Best German Restaurants In Berlin
Last Updated on January 16, 2026
Berlin’s culinary scene is an exciting mix of tradition and innovation, and nowhere is this more evident than in its German restaurants. Whether you’re craving hearty classics or modern interpretations of regional dishes, the city offers exceptional options for experiencing authentic German cuisine.
Get ready to sink your teeth into hearty schnitzels and comforting sauerbraten, because we’re highlighting the best spots in Berlin to savor authentic German fare. Whether you’re a local yearning for familiar flavors or a visitor eager to experience the city’s rich culinary heritage, these restaurants promise a delightful adventure for your palate.
Here are some of the best German restaurants in Berlin where you can savor the flavors of Deutschland.
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German Food 101
First, let’s just say creating a German food guide is a bit ridiculous because, by default, most food in Germany is German. (Obviously!) With that said, Berlin is a very international city, and at times, it can be tricky to find a great German restaurant, especially if you are new to the city.
When it comes to German food, most people think of classic, hearty fare. Germany is home to a huge range of cuisines, with many different regional favorites. For the sake of this guide, we’ll stick to the comfort food classics: food that emphasizes a home-cooked approach and quality ingredients.
It’s also good to note that while German food is typically meat-based, Berlin is extremely friendly for vegans and vegetarians. Many of these establishments cater to vegans, although not all of them, so check ahead! Check out our vegan food guide here.
Hearty Mains
- Schnitzel: breaded, pan-fried cutlets, usually pork or veal. This is perhaps the most famous dish, although technically it’s Austrian!
- Bratwurst and other sausages are staples, often served with sauerkraut and mustard.
- Königsberger Klopse: a traditional East Prussian dish of veal meatballs in a creamy white sauce. Named after Königsberg, which is now Kaliningrad, Russia.
- Sauerbraten is a pot roast marinated in vinegar and spices, creating a tangy, tender meat dish.
Sides and Staples
- Spätzle: soft egg noodles, often served with cheese. It’s Germany’s version of mac’n’cheese.
- Spargel: white asparagus, which is only available for a short time in the spring.
- Kartoffelsalat: potato salad. This comes in a wide range of varieties, with either vinegar or mayonnaise dressings.
- Rotkohl: braised red cabbage that will add color and tang to plates.
Street Food and Snacks
- Currywurst: Sliced sausage with curry ketchup. A Berlin invention and beloved fast food (especially late at night).
- Brezeln: Pretzels. They are ubiquitous, with their distinctive shape and salty crust. (They are not served with mustard here, like in the USA.)
Sweets
- Black Forest cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte): a multi-layered chocolate cake with cherries and cream.
- Kaiserscharmm: mini-pancakes, served as dessert.
- Spaghetti Eis: vanilla ice cream made to look like spaghetti, served with strawberry sauce
Best German Restaurants in Berlin
High-End German Restaurants in Berlin
Borchardt
Borchardt is a perennial favorite among Berlin’s cultural elite, known for combining elegant French brasserie style with German and European dishes. Their Wiener schnitzel is considered one of the city’s best, and the sophisticated ambiance makes it ideal for both business dinners and leisurely meals. The Art Nouveau interior and people-watching opportunities add to the appeal. (It’s a celeb hotspot, especially during the Biennale!)
Katz Orange
The beautiful Katz Orange occupies a beautifully restored brewery, tucked at the end of a picturesque courtyard in Mitte. It offers a contemporary take on German and regional European cuisine combined with an emphasis on sustainability and farm-to-table practices. The seasonal menu highlights quality ingredients, and dishes like their slow-roasted pork are beautifully executed. During the summer months, the romantic courtyard setting adds to the charm.
Nobelhart & Schmutzig
Nobelhart und Schmutzig is a Berlin restaurant that has been praised for its focus on locally sourced ingredients and minimalist cuisine. Helmed by chef Micha Schäfer, the restaurant’s menu features dishes that showcase the best of German produce, often paired with lesser-known herbs and spices.
