Restaurants and Evenings in Berlin
Jun 13th, 2006, 01:12 AM
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Restaurants and Evenings in Berlin
What restaurants and cafes would you recommend during a three and a half day stay in Berlin.
Also, in the evening what cultural events should we try to make. We are involved in theatre and film in the US. One of the forums which I neglected to save suggested a way to avoid the lines at the Reichtag. Does anyone know what that is- somethiong about a reservation in a restaurant or ....?
Thanks
brynababy
Also, in the evening what cultural events should we try to make. We are involved in theatre and film in the US. One of the forums which I neglected to save suggested a way to avoid the lines at the Reichtag. Does anyone know what that is- somethiong about a reservation in a restaurant or ....?
Thanks
brynababy
Jun 13th, 2006, 01:39 AM
#2
We really like the "Nikolaiviertel" - it has a lot of nice restaurants, including a big one right next to the river [sorry I can't remember the name] which brews its own beer. Also you can eat in the restaurant in the Fernsehturm off Alexander platz [booking essential] or in the restaurant at the top of the Reichstag [ditto] which enables you to by-pass the queues. We only found out about this after our trip so can't tell you how, but I bet another OP can. THe official berlin web-site should tell you what is on when you are there, or google the Staatsoper [on unter den linden at the Scholoosbrucke end]. Or find a thread by PalQ on this forum - what he doesn't know about Berlin probalby isn't worth knowing!
Jun 13th, 2006, 06:07 AM
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We really enjoyed dining at Bocca di Bacco on Friedrichstrasse. The food is delicious and they have an excellent wine list. Also, Refugium is a lovely restaurant in the cellar of the Franzoesischer Dom at the Gendarmenmarkt. There is a very nice area for outdoor dining there, as well. It is only a short walk to the Staatsoper on Unter den Linden.
Jun 13th, 2006, 07:04 AM
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Bryna..may I suggest two very fine restaurants in Berlin, both off the Ku'damm:
"Via Condotti", a most unique Italian establishment where the featured dish is more or less a pasta flambe'..yes, grated pecorino over the pasta and a gognac-drenched flambe'...elegantly marvelous. The menu is varied, however, and the prices are not daunting. Dinner for two, if I recall, with wine and dessert was under $80. It is located on Fassenenstrasse, just to the south of the Ku'damm (Kurfurstendam)corner where the Hotel Kempinski is located.
The other is in the opposite direction,
off Fassenenstrasse just a block north of the Ku'dammm. "Otenthal"...excellent
fine dining. Varied continental menu, wonderful service, genteel surroudings. Price range comparable to the Via Condotti.
Wonderful place for a fine breakfast is Cafe Kranzler, 2nd floor on the corner of the Ku'dammm and Joachimstaler.
Stu T. Enjoy!
"Via Condotti", a most unique Italian establishment where the featured dish is more or less a pasta flambe'..yes, grated pecorino over the pasta and a gognac-drenched flambe'...elegantly marvelous. The menu is varied, however, and the prices are not daunting. Dinner for two, if I recall, with wine and dessert was under $80. It is located on Fassenenstrasse, just to the south of the Ku'damm (Kurfurstendam)corner where the Hotel Kempinski is located.
The other is in the opposite direction,
off Fassenenstrasse just a block north of the Ku'dammm. "Otenthal"...excellent
fine dining. Varied continental menu, wonderful service, genteel surroudings. Price range comparable to the Via Condotti.
Wonderful place for a fine breakfast is Cafe Kranzler, 2nd floor on the corner of the Ku'dammm and Joachimstaler.
Stu T. Enjoy!
Jun 13th, 2006, 09:44 AM
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There are a number of decent restaurants in a variety of price ranges clustered around Savigny Platz (S-Bahn stop of the same name).
Honestly: I think it's quite difficult to find a bad meal in Berlin. My experience is that the worst luck you'll have in picking a restaurant at random is a humdrum meal.
My main criterion for selecting places for lunch and dinner in Berlin was to peek in during a walk-by and see if the crowd inside looked interesting. If they did, I figger I'm an interesting guy, too, so I'd join them.
The same technique didn't seem to work as well in London, Prague or Vienna -- but in Berlin, I had success almost every time!
Enjoy your visit.
Fritzrl
Honestly: I think it's quite difficult to find a bad meal in Berlin. My experience is that the worst luck you'll have in picking a restaurant at random is a humdrum meal.
