——A dual exploration journey of taste buds and culture
Berlin, a city full of historical charm and multiculturalism, is not only the political center of Germany, but also a paradise for European food lovers. In Berlin, whether you are a backpacker, a family tourist, or a couple looking for a romantic atmosphere, you can find the one that suits your appetite.
1.Curry 36 – Berlin Landmark for Currywurst
Restaurant History
Founded in the 1980s, Curry 36 is one of the most representative street sausage stands in Berlin and a symbol of Currywurst culture. The “36” in its name comes from the original postal code (Kreuzberg 36 District), and it has now become a popular landmark for tourists and locals to queue up to check in.
Food Features and Taste
Curry 36’s specialty is currywurst, which is usually sliced and served with a special curry ketchup and fragrant curry powder. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with a rich sauce. You can choose the original sausage with casing or the Berliner version without casing. It is more authentic when paired with crispy fries or Brötchen (German bread). The flavor is pure and it is a classic snack that you must try when you come to Berlin.
Restaurant Location and Transportation
Address: Mehringdamm 36, 10961 Berlin
It is adjacent to Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap, located in the Kreuzberg district, and is just outside the U6/U7 Mehringdamm subway station.
Cost and Budget
The price is affordable, with each serving of currywurst costing about €3.50–€5.50, and the accompanying meal usually does not exceed €8. It is a great value for street food.
Recommended for all first-time visitors to Berlin, street food explorers, time-constrained travelers, and families who want to experience traditional German snacks.
Booking platform recommendation
As a street fast food stall, Curry 36 does not accept reservations, but you can use the following platforms for navigation and time planning:
Google Maps (navigation and peak traffic prediction)
TripAdvisor (tourist reviews and food illustrations)
Instagram #Curry36 (real-time check-in style and crowd)
Berlin Food Stories (local food guide recommendation)
2. Zur Letzten Instanz – One of the oldest restaurants in Berlin
Restaurant history
Zur Letzten Instanz is one of the oldest restaurants in Berlin, dating back to 1621. As a tavern that has stood for hundreds of years, it has hosted historical figures such as Napoleon and Heinrich Heine. The name of the restaurant means “the last lawsuit”. Legend has it that a lawyer had a drink here after a lawsuit, hence the name.
Food Features and Taste
This restaurant features authentic Prussian and Bavarian traditional German dishes, including roast pork knee (Eisbein), red cabbage, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut grilled sausages and beer stewed beef. Each dish is prepared in a traditional way, rich and rich, with delicious sauces, making it a paradise for food lovers who love authentic German cuisine.
Restaurant Location and Transportation
Address: Waisenstraße 14-16, 10179 Berlin
Close to Alexanderplatz and Nikolaiviertel, about a 5-minute walk from the U2 Märkisches Museum subway station.
Cost and Budget
The main course costs about €18–€28, the set menu costs about €35–€50, and drinks are not included. Suitable for travelers with a mid- to high-budget budget to experience the authentic German historical style.
Recommended Crowd
Suitable for romantic dinners for couples, tourists interested in historical and cultural restaurants, family gatherings or business dinners.
Recommended booking platform
Zur Letzten Instanz supports online booking, and it is recommended to book in advance, especially during holidays and weekends:
Official booking page: www.zurletzteninstanz.de (supports German and English)
OpenTable (convenient for foreign tourists)
TheFork (LaFourchette) (some discount package information)
TripAdvisor (booking + viewing popular reviews)
Google Maps (can call directly or jump to the booking website)
3. Neni Berlin – a world-style restaurant overlooking the city
Restaurant history
Neni Berlin is located in Berlin’s most design-conscious 25hours Hotel. It is an international restaurant founded by the famous chef Haya Molcho. The restaurant’s name “NENI” is a combination of the initials of her four sons’ names. The concept is family-style shared cuisine, combining Israeli, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, injecting a warm and exotic atmosphere into Berlin’s dining.
Food Features and Taste
Neni Berlin’s most representative dishes are Israeli grilled chicken rolls, spice-roasted eggplant with sesame sauce, and lamb meatballs with yogurt and mint. Most of the dishes are based on spices, and they are delicious and suitable for diners who like to explore exotic flavors. Paired with their homemade lemon mint drink or selected German white wine, it adds a layer of depth.