The industrial-chic space is also home to an extensive wine list featuring natural and biodynamic wines. If you’re looking for a dining experience that’s both unique and sustainable, Nobelhart und Schmutzig is a must-visit. Be sure to book well in advance, as this popular restaurant tends to fill up quickly.
Traditional German Restaurants in Berlin
Zur Letzten Instanz
Berlin’s oldest restaurant, Zur Letzten Instanz (The Last Resort) dates back to 1621. The building was severely damaged during World War II but it reopened in 1963 after extensive reconstruction. The name supposedly comes from a disagreement between two local farmers.
Located in the charming Nikolaiviertel district, this cozy establishment serves traditional Berlin fare in a rustic setting with wooden beams and vintage décor. The menu features classics like Eisbein (pork knuckle), cabbage rolls, Königsberger Klopse (meatballs in caper sauce), and crispy schnitzel. The portions are generous, the atmosphere is welcoming, and dining here feels like stepping back in time.
Ständige Vertretung
Ständige Vertretung is a Berlin institution located along the River Spree, that brings authentic Rhineland cuisine to the capital. It’s casual and lively, and decorated with photographs that pay homage to its historic significance during the Cold War era.
The menu features traditional dishes like Kasseler Braten, Himmel un Ääd (black pudding with mashed potatoes and apple compote), and Flammkuchen (flatbread), all served in generous portions with reasonable pricing. The restaurant is known for serving fresh Kölsch beer on tap and offers lovely outdoor seating on the Rheinterrasse with scenic river views, creating a lively, beer garden atmosphere which attracts both locals and visitors.
Tip: They also have a smaller location at the airport, so if you miss out in the city, you can catch it before hopping your flight home.
Wirtshaus Max und Moritz
Named after the mischievous characters from Wilhelm Busch’s classic German picture book, Max und Moritz in Kreuzberg has been serving Berlin comfort food since 1902. The restaurant preserves its stunning late 19th-century Art Nouveau interior with original tiles, wrought ironwork, and a wall relief depicting the mischievous characters.
The menu focuses on hearty traditional Berlin cuisine and home cooking, featuring everything from “Widow Bolte’s Soup Pot” and Königsberger Klopse to substantial “Old Berlin Specialties” like Eisbein, Coachman’s Goulash, and generous butcher’s platters, all washed down with freshly tapped beers including the local Kreuzberger Molle.
Alt-Berliner Gasthaus Julchen Hoppe
Alt-Berliner Gasthaus Julchen Hoppe sits at the historic Schlossbrücke in the Nikolaiviertel, offering a charming old-Berlin atmosphere with traditional dark wood features and beautiful decor. During the summer months, you’ll want a seat on their sprawling terrace, which boasts stunning views of the Berliner Dom, Fernsehturm, and the rebuilt city palace across the Spree.
The restaurant specializes in authentic Berlin and German home cooking, serving traditional dishes like Schweinshaxe (crispy pork knuckle), Berlin-style veal liver, and unique offerings such as hearty potato fritters topped with tomato, cheese, and a fried egg. For dessert, this is one of the rare restaurants where you can try the increasingly rare “Berliner Luft” dessert: a light lemon cream traditionally served with raspberry sauce. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the restaurant features live music with hits, evergreens, and Schlager from across the decades, creating a cozy, rustic ambiance.
Wilhelm Hoeck 1892
Located near the Deutsche Oper, Wilhelm Hoeck 1892 is one of Charlottenburg’s oldest pub-restaurants. The original wood-paneled bar room with mirrors transports visitors back to the era of artist Heinrich Zille and still serves fresh draft beer from the tap.
Foodwise, the restaurant stands out with “Berliner Happen”: a German version of tapas featuring mini portions of classic dishes from mini-Eisbein to vegan lentil salad. It’s perfect for those who want to sample multiple items. But of course, you can also choose from traditional dishes like pork knuckle, flammkuchen, and seasonal specialties.
Fact: Tom Hanks and Bud Spencer have both dined here.