My main criterion for selecting places for lunch and dinner in Berlin was to peek in during a walk-by and see if the crowd inside looked interesting. If they did, I figger I'm an interesting guy, too, so I'd join them.
The same technique didn't seem to work as well in London, Prague or Vienna -- but in Berlin, I had success almost every time!
Enjoy your visit.
Fritzrl
Jun 13th, 2006, 10:22 AM
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I'll definitely second the Cafe Kranzler-my nostalgic favorite for many, many years (used to be another location of the Cafe K. in Frankfurt that I went to but it closed down in the late 80's). It has a red and white striped awning, and you need to look up while on the Ku'damm, as it's on the second floor, across the street from a flagship H & M clothing store (worth checking out) and the Ka De We department store. Try to get outside on the balcony, as the place is absolutely nothing to look at inside. But the Eiskaffe here-wonderful!
Remember, in Berlin, it's never a question of lack of things to do, only fitting in all the many sightseeing and particularly, cultural events in the evening that you want to attend:
This link to English theater in Berlin might be helpful:
http://www.berlinfo.com/Freetime/Fil...lish/index.htm
There is also opera, not just Barenboim's premier Staatsoper, but other light opera houses as well.
I think the suggestions made by the posters here re where to find a good restaurant are excellent-Nikolaiviertel-very lively with the young Berliner crowd, and the Gendarmenmarkt as well- my favorite-a particularly relaxing place to sit out in a cafe in the afternoon, or to have a meal in the evening. And if you're going in the summer months, don't forget the Biergartens that are set up on every corner, many which feature live music.
In my view, Berlin is all about the good "Keller" restaurants -I've not eaten in the one at the bottom of the Franzoesicher Dom-but I have seen their outdoor dining area, and it looks wonderful-it's perfect if you are going next door to the Konzerthaus to listen to a performance of the Berlin Radio Orchestra (which I recommend-you can pick up great last minute seats for approx. 10-20 Euro.-it's a beautiful concert hall as well).
A recommended "Keller" restaurant is the one located in the playwright Bertolt Brecht's house, which features south German and Austrian specialties: "Keller Restaurant im Brecht-Haus." It's located in Berlin Mitte, but I don't have the U-bahn (subway) stop.
Then of course, there's Potsdamer Platz-which is amazing-shops, apts., movie theaters, restaurants, Sony projection screens all over -the Berlin Casino, (Spielbank) with the Performing Arts Theater next door, one can go on and on...there's so much more.
Remember, in Berlin, it's never a question of lack of things to do, only fitting in all the many sightseeing and particularly, cultural events in the evening that you want to attend:
This link to English theater in Berlin might be helpful:
http://www.berlinfo.com/Freetime/Fil...lish/index.htm
There is also opera, not just Barenboim's premier Staatsoper, but other light opera houses as well.
I think the suggestions made by the posters here re where to find a good restaurant are excellent-Nikolaiviertel-very lively with the young Berliner crowd, and the Gendarmenmarkt as well- my favorite-a particularly relaxing place to sit out in a cafe in the afternoon, or to have a meal in the evening. And if you're going in the summer months, don't forget the Biergartens that are set up on every corner, many which feature live music.
In my view, Berlin is all about the good "Keller" restaurants -I've not eaten in the one at the bottom of the Franzoesicher Dom-but I have seen their outdoor dining area, and it looks wonderful-it's perfect if you are going next door to the Konzerthaus to listen to a performance of the Berlin Radio Orchestra (which I recommend-you can pick up great last minute seats for approx. 10-20 Euro.-it's a beautiful concert hall as well).
A recommended "Keller" restaurant is the one located in the playwright Bertolt Brecht's house, which features south German and Austrian specialties: "Keller Restaurant im Brecht-Haus." It's located in Berlin Mitte, but I don't have the U-bahn (subway) stop.
Then of course, there's Potsdamer Platz-which is amazing-shops, apts., movie theaters, restaurants, Sony projection screens all over -the Berlin Casino, (Spielbank) with the Performing Arts Theater next door, one can go on and on...there's so much more.
Jun 13th, 2006, 12:29 PM
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Byran, We were in Berlin last Sept and arrived at the Reichtag just before it opened. I think it was around 8:30-9AM
Luckily, the line was short and we got in within 15-20 mins of waiting. After we toured around, we walked into their restaurant and asked for a table.
We did not have a reservation but seated us immediately outside. I do remember asking if we had a reservation. Luckily, they had a cancellation. We proceeded to have breakfast with a nice view.
