Berlin is a city full of energy, creativity, and constant transformation. And like any self-respecting metropolis, its gastronomic scene perfectly reflects this dynamic spirit: an irresistible mix of tradition and avant-garde, authentic flavors and international influences.
During my latest trip, I explored some of the most interesting restaurants in the German capital: places where food tells stories, where every dish is carefully crafted, and the atmosphere makes you want to stay for hours.
In this article, I’ll take you with me to Berlin to discover must-visit addresses, perfect for a special dinner, a relaxed brunch, or an evening with friends filled with taste and beauty. Bon appétit!
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Brasserie Colette Tim Raue is an elegant French brasserie located in the Schöneberg district. This restaurant represents the Michelin-starred chef Tim Raue’s personal interpretation of classic French cuisine, enriched with modern touches and Asian influences. The menu at Brasserie Colette offers a refined reinterpretation of traditional French brasserie dishes. Specialties include boeuf bourguignon, steak frites, and the signature dish prawn marocain, which reflects Tim Raue’s culinary signature with a balance of sweetness, acidity, and spice.
The restaurant also offers three seasonal fixed menus: Colette Classique Menu: a selection of classic French dishes, La Sélection de Tim Raue: exclusive creations by the chef, and Menu Vegan: vegetarian and vegan options. Brasserie Colette has been recognized by the MICHELIN Guide for its excellent cuisine and welcoming atmosphere, with a menu that changes every three months, always offering new culinary experiences.
Don’t miss: PLAT D’RUÎTRES (2 boudeuse, 2 fines de claire, and 2 gratinée), the iconic and always-on-menu signature dish GAMBERI MAROCAIN (pistachio, rose, and lychee), OEUF À LA RUSSE (egg, salmon caviar, and lardo), and PulPo (calf’s head sauce, sunchoke, and pear).
📍Brasserie Colette Tim Raue, Passauer Str. 5-7 Berlino
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🍛 BRIKZ
The restaurant BRIKZ is located in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin, specifically at Grolmanstraße 53/54, near Savignyplatz. It is a modern and refined venue, born from the transformation of a former jazz café, from which the name “BRIKZ” is derived—it’s a play on words referring to the red bricks (“bricks”) of the original walls. The chef and owner, Arne Anker, known for his experience in Michelin-starred restaurants such as Oud Sluis and The Jane, offers creative and seasonal cuisine. The menu frequently changes based on ingredient availability and current inspirations, maintaining a flexible approach that caters to the dietary needs of guests. Anker is known for his passion and desire to provide a culinary experience without compromises.
BRIKZ was included in the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Germany, a recognition that highlights the quality and originality of its gastronomic offerings. It also received the title “Aufsteiger des Jahres” (Revelation of the Year) from Berliner Meisterköche in 2021, and chef Arne Anker was named “Koch des Monats” (Chef of the Month) by Der Feinschmecker magazine. The restaurant’s atmosphere is elegant and welcoming, with a design that combines modern elements and artistic details, such as the neon sign reading “I don’t give a fuck” and an image of the Marvel character Hulk, both sourced from the nearby Sexauer gallery. These elements reflect the unconventional and creative spirit of chef Anker.
Don’t miss the 5-course menu:
- Blue mussel flan | Parsley | Kefir
- Artichoke | Kale | Sambal
- Naturally leavened bread | Salted butter | Oil
- Suckling pig | Parsnip | Asparagus
- Strawberry | Sea buckthorn | Oats
From the à la carte menu: Asparagus cream | Perch tartare and scampi (200g piece) | Celery | Garlic white butter
📍BRIKZ, Grolmanstraße 53/54 Berlin
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🍛 Jamie Oliver Kitchen
Jamie Oliver Kitchen in Berlin represents his first venture into the German market. Opened in the summer of 2023 in collaboration with the BMB Gruppe, it is located in the heart of the Mitte district, offering a stunning view of the Bode Museum and the TV Tower. The interior, designed in collaboration with the OOW Architekten studio, blends Scandinavian and Portuguese design elements, creating a green oasis with oak wood furniture, natural stone, rattan, and Portuguese tiles. The menu features a selection of dishes inspired by Jamie Oliver’s culinary travels, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.
Don’t miss:
SUPERFOOD SALAD (Mixed grains and legumes, broccoli, beetroot, avocado, fennel, pomegranate seeds, harissa, sherry and egg dressing)
SPANISH GARLIC SHRIMP (Smoked paprika oil, charred naturally leavened bread, fresh parsley)
TOMATO AND OLIVE TART (Roasted tomatoes, olive tapenade, butter puff pastry, crumbled feta, pickled red onions, arugula)
📍Jamie Oliver Kitchen, Friedrichstraße 136 Berlin
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Markthalle Neue
Markthalle Neun (or Markthalle IX) is a historic building located in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin, at Eisenbahnstraße 42/43. Inaugurated in 1891, designed by architect Hermann Blankenstein, it was part of a municipal plan to replace outdoor markets with more hygienic and functional covered spaces. With an area of approximately 3,300 m², it initially housed 300 stalls selling food and other essential goods.
