World City Guide

Restaurants

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

Only a small percentage of German restaurants accept credit cards and visitors should check before getting a table. Prices usually include 16% VAT. Normally, a tip between 5% and 10% is expected for good service.

The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or equivalent; they include VAT but not tip.

Gastronomic

Bamberger Reiter
Chef Christoph Fischer has taken over Bamberger Reiter – one of the city’s leading restaurants – from the famous Franz Raneburger, maintaining the high standards that diners were already accustomed to. He keeps up the tradition of using only the freshest and sometimes rare ingredients, to ensure an international touch to his German cuisine. The menu changes daily but often contains dove or rack of lamb. Decorated with attention to detail in a rustic, farmhouse style, the restaurant is located in Berlin’s Schöneberg district. There is a sister bistro next door (no credit cards in bistro). Closed Monday.

Regensburger Strasse 7, Schöneberg
Tel: (030) 218 4282. Fax: (030) 2147 4799.
E-mail: info@bamberger-reiter.de
Price: ¬35 (bistro) or ¬77 (restaurant). Wine: ¬30.

Harlekin
Named after a sculpture by Markus Lüpertz, the Harlekin is situated in the Grand Hotel Esplanade, in the Mitte district. The tables are gathered around this sculpture in a strict symmetrical pattern, adding a modern, Japanese feel. Chef Gerd Hammes is expected to win a first Michelin star in the near future, for his personal interpretations of classic international recipes. An extensive wine list and perfect service add to the Harlekin experience. The menu contains highly recommended fish dishes, such as turbot in potato coat on leek and mushroom ragout or venison fillet on lime sauce with broccoli and baby carrots. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Lützowufer 15, Mitte
Tel: (030) 254 780. Fax: (030) 265 1171.
E-mail: info@esplanade.de
Website: www.esplanade.de
Price: ¬65. Wine: ¬35.

Heising
Dining at Heising is like travelling back in time. Located in Charlottenburg, its Baroque theme with lush curtains, small white statues and traditional china offers an old-fashioned but friendly and high-class dining experience. Traditional dishes with a hint of French influence are served, such as the croustade of duck breast with orange butter sauce or the Loup de Mer on fennel. Open evenings from 1900. Closed Sunday.

Rankestrasse 32, Charlottenburg
Tel: (030) 213 3952.
Price: ¬45. Wine: ¬26.

VÂU
Created by one of Germany’s leading industrial designers, VÂU’s interior epitomises relaxed style, with huge pictures by modern artist Oliver Jordan, decorating the walls. This expensive and trendy restaurant is located in the Mitte district and serves excellent German fish and game dishes. Daring combinations include braised oxtail wrapped in truffle dough or turbot with veal sweet breads on shallots in red wine. Desserts could include wine tart with red wine ice cream. Reservations essential. Closed Sunday.

Jägerstrasse 54–55, Mitte
Tel: (030) 202 9730. Fax: (030) 202 97311.
E-mail: restaurant@vau-berlin.de
Website: www.vau-berlin.de
Price: ¬75 (four-course menu). Wine: ¬26.

Vivaldi
Situated in the impressive Regent Schlosshotel (see Hotels), which was recently refurbished under the direction of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, Vivaldi presents a luxurious setting for gourmet dining in the majestic grandeur of a castle-like building. Award-winning chef Paul Urchs interprets his cooking as quality, luxury, pleasure and zest for life. His scallops on asparagus vinaigrette with violet mustard, the lobster on lentil salad with balsamic vinegar or the venison medallions with celeriac purée and juniper sauce are indeed celebrations of vivacity.

Brahmsstrasse 6–10
Tel: (030) 8958 4520. Fax: (030) 8958 4800.
E-mail: info@ritz-carlton.com
Website: www.ritz-carlton.com
Price: ¬70. Wine: ¬30.

Business

Alt-Luxemburg
This popular restaurant in Charlottenburg radiates a luxurious yet conservative ambience and is tastefully furnished with antiques. The attentive service enhances its intimate setting. Chef Karl Wannemacher’s nouvelle German dishes profit from a hint of intriguing East Asian influence, like his sublime lobster lasagne or monkfish with a saffron sauce.

Windscheidstrasse 31, Charlottenburg
Tel: (030) 323 8730. Fax: (030) 327 4003.
Price: ¬65. Wine: ¬26.

Ana e Bruno
Situated in Berlin’s Westend, this Berlin classic serves up consistently high-quality Italian food in a rustic setting, elegantly tarted up to suit the rather posh clientele. Although classy and expensive, the atmosphere is still warm and homely, thanks to the hospitality of the owners, Bruno and his wife, Ana. The chef values a healthy, low-calorie interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine, such as grilled salmon in lime sauce, and prefers fresh vegetables and salads to hearty pastas and oily antipasti.

