Eating in Berlin

I know you don’t like Asian, but Berlin has the best Vietnamese food outside of Vietnam.

By Hackescher Markt, I ate at Com Nam, which had delicious food at cheapish prices and looks to be a small mom/pop operation. https://www.comnam-berlin.de/

Thank you, Heather! It’s not that we actively dislike Asian food, it’s just that it’s never out first pick! However… if you say Berlin has the best Vietnamese food outside Vietnam, well, I’m sold!!! I’ll definitely try your recommandation :-)

You would be remiss if you did not hit up a shop for a Doner Kebab, as much a Berlin tradition as Currywurst. For that matter, there likely are some good Turkish places. No place specific, but find a local Imbiss, some are actually kebap places, but the traditional ones serve all kinds of local favorites, some more street food, some more like a diner type meal.

I really will not recommend anyplace specific since it has been a while since I was last in Berlin, but I do recall the Hofbrau Haus Berlin being a bit of Bavaria in Berlin, I stumbled on it on a Sunday midday, for a brunch buffet, good opportunity to try a variety of Bavarian dishes. Can't say if it is still offered.

For me, Berlin is Currywurst, Doner Kebab, Falafel, and even Pork Knuckle (completely differently than in Bavaria). And of course, the mentioned Vietnamese food at the Dong Xuan Center. Please skip the Bavarian Hofbräuhaus and go to a classic old Berlin restaurant instead. Berlin doesn't need any culinary support from Bavaria :-)

If you're looking for Michelin-star cuisine that doesn't cost Michelin-star prices, I can recommend Brasserie Colette. Tim Raue, the owner, is a very well-known Michelin-star chef, but in his brasserie, you get a taste of France at reasonable prices.

I wouldn't want to give any specific recommendations about the Currywurst and the old Berlin restaurants, but someone here in the forum sure will do.

A nice environment with good, reasonably-priced German food.

https://www.joseph-roth-diele.de/

If you would like a change of pace from typical German food entrees, try Rotisserie Weingrün. This was the best rotisserie chicken I have ever eaten. This is a very nice sit down restaurant with friendly service. This is not your scrawny type grocery store chickens either. Everything was carefully seasoned and the sides well prepared. Nice dessert menu as well.

It was a great substitution for sausages, schnitzel and other heavy entrees.

I agree about the Vietnamese food, I too had the best Vietnamese I've eaten outside Vietnam and there are many restaurants to choose from. I didn't actually eat any German food on my last trip as none of the restaurants I looked at inspired me much, I just kept being drawn to the Asian and Turkish restaurants and they didn't disappoint.

In Germany, some butcher shops also sell cooked meats and perhaps some sides. The taste is good and prices are low. You will just have to walk around the neighborhood.

I rather enjoyed the giant pork knuckle at Brauhaus Georgbreau - once you get past the visual, delicious! I also thought the currywurst I tried was decent, but I wouldn't get that every day. And I definitely recommend having ice cream at Eispatisserie Hokey Pokey - several outlets around town, their namesake ice cream is yummy.

Our family of 7 ate at Leibhaftig in Prenzlauer Berg last week. German tapas-style very cozy restaurant with friendly owner and staff. Highly recommend - whole family loved it.

You mentioned Biergartens - at the Prater Biergarten they also have an adjacent sit down restaurant with good traditional food.