The best traditional German restaurants in Berlin | Destinia Guides (2024)

Getting to know the traditional cuisine of a place is one of the most exciting and serene aspects of travel. Of course, the search for the best German food is part of the Berlin vacation accordingly. Where do the locals eat? Where are the real insider tips of German cuisine to be found? This much is certain: in the capital there are so many restaurants and gastronomic establishments that want to be discovered.

Comfort food in Diener Tattersall

It’s been around for more than 100 years: Diener Tattersall, one of Berlin’s best restaurants for traditional fare. This restaurant offers delicious home cooking with a charming pub flair. The dark walls are peppered with photos of prominent regulars and friends of the house. The staff – especially the owners – are always up for a gossip and serve orders authentically, including Berlin snark. How about eggs in mustard sauce or meatballs? This much is certain: thanks to its originality, the Diener Tattersall in Charlottenburg will remain a traditional Berlin institution for a long time to come. Hot snacks from about 6,50 € per person.

Eat your fill at the fat landlady

The Dicke Wirtin promises one thing already by its name: Here you can eat your fill all around! Located in Berlin’s west – directly on Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg – the original owner Anna Stanscheck served here decades ago, especially artists and students. The Old Berlin pub-restaurant keeps the traditional cuisine and the quaint charm in all honor and still bears the name given to it after the original “fat landlady”. Served here are large portions of hearty home cooking and a wide selection of draft beers and spirits. After all, this is how you enjoy Berlin! Main courses from 12,50 € per person.

To the frying pan: where the currywurst is at home

What would Berlin be without the Currywurst? Therefore, anyone who wants to enjoy traditional Berlin food is recommended to visit the Imbiss Zur Bratpfanne. For more than 60 years, they have been serving visitors and locals with one of the best curry sausages to be found in the capital – prepared according to a secret recipe, of course. In addition to currywurst, the snack bar also serves boulettes, hamburgers, fillet kebabs and other hearty dishes. You can find the snack bar on Lepsiusstraße in the Steglitz district. Prices for a sausage start at around €2.70.

Old Berlin pub Ausspanne

Among the insider tips of traditional restaurants is definitely the Old Berlin restaurant Ausspanne. Not only good Berlin home cooking is emphasized here – also a piece of the real Berlin culture can be found here. The family-owned store on Kastanienallee in Berlin-Mitte is adorned with antique photographs, tin signs and other historical finds. The menu is seasonal and offers guests new dishes every five to six weeks. A special feature are the small modern twists with which the classic Berlin dishes are offered: Breaded mustard sauce, veal liver “Berlin style” or even vegetarian versions of the otherwise meat-heavy dishes. In addition to the fair prices (main courses from € 13.50 per person), the regional beers and wines of this restaurant are also convincing.

Mother Hoppe in Nikolai Quarter

Mutter Hoppe in the Nikolai Quarter is a cozy gastronomic establishment that offers traditional food as well as traditional interiors. Special rooms like the fireplace room or the wedding room bring old Berlin back to life. The secluded terrace invites you to dine al fresco on sunny days. The menu includes many regional dishes such as the fried calf’s liver, Berlin pea soup, rollmops and minced pork. On Fridays and Saturdays, a band also plays – sometimes with songs from the 20s and 30s. If you want to reminisce about the old days, this is the place for you. Menus from 16,50 € per person.

To the cobbler boy in Prenzlauer Berg

For more than 20 years, the friendly staff at Zum Schusterjungen has been serving guests with dishes steeped in tradition. In a rustic down-to-earth atmosphere you dine and enjoy with original Berlin flair. The prices are a bit more upscale (main courses from about 9.50 €), but for that you get the best home cooking and suitable drinks. Even the typical Berliner Weiße is still mixed here! A bonus for all soccer fans: Big games are broadcast here on the TV – just with real Berlin pub charm.

The inn Max and Moritz

In Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, be sure to make a detour to the Max und Moritz Wirtshaus. For over 100 years, the inn has been serving original Berlin dishes in a rustic, cozy interior. Enjoy pork knuckle and Bollenfleisch between lacquered wall tiles and wrought iron work. Regular cultural events provide a little variety. Here you will enjoy not only the food, but also the down-to-earth charm of the capital. Old Berlin specialties are available here from €15.80 per person.

Old Berlin Inn Julchen Hoppe

Julchen Hoppe is located directly on the Schlossbrücke in the Nikolaiviertel. The Alt-Berliner Gasthaus offers a wide mix of Berlin fare and typical German cuisine. At the same time, vegetarian, lactose-free and gluten-free dishes are offered in order to be able to serve something to as many guests as possible. This is rounded off by the rustic ambience of the inn. Live music is offered every Friday and Saturday evening and here, too, the focus is on “typical Berlin”: Between hits and German evergreens you can reminisce. Main courses per person from about € 12.50.

Traditional food at Peter Paul

Are you in the mood for German and Berlin classics like beef rouladen, Königsberger Klopse and Kassler? Then you should stop by Peter Paul in Prenzlauer Berg. The traditional restaurant offers typical regional dishes at fair prices – even with vegetarian and vegan options. Between the local dishes mingle varied offerings from around the world. Variety is also provided by the modern interior and the extensive wine list. In summer you can dine outside on the terrace and watch the hustle and bustle on the lively Torstraße. Hot meals are available from about € 8.50 per person.

The Schöneberg World Lantern

The SchönebergerWeltlaterne welcomes guests with a special charm: yellowed newspapers on the walls, rustic furnishing elements and the typical Berlin flair – not modern and chic, but quaint, cozy and homey. In addition to regional specialties, you will find a good selection of freshly tapped beers. Live music is offered once a month. The restaurant is located on Motzstraße in Berlin-Schöneberg. Open Wednesdays through Sundays – with promotional tickets on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Hearty you get from 9,90 €.