Berlin's Best Local and Traditional Restaurants

Proper German cookingMissing some proper German cooking in Berlin? In the middle of some of the best shopping streets is Lebensmittel in Mitte. An old grocery store with worn wooden tables and benches, there is proper, trend-free Southern German food with beer, schnapps and wine. Lunch is great, with specials on the black board. Go for a puffy crusted Wienerschnitzel with mustardy potato salad, browned Spätzle-pasta with plenty of cheese and a meaty Schweinebraten with Knödel, sauerkraut and gravy. Order big mugs of beer, a few shots and have a chat with the slightly grumpy staff. G’suffa!

Small plates with a big heartBarra is my neighbourhood in Berlin and I am very thankful for this. It’s a gem of restaurant that changes their menu based on season. The experience is always consistent, delicious and fun for two or a small group. The wine menu is also well curated to round out your meal.

Contemporary northeastern German casual dining in Berlin. Berlin is a very international city, so you will find all kinds of delicious food from around the world but in this German restaurant, you get the flavors and dishes of the region, with a contemporary touch. Loved the schnitzel, the pickles, bread butter and charcuterie for breakfast and the bratwurst.

POTS offers a modern twist on German cuisine and reimagine traditional flavors.POTS, located at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is a culinary hotspot known for its innovative take on German cuisine. Led by Chef Christopher Kujanski, the restaurant aims to showcase the versatility and modernity of German food. The stylish interior features an open kitchen, providing guests with a glimpse into the culinary process. The menu at POTS offers a unique twist on traditional German dishes, with Chef Kujanski's eclectic and creative interpretations taking center stage. From a delightful saibling (char) with a twist on potato salad to an anglerfish dish featuring an explosion of tomato flavors, each course surprises and delights. The main course highlights the finest Müritz lamb, accompanied by velvety artichoke puree and a smoky paprika sausage-infused jus. The meal concludes with a playful dessert: a creamy rice mousse with apple and celery variations, accompanied by a refreshing sorbet and a celery vinaigrette. POTS delivers a memorable dining experience that beautifully blends tradition with innovation, showcasing the best of German cuisine in a modern and exciting way.

Open Fire Cooking at it’s best. Allergy friendly. Set menu and optional wine or non alc pairingRun by Tobi Beck (ex-ernst) and his right-hand Hatim Zubair (ex - fäviken), ember offers a set menu influenced by the seasons and produce availability. So far they change their location every 2-3 months to discover the most beautiful hidden spots throughout Berlin. This really creates a vibe you’ll never forget.

Feels like dining in a time machineDiener Tattersall is one of Berlin‘s most original institutions. A place where you feel like being stuck in a time machine - in a positive way. You enter to get lost in its old-world charm that is still very much alive in this pretty, leafy corner of Charlottenburg in West Berlin‘s city center. Since 1893, the premises of Diener Tattersall, originally the casino of a riding school, have been used as a location for social chats and toasts. The building survived WWII and was taken over by Franz Diener in the 1950s. It became one of the favourite pubs for artists, actors, and bohemians, with lots of famous regular customers - a tradition that continues until today. A picture gallery with portraits of Berlin artists plasters the walls and is constantly being added to. Food is simple, down-to-earth Berlin home cooking fare, in German: „Hausmannskost“. Such as lentil stew, sausages with sauerkraut, fried herring with steamed potatoes, eggs in mustard sauce with mashed potatoes, Königsberger Klopse (meatballs) with caper sauce. If you‘re just here for the atmosphere, order a portion of „Gürkchen“ (pickled gherkins) with your local beer or white wine spritzer.

For those who know.Hands down, this is Berlin‘s top Currywurst place. For more than 30 years, it‘s been feeding locals and workers at the Northern underground station Gesundbrunnen with an outstanding Currywurst. The sausages come from proprietor Reina Lehmann’s own butchery who also invented an outstanding (secret) sauce: fruity, fresh, full of tomato aroma and not too heavy. Fries are always super crispy. Order the „extra scharf mit Zwiebeln“ (spicy onions) option and add some extra spice to make it a Currywurst experience you‘ll want to repeat over and over again.