Sophie-Charlotten-Strasse 101
Tel: (030) 325 7110. Fax: (030) 322 6895.
Price: ¬60. Wine: ¬25.

Dachgartenrestaurant
This is probably the most coveted restaurant of the city, as it is located inside the new futuristic parliament building. From within the Reichstag’s glass dome, Dachgartenrestaurant Kafer offers an amazing view over the heads of the debating ministers to the zoo and the historic Brandenburg Gate. The menu offers healthy yet traditional cuisine, such as light fish and delicious venison options. Booking is essential, especially in the evening.

Platz der Republik
Tel: (030) 2262 9933.
Price: ¬45. Wine ¬30.

Kaiserstuben
Kaiserstuben (Emperor’s Parlour) is the perfect place in Mitte for diners to enjoy a meal in a sophisticated yet cosy environment. The young chef, Tim Raue, surprises with his ingeniously prepared dishes that carefully balance regional heritage with influences from all over the world. These include fried goose livers with rhubarb and green pepper kernels.

Am Festungsgraben 1, Mitte
Tel: (030) 2061 0548. Fax: (030) 2061 0550.
E-mail: info@kaiserstuben.de
Website: www.kaiserstuben.de
Price: ¬49 (four-course menu). Wine: ¬27.

Ponte Vecchio
This charming Italian restaurant in the Westend, Ponte Vecchio (‘Old Bridge’ in Italian), still boasts one Michelin star. The cluttered, rustic interior might be a matter of preference but the creative dishes, cooked to perfection, definitely do not lack in taste, flavour or style – especially the carpaccio on ossobucco or the duck liver, which are to die for.

Spielhagenstrasse 3
Tel: (030) 342 1999. Fax: (030) 332 4713.
Price: ¬35. Wine: ¬21.

Trendy

Bacco
Italian restaurant Bacco was established in 1968. Since then, owner-chef Padrone Massimo Mannozzi has been attracting international celebrities with his charm and cooking. The simple rustic decor reflects his simple Tuscan cuisine, which includes such menu options as fresh Mediterranean fish or homemade tagliata, which comes with white truffle when in season. Closed Sunday and lunchtime on Monday.

Marburger Strasse 5
Tel: (030) 211 8687. Fax: (030) 211 5230.
E-mail: info@bacco.de
Website: www.bacco.de
Price: ¬35. Wine: ¬22.

Florian
The idea of creating a restaurant dedicated to Swabian cuisine might sound unusual but Florian has turned out to be a huge success with the trendy crowd in Berlin’s Mitte; people from the theatre and film world often can be spotted here. People come to relax in the traditional South German setting, with its wooden furniture and homely ambience, as well as to enjoy the Swabian dishes with a slight French twist, such as the Hackbraten (basically a meatloaf) or the potato casserole. No credit cards.

Grolmanstrasse 52, Mitte
Tel: (030) 313 9184.
Price: ¬38. Wine: ¬21.

Hamlet
A fascinating ambience is created in Hamlet, as European as well as Eastern influences are revealed not only in its interior design but also its menu. The imaginative cuisine covers traditional, French and Arabian tastes, such as vegetable plates or couscous dishes. The diversity of the food is enjoyed by a similarly varied crowd, coming from a range of ethnic backgrounds and social groups.

Uhlandstrasse 47
Tel: (030) 882 1361.
Price: ¬30. Wine: ¬22.

Budget

Carpe Diem
This Spanish restaurant profits from the charm of a typical Berlin setting, located as it is underneath an S-bahn railway track in Charlottenburg. Many shops and restaurants make use of these railway arches, as they provide an unconventional and cosy setting with their old, impressive brickwork. A variety of inexpensive, tasty tapas is served here. However, the main dishes, such as the paella Valencia or the grilled octopus, are also a delight, especially accompanied by a bottle of Spanish red wine.

Arch 576–577, between Uhlandstrasse and Grolmanstrasse, Charlottenburg
Tel: (030) 313 2728. Fax: (030) 313 2628.
E-mail: info@carpe-diem-restaurant.de
Website: www.carpe-diem-restaurant.de
Price: ¬28.50 (three-course menu including a glass of sherry). Wine: ¬17.

Mao Thai
With its gorgeous East Asian interior design and great value for money, Mao Thai is always packed, although it is perhaps not the most authentic Thai restaurant in town. The chicken served in a coconut is the signature dish, although other dishes – such as the fried scampi in tomato sauce, with chillies, spring onions, peppers, pineapple and cucumber – are slightly more inventive.