Joseph-Roth-Diele
Joseph-Roth-Diele is a cozy German brasserie with a literary past. Named after the Austrian Jewish writer Joseph Roth, who once lived nearby, the restaurant has maintained its authentic charm since its opening in 2002.
The interior design features carefully curated flea market finds and took half a year to complete, creating an early 20th-century Parisian brasserie ambiance. The menu offers classic German comfort food: Wiener schnitzel, käsespätzle, and speck (ham), along with tasty Berliner (donuts), cheesecakes, and good draft beer and wine. It’s all offered at reasonable prices, which keeps its diverse crowd of regulars, including writers, nearby gallery owners, and neighbors, coming back for more.
Brauhaus GEORGBRAEU
Located next to the Spree in picturesque Nikolaiviertel, Brauhaus GEORGBRAEU is a rustic brewery and restaurant serving classic German dishes, and fresh beer. The in-house brewery produces around 1,500 hectoliters of beer annually, with their exclusive mild light or dark GEORG-BRAEU which is avaible here only.
While the beer is the standout, they also serve hearty German and Berlin-style cuisine including homemade potato soup, crispy pork knuckle with sauerkraut, Eisbein, traditional Bouletten, and stuffed cabbage rolls made with locally sourced ingredients from the Berlin-Brandenburg region. They also offer brewery tours by request, which include their atmospheric Sudhaus room filled with copper brewing kettles.
Hackethal’s
Hackethal’s is a family-run establishment with over 25 years of history in Mitte. Operated by a father-son duo, they offer delicious food in a cozy, rustic pub atmosphere with genuinely friendly hospitality. (Sometimes a rare thing in these parts!)
The menu features a daily-changing selection of traditional German dishes showcased on a chalkboard, with standout items including slow-cooked venison in red wine sauce, classic goose leg with cabbage and potato dumplings, schnitzel with mushroom sauce, and homemade meatballs. Pair that all with house-brewed dark lager that perfectly complements the hearty fare, plus a delicious apple strudel for dessert, and you have a truly excellent meal. Just be aware that it’s a popular choice, so reservations are recommended.
Sophien 11
Nestled in historic Hackescher Markt, Sophien 11 offers traditional Berlin home cooking in a building dating back to 1750. The restaurant features a charming, ivy-covered courtyard with a fountain, where guests can dine surrounded by greenery, escaping the bustle of the city center.
The menu here focuses on hearty Berlin specialties like veal liver Berlin-style, crispy pork knuckle, goulash, and Königsberger Klopse, alongside seasonal dishes, all served in generous portions at reasonable prices. Reservations are recommended, but be aware that (like many small businesses in Berlin) payment is cash only.
Alt Berliner Wirtshaus Henne
Operating for over a century in Kreuzberg on Leuschnerdamm, Alt Berliner Wirtshaus Henne is a legendary Berlin institution known for one thing: the best fried chicken in Berlin. The chicken halves are served piping hot and without knives, making for a rustic and often messy dining experience.
The deliberately minimal menu keeps things simple: order the chicken (one per person, not for sharing), add sides of excellent potato salad or sauerkraut, and wash it down with quality German beers on tap. It’s an unpretentious, cozy experience that hasn’t changed in generations. Reservations recommended.
Obermaier
Just steps away from busy Kottbusser Damm stands the Obermaier: a charming hidden gem serving refined Alpine cuisine in a cozy beer garden setting surrounded by greenery.
The restaurant offers an unpretentious, neighborhood atmosphere where hearty German and Austrian classics like Wiener schnitzel, käsespätzle, goulash, and perfectly cooked pork and veal dishes are served alongside seasonal specials. While most German restaurants tend to lean more into wine, here you can select wines from small producers in South Tyrol, Rheinhessen, and Wachau, as well as craft beers from small Bavarian breweries and homemade lemonades.
Restaurant Nolle
Housed in a historic railway arch under the S-Bahn tracks near Friedrichstraße Station, Restaurant Nolle recreates the glamorous atmosphere of Berlin’s Golden Twenties. Its stunning Art Deco interior features marble, mirrors, leather furnishings, Art Deco paintings, and a six-meter-high ceiling.
