My Current Favorite Places to Eat in Berlin
First, a quick disclaimer: these are my favorite places to eat in Berlin right now. There are so many terrific eateries to try in Berlin, and I’m sure I’ll eat at a new spot in a month and wish I had visited before writing this post.
Take this list more like a recommendation from a friend. These are the places I suggest when I’m meeting up with a friend, where I take my out of town friends to, where I would be willing to wait in line for, and where I find myself revisiting. These restaurants really are some of the best places to eat in Berlin right now, and they’ve consistently delivered in quality and service.
La Criolla
These Argentinean empanadas are so tasty and packed with really creative fillings. I think the Chorizo & Cheddar and Pollo Picante might be my favorite picks here, but I’ve enjoyed every flavor I’ve tried. Their signature salsa is really versatile and compliments everything so well. There’s limited seating, but there’s a park across the street where you can eat too. Good for a midday pick me up.
Try: Pollo Crema, Pollo Picante, Vegetariana Verde, Chorizo & Cheddar
Try (Vegan): Mediterranea
Price: €3 each
Marienburger Str. 9, 10405 | P’Berg
Photo via La Criolla
Kanaan
This Israeli-Palestinian spot is best known for their excellent hummus, but everything here tastes amazing. Come when their lunch menu is available and be sure to order their hummus, falafel, and a bread basket. Their bread basket comes with a few types of bread, and four dips that vary each day. The dips I’ve tried here were amazing and include Israeli pesto, tahani, banana pepper dip, and a tomato chutney like dip. Kanaan is fully vegetarian, and most dishes are vegan.
Try (Vegan): Palestinian Hummus, Bread & Daily Dips, Kanaan Falafel, Kanaan Salad
Price: Lunch plates are €4-€13 and can be served family style
Schliemannstraße 15, 10437 | P’Berg
Café Meta
Café Meta is the first place I tried German Schnitzel, and it’s still my favorite place in the city to eat schnitzel at. Their schnitzel is perfectly breaded, and all their sides are rich and flavorful. I’ve been a few times (this is my go to “let’s celebrate!” place) and the food is always really good. They serve more than just schnitzel, but if you’re going to Meta you really should try the schnitzel. There’s a few solid-looking vegetarian options, but not any vegan ones without substitutes.
Try: “Hamburger Art” Pork Schnitzel w/ cucumber dill salad, fried egg, and fried potatoes
Price: €14.90
Am Falkpl. 1, 10437 | P’Berg
Bejte-Ethiopia
If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food you’re missing out! Bejte is a homey spot with intense and yummy flavors. I only just recently visited for the first time, but it quickly shot its way up to one of my top joints in Berlin. Definitely try one of the mixed plates so you can taste a little bit of everything. The honey wine is also a must try, and balances sweet and strong notes.
Try: #16 Qelqel (mixed plated with Injera), Brilli Teji (Ethiopian Honey Wine)
Try (Vegan): #14 Ye zom beyayentu (vegetarian mixed plate with Injera)
Price: Main dishes are €9-€12.50, the honey wine is €3.50
Zietenstraße 8, 10783 | Schöneberg
SPRO
My friends in Berlin know how much I adore SPRO. Everything here is wonderful, and although I’m normally here to do some work on my laptop while enjoying a couple treats, the times I’ve come to chat with a friend over a scone and a Turmeric Latte with oat milk have been just as nice. Everything is pleasant and tasty, and I try to visit at least once every other week or so.
Try: Salted Caramel Cheesecake, Norwegian scone plate, English scone plate, Daily Sandwiches, Cream Tea, Flat White, Chai Latte
Try (Vegan): Vegan scones, Turmeric Latte w/ oat milk, Chai Latte w/ oat milk, Orange Tree Iced Latte w/ oat milk
Price: Scones start at €2.40, Coffees are €1.90-€3.90
Schönhauser Allee 50A, 10437 | P’Berg
Akko
I make sure I’m hungry every time I visit Akko because their food is really budget friendly so I always end up ordering too much. I recommend their Hummus the most which comes with a plate of sliced vegetables and flatbread for only €4. Their Manakish also starts at just €1. Anything you order comes with a big bag of flatbread making for a very filling meal.
Try: Halloumi and Falafel Plate (€6.50)
Try (Vegan): Hummus Plate (€4), Za’tar Manakish (€1)
Pankstraße 52, 13357 | Wedding
Rüyam Gëmuse Kebab 2
I may or may not have referred to this Döner as a “borderline art form” in a previous post, and I stand by my words. The classic Gemüse Kebap is a perfect choice, but their falafel version is amazing too! Their potatoes are such a nice touch, and the flavors are so well balanced. Plus it’s one of the best cheap eats you’ll find in Prenzlauer Berg!
Try: Gemüse Kebap
Try (Vegan): Falafel Dönerbrot, Vegetarischer Döner
Price: €3.50-€5
Schönhauser Allee 44A, 10435 | P’Berg
Umami F-Hain
Umami is consistently tasty, with very friendly staff, and a selection of really palatable Indo-Chinese (referring to mainland Southeast Asia) food. During the height of the pandemic they were one of the local businesses I wanted to support the most, and we ordered food from them several times. I’ve tried so much of their menu, but I think my favorite is still the Golden Poularde, a golden coconut curry flavored with lemongrass and ginger, served with rice, chicken or duck, and plenty of well-cooked vegetables. The pumpkin and sweet potato pieces practically melt in your mouth. This is also a great place for people who like creative drinks; the Highland Refresher is a nice caffeine boost, and the Xa Da is fresh and thirst-quenching.
Try: #18 Deep Gold Beef, #19 Golden Poularde, #28 Banh Bao Burger
Try (Vegan): #9 Diving Dough, #23 Noble Harmony
Price: Most main dishes are between €7-€9
Sonntagstraße 8, 10245 | F’Hain
Photo via Umami F-Hain
Taco Love
Previously mentioned in this post, Taco Love really caught me off guard. Although I’ve tried a few Mexican spots in Berlin (Maria Bonita down the street is also good), none of them quite hold up to Taco Love. Located underneath U-Bahn Eberswalder Straße, this quaint taco shop serves authentic and creative vegetarian and vegan tacos that would make a hipster taquería in Los Angeles proud. The salsas are also very tasty, and their spicy salsa is actually spicy (a rarity in Germany)!
Try: The Cowboy
Try (Vegan): The Priestess
Price: €3 each or €8 for three tacos
U Eberswalder Straße, 10435 / P’Berg
Photo via Taco Love
Places I’d Like to Try Soon:
I have a long list (recently upgraded to a spreadsheet) of restaurants and food spots in Berlin I’d like to eat at soon. Here are a few that are high up on my list that I thought I’d include:
Albatross: I really can’t believe I haven’t visited this well-known Berlin bakery yet. I’ve had so many recommendations at this point I’m not even sure what I’d try first, but I think something involving sweet or involving sourdough. UPDATE: I finally tried it! It’s so worth the hype, read more here. / Kreuzberg
Viet Next Door: This place is best known for their vegan sushi, which looks super intriguing and tasty. / Charlottenburg
Hackethal’s: This German restaurant has so many options, and it’s been high on my list for awhile. / Mitte
Mama Shabz: This restaurant has a lot of heart, and prides itself in their traditional Pakistani food. The samosas look so good, and I can’t wait to visit. / Kreuzberg
Didi Pa Berlin: Didi Pa serves highly rated West African food, and I’ve only tried food from East African countries so I’m excited to try some new African cuisine whenever I visit. / Kreuzkölln
Did I mention one of your favorites? If so, let me know. ♥