Best Food in Kreuzberg, Berlin

Kreuzberg is known for having great cheap, street food, particularly of the Middle Eastern variety. On almost every corner you can find a kebab or falafel shop, although the trick is knowing which to choose! While you can typically get a good, tasty wrap for €2.50-4, the quality, quantity and content can vary quite significantly, not always in accordance with price. Would you prefer a simple wrap with fresh salad and cool yoghurt, with fresh falafel made from the heart and wholemeal bread, or is today the day for an altogether greasier, everything-in shawarma? Historically, Kreuzberg was a fairly isolated, poor area of West Berlin before 1989 and has been one of the most prominent areas of Turkish immigration to and influence on Berlin.

It also offers food from other parts of the world, such as Vietnam, and some more local specialities, such as currywurst. While some areas or streets are better for takeaway and quick meals, such as around Kottbusser Tor and Görlitzer Bahnhof, others offer reasonably priced restaurant food, for example on Bergmannstrasse in west Kreuzberg, or Dieffenbachstrasse in east Kreuzberg. There are several good restaurants to get more traditional German cuisine. This directory offers a variety of the best and most affordable places to eat in the district.

(To visit the venues mentioned in this article, check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Berlin)

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1. Nil-Imbiss Sudanesiche Spezialitäten

Nil's Imbiss offers a Sudanese take on wraps. In most of their wraps, this involves a delicious peanut sauce that is added in the middle and again at the end. The falafel is good and can be combined with halloumi in a Tamiya Special. Alternatives include Aswad (aubergine) and tofu, both vegan options, while fish and chicken are also on the menu and cooked while you wait. Waiting is often accompanied by listening to hip-hop, which seems to be the preferred genre of the guys that work there. The wraps tend to cost between €3-4. Desserts are also available, for example fried bananas! There are two other Nil's locations, one near Schlesisches Tor, also in Kreuzberg, and the other in Friedrichshain.

Where to find it:

Kottbusser damm 21, Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 29047713

Working Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11:00am-12:00am
Sun: 09:00am-12:00am

http://www.nil-imbiss.de

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2. Hamburger Heaven

Hamburger Heaven, as the name suggests, specialise in making excellent burgers. More importantly, all the recipes have been crafted carefully and intelligently, with all the ingredients of the burger, including the ketchup and mayonnaise, home-made and very fresh. The meat offered includes a free-range, halal and kosher option and an additional organic option. Steak and vegetarian options are also available on the menu. Seating is available outside with a cover in case of rain. The prices are very affordable for burgers, starting at €3.50. As Hamburger Heaven is located just by the canal, it is an ideal location to grab a burger and then go for walk, or to enjoy the great variety of bars nearby on Graefestrasse and other nearby streets.

Where to find it:

Graefestrasse 93, Berlin 10967, Germany

Working Hours:
Mon: 12:00-21:00
Fri: 12:00-22:00
Sun: 13:00-22:00

http://www.hamburgerheaven.de/

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3. Lasan Restaurant

Lasan is an Iraqi restaurant located under Cafe Kotti near Kottbusser Tor U-Bahn and is slightly hidden by buildings and trees. But don't let its hidden location prevent you from seeking it out. Lasan provides an environment where food is meant to be appreciated and enjoyed, so offers a great alternative if you are looking for a place to dine in. The tellers (plates) there are full of goodness, with foul (made from fava beans), tzaziki, humous, aubergine dip and tabbouleh available on a range of platters, with falafel, halloumi, grilled meat and other options. These will cost between €5-10 depending on your choice.

Where to find it:

Adalbertstrasse 96, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 69814098

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: 09:00am-11:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am-12:00am

https://www.lasan-restaurant.de/

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4. Yellow Sunshine

Yellow Sunshine markets itself as a 'Bio Fast Food Restaurant', which is a more or less accurate reflection as all the food is organic and served rapidly. If you are looking for vegetarian or vegan food but also something that satisfies you need for a burger and fries then this is as a good place as any to start. There is a great variety of burgers costing between €3.90-4.80. You can also get coffee, tea, shakes or an alcoholic beverage to make your experience complete.

Where to find it:

Wiener Straße 19, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 69598720

Working Hours:
Summer:
Sun-Thu: 12:00-24:00; Fri-Sat: 12:00-01:00
Winter:
Sun-Thu: 12:00-23:00; Fri-Sat: 12:00-01:00

http://www.yellow-sunshine.com/

5. Rissani

Sitting next to Görlitzer Park, Rissani is renowned for its giant tellers (plates) of falafel, schawarma, humous, halloumi and so much more. But don't feel you have to order one each, try sharing a big one first with a friend first as there is plenty to go round! This is without a doubt one of the best value for money places to eat in town, offering delicious and nutritious food at very affordable prices. Freshly squeezed orange or carrot juice is also available.

Where to find it:

Spreewaldplatz 4-6, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 61629433

6. Burgermeister

You know your German is getting up to scratch you if you catch the pun in the name here. Bürgermeister (with an umlaut) means 'mayor'. Burgermeister is located in a former public toilet, how very 'Berlin'. It's a small but extremely popular place right by Schlesisches Tor U-Bahn with fluorescent lighting and diner-style decor. Open late, this is a great burger joint for anyone relishing a meaty feast on their way back from the club, or indeed wanting something salty and tasty during the day. The service is quick and while there isn't much space for seating, there is enough to lean on, munch your burger and rest your drink on the side.