I have read on other threads if you make a reservation for the restaurant you can go up immediately. Google the Reichtag to get the name of the restaurant.
Luckily, the line was short and we got in within 15-20 mins of waiting. After we toured around, we walked into their restaurant and asked for a table.
We did not have a reservation but seated us immediately outside. I do remember asking if we had a reservation. Luckily, they had a cancellation. We proceeded to have breakfast with a nice view.
I have read on other threads if you make a reservation for the restaurant you can go up immediately. Google the Reichtag to get the name of the restaurant.
Jun 13th, 2006, 01:25 PM
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My sister lives in Berlin (Charlottenburg) and we try a lot of neat places each time I visit her. A couple favorites of ours are:
"The Twelve Apostles" (Die 12 Apostlen - sp?). It is actually an Italian restaurant and there are 2 locations in Berlin - one in Charlottenburg, near Richard Wagner platz and the other near Humboldt University and Unter den Linden Blvd. The food is fabulous and cheap! Hearty portions all served in a lively atmosphere with lots of locals. Be prepared to wait for a table on a busy weeknight or weekend - the place is always crowded!
Another central favorite is "Marche" restaurant. It is near Berlin's Zooglischer station and the Ku'Damm (across the street and catty-corner to the Ka'De'We department store). They offer a variety of foods, including a pasta bar, meat/chicken/fish, a large salad bar, and large quantities of desserts, etc. You pay for your meal based on the size of your plate!
Also, there are a lot of food carts around Berlin that sell Turkish food (donner kebabs, pita falafels, etc) that are all very cheap, filling food. In the Potsdamer Platz, there are restaurants that you can buy the typical German fare (bratwurst, sauerkraut, etc) as well.
"The Twelve Apostles" (Die 12 Apostlen - sp?). It is actually an Italian restaurant and there are 2 locations in Berlin - one in Charlottenburg, near Richard Wagner platz and the other near Humboldt University and Unter den Linden Blvd. The food is fabulous and cheap! Hearty portions all served in a lively atmosphere with lots of locals. Be prepared to wait for a table on a busy weeknight or weekend - the place is always crowded!
Another central favorite is "Marche" restaurant. It is near Berlin's Zooglischer station and the Ku'Damm (across the street and catty-corner to the Ka'De'We department store). They offer a variety of foods, including a pasta bar, meat/chicken/fish, a large salad bar, and large quantities of desserts, etc. You pay for your meal based on the size of your plate!
Also, there are a lot of food carts around Berlin that sell Turkish food (donner kebabs, pita falafels, etc) that are all very cheap, filling food. In the Potsdamer Platz, there are restaurants that you can buy the typical German fare (bratwurst, sauerkraut, etc) as well.
Jun 13th, 2006, 01:55 PM
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The restaurant on top of the Reichstag is called Kaefer which is a chain of gourmet foodstores & restaurants from Munich. They are open from 9 am to midnight:
http:
//www.feinkost-kaefer.de/ht_en/gastronomie/1_gastronomie.php
Press the option BERLIN to get the phone number for reservation. Have a great time in Berlin!
http:
//www.feinkost-kaefer.de/ht_en/gastronomie/1_gastronomie.php
Press the option BERLIN to get the phone number for reservation. Have a great time in Berlin!
Jun 14th, 2006, 01:03 AM
#11
I just accessed the web-site [german only] - not the most up to date as it talks about closing for building works in 2004! but it does give an e-mail address for reservations, as well as the phone no, so that might be helpful if your german is not fluent. Let us know how you get on!
Jun 14th, 2006, 02:01 AM
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For restaurants, a lot would depend on where you are staying IMHO as Berlin rather spread out.
Should you be staying in the West around Charlottenburg and Ku'damm, a few worthwhile places for me would be:
<b>Ottenthal:</b> I second tower's suggestion in this respect. It is located on Kantstr. near the Berlin outfit of Stilwerk interior design shopping mall.
The cuisine is Austrian, which is widely popular in Berlin currently, and quite good.
http://www.ottenthal.com/start_restaurant.html
<b>Nu</b> is a stylish Pan-Asian eatery on Schlüterstr. The interior design is notable for its Manga-cartoon style and the food interesting.
<b>Meinrad</b> is located on Wielandstr. no. 38 nearby Schlüterstr. It has a rather unspectacular design, but its Austrian food is very well prepared and cheaper than at Ottenthal. It has received rave reviews recently and I find it recommendable.
