What are the best culinary specialities to eat in Berlin?

Guten Appetit! In translation, “bon appétit”. It’s clear that you’ll need it if you want to sample all the good things to try if you’re planning a trip to Berlin, the capital of the vast country that is Germany, and the mistress of good charcuterie and well-stocked burgers.

One of Europe’s most fascinating and visited cities has more than one trick up its sleeve – or rather, more than one trick in its pan – for you to discover its original flavours. Get to know the local specialities that populate the neighbourhoods, and whose smells waft through the kitchen windows and intoxicate us to no end. Savoury dishes, sweet drinks and desserts? Welcome to Berlin, dear friends!

What to eat in Berlin

1. Eisbein

Ready to melt when you see the “ice cream leg”? That’s what “Eisbein” means in German for this dish. It consists mainly of pork shanks that have been marinated, boiled, grilled or smoked, and served with a few good potatoes, sauerkraut and a little mustard to spice things up. Berliners like to add a little pea purée. It’s a very famous dish in Germany, and has also conquered the capital. There are several ways of cooking meat, depending on your preferences. So, will you try an “Eisbein” when you arrive at your destination?

2. Senfeier

Do you like eggs with mustard? Well, Berliners do too! Stenfeier”, literally “mustard egg”, is a typical dish that can be found on almost every German table during the famous Easter meal in April. However, you can enjoy it at any time of year, as it is often served in the morning or at lunchtime in restaurants. It’s a light dish. Always served with potatoes (which are very popular in Germany), your meal will be accompanied by a rather heavy, creamy sauce with other small toppings, even eggs are given a special place in this dish.

3. Doner kebab

This is the MUST in terms of Berlin gastronomy! The doner kebab is a German-Turkish sandwich with two slices of bread containing meat cooked on a rotisserie. With cabbage, salad and a few other ingredients such as thinly sliced tomatoes, it’s a meal you’ll find a lot of in small street stalls, not far from the various monuments to visit in the city. What about the meat? You can choose to eat pork, lamb or chicken. The doner kebab is varied, and that’s what makes it so popular!

4. Königsberger Klopse

Granted, it’s not exactly appetising visually. But how do you know you don’t like it unless you’ve tried it first? The ‘Königsberger Klopse’ consists of meatballs typically inspired by German cuisine: minced beef or veal. The meatballs are garnished with capers, peas, potatoes and a little rice, and a creamy white sauce is poured over them. This dish is all the rage in Berlin, and why? The famous sauce is made from cream, roux and egg yolk, giving it an exquisite flavour. Popular in winter, it’s great for warming the stomach.

5. Pretzel

The star of this ranking is the pretzel. Famous all over the world, this traditional pastry is sold in absolutely every bakery in Berlin, so it’s easy to find one. They’re easy to recognise because they’re shaped like heart-shaped knots, warm and soft on the inside, and crunchy on the outside. A little interesting fact that will make you see pretzels differently: designed by a basic Italian monk, he is said to have folded the dough into a shape that resembles a young child crossing his arms in prayer. Interesting, isn’t it?

6. Currywurst

Like the Döner kebab, Currywurst is a German street-food classic. Everywhere on the street in Berlin, you can smell the mouth-watering aroma of curry and hot Chips. It’s a particularly easy dish to cook, made from pork sausage cut into small pieces and served with fluffy, salty Chips. What’s fascinating is that this dish was widely eaten in 1949 by British soldiers who had actually brought curry powder back to Germany. This same powder ended up in the kitchen of Herta Heuwer, a very famous cook, who had the idea of combining it with German sausages. And that’s how Currywurst was born!

7. Berlin doughnuts or pfannkuchen

Now it’s time for the sugar! The Berlin doughnut is what the croissant is to Paris. This sweet delicacy is part of Berlin’s identity; it’s like a piece of its DNA, so legendary and loved by all. The Berlin doughnut, more commonly known as the “pfannkuchen”, or “pancake” in German, is made from a very creamy pastry that will delight your sugar-starved taste buds. Filled with jam or chocolate, you can find these little balls fried and coated in caster sugar on the squares in summer, at the edge of terraces while sipping a delicious drink. What more could you ask for?

8. Berliner Weisse

Of course, we can’t praise Berlin’s culinary specialities without mentioning the local beer. Berliner Weisse has an acidic nectar with a taste that is unique to wheat beer from the north of the country. What does it contain? With around 5% alcohol by volume, Berliners brew it with malted barley and a little wheat. Usually accompanied by a light shot of raspberry syrup, it’s a perfect summer drink. Take the time to wander around Berlin’s bars and try some. We’re sure you’ll tell us all about it!

9. Wiener Schnitzel

This Austrian speciality, which has quickly spread throughout Berlin, consists of a thin cut of veal, a good portion of chips, halved potatoes and a few slices of lemon to squeeze over the meat. In its Berlin version, you can add parsley, capers and anchovies. This dish is served all over the city, and is sometimes made with pork rather than veal. Rolled in breadcrumbs, the meat is salted, and it’s the kind of dish that at first glance looks hearty, but in the end isn’t. So you won’t feel bloated. So you won’t feel bloated after your meal, and you can go back to exploring the city as you please.

10. Aplefstrudel

Let’s finish off with a sweet dessert. Also from Austria, “aplefstrudel”, which means “apple swirl” (just to give you a taste of what’s to come), is a thin pastry filled with apples, cinnamon, sultanas and sugar. Crunchy and soft at the same time, this dessert is much appreciated by everyone. Quick and easy to make, it can be enjoyed after a savoury dish. You can also eat it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side (apples and vanilla are a perfect match), and you’ll be delighted!