Restaurant Location and Transportation
Address: Budapester Str. 40, 10787 Berlin
Located on the top floor of the Bikini Berlin shopping mall next to the zoo, it overlooks the Tiergarten Park and Berlin Zoo, and is about a 5-minute walk from the U-Bahn Zoologischer Garten station.
Cost and Budget
The average price per person is about €30–€45 (including appetizers + main courses + drinks), which is above average in terms of cost performance among high-end restaurants.
Recommended Crowd
Suitable for couples, tourists who like Mediterranean/Middle Eastern flavors, and young people who want to take photos and check in on the sun terrace.
Recommended booking platform
OpenTable (supports seat selection, English interface, suitable for international tourists)
Quandoo (German local booking platform, sometimes you can get a discounted menu)
Official platform: www.25hours-hotels.com
4. Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap – Berlin’s most popular street kebab stall
Restaurant history
Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap is one of the most popular street food stalls in Berlin. Since its opening in 2006, it has quickly become popular locally and on social media. It upgrades the traditional Turkish Döner Kebab to a creative grilled meat sandwich in the style of mixed grilled vegetables, becoming one of the representatives of Berlin snacks.
Food features and taste
The signature vegetable kebab combines juicy grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, diced potatoes, sesame sauce and special spice sauce. The skin is crispy, the inside is tender and rich, and the layers are distinct. It is a model of Berlin street snacks. Although the waiting time is long, you will feel that everything is worth it after taking the first bite.
Restaurant location and transportation
Address: Mehringdamm 32, 10961 Berlin
Located in the Kreuzberg district, close to the U6/U7 subway line Mehringdamm station, there is a long queue as soon as you exit the station.
Expense and budget
Each Döner is about €4.90–€6.50, suitable for travelers with limited budgets or tourists who want to solve a meal quickly.
Recommended groups
Young backpackers, street food lovers, foreign tourists who want to try the “authentic taste of Berlin”.
Reservation platform recommendation
This is a street stall and does not accept advance reservations, but you can follow the following platforms to get business hours and peak hours suggestions:
Google Maps (check the real-time queue situation and business hours)
TripAdvisor (check reviews and take photos and check-in suggestions)
Yelp Berlin (mainly local user reviews)
5. Tips for dining in Berlin
Book popular restaurants in advance
In Berlin, many well-known restaurants, especially Michelin restaurants and unique local restaurants, are almost “hard to get a seat” during peak dining hours. Even street food stalls such as Curry 36 and Mustafa’s sometimes require more than half an hour of queuing. Therefore, it is recommended to make reservations in advance on platforms such as OpenTable, TheFork, Quandoo, etc. to avoid long waits or disappointment. Especially on holidays or weekends, the reservation systems of these platforms will be very busy, so try to confirm the table a few days in advance.
Carry cash
Although most mid- to high-end restaurants accept credit cards or electronic payments, there are still many traditional restaurants and food stalls that only accept cash. Be sure to carry a proper amount of euro cash with you in case of emergency, especially in small artistic neighborhoods such as Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg. In these places, many family-style restaurants and food stalls still maintain traditional payment methods. Therefore, remember to prepare cash in advance to avoid payment troubles.
Dietary taboos
Berlin is a very international city, so restaurant menus usually provide English translations. However, for tourists with special dietary needs, such as vegetarians or allergies, it is best to inform the waiter in advance. For example, some restaurants will provide customized dishes for vegetarians or vegans. In Berlin, many restaurants will also indicate ingredients containing common allergens, such as nuts, dairy products, etc. Therefore, if you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, be sure to inform in advance to ensure the safety of the food.
Learn about local specialties
Berlin is not only a representative of a modern city, but also has a deep historical and cultural heritage. The dishes in restaurants usually combine traditional German flavors with local characteristics. For example, the classic Berlin pork knee (Eisbein) and Berlin-style sauerkraut are not to be missed. In addition, Berlin’s Currywurst is a star among street snacks. Paired with a bottle of local beer, it is an authentic experience to taste it at a local street stall.