Berlin Food Walking Tour (Self Guided), Berlin
While Berlin may not be considered a typical foodie destination yet, recent years saw a growing number of decent places to eat, serving both German and international cuisine. At some point, the city has even earned itself the title of a vegetarian capital of the world, contrary to what one may have expected. Amid all this renaissance in creativity and culture, coupled with the influx of the multicultural youth, the food scene of Berlin has become diverse and surprisingly delicious.
This self-guided walk takes you to explore the area lovingly referred to by locals as Kreuzberg – replete with bars and cheap eateries, renowned for their tasty and affordable treats. No wonder it has proven to be a mecca for foodies constantly on the lookout for real hotspots, away from tourist traps.
You may have always heard that ‘currywurst’ is the Berlin specialty and it is, but the kebap in this area is something else entirely as well, so start your exploration by sampling both – at Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap and Curry 36, respectively. Nearby is one of Berlin’s best craft beer spots, with great outdoor and indoor seating areas.
Round the corner on Bergmannstrasse you can eat food from all over the world – from German and American to Mediterranean (Turkish, Greek), Mid-Eastern, Pan Asian (Indian, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Tibetan, Japanese), Colombian and other cuisines. Stop by ‘G wie Goulasch’ for some perfect goulash in a really big portions or the fresh Indochine-style meat and vegan dishes at the Umami X-berg restaurant. Then, round out your foodie journey with a trip to the strategically placed Marheineke Market so you can safely say you’ve tried a little bit of everything.
If you have an adventurous palate and are keen to try a wide range of delicious things, follow this self-guided walking tour to check out some of the best eating places around Berlin’s Kreuzberg neighborhood!
This self-guided walk takes you to explore the area lovingly referred to by locals as Kreuzberg – replete with bars and cheap eateries, renowned for their tasty and affordable treats. No wonder it has proven to be a mecca for foodies constantly on the lookout for real hotspots, away from tourist traps.
You may have always heard that ‘currywurst’ is the Berlin specialty and it is, but the kebap in this area is something else entirely as well, so start your exploration by sampling both – at Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap and Curry 36, respectively. Nearby is one of Berlin’s best craft beer spots, with great outdoor and indoor seating areas.
Round the corner on Bergmannstrasse you can eat food from all over the world – from German and American to Mediterranean (Turkish, Greek), Mid-Eastern, Pan Asian (Indian, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Tibetan, Japanese), Colombian and other cuisines. Stop by ‘G wie Goulasch’ for some perfect goulash in a really big portions or the fresh Indochine-style meat and vegan dishes at the Umami X-berg restaurant. Then, round out your foodie journey with a trip to the strategically placed Marheineke Market so you can safely say you’ve tried a little bit of everything.
If you have an adventurous palate and are keen to try a wide range of delicious things, follow this self-guided walking tour to check out some of the best eating places around Berlin’s Kreuzberg neighborhood!
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Berlin Food Walking Tour Map
Guide Name: Berlin Food Walking Tour
Guide Location: Germany » Berlin (See other walking tours in Berlin)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 8
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Author: clare
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Germany » Berlin (See other walking tours in Berlin)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 8
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Author: clare
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Mehringdamm Street
- Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap
- Curry 36
- Dolden Mädel Braugasthaus
- Bergmannstrasse / Bergmannkiez
- G wie Goulasch
- Umami X-Berg
- Marheineke Market
1) Mehringdamm Street
Mehringdamm Street has earned a place on the modern food map of Berlin if only for the legendary MUSTAFA'S kebab stall and CURRY 36 – the snack bar further down the street, reputedly serving some of the finest currywurst and fries. Fortunately, there's a wealth of other food options to discover here, starting with the small and cozy BANGKOK CITY – for fresh, authentic Thai food, or PHANTASIA, specialized in superb Vietnamese cuisine with countless veggie/vegan options.
Just off Mehringdamm, at the corner with Hagelberger Str., VANILLE & MARILLE (open from mid-March to mid-October) offers house-made ice cream with natural ingredients and a great choice of flavours (rotating vegan varieties include sorbet and also several soya milk-based flavors), while BELLE ALLIANCE next door offers complete late-night dinner, outdoor or indoor seating, and a very unique/creative international menu.
For some of the best coffee and (home-made) bagels in town, head straight to BAGEL, COFFEE & CULTURE, or if you'd rather have the seating positioned for people watching just like in French cafes, the BLINIS ESPRESSOLOUNGE is a really cool place to enjoy a weekend coffee or a lunch.
