Ilker's Blog

I listed my favorite food spots in Berlin and put them on a map.

Let me give you background for my taste. So you adjust your expectations.

Firstly, I am not a foodie. I am conservative when it comes to food. I’d prefer authentic dishes instead of “fusion food”. I usually like eating what I am already familiar with.

I am not a vegan or vegetarian, not a big meat lover too. I don’t have any food allergies so technically can eat anything on my plate. Disclaimer: I don’t eat outside much. When I eat, it is mostly in my neighborhood. Here are my favorites in Berlin so far:

Fast food

• Döner (original / Turkish): Hasır Döner at Kreuzberg. Only döner, tomato, and onion. No sauce. In a bread. It is the closest taste that you can find in Turkey.
• Gemüse Döner: K’Ups Gemusekebab in Kastainenalle. If there is long queue, check out Rüyam Gemüse kebab right across the street. Mustafa’s Gemüse is most famous among tourists but the queue does not worth it. I could eat only once there after waiting 1.5 hours on the queue. Never again.
• Wurst: Curry Baude in Gesundbrunnen. Try with their homemade tomato sauce. I also recommend Curry 36 in Mehringdamm next to Mustafa’s Gemuse. Fun fact: Curry 36 was supposed to be Berlin’s most famous fast food spot until döner came to Germany.
• Hamburger: Sisho Burger in Mitte.

German

• Overall German restaurant: Zum Schusterjungen in Prenzleurberg. I like overall atmosphere. Food is not very special. Their Apfelstrudel (Apple strudel) is amazing though.
• Schnitzel: Gasthaus Alt Wien in Prenzleurberg.
• Knödel: Knödelwirtschaft NORD in Prenzleurberg. Knodel is a boiled dumpling mix of dough and custom ingredients (e.g., spinach, bacon, mushroom)

Turkish

• Turkish homefood (stews): Mercan in Kreuzberg. They cook traditional home food (No, they don’t have doner or kebab). You should also try “Kavurma” in Imren Grill in Wedding but it is served only on Friday.
• Kebab: Agora Resturant in Mitte. I more like its atmosphere instead of food. It is perfect for groups. I don’t know what the best kebab in Berlin is.
• Cig köfte: Berlin Cig Kofte in Neukolln
• Simit: La Femme in Wedding.
• Börek: Sarajevo Borek in Berlin. Warning: they don’t serve tea.
• Corba (soup): Ugur Imbiss in Wedding. They have big four: Kelle paca, iskembe, mercimek (lentil), and tavuk (chicken) soup.
• Baklava: Sonmez Baklava in Kreuzberg. Try their “Tepsi Katmer” as well.
• Breakfast: Cafe Kiva Han in Mitte.
• Kumpir: Carik Kuruyemis in Kreuzberg

Italian

• Pizza: Gazzo in Kreuzberg
• Pasta: I can’t remember if I ever ate pasta outside.
• Tiramisu: The one from Rewe supermarket

Indian

• Overall Indian resturant: Zusshu Indian Cuisine in Schoneberg. There are special dishes from Hyderabad region. Spicy level is just perfect from my taste and it is definitely spicier than Europe level of spiciness. They have the best mango lassi I taste so far.

Iranian

• Overall Iranian resturant: Kultur Cafe Resturants Hafis in Messe Nord. Their stews and homemade ayran are very good. They have big portions.
• Khoresh (stews): Kultur Cafe Resturants Hafis in Messe Nord. My favorite is khoresh bademjan (eggplant stew).

Japanese

• Ramen: Limori Ramen in Mitte.
• Yakiniku (Japanese grill meat): Ushido in Prenzleurberg. Very pricey. I think their prime wagyu is too fatty. All other food are amazing.
• Sushi: Stick’n’Sushi in Mitte. My favorite is their house rolls. It is pricey. Hangi Sushi is very good option with cheaper prices and good taste.

Chinese

• Bao: Hanwest in Neukölln. Pork belly bao is my favorite. Sitting is limited and available only at outside.
• Dumplings: Hanwest in Neukölln again. Lemon-grass shiitake is my favorite.
• Nuddles: Wen Cheng in Prenzleur Berg

Others

• Bread: Gorilla Bakery in Neukölln
• Baguette: La Maison in Neukölln
• Cheesecake: Gorilla Bakery. They have only leman cheesecake
• Craft beer: Muted Horn in Neukölln

Locations

See the locations on the map