The restaurant serves traditional German and Berlin cuisine, including Berlin-style meatballs with three different sauces, currywurst, Wiener schnitzel, Berliner (donuts), apple strudel, and apple pie. Yes, you will hear the rumble of trains passing overhead but it just adds to the lively experience.
Dicke Wirtin
Located on Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg, Dicke Wirtin (meaning “Fat Landlady”) has been a beloved Berlin institution for decades. The name was inspired by the original proprietor Anna Stanscheck, who was known for cooking hearty stews for artists, authors, actors, and students from the nearby University of Fine Arts. It attracts a diverse crowd to this day.
The decor is very grandma’s living room: filled with knick-knacks, old irons, and beer trinkets. It looks a bit kooky, but it works. Fortunately, the food is much more traditional: it’s Alt-Berliner cuisine, including housemade schnitzel, beef roulade, Königsberger Klopse, Berlin-style liver, and homemade Buletten (meatballs). You can also try rare specialties like Kalter Hund or cooked eel with herb sauce, alongside nine different beers on tap.
Zum Schusterjungen
Operating since the 1920s, Zum Schusterjungen is one of the few remaining authentic working-class pubs that survived the rise and fall of the wall as well as years of gentrification. The atmosphere here is suitably nostalgic: dimly-lit and complete with rustic wooden tables, candlelight, and vintage decor.
With the motto “Futtern wie beim Muttern” (eating like at mom’s), the menu features hearty German classics like beef goulash, Eisbein, schnitzel, Königsberger Klopse, and Sauerbraten, all served in generous portions at remarkably fair prices.
Tip: It’s cash-only, so be sure to plan ahead.
Fact: Anthony Bourdain visited here in the last Parts Unknown episode he filmed in Berlin. (Season 11, Episode 6)
Restaurant Schoenbrunn
Nestled into idyllic Volkspark Friedrichshain, Restaurant Schoenbrunn offers Austrian-Mediterranean cuisine in a mid-century style building. The restaurant features an indoor dining area, and sprawling terrace, as well as a spacious Bavarian-style beer garden, which is a great place to unwind during the summer months.
The restaurant is particularly known for its perfectly cooked Wiener schnitzel, käsespätzle, and tasty Kaiserschmarrn. However, they also offer wood-fired pizzas and seasonal dishes, as well as a popular weekend brunch menu, which features Austrian spreads to quirky Berlin-style breakfasts like mini boulettes and curry sausage.
Lebensmittel in Mitte
Housed in a former grocery store on Rochstraße in Mitte, Lebensmittel in Mitte is famous for its Southern German and Bavarian cuisine. The restaurant features rustic wooden tables and benches perched beneath antlers on the walls, while the menu focuses on daily changing lunch specials: hearty dishes like puffy-crusted Wiener schnitzel with mustardy potato salad, browned cheese Spätzle, and Schweinebraten with Knödel and sauerkraut, plus tasty Kaiserschmarrn for dessert.
Should you feel inspired to take a piece of the experience home, you’ll be in luck! The space retains its delicatessen roots with shelves stocked with artisanal German products like Black Forest honey, Thuringian mustard, and daily-delivered pretzels from Sporys bakery, while offering excellent South German and Austrian wines and authentic Bavarian beers.
Tip: This is definitely a better choice for lunch than dinner.
- Where: Rochstraße 2, 10178 Mitte | Map
Prater Gaststätte (Biergarten)
Tucked away located in a historic inner courtyard in Prenzlauer Berg, lies the ever-popular Prater. Originally established in 1837, it’s one part beer garden and one part restaurant, but we’re focusing on the restaurant in this review.
The restaurant offers a robust selection of classic German dishes, including Königsberger Klopse, Wiener schnitzel, and seasonal specialties like white asparagus (spargel) and roast goose. Of course, everything is complemented by their own Prater Pils and Schwarzbier, which is also available in the beer garden.