After a period of decline in the 20th century, during which large discount chains occupied part of the building, Markthalle Neun was saved from demolition in 2011 thanks to the intervention of three local entrepreneurs. They purchased it for 1.1 million euros and transformed it into a center for sustainable food culture, promoting local, fair, and organic products.
Today, Markthalle Neun is a lively covered market hosting culinary and cultural events. Among its most well-known events is “Street Food Thursday,” held every Thursday, offering a variety of street foods from around the world. Additionally, the venue organizes themed markets such as “Naschmarkt,” dedicated to handmade sweets, and “Cheese Berlin,” focused on European cheeses.
📍 Markthalle Neue, Eisenbahnstraße 42/43 Berlin
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🍛 21gramm
21gramm is a modern café and brunch restaurant located in the heart of Neukölln. With high-quality food and a great focus on customer service, it’s the perfect destination for a brunch that lasts all day. Housed in a former funeral hall, it has been carefully restored, with its high domed ceiling supported by stone pillars. Equally popular is the outdoor area, where you can sit among historic clinker brick walls covered in wild vines.
📍 21gramm, Hermannstraße 179 Berlin
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🍛 Cielo Winerbar
Celebrating its first two months of opening, the touch and experience of the owner are evident and felt. There’s great attention to sourcing raw materials from Italy to delight the palates of Berlin locals and nostalgic Italians who cross the threshold of this welcoming spot. Cielo presents itself as a wine bar with an excellent selection of wines, but it’s more than that: the cuisine is interesting and varied, perfect for sharing but also great for enjoying alone. Don’t miss the friggitelli, the prosciutto fiocco, and the bread with “good” olive oil among the appetizers. The pasta with pesto is excellent, and the mascarpone dessert with white chocolate and saffron is delicious. A beautiful discovery.
📍Cielo, Lenbachstraße 7 Berlin
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🍛 Merold
I booked at Merold because I had read about their strong focus on selecting high-quality ingredients and their close collaboration with regional farmers. I knew I would eat well, but honestly, this dinner gave me much more: it impressed me positively with flavors, textures, and pairings. It’s a true celebration of the new German cuisine, brought to life under the guidance of chef and restaurateur Jonas Merold, who cooks and ferments with a variety of seasonal organic products from Berlin and Brandenburg. The menu features “Merold classics” such as fermented Brie or homemade bratwurst, as well as seasonal sharing dishes. A truly remarkable gastronomic experience with an excellent balance of quality and price in a cozy, refined, and elegant setting. Truly impressive.
📍 Merold, Pannierstraße 24 Berlin
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🍛 Coccodrillo
Coccodrillo is a lively Italian restaurant located in the heart of Berlin, specifically at number 9 Veteranenstraße, in the Mitte district, within the picturesque Weinbergspark. Opened in 2022, the restaurant quickly became a go-to spot for those seeking an authentic Italian culinary experience in a bold and retro design environment.
The interior of Coccodrillo pays tribute to 1960s Italy, with influences from the “Space Age” style. Red walls, velvet sofas, and vintage Fiorucci posters create a seductive and welcoming atmosphere. The round terrace, with large umbrellas, offers a charming view of the park, making it ideal for enjoying the Italian “Dolce Vita.” The restaurant’s kitchen offers authentic Italian dishes, with particular attention to ingredient quality, many of which are imported directly from Italy. The menu includes Neapolitan pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven, homemade fresh pasta, and a selection of vegetarian dishes that make up about 70% of the offering.
Not to be missed: LADY BRIGITTE (Bruschetta with confit tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and a mix of basil pesto and ricotta), TRUFFLE LOVE FOR 2 (Special mafaldine with creamy mascarpone and truffle sauce, Parmesan foam, fresh black truffle, served in a pecorino shell for 2), TAGLIATA DI MANZO (Dry-aged beef steak with green sauce, served with crispy fries on the side), and ASPARAGUS SALAD (Seasonal salad with grilled asparagus, fava beans, peas, yogurt, and gribiche sauce dressing, topped with Strachitunt cheese, hazelnuts, and croutons).
📍 Coccodrillo, Veteranenstraße 9 Berlin
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🍛 Crackers
Crackers is one of Berlin’s most captivating gastronomic destinations, located in the heart of the Mitte district. Opened in 2014 in the space of the legendary former club Cookies, it blends the legacy of Berlin’s nightlife with a refined and contemporary culinary experience, distinguished by a cinematic and sophisticated ambiance. Entrance is gained by ringing a doorbell, then being guided through the kitchen to the main dining room, creating a speakeasy atmosphere that adds a touch of mystery and exclusivity to the experience.
The kitchen at Crackers offers a cosmopolitan take on comfort food, with dishes ranging from vegan and vegetarian options to seafood and meat. The menu changes seasonally, highlighting fresh and local ingredients. Not to be missed: Beef fillet (Outdoor farming / Bavaria, Germany), CRACKERS Vegan French Fries (Hand-cut and fried in peanut oil, homemade ketchup and mayonnaise), Beelitz asparagus with organic egg, chives, and butter.
📍Crackers, Friedrichstraße 158 Berlin
Immagini nel testo di Laura Renieri, foto di copertina di Ogulcan Ercal tutti i diritti sono riservati