Just off Mehringdamm, at the corner with Hagelberger Str., VANILLE & MARILLE (open from mid-March to mid-October) offers house-made ice cream with natural ingredients and a great choice of flavours (rotating vegan varieties include sorbet and also several soya milk-based flavors), while BELLE ALLIANCE next door offers complete late-night dinner, outdoor or indoor seating, and a very unique/creative international menu.
For some of the best coffee and (home-made) bagels in town, head straight to BAGEL, COFFEE & CULTURE, or if you'd rather have the seating positioned for people watching just like in French cafes, the BLINIS ESPRESSOLOUNGE is a really cool place to enjoy a weekend coffee or a lunch.
2) Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap
Needless to say that today no visit to Berlin is complete without a bite of the ubiquitous döner kebab, a pita-based delight invented within the local Turkish diaspora. And when it comes to having the best of döners, Mustafa’s twist on the traditional kebab with crispy grilled chicken from a skewer, a little soy sauce, roasted vegetables, cheese on salad and three sauces to choose from (greens, garlic, spicy) is one of the safest bets. Worry not if you're a vegetarian – their veggie version is just as incredible, featuring the freshest ingredients and hard-to-decipher secret sauce to die for!
Be ready to queue up for a bit, though, as the place is perpetually busy, but you will find the wait all well justified. Also adding to the hype recently has been the unusual collaboration between Mustafa’s and the Italian denim brand Diesel promoting their new collection of apparel with Diesel’s and Mustafa’s logos on right in front of the kiosk (captured in a video commercial) much to the surprise of the international fashion industry, thus wittingly (or unwittingly, perhaps) enhancing the cult surrounding this iconic kebab joint.
Tip:
If faced with an overlong queue, try the Rüyam Gemüse in the neighboring Schöneberg district, trumpeted as the next best döner place in Berlin (seating area available).
Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed: 10am–2am; Thu: 3:30pm–2am; Fri: 10am–5am; Sat: 11am–5am; Sun: 11am–2am
Be ready to queue up for a bit, though, as the place is perpetually busy, but you will find the wait all well justified. Also adding to the hype recently has been the unusual collaboration between Mustafa’s and the Italian denim brand Diesel promoting their new collection of apparel with Diesel’s and Mustafa’s logos on right in front of the kiosk (captured in a video commercial) much to the surprise of the international fashion industry, thus wittingly (or unwittingly, perhaps) enhancing the cult surrounding this iconic kebab joint.
Tip:
If faced with an overlong queue, try the Rüyam Gemüse in the neighboring Schöneberg district, trumpeted as the next best döner place in Berlin (seating area available).
Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed: 10am–2am; Thu: 3:30pm–2am; Fri: 10am–5am; Sat: 11am–5am; Sun: 11am–2am
3) Curry 36
Feels a bit like you have to come here as a tourist, as over the years this place has introduced many first-timers in Berlin to the currywurst culture (yes, indeed, that includes several international celebrities like Tom Hanks). Still, and most importantly so perhaps, is the reputation Curry 36 enjoys with the local taxi drivers who know a good curry sausage when they see one! These and other night owls visit the place regularly to fortify themselves during long late hours, pausing for a quiet, savoring bite. So, whenever you fancy a decent Berlin-made sausage yourself, just follow their suit!
Service is generally friendly but there's no time to think at the window, so get your order straight in your head while you wait in line (even with big queues, the wait time is not too long). Surprisingly, it is actually possible to enjoy three currywurst versions at this chain: classic, organic (smoother, without casing), or even a completely vegan one. With the general consensus being that they're all equally tasty, there is no excuse for not sharing a version of this Berlin classic.
Tip:
Let them know early if you're not a fan of mayo!
Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am–5am
Service is generally friendly but there's no time to think at the window, so get your order straight in your head while you wait in line (even with big queues, the wait time is not too long). Surprisingly, it is actually possible to enjoy three currywurst versions at this chain: classic, organic (smoother, without casing), or even a completely vegan one. With the general consensus being that they're all equally tasty, there is no excuse for not sharing a version of this Berlin classic.
Tip:
Let them know early if you're not a fan of mayo!
Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am–5am
4) Dolden Mädel Braugasthaus
A great rustic-looking pub with an interesting industrial decorative scheme, including a cool island-style serving bar and plenty of seating options spread throughout (truly some of the best outside/inside seating in Berlin!), Dolden Mädel has a fun, open and bright ambiance – a great place to visit and chat.
