A guide to the best food, drinks and nightlife bars in Berlin – made by locals.
Hey Fork & Walk-ers, welcome to this guide filled with our personal favourites! Bookmark this page, bring on your appetite and go on exploring all the fantastic places Berlin has to offer. With most of us having 15+ years of culinary expeditions in the city and each of us being different from one another, this is an invaluable insight to your Berlin culinary journey and choices. Let’s go!
Coffee
- Location 1: Isla Coffee
- Neukölln (Hermannstraße 37, 12049 Berlin)
Isla Coffee is a charming specialty coffee shop located right outside the Boddinstr. U8 stop. The Baristas are really friendly, the coffee is delicious and they have plenty of homemade cakes and pastries to try along with a small lunch menu. A unique thing about this cafe is that they have a strong focus on zero waste and sustainability.
- Location 2: Distrikt Coffee
- Mitte (Bergstraße 68, 10115 Berlin)
Tucked away on a small street in Mitte close to Rosenthalerstr. This small cafe has fantastic coffee along with really great brunch food. The service staff is especially friendly. The cafe was inspired by specialty shops in London and the menu was created by a chef from NYC. One of our favorite places to go for brunch or lunch.
- Our Favorite: Annalies
- Kreuzberg (Görlitzer Str. 68, 10997 Berlin)
Same owners as Distrikt Coffee, but with even better coffee and an expanded menu. One of the few cafes in Berlin serving coffee from La Cabra roasters out of Denmark, one of the top Scandinavian coffee roasters. Pair a coffee with a delicious sausage egg and cheese breakfast sandwich.
Bakeries
- Location 1: Gorilla Bäckerei
- Neukölln and Schoneburg (Hermannstraße 211, 12049 Berlin)(EUREF Campus 1, 10829 Berlin)
Gorilla Bäckerei is a small, artisanal sourdough bakery where all products are handmade in an open, visible production area. They specialize in sourdough bread, Roman-style pizza, and French Viennoiserie (like croissants) and Patisserie (cakes, tarts, etc.). They use organic flour from small mills in Germany and Italy. Fantastic place to stop by for a pastry, a loaf of bread or a light lunch.
- Location 2: Acid Bakery
- Mitte (Rosenthaler Str. 9, 10119 Berlin)
Blending Spanish baking traditions with Berlin’s vibrant food culture, Acid bakery delivers with some of the finest sourdough and pastries the city has to offer. It’s our guide Tiago’s top recommendation!
- Our Favorite: Albatros
- Kreuzberg (Graefestraße 66/67, 10967 Berlin)
Lots of unique pastries and fantastic loaves of bread are available. The ‘Hausbrot’ cannot be beat. They even have a small area with local cheeses, sausages and other fine goods. Don’t miss this bakery, it’s the best you can find.
Traditional German Cuisine
- Location 1: Max & Moritz
- Kreuzberg (Oranienstraße 162, 10969 Berlin)
Max & Moritz is a stalwart institution location for german cuisine! Established in 1902 this place has the vibes and food you would expect from an authentic German restaurant.
- Location 2: Schwarzwaldstuben
- Mitte (Tucholskystraße 48, 10117 Berlin)
Get ready for some traditional Schwäbisches (try pronouncing that 😉 ) German food. This restaurant with its simple design, super friendly staff and delicious hearty authentic meals is well loved amongst the locals and visitors from abroad (and our guide Simon’s personal favorite!).
- Our Favorite: Lebensmittel
- Mitte (Rochstraße 2, 10178 Berlin)
The type of food that simply warms your heart. It’s tucked away between some other stores on a slightly unexpected spot and also offers outdoor seating – perfect for a warm summer night in Berlin! (With an ice cold German beer).
Turkish Cuisine
- Location 1: Defne
- Kreuzberg (Planufer 92C, 10967 Berlin)
Located on the south bank of the Landwehrkanal, Defne offers a casual and unassuming dining experience with delicious Turkish and Mediterranean dishes. It’s a local favorite spot for those seeking authentic flavors.
- Location 2: Ergün’s Fischbude
- Moabit (Lüneburger Str. 382, 10557 Berlin)
A hidden gem specializing in fish dishes. It has been operating for over 25 years and provides a unique atmosphere with a welcoming vibe.