Should you rather be staying in Mitte or East of that:
<b>Lutter & Wegner</b> has several outfits all over town (pls note that the one on Schlüterstr. is peculiarly not associated with the rest of them) and is expanding nationwide. Even though they have formed a mini-chain, it is far from bad. The location on Gendarmenmarkt is the one I like best. The fare is a mixture of refined German and Austrian. They are also known for their wines (for which they are also a retailer).
http://www.lutter-wegner-gendarmenmarkt.de/
<b>Gugelhof</b> is a rustic Alsatian place in the hip neighbourhood of Prenzlauer Berg. Bill Clinton dined here once with former chancellor Schroeder, which is how the place got some notoriety. Still, the food is quite good and I like its atmosphere.
http://www.gugelhof.de/start_englisch.html
<b>Bocca di Bacco</b> on Friedrichstr. is indeed an excellent choice for Italian fare - I seceond Kimberwood's recommendation in this respect.
http://www.boccadibacco.de/eng/index.html
<b>Aigner</b> is the restaurant of the Dorint Sofitel on Gendarmenmarkt. It also serves some Austrian style cuisine, is fairly reasonably priced and has pleasant surroundings.
http://www.aigner-gendarmenmarkt.de/...en/index2.html
<b>Borchardt</b> is the preferred hang-out for Berlin's in-scene. It features French to (again) Austrian style cuisine and has a nice courtyard. It is located just off Gendarmenmarkt on Französische Str. no. 47.
<b>Pan Asia</b> is Mitte's equivalent to Nu for a stylish cross-over Asian place. The seats aren't the most comfortable, but the food is good - and it is located in the stylish and hip shopping area of Hackesche Hoefe. Look for the red sign a bit reminiscent of the former Pan-Am logo.
http://www.panasia.de/restaur/restaur1.htm
<b>Monsieur Vuong</b> is still all the rage and does not take reservations. The menu is small (really small) but the Vietnamese dishes are said to be authentic. Located on Alte Schönhauser Str. no. 46.
http://www.monsieurvuong.de/mvweb/en/index_main.html
Finally, I have to admit that I disagree with two remarks made by posters here so far (no offense, just personal taste) For once, while I am glad that people evidently have made good experiences, I find it not too hard to get a bad meal in Berlin, too. You might therefore also ask at your hotel for recommendations.
And I do not care at all for the Nikolaiviertel, which is often praised as being historic, but which in fact only has been rebuilt (rather cheaply IMHO) during the days of the German Democratic Republic. I might have been in the wrong places, but I thought it was rather touristy throughout.
Should you be staying in the West around Charlottenburg and Ku'damm, a few worthwhile places for me would be:
<b>Ottenthal:</b> I second tower's suggestion in this respect. It is located on Kantstr. near the Berlin outfit of Stilwerk interior design shopping mall.
The cuisine is Austrian, which is widely popular in Berlin currently, and quite good.
http://www.ottenthal.com/start_restaurant.html
<b>Nu</b> is a stylish Pan-Asian eatery on Schlüterstr. The interior design is notable for its Manga-cartoon style and the food interesting.
<b>Meinrad</b> is located on Wielandstr. no. 38 nearby Schlüterstr. It has a rather unspectacular design, but its Austrian food is very well prepared and cheaper than at Ottenthal. It has received rave reviews recently and I find it recommendable.
Should you rather be staying in Mitte or East of that:
<b>Lutter & Wegner</b> has several outfits all over town (pls note that the one on Schlüterstr. is peculiarly not associated with the rest of them) and is expanding nationwide. Even though they have formed a mini-chain, it is far from bad. The location on Gendarmenmarkt is the one I like best. The fare is a mixture of refined German and Austrian. They are also known for their wines (for which they are also a retailer).
http://www.lutter-wegner-gendarmenmarkt.de/
<b>Gugelhof</b> is a rustic Alsatian place in the hip neighbourhood of Prenzlauer Berg. Bill Clinton dined here once with former chancellor Schroeder, which is how the place got some notoriety. Still, the food is quite good and I like its atmosphere.
http://www.gugelhof.de/start_englisch.html
<b>Bocca di Bacco</b> on Friedrichstr. is indeed an excellent choice for Italian fare - I seceond Kimberwood's recommendation in this respect.
http://www.boccadibacco.de/eng/index.html
<b>Aigner</b> is the restaurant of the Dorint Sofitel on Gendarmenmarkt. It also serves some Austrian style cuisine, is fairly reasonably priced and has pleasant surroundings.
http://www.aigner-gendarmenmarkt.de/...en/index2.html
<b>Borchardt</b> is the preferred hang-out for Berlin's in-scene. It features French to (again) Austrian style cuisine and has a nice courtyard. It is located just off Gendarmenmarkt on Französische Str. no. 47.
<b>Pan Asia</b> is Mitte's equivalent to Nu for a stylish cross-over Asian place. The seats aren't the most comfortable, but the food is good - and it is located in the stylish and hip shopping area of Hackesche Hoefe. Look for the red sign a bit reminiscent of the former Pan-Am logo.
http://www.panasia.de/restaur/restaur1.htm
<b>Monsieur Vuong</b> is still all the rage and does not take reservations. The menu is small (really small) but the Vietnamese dishes are said to be authentic. Located on Alte Schönhauser Str. no. 46.
http://www.monsieurvuong.de/mvweb/en/index_main.html
Finally, I have to admit that I disagree with two remarks made by posters here so far (no offense, just personal taste) For once, while I am glad that people evidently have made good experiences, I find it not too hard to get a bad meal in Berlin, too. You might therefore also ask at your hotel for recommendations.
And I do not care at all for the Nikolaiviertel, which is often praised as being historic, but which in fact only has been rebuilt (rather cheaply IMHO) during the days of the German Democratic Republic. I might have been in the wrong places, but I thought it was rather touristy throughout.
Jun 23rd, 2006, 12:39 PM
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brynababy-
One of my favorite nights in Berlin was an early dinner at the Wintergarten Restaurant at the Brandenburger Hof Hotel followed by a light opera (We saw die Fledermaus.) at the Komischer Opera. Afterwards, we popped into the Adlon Hotel right near the Brandenburg Gate for cocktails.
My inlaws were with us and they did the same except instead of the Komischer Opera, they went to the Symphony.
The hotel concierge was able to obtain all tickets for us in advance (and get us great seats by the way).
I'd also highly recommend Die Quadriga, but it will take most of the evening just for the dining event there.
Good luck!
One of my favorite nights in Berlin was an early dinner at the Wintergarten Restaurant at the Brandenburger Hof Hotel followed by a light opera (We saw die Fledermaus.) at the Komischer Opera. Afterwards, we popped into the Adlon Hotel right near the Brandenburg Gate for cocktails.
My inlaws were with us and they did the same except instead of the Komischer Opera, they went to the Symphony.
The hotel concierge was able to obtain all tickets for us in advance (and get us great seats by the way).
I'd also highly recommend Die Quadriga, but it will take most of the evening just for the dining event there.
Good luck!
Jun 24th, 2006, 11:54 PM
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My son recently recommended a wonderful restaurant in Berlin that has you eating in complete darkness served by blind waiters. You decide before descending into the restaurant whether you want beef, chicken or veg. meal. He said it really enabled your senses to pick up on various flavors and things that when the lights are on you do not detect. If you are interested in it, I will get the name and address for you.
Jun 27th, 2006, 10:06 PM
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Probably not the sort of place you would go on a blind date, but the UNSICHTBAR (=Invisible) can give you an interesting experience. It's a challenge just trying to pour a bottled drink into your glass in pitch black. The sound of laughter among diners as their knives & forks clink against the plates creates a happy atmosphere despite total darkness. People giggle when they discover how clumsy they are in the dark. After dinner the blind waitress will offer a guided tour of the spacious restaurant with 40 plus tables...just put your hand on her shoulder. The English menu is a puzzle in itself as it describes the food rather than mentioning proper names.
Jun 28th, 2006, 11:58 PM
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We're at the Dorint Sofitl Genendemarket starting Monday. I can hardly breathe, I'm so excited. I think we'll pass the restaurant for the blin. the challenge might be interesting but not when we only have three nights in Berlin. Next time.
Thanks all, for the help.
brynabay
Thanks all, for the help.
brynabay
Jun 29th, 2006, 02:37 AM
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We spent 5 days in Berlin last April & loved it - here's a link to my trip report for details of restaurants etc visited : http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34614269. We had a lunch reservation for the restaurant at the top of the Reichstag so avoided the queue going up (you use the diabled entrance underneath the main entrance), but you still have to queue to queue for the lift back down. FWIW we really liked the Nikolaiviertel area for eating in traditional-seeming pubs. We went to performances at all 3 opera houses.
