunch culture
Weekend brunch is something of a Berlin institution. Cafes in Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg and Neukölln serve long, unhurried spreads that can run well into the afternoon. Booking ahead is wise for popular places, particularly on Sundays.
Vegetarian and vegan options are everywhere, and Berlin is often described as one of Europe's easiest cities for plant-based eating.
Traditional German cooking
For heartier fare, seek out an old-style Berlin pub, or Kneipe, serving dishes such as Eisbein (pork knuckle), meatballs known locally as Buletten, and potato salad. Portions are large and the atmosphere is unpretentious. Pair it with a local beer or, in summer, a Berliner Weisse, a sour wheat beer sometimes served with a sweet syrup.
Coffee and cake
Berlin's specialty coffee scene has grown enormously, and small roasteries now sit alongside traditional bakeries in almost every district. In the afternoon, many residents still observe the habit of coffee and cake. Try a slice of cheesecake, a plum tart in late summer or a classic Berliner doughnut, which locals usually call a Pfannkuchen.
Late at night, a Späti, the city's corner shop, is where people pick up a drink or a snack on the way home. These little shops are part of Berlin's character and are often open long after supermarkets close.
Good to know
- Lunch menus on weekdays are often cheaper than evening prices.
- Tap water is safe, but restaurants rarely serve it free; ask if unsure.
- Tipping around 5 to 10 percent is customary for table service.