It helps that the beer selection is fantastic – with at least 20 craft options on tap (IPAs, Porters, Doppelbocks, and Stouts), plus 80 more on the menu – and the food is great: delicious steaks and burgers (some vegetarian), and a nice selection of German dishes. If you're more thirsty than hungry, get the beer tasting tray (for a good price!) and just chill out in comfort while taking in a wonderful atmosphere.
Tip:
Booking a table is probably advisable.
Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11:30am–12:30am; Fri, Sat: 11:30am–1:30am
It helps that the beer selection is fantastic – with at least 20 craft options on tap (IPAs, Porters, Doppelbocks, and Stouts), plus 80 more on the menu – and the food is great: delicious steaks and burgers (some vegetarian), and a nice selection of German dishes. If you're more thirsty than hungry, get the beer tasting tray (for a good price!) and just chill out in comfort while taking in a wonderful atmosphere.
Tip:
Booking a table is probably advisable.
Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11:30am–12:30am; Fri, Sat: 11:30am–1:30am
5) Bergmannstrasse / Bergmannkiez
A long thoroughfare spanning several blocks chock full of bars, wine shops, cafes, restaurants and fast food joints, Bergmannstrasse bewilders passers-by and spoils connoisseurs with the richness of choice embracing German, Italian, Turkish, Vietnamese, American and many other national cuisines.
The area between Bergmannstrasse and Gneisenaustrasse, a cute tree-lined street running parallel in the north, is by far one of the hippest in Berlin packed with cafes, international restaurants and cozy bars (situated around Gneisenaustraße U-Bahn station, in particular) serving American, German, Mediterranean (Turkish, Greek), Mid Eastern, Pan Asian (Indian, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Tibetan, Japanese), Colombian and other cuisines.
Unlike other parts of Kreuzberg (such as Oranienstrasse, drawing tourists and hipsters with cheap eats), the true foodies flock to Bergmannkiez [kiez = neighborhood] allured by its tasty and affordable restaurants: Felix Austria, Fratelli La Bionda, Sarod's Thai, Molinari & Ko, Sushi Cube, Maselli Ristorante, and more. If you're a culinary adventurist, this place is definitely for you, ideal for parking yourself at a local bar or delicatessen and watching the crowd float by.
The area between Bergmannstrasse and Gneisenaustrasse, a cute tree-lined street running parallel in the north, is by far one of the hippest in Berlin packed with cafes, international restaurants and cozy bars (situated around Gneisenaustraße U-Bahn station, in particular) serving American, German, Mediterranean (Turkish, Greek), Mid Eastern, Pan Asian (Indian, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Tibetan, Japanese), Colombian and other cuisines.
Unlike other parts of Kreuzberg (such as Oranienstrasse, drawing tourists and hipsters with cheap eats), the true foodies flock to Bergmannkiez [kiez = neighborhood] allured by its tasty and affordable restaurants: Felix Austria, Fratelli La Bionda, Sarod's Thai, Molinari & Ko, Sushi Cube, Maselli Ristorante, and more. If you're a culinary adventurist, this place is definitely for you, ideal for parking yourself at a local bar or delicatessen and watching the crowd float by.
6) G wie Goulasch
This tiny restaurant located on a quiet corner of Chamissoplatz square (just one street off Bergmannstrasse, which packs most of the neighborhood's eateries) offers a completely different atmosphere, away from the buzz and the tourists. The menu is limited, with all dishes cooked the same day: one simple appetizer soup, one salad, several kinds of goulash (one of them vegetarian), a cheese plate and a dessert... Admittedly, it would be difficult to offer more from the minuscule kitchen!
This is decidedly a one-man-show: the very welcoming owner is the host, chef, bartender, and dishwasher! Although very simple, let is be said that the food is well-prepared, hearty, and genuine: a very succulent goulash with excellent knödel (dumplings). Seasonal vegetarian and gluten-free options are available on the menu, along with a good wine/beer selection.
As space is limited (around 20 seats), make a reservation to make sure you get a table or drop simply drop and try your luck as pre-booking is not required. The smells when you enter disclose how good the food will be!
Opening Hours:
Tue: 9am–5pm; Wed-Sun: 6–11pm
This is decidedly a one-man-show: the very welcoming owner is the host, chef, bartender, and dishwasher! Although very simple, let is be said that the food is well-prepared, hearty, and genuine: a very succulent goulash with excellent knödel (dumplings). Seasonal vegetarian and gluten-free options are available on the menu, along with a good wine/beer selection.