Where to find it:

Oberbaumstrasse 8, 10997 Berlin, Germany

Working Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11:00-03:00
Fri: 11:00-04:00
Sat: 12:00-04:00
Sun: 12:00-03:00

http://www.burger-meister.de/

7. Kottiwood

On hearing the words 'gemüse kebap' (literally 'vegetable kebab') most people would immediately be waxing lyrical about Mustafa's on Mehringdamm. However, little known but right under the noses of the Kreuzberg faithful, Kottiwood offers an almost identical version of the famous Mustafa's kebab. This comes packed with sautéed carrots, potatoes, zucchinis and aubergine and is a bargain at €2.50. As in all other kebab joints there are a variety of tellers, ranging around the €5-6 mark with a drink. Tea is free and there is plenty of seating inside and outside.

Where to find it:

Reichenberger Strasse 176, Berlin, Germany

Working Hours:
Mon-Thu: 10:00am-01:00am
Fri-Sat: 10:00am-04:00am
Sun: 10:00am-12:00am

8. Hoai Nam

Kreuzberg has a number of Vietnamese restaurants dotted about the district and Hoai Nam, just by Görlitzer Bahnhof, is as good as any out there. Reasonably priced dishes and great, authentic Vietnamese food. The service is also friendly and fast.

Where to find it:

Skalitzer Straße 103, 10997 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 43023450

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 12:00pm-12:00am

http://www.hoainam.de/

9. Marheineke Markthalle

This food market hall, which can be entered from Bergmannstrasse, offers a wide range of food, which you can eat inside the hall or take outside during the summer. It has German specialities, including currywurst, roast chicken and roast potatoes, which come at very affordable prices and are good on a cold winter's day. A range of other stalls include one serving fresh fish, another offering authentic Greek cuisine, another serving Chinese food and a few places to grab a coffee and some cake.

Where to find it:

Marheinekeplatz, 10961 Berlin, Germany

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: 09:00am-08:00pm
Sat: 08:00am-08:00pm
Sun: Closed

http://www.meine-markthalle.de/

10. Curry 36

Famous place to buy Berlin's most famous dish, currywurst. Although currywurst can be bought all over Berlin Curry 36 is an extremely popular location. You can often see hoards of customers either demolishing their sausage and chips with special sauce or salivating at the prospect. In truth, a temporary collective of fast food punters is almost permanently visible between Curry 36 and Mustafa's, just a few metres away. The significance of the number 36 dates back to pre-1989 Berlin, when the Kreuzberg district (part of West Berlin) was divided into two areas, SO 36 and SW 61. The former was closer to the wall and the poorer of the two areas, containing the most immigrants. Ironically, Curry 36 sits in the area that used to be SW 61, but the name is justified as the address is Mehringdamm 36.

Where to find it:

Mehringdamm 36, 10961 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 2517368

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 09:00am-05:00am

http://www.curry36.de/

11. Mustafa's

Mustafa's famous 'gemüse kebap' (literally 'vegetable kebab') brings scores of pilgrims flocking to Mehringdamm day by day, hour by hour. If you should choose to join the faithful, prepare to be in for a wait of up to twenty or thirty minutes before being served. Bear in mind, the queue never dies! So what's all the fuss about the stall on the side of the road? As far as most people are concerned, this is one of the best kebabs going in Berlin, possibly in the world. It's fair to say that the faithful will continue to graze here, come rain or shine.

Where to find it:

Mehringdamm 32, 10961 Berlin, Germany

Working Hours:
Mon-Thu,Sun: 10:00am-03:00am
Fri-Sat: 10:00am-05:00am

http://mustafas.de

12. Kreuzburger

One of several word plays on the phonetic similarity between 'berger' and 'burger' in the district. Kreuzburger offers a wide range of burgers that correspond to names of streets or areas, such as 'Oranienburger' or 'Kreuzburger', with a good variety of toppings. It also offers burgers in two different sizes, 100g or 180g, depending on how hungry you're feeling, as well as a 'bio' (organic) option. In general the burgers are tasty and the place is fairly cosy, rolling with the Berlin exposed brickwork aesthetic.

Where to find it:

Oranienstraße 190, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 80575398

Working Hours:
12:00am-10:00pm

http://www.kreuzburger.de/

13. Musashi

Musashi is a tiny hole in the wall restaurant, so you may have to wait for a seat but usually not too long. The sushi is excellent, as is the tempura and soup. This is really the place if you want to get sushi in Kreuzberg and it quite affordable, but possibly not where you want to go if you're looking for an Asian fusion joint, it's probably better to look elsewhere.

Where to find it:

Kottbusser Damm 102, 10967 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 6932042

Working Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12:00pm-10:30pm
Sun: 02:00pm-10:00pm

14. Max & Moritz

One of Kreuzberg's less commonplace restaurants offering traditional German cuisine - lots of meat, sausages, sauerkraut, beer etc - Max and Moritz has lots of space for big parties, English menus and great food with generous helpings. M. & M. is most famous for the pork content on its menus, including pork knuckles, and its home-brewed wheat beer.

Where to find it:

Oranienstr. 162, 10969 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 69515911

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 17:00pm-01:00am

http://www.maxundmoritzberlin.de/

15. Weltrestaurant Markthalle

In Kreuzberg this is the place to eat if you want traditional food in an old beer hall. Schnitzel and other traditional German cuisine is served here at a reasonable price, while the steak is also excellent. In addition to the meatier meals there are vegetarian options including salads. Menus are also available in French or English, the portions are substantial and the service is very friendly.

Where to find it:

Pücklerstr. 34, 10997 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 6175502

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 10:00-02:00

http://www.weltrestaurant-markthalle.de/de/index.php?s=1

16. Brachvogel

Brachvogel is a beer garden by the canal. Amongst other things, what makes it special is the chance to play mini golf in a fun and manageable course (costs €3 per person). You can select food from a buffet and there is some good traditional food on offer, including soups, salads, sausages and schnitzels.

Where to find it:

Carl-Herz-Ufer 34 10961 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 6930432

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 09:00-02:00

http://www.brachvogel-berlin.de/bv/

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