- Where: Kastanienallee 7-9, 10435 Prenzlauer Berg | Map
- Website
Zur Haxe
Zur Haxe brings authentic Bavarian cuisine and family-style hospitality to Prenzlauer Berg, complete with waitstaff dressed in traditional Bavarian costume.
As the name suggests, the speciality here is the Haxe: slow-cooked pork knuckle served to perfection with sauerkraut and crispy potatoes. You’re also welcome to try other classic Bavarian dishes like goulash, sausages, and seasonal specialties such as asparagus, all served in generous portions.
Tip: FYI, it’s cash only!
Modern German Restaurants in Berlin
Luna D’Oro
Located in the legendary Clärchens Ballhaus in Mitte, Luna d’Oro offers a look into Berlin’s past. Here they have transformed the lower ballroom into a filmset-worthy space with antique upholstered chairs, church pew-style benches, faded murals, and a glittering disco ball.
The menu was created under the direction of Executive Chef Tobias Beck (who trained at Noma) and features traditional German cuisine with modern twists. Here that means nostalgic classics like beef tartare Mett-Igel, veal liver with onions and mustard sauce, and Königsberger Klopse. For dessert, you can try their spin on childhood classics like Spaghetti Eis (vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce) and bright green woodruff jello with crème anglaise that evoke childhood memories.
Fact: Clarchens served as the filming location for Inglourious Bastards, serving as a Parisian café.
Trio
Trio brings Central European gastronomic traditions to life in a modern bistro-diner setting featuring dark red tables, wooden chairs, mint-green walls, and a large counter.
The menu has become known for elegant yet down-to-earth dishes like Königsberger Klopse, Hungarian Szeged goulash (both mushroom and game versions), Austrian Backhendl (fried chicken), and Southern German trout Müllerin. They also offer vegetarian options as well as a perfectly executed apple strudel, all made with carefully sourced quality ingredients.
The restaurant has quickly become a hotspot praised for its humble yet special approach that manages to be both comforting and impressive, with dishes like the pillowy meatballs in creamy caper sauce earning particular acclaim, paired with Slovenian wines, Brandenburg beer, or hazelnut liqueur.
Fact: The New York Times called it: “a stylish take on the German pub.”
Knödelwirtschaft
Dumplings might not be what you first think of when it comes to German food, but they’re extremely popular. Still, it’s rare to find a restaurant that focuses on them specifically. But here, at Knödelwirtschaft, you can satisfy any dumpling craving with options like bacon, cheese, mushroom, and vegan red cabbage dumplings, as well as liver dumpling soup or sweet semolina dumplings served with seasonal sides. A portion of the creamy mushroom sauce is highly recommended, ideally shared between two people. The dumplings are accompanied by generous servings of green salad, beetroot, and sauerkraut. Those craving traditional German cuisine should try the delicious goulash, served with two or three dumplings.
Tip: The Prenzlauer Berg location is considerably larger and features a spacious bar and a striking spiral staircase.
- Where: Fuldastraße 33, 12045 Neukölln | Map
- Where: Stargarder Straße 3, 10437 Prenzlauer Berg | Map
- Website
Michelberger Restaurant
Located in a converted 19th-century factory building in Friedrichshain, the Michelberger Hotel restaurant has been serving all-organic cuisine since 2014. While the restaurant caters breakfast to the hotel crowd, it’s also available for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday. The focus here is on seasonal and local dishes, primarly sourced from the hotel’s own Michelberger Farm in Spreewald.
The food and wine selection here is always on point, and after dinner you can make your way over to the hotel lobby/bar area to continue the festivities. During the summer, you can also sit outside and the whole hotel has a cool-kid vibrant ambiance that most other places on this list just can’t compete with.
Tip: This is another location that Anthony Bourdain visited in the last episode he filmed here.
Otto
Otto is a compact, intimate neighborhood restaurant that has become an institution of modern Berlin cuisine. In this small industrial space, Chef Vadim Otto Ursus serves contemporary German flavors sourced locally with a dedication to simplicity. Take a seat at the counter that overlooks the tiny open kitchen to watch chefs at work.
