Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [102]
Foodorama (Map; 6900 1100; Bergmann-strasse 94; mains €5-14; 9am-11pm) What looks like a postmodern school cafeteria is actually Germany’s first certified carbon-neutral restaurant. Pop by for organic spins on local faves such as Currywurst and potato salad or travel the globe via yakitori and Viennese schnitzel. Quality is uneven but your conscience will be clear.
Henne (Map; 614 7730; Leuschnerdamm 25; half chicken €7.50; dinner Tue-Sun) At this Berlin institution the name is the menu: roast chicken it is, take it or leave it. It’s a concept that’s been a cult for over a century, so who are we to argue? Eat in the garden or the original interior from 1907. Reservations highly advised.
Cafe Jacques (Map; 694 1048; Maybachufer 8; mains €7.50-15; dinner) Fresh flowers, flattering candlelight, delicious wine – this intimate cafe might just be the perfect date spot. But, frankly, you only have to be in love with good food to enjoy supper choices rooted in French or North African cuisine. Make reservations or hope for a no-show.
Spindler & Klatt (Map; 319 881 860; Köpenicker Strasse 16-17; mains €14-22; dinner, closed Mon & Tue Nov-Apr) Summers on the riverside terrace are magical in this Prussian bread factory turned trendy nosh and party spot. Sit at a long table or loll on a platform bed while tucking into creative fusion fare. Turns into a dance club on Friday and Saturday nights.
Horváth (Map; 6128 9992; Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44a; mains €20-28, 3-/4-course menu €37/45; dinner Tue-Sun) At this jewel on ‘bistro row’ along Landwehr canal, Wolfgang Müller translates influences from Asia, Germany and the Mediterranean into something uniquely his own. Foie gras with scallops and orange-vanilla leeks is a typical outcome.
Hartmanns (Map; 6120 1003; Fichtestrasse 31; 3-/4-/5-/6-course menu €42/49/56/64; dinner Mon-Sat) Culinary wunderkind Stefan Hartmann became Berlin’s Chef of the Year in 2008, a mere year after opening this romantic basement restaurant where he regales patrons with innovative French-Mediterranean cuisine.
We also like these:
Curry 36 (Map; 251 7368; Mehringdamm 36; snacks €2-6; 9am-4am Mon-Sat, 11am-3am Sun) One of the town’s top Currywurst purveyors.
Il Casolare (Map; 6950 6610; Grimmstrasse 30; pizzas €4.50-7.50; noon-midnight) Dynamite pizzas – thin, crispy, cheap and wagon-wheel-sized.
Hasir (Map; 614 2373; Adalbertstrasse 10; mains €5-10; 24hr) Turkish food from the place that invented the Berlin-style doner kebab.
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Friedrichshain
Meyman (Map; 0163-806 1363; Krossener Strasse 11a; dishes €3.50-5; noon-2am) Popular with bar crawlers, this Friedrichshain nosh spot hopscotches around the Mediterranean with pizza, pasta, shwarma, Moroccan casseroles and other balance-restoring munchies.
Schwarzer Hahn (Map; 2197 0371; Seumestrasse 23; mains €6-12; 10am-10pm Mon-Sat) The small menu at this personable slow-food bistro is stocked with oldies but goodies updated for the 21st century. Service is impeccable and the friendly owner knows a thing or two about wine.
Miseria & Nobiltà (Map; 2904 9249; Kopernikusstrasse 16; mains €12-22; dinner Tue-Sun) When Eduardo Scarpetti penned the comedy Poverty and Nobility in 1888, he didn’t know that it would inspire the name of this popular family-run trattoria. You’ll definitely feel more king than pauper here when digging into the deftly prepared southern Italian compositions.
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Charlottenburg
Ali Baba (Map; 881 1350; Bleibtreustrasse 45; pizza €3-7; 11.30am-3am) At this been-there-forever hole-in-the-wall pizza parlour the pies are cheap and piping hot and smiles are free. Popular with party people and posh Charlottenburgers in the mood to go slumming.
Schwarzes Cafe (Map; 313 8038; Kantstrasse 148; dishes €4.50-10; 24hr)