- Our Favorite: Mercan
- Neukölln (Wiener Straße 10, 10999 Berlin)
A kitschy, authentic feel with exposed brick walls and paintings of the Istanbul waterfront. It operates more like a canteen, offering a variety of dishes displayed at the front counter. The service is quick, and the food is flavorful, making it a great spot for a casual meal.
Current Trends 2025
- Trend 1: Korean fried chicken
- Chibo
- Charlottenburg (Kantstraße 65, 10627 Berlin)
A delicious spot for Korean style fried chicken. They have fantastic sauces and the chicken is crispy.
- Trend 2: Boutique Ice Cream
- Duo – Sicilian Icecream
- Kreuzberg (Skalitzer Str. 82, 10997 Berlin)
The real ice cream deal and the locals know it. They have multiple locations spread out over Berlin, but best to assume you will still have to stand in line when it’s a sunny day. They have a creamy pistachio sauce to put on top of your already indulgent scoops that will just take your breath away. There’s gluten free options as well.
- Trend 3: Craft Sourdough Pizza
- Gazzo
- Kreuzberg (Hobrechtstraße 57, 12047 Berlin)
Made with sourdough and high quality ingredients, it’s some of the best pizza you can find in Berlin. You can’t make a reservation, so just show up and get ready for some bangin’ pizza.
Bars
- Location 1: The Lodge
- Neukolln (Sanderstraße 6, 12047 Berlin)
A ‘Twin Peaks’ themed bar on a side street close to Hermannplatz. They have nice cocktails from skilled bartenders, and a replica of the ‘red room’ from the TV series. Worth a visit even if you are not familiar with the show!
- Location 2: Buck and Breck
- Mitte (Brunnenstraße 177, 10119 Berlin)
A hidden gem that offers an intimate atmosphere and masterfully crafted cocktails. It’s a small, exclusive bar that is easy to miss unless you know where to look.
- Location 3: Bad Fish
- Prenzlauerberg (Stargarder Str. 14, 10437 Berlin)
A casual, dive-bar type of place that is popular with both expats and locals. It offers a cozy atmosphere where you can enjoy drinks and engage in lively conversations.
- Our Favorite: Mikkeller
- Mitte (Torstraße 102, 10119 Berlin)
Mikkeller is basically a craft beer rockstar, known for experimenting with all sorts of cool flavors and collaborating with breweries everywhere. They started in Copenhagen but now have a presence all over the world, and their events like the Beer Celebration are super popular among beer enthusiasts.
All time favorites ❤️
Okay, okay, we can’t help ourselves with sharing these locations with you so here’s just one more: The all time favorites from the office team
Dov’s all time favorite lunch:
- Time Raue
- Mitte (Rudi-Dutschke-Straße 26, 10969 Berlin)
This exquisite fine dining restaurant is a whole experience in itself. The asian inspired food, cooked to perfection is absolutely mind blowing and you won’t find anything like it elsewhere in Berlin.
Dov’s to-go to spot
- Banh Xeo Saigon
- Prenzlauerberg (Greifswalder Str. 41, 10405 Berlin)
A chilled place with a cosy interior, perfect for lunch or dinner with your friends & family.
Andrew:
- Jones Ice Cream
- Schöneberg (Goltzstraße 3, 10781 Berlin)
The best ice cream shop in the world? According to Andrew definitely a YES! Made with local organic milk, hand made in-house ingredients and 10+ flavors to choose from, you don’t want to miss this one. It’s always got a line in the summer, but it’s worth it. Highly recommended: Cookie dough & Brownie flavors.
Tessa:
- Calligari
- Neukölln (Kienitzer Str. 110, 12049 Berlin)
Italian food, just the way you want it. Simple dishes, with fresh ingredients, made with love. Their menu changes almost every month, but stays delicious no matter what. Make sure to make a reservation as the locals know this is the absolute best restaurant in the neighbourhood. Highly commended: Order all the starters to share with your friends, pick any of the delicious main dishes and always, always leave room for dessert because these are just the cherry on the already delicious pie.
And there you have it! A list of the gems that continue to warm our hearts and fill our bellies (and that we don’t show people on our tours!). We wish you a fantastic time with these recommendations and love to hear from you which one was your favorite!
Foodie Love,
The Team at Fork & Walk Tours