The restaurant offers a seasonal à la carte menu of smaller sharing plates, with ingredients sourced primarily from small organic farmers, producers, and hunters, plus produce grown in their own garden in Buchholz. The dishes have Nordic influences and a strong focus on fermentation techniques like their legendary koji butter. To pair, there’s also a carefully curated selection of natural and low-intervention wines.
Tip: Book your spot here well in advance.
Schnitzel Restaurants in Berlin
As any German will tell you, schnitzel is Austrian, not German. But with that said, Berlin is home to many fine schnitzel eateries. Schnitzel is also available at many of the restaurants above, but at these three places it’s the star.
Gasthaus AltWien
You’ll find an authentic taste of Austria at Prenzlauer Berg’s charming Bötzowviertel district. Gasthaus AltWien brings authentic imperial and royal Austrian cuisine to Berlin with its wood-paneled floors and walls, deer heads with antlers, rustic bar, and cozy seating areas reminiscent of Viennese coffeehouses.
The menu features classic dishes like Wiener schnitzel, Tafelspitz with roasted potatoes and creamed savoy cabbage, and roast pork with sauerkraut and bread dumplings, plus Kaiserschmarrn or apple strudel for dessert, all complemented by Austrian wines, beers, and lemonades.
Tip: Make sure to reserve your table in advance.
Restaurant Jolesch
Named after “Tante Jolesch,” a legendary figure from Friedrich Torberg’s book, Restaurant Jolesch has been serving authentic Austrian cuisine in Kreuzberg since 1992. This low-lit, wood-paneled dining room caters mostly to savvy locals seeking what has been called the “best Schnitzel in Berlin”: enormous golden discs of veal or pork schnitzel served with traditional sides like potato and cucumber salad. You can also opt for classic Austrian dishes like Tafelspitz and goulash, or even opt for Austrian-style vegan or vegetarian dishes. Don’t forget to order an excellent Austrian wine selection featuring Grüner Veltliner and Blaufränkisch, and finish things off with the fluffy Kaiserschmarrn.
Schnitzelei
With three locations across Berlin, Schnitzelei specializes in creative schnitzel variations alongside German tapas in a rustic atmosphere. The focus is on schnitzel, of course, offering everything from classic Wiener schnitzel and Bavarian-style pork to innovative options like vegan oyster mushroom schnitzel and fish schnitzel, all served in enormous portions with sides like flavorful fried potatoes or unique potato salad. All locations get quite busy, especially on the weekends, so reservations are recommended.
- Where: Chausseestr. 8 (Hinterhof) OR Novalisstraße 11, 10115 Mitte | Map
- Röntgenstraße 7b, 10587 Charlottenburg | Map
- Landauer Str. 8, 14197 Wilmersdorf | Map
- Website
Tips for Dining Out in Germany
When exploring Berlin’s German restaurant scene, keep a few things in mind.
- Cash: Many restaurants are cash only, so be sure to check ahead.
- Language: Many restaurants in central Berlin will have an English menu and often even English speaking staff.
- Reservations: During busy summer months, many places will be full so book ahead if there’s a place you really want to visit. However, some places don’t accept reservations at all, so go early or be prepared to wait. During off months, it gets a lot easier to walk in wherever you like.
- Tipping: Yes, tipping is the norm here. However, it’s usually about 10% or your bill rounded up.
- Ordering: In Germany, you typically order your drinks and food all at the same time.
- Asking for the bill: Unlike in North America, your bill won’t arrive unless you ask for it. This can be nice, since no one is rushing you to leave, but it’s good to be aware of if you’re in a hurry.
Best German Food in Berlin | Final Thoughts
Berlin’s German restaurants offer a tangible connection to the city’s history, traditions, and evolving culinary identity. Whether you’re drawn to centuries-old institutions or modern interpretations of classic dishes, you’ll find something to please on this list. (And if not, check out our other restaurant guides.) Good luck and guten Appetit!
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