As space is limited (around 20 seats), make a reservation to make sure you get a table or drop simply drop and try your luck as pre-booking is not required. The smells when you enter disclose how good the food will be!
Opening Hours:
Tue: 9am–5pm; Wed-Sun: 6–11pm
7) Umami X-Berg
There are plenty of restaurants on Bergmannstrasse but the first thing that strikes and makes you stop is Umami's large pavement terrace with all the branded lampshades hanged under the canopy. Given it's one of Berlin's best-rated – hence, also, one of the busiest – Asian-style restaurants, you will be surprised by the quick, efficient and friendly service. They love what they're creating here, and the vibe, aesthetic, and quality of the food reflect that.
The menu has a good range of Indochine-style meat and vegetarian dishes, as well as a tasty selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The spotlight is on the Shaolin Bowl: perfectly cooked, wok-tossed seitan and tofu, marinated with tasty vegetables, served with jasmine rice, and best enjoyed with a pint of Tiger beer. Other favorites include the Angry Calamari (tender squid, sautéed veggies, and rice, all steaming hot in a clay pot), the salmon in a pot (more generically: the Fish Pot), the Pho Love (with either beef/chicken or meat substitutes), and a variety of scrumptious desserts such as sticky wild rice with mango and coconut.
Food portions are quite abundant and full of genuine ingredients; prices are more than fair, and the menu is very thoughtful: German on one side and English on the other, with a separate column for vegetarian options.
Tip:
Consider making a reservation if your craving hits, but even if you go at peak times with no reservation, don't let the queue get on your way, as the waiting time is shorter than expected. On a side note, with food coming so fast, this is probably not the best place for a long evening.
Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm–12am
The menu has a good range of Indochine-style meat and vegetarian dishes, as well as a tasty selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The spotlight is on the Shaolin Bowl: perfectly cooked, wok-tossed seitan and tofu, marinated with tasty vegetables, served with jasmine rice, and best enjoyed with a pint of Tiger beer. Other favorites include the Angry Calamari (tender squid, sautéed veggies, and rice, all steaming hot in a clay pot), the salmon in a pot (more generically: the Fish Pot), the Pho Love (with either beef/chicken or meat substitutes), and a variety of scrumptious desserts such as sticky wild rice with mango and coconut.
Food portions are quite abundant and full of genuine ingredients; prices are more than fair, and the menu is very thoughtful: German on one side and English on the other, with a separate column for vegetarian options.
Tip:
Consider making a reservation if your craving hits, but even if you go at peak times with no reservation, don't let the queue get on your way, as the waiting time is shorter than expected. On a side note, with food coming so fast, this is probably not the best place for a long evening.
Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm–12am
8) Marheineke Market
Situated on the lively and idyllic Marheinekeplatz, this market hall is as much a landmark of Kreuzberg as the TV Tower is that of Alexanderplatz. It is relatively quiet during a week, not quite "touristy", catering mainly to the locals, seeing the most "action" on Saturday afternoons. There certainly may be some tourists here as well, but overall the authentic "gritty" vibe of the place suggests that it's not too much designated for out-of-towners, serving more like a community forum.
The vast (up to 3,000 m²) space is jam-packed with nearly 50 different shops (meat, vegetable, and fruit stalls, bakers, fishmongers and food booths) offering exclusively fresh organic products and delicacies from Germany and other parts of the world – China, Vietnam, France, Greece, Italy, Spain (stop at Lola for delicious tapas!), Switzerland, Arab countries, etc. – as well as an upstairs with only vegetarian stands. Whatever you're hungry for, you'll likely find it here at generally affordable prices.
Definitely worth a stop for anyone interested in putting their own Berlin foodie tour together!
Tip:
On weekends, there is usually an organic market and a flea market of sorts in the courtyard.
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm; Sat: 8am-6pm
The vast (up to 3,000 m²) space is jam-packed with nearly 50 different shops (meat, vegetable, and fruit stalls, bakers, fishmongers and food booths) offering exclusively fresh organic products and delicacies from Germany and other parts of the world – China, Vietnam, France, Greece, Italy, Spain (stop at Lola for delicious tapas!), Switzerland, Arab countries, etc. – as well as an upstairs with only vegetarian stands. Whatever you're hungry for, you'll likely find it here at generally affordable prices.
Definitely worth a stop for anyone interested in putting their own Berlin foodie tour together!
Tip:
On weekends, there is usually an organic market and a flea market of sorts in the courtyard.
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm; Sat: 8am-6pm
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