Wörther Strasse 30
Tel: (030) 441 9261. Fax: (030) 4434 2090.
E-mail: maothai@snafu.de
Website: www.thaipage.com
Price: ¬25. Wine: ¬15.

Oren
This popular Israeli venue, situated next to the synagogue, is the best place for diners to enjoy traditional Jewish cooking. The restaurant buzzes with loud chatter all evening and the atmosphere and service are friendly. The small backyard is a wonderful spot on a warm summer evening. The gefilte fish – a tasty and very salty German-Jewish dish – is recommended.

Oranienburger Strasse 28
Tel: (030) 282 8228. Fax: (030) 2859 9313.
E-mail: info@restaurant-oren.de
Website: www.restaurant-oren.de
Price: ¬30. Wine: ¬15 (half a litre).

Pasternak
Normally absolutely packed, this small Russian restaurant attracts an intellectual and alternative crowd, as well as the more chic in-crowd. Decorated in a turn-of-the-century style, it is suitably located in the historic Mitte district, where the atmosphere is buzzing. Food is filling, such as the traditional borscht, ample fish plate starters, the ravioli filled with either meat or potatoes and the hearty beef Stroganoff mains. Reservations essential. No credit cards.

Knaackstrasse 22–24, Mitte
Tel: (030) 441 3399. Fax: (030) 4404 6518.
Website: www.restaurant-pasternak.de
Price: ¬30. Wine: ¬28.

Personal Recommendations

Abendmahl
The name means ‘Last Supper’ and the decor is indeed enlivened with a little Catholic kitsch. The menu changes regularly and all dishes bear wacky names, such as ‘News from the Moon’ or ‘Murder Ahoi’. In most cases, however, they are wonderfully presented, hot fish dishes – such as Thai fish curry – or inventive vegetarian delights. The service is charming and efficient and the ambience laid-back, which makes the trip out to Kreuzberg worthwhile. Reservations recommended. No credit cards.

Muskauer Strasse 9, Kreuzberg
Tel: (030) 612 5170. Fax: (030) 612 5170.
E-mail: abendmahl@abendmahl-berlin.de
Website: www.abendmahl-berlin.de
Price: ¬30. Wine: ¬20.

Fridas Schwester
This relaxed wine bar/bistro in the trendy Mitte district in East Berlin has dimple decor with a French feel, characterised by plain wooden floors, wooden tables and chairs and dark hued walls. There are stools at the bar, where guests can sip a glass of wine – there are over 40 varieties to choose from. The clientele is a mixed one, mainly comprised of those working in the creative industries – the bistro at the back is said to attract well known people seeking privacy. The food is a mix of Austrian, Italian, Mexican and Californian influences and includes dishes such as lemon grass soup, potato gnocchi with olives and parmesan, black fettuccine with shrimps and tomato sauce, and chicken with vegetables and rosemary potatoes in red wine.

Neue Schonhauser Strasse 11
Tel: (030) 2838 4710.
Price: ¬30. Wine: ¬18.

Hakuin
Named after a Japanese Zen master, Hakuin serves excellent but pricey Buddhist vegetarian food. The restaurant has a quiet Japanese charm, with tables arranged around a fish pool with calming fountain and wild plants. Exotic and delicious vegetable or fruit curries are served on bamboo plates, which complement the overall style. Closed Monday.

Martin-Luther-Strasse 1
Tel: (030) 218 2027. Fax: (030) 213 9862.
E-mail: info@restaurant-hakuin.de
Website: www.restaurant-hakuin.de
Price: ¬25. Wine: ¬30.

Maxwell
Situated in the restored former Josty brewery in the Mitte district, this elegant and spacious restaurant spreads over two floors and a big terrace during summer. Chef Uwe Popall insists on using local produce, which is also obvious on the wine list, which features a wide range of German vineyards. His cuisine is creative, including such delights as red snapper with Merguez sausage and broad beans or duck with black pepper sauce and vegetable spring rolls.

Bergstrasse 22, Mitte
Tel: (030) 280 7121. Fax: (030) 2859 9848.
E-mail: maxwell.berlin@t-online.de
Website: www.maxwellberlin.de
Price: ¬45. Wine: ¬20.

Trenta Sei
Situated in the most picturesque square in Berlin, the Gendarmenplatz, Trenta Sei is an Italian restaurant with metropolitan character. A row of small tables and chairs are placed along the wall and the windows, the waiters wear long white aprons and the menu is similarly straightforward, with dishes such as vitello tonnato (veal in tuna sauce) and cream of crab soup.

Markgrafenstrasse 36
Tel: (030) 2045 2630.
Price: ¬40. Wine: ¬25.