Berlin Feature

Some Berliners can only be lured out of bed on a Sunday morning with the promise of a Sonntagsbrunch ("Sunday brunch") at one of the dozens of new hot spots that have cropped up. Most restaurants are pay-once, refill-the-plate-forever deals, and you can always sneak in and survey the spreads before you make your decision. Lingering for hours over a second, third, or fourth helping is encouraged.

Our top picks can be found near popular squares in less touristy neighborhoods. On warm days, patrons take over outdoor tables on Kollwitzplatz and Helmholtzplatz in Prenzlauer Berg, or around Oranienstrasse and Wrangelstrasse in Kreuzberg.

Frida Kahlo (Lychener Str. 37030/445-7016) benefits from its prime spot at the southwest corner of Helmholtzplatz, as well as its huge selection of brunchtime goodies that just seem to keep on coming. Breakfast classics like eggs and sausage are served up alongside lunch savories such as honey-roasted chicken wings and grilled veggies, making this a perfect spot for a big group with varied tastes.

Within view (and earshot) of the elevated U1 line, Morgenland (Skalitzer Str. 35030/611—3291) devotes a whole room to its buffet, which means table space can be scarce on Sundays. Still, make reservations if you plan to show up with a group. Its Turkish-inspired dishes (an ode to the home country of many a Kreuzberg native) are the perfect alternative to more traditional brunches in town.

Pasternak (Knaackstr. 2249030/441-3399) serves up one of the best brunches in the city, with Russian-inspired treats such as deviled eggs topped with salmon roe, blini with sour cream and dill, and pierogi. Tables are hard to come by and while at 12 Euro per person it isn't the cheapest option in town, the food is tasty and inventive. If you nab an outside table, you'll be eating within view of a Berlin oddity: a historic brick water tower that is now an apartment complex.

Restauration 1900 (Husemannstr. 1030/442-2494) is a popular brunch spot on Kollwitzplatz, an upscale, family-friendly square busy on Sunday. (Don't miss the sprawling Saturday market here as well, with sellers offering fresh produce, cheeses, and meats.) The cozy wood-paneled interior and sumptuous spreads really do make you feel like you stumbled upon a gastronomic time capsule; a classic from old Berlin.