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One of the latest 'in' places to dine in Berlin is the Dachgarten in the rooftop dome of the new futuristic Parliament building (the Reichstag). From the dome, in the historic centre of Berlin, there are amazing views across the city. The menu is delightful too, including healthy traditional cuisine like the light fish and venison dishes. Reservations are vital unless you wish to join a long queue.
Address: Platz de Republik 1
Food type: Local
Bamberger Reiter
The renowned chef at the Bamberger Reiter, one of Berlin's leading restaurants, insists on using only fresh market produce to create his masterpieces of Austrian and new German cuisine, for a menu that changes daily. The restaurant is known for having the freshest fish in town and set menus of between five and eight courses are recommended daily, besides a range of à la carte choices. Typical dishes are roulade of quail, rack of lamb, bass with Riesling sauce, and the like. The décor is understated 'old Germany', resplendent with fresh flowers. The restaurant does not serve lunch and is closed Sundays and Mondays. Bookings are essential.
Address: Regensburgerstrasse 7, Schöneberg
Food type: Local
Grossbeerenkeller
To experience some authentic old-fashioned warm Berlin hospitality, not to mention some great rib-sticking traditional dishes, dive into the dark depths of the cellar restaurant Grossbeerenkeller. With dark oak furniture and antlers adorning the walls, the setting is original to complement wholesome meals of diced pork with fries and herb sauce, or boiled salt pork and green cabbage. Owner/bartender Ingebork Zinn-Baier's fried potatoes are said to be the best in the city. The cellar is closed Sundays and does not accept credit cards.
Address: Grossbeerenstrasse 90, Kreuzberg
Food type: Local
Diekmann im Weinhaus Huth
Emulating a Paris bistro the Weinhaus Huth is an interesting dining venue not because of its décor or a particularly outstanding menu, but because the building which houses it is the only original standing building left on the Potsdamer Platz, having survived the ravages of war and the demolition of the Berlin Wall. It is now surrounded by the shining new Sony centre and draws tourist interest. Highlights on the menu include tarte flambee and fresh oysters.
Address: Alte Potsdamer Strasse 5, Tiergarten
Food type: French
XII Apostel
You cannot beat the thin base pizzas that keep customers flocking to this lively restaurant in Charlottenberg. The XII Apostel is trendy and popular because of its novel idea of offering 12 pizza varieties, one named for each apostle of Jesus Christ. The biggest and tastiest is reputedly the Judas. The décor is flashy Italian Renaissance and the atmosphere is usually busy and bustling.
Address: Bleibtreustrasse 49
Food type: Italian
Zur Letzten Instanz
This historic establishment off Alexanderplatz should be on any visitor's sightseeing list not only for its hearty German comfort food (like Eisbein, potato dumplings, suckling pig and red cabbage) and tankards of beer, but also because it is the oldest restaurant in Berlin, documented as far back as 1525. The name, Zur Letzten Instanz, was inspired by a nearby courthouse and means 'without further appeal'. Napoleon is said to have dined here.
Address: Waisenstrase 14-16, Mitte
Food type: Local
Florian
For more than 20 years Florian has been regarded as one of the top restaurants in the popular Savignyplatz, offering a daily changing menu based on Swabian (ancient German) cuisine with a French touch. The restaurant's legendary dish is Nurnberg grilled sausages and sauerkraut. The relaxed, friendly ambience draws a clientele of writers, artists and filmmakers who arrive late and stay till the small hours. Reservations are essential.
Address: Grolmanstrasse 52
Food type: Local
Schwarzenraben
Two Italian brothers prepare the original new Italian cuisine in this chic and trendy restaurant where people come to see and be seen. The long, narrow dining room is not particularly attractive or comfortable, and it can be noisy, but it is the place to be in Berlin, whether dining upstairs or relaxing in the downstairs cocktail bar. Among the specialities are sea bass baked between eggplant slices, wild boar pâté with chocolate, or gnocchi with sausage and green olives. The chefs profess to know 150 fish recipes by heart, and stock 20 different types of salami. Reservations are essential.
Address: Neue Schonhauserstrasse 13, Prenzlauer Berg
Food type: Italian
Ganymed
Traditionally a popular spot to dine after the theatre, Ganymed has been around for decades serving good if not gourmet food in generous portions, gamely continuing to do business in East Berlin throughout the Cold War years. There are two formal dining rooms, one overlooking the Spree. Examples of menu highlights are goose liver terrine, Eisbein, schnitzels, mussels in Choron sauce and pheasant breast wrapped in Black Forest ham.
Address: Schiffbauerdamm 5, Berlin-Mitte
Food type: Local
Guy
The tiered interior of this restaurant is rather theatrical, setting off the haute cuisine offered on a menu that is changed frequently but could well include specialities like marinated quail, mussels with arugula puree, lobster and sweetbreads in puff pastry, or braised breast of goose. Guy is particularly proud of its well-stocked wine cellar where guests can enjoy tasting, and the pretty renaissance-inspired courtyard, which is put to use in summer weather.
Address: Jaegerstrasse 59-60, Berlin-Mitte
Food type: French
Zum Wagner
This huge, wood-panelled old apple wine tavern is a classic that produces hearty German dishes, which are better than the many other similar taverns in the popular Sachsenhausen area. Dishes like the pork shoulder with sauer kraut and potatoes, stewed beef or fresh fish (on Fridays) can be enjoyed with a slow glass of apfelwien, or a choice of beer or cider. The atmosphere is fun, boisterous and crowded; seating is at communal tables with a mix of locals and visiting German businessmen. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards.
Address: Schweizer Strasse 71 (Sachsenhausen)
Food type: Local
Erno's Bistro
Erno's is one of the best restaurants in town and something of a Frankfurt culinary institution offering classic French cuisine such as rack of lamb, lobster and fresh fish dishes. There is an excellent wine list to make the meal even more memorable, as well as some sensational desserts. Erno's is a chic gourmet rendezvous that is always busy, so reservations are essential. Closed weekends and July to August.
Address: Liebigstrasse 15 (Westend)
Food type: French
Maingau Stuben
This upmarket restaurant is presided over by chef Werner Döpfner who serves contemporary dishes such as rack of venison in a walnut crust, or seafood salad with scallops and lobster mousse in a candlelit setting. Maingau Stuben is famous for its fresh fish and game meat that is carved at the table, and the cellar is full of rare German wines. Closed Monday. No lunch Saturday. No dinner Sunday.
Address: Schifferstrasse 38-40 (Sachsenhausen)
Food type: French
Restaurant Français
This stately restaurant is very conscious of upholding the high standard of the five-star hotel that it complements. It is an ideal venue for a formal, discreet occasion with a quiet and sophisticated atmosphere, elegant furnishings, attentive service and high quality food that is beautifully prepared and presented. The menu offers international fare that is light and French-inspired with delicacies such as quails in champagne and grape sauce. Closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations required.
Address: Frankfurter Hof Hotel, Am Kaiserplatz (City Centre)
Food type: French
Silk
The aptly named Silk is a 'bed restaurant' where patrons semi-recline on white leather beds and are served magnificent food in a setting of harmonious colours and soft lighting. Enclosed inside the CocoonClub, Silk pulls out all the stops to revolutionise the dining experience and is most likely the only restaurant in the world where the DJs outnumber the chefs. The restaurant features a waterbed, which is arguably the best 'table' in the restaurant, surrounded by a virtual aquