The short version: Berlin eats fast and global. Start with the two icons the city made its own – currywurst and the döner kebab – then graze the covered Markthalle Neun, excellent Vietnamese and Turkish food, a jam-filled Berliner, and hearty classics like Königsberger Klopse, all washed down with craft beer.
At a glance
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Currywurst | Sliced sausage under curried ketchup – invented in Berlin, 1949 |
| Döner kebab | The Berlin-style stuffed kebab, popularised by Turkish Berliners |
| Königsberger Klopse | Meatballs in a creamy caper sauce |
| Berliner Pfannkuchen | A jam-filled doughnut |
| Craft beer | A booming scene beyond the classic Pils |
The icons
Two dishes define Berlin street eating. Currywurst – sausage sliced under a curried-ketchup sauce – was invented in the ruins of 1949 and is sold from kiosks (Imbiss) all over. And while the döner is Turkish, the Berlin-style döner kebab, stuffed into bread with salad and sauces, was popularised by the city’s huge Turkish community in the 1970s. Eat both on a Berlin street-food tour, especially around Kreuzberg.
Markets, global food and classics
The covered Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg is the food heart, its Thursday Street Food nights legendary. Berlin’s Vietnamese and Turkish scenes are superb, and traditional German plates endure – Königsberger Klopse (meatballs in caper sauce), schnitzel, and a Berliner Pfannkuchen doughnut. Explore it on a Berlin food tour, and drink the city’s craft beer.
Frequently asked questions
What food is Berlin known for?
Currywurst and the döner kebab above all – both closely tied to the city – plus a big global street-food scene (Vietnamese, Turkish), the Markthalle Neun, and classics like Königsberger Klopse and the Berliner doughnut.
What should I eat in Berlin?
A currywurst, a proper döner, something from Markthalle Neun, Vietnamese or Turkish food, and a Berliner Pfannkuchen – with a craft beer.
Is Berlin expensive for food?
No – Berlin is one of Europe’s best-value big-city food scenes, built on affordable street food and international kitchens rather than fine dining.
Taste Berlin
Book a Berlin food tour, a street-food tour or a craft-beer tour, and plan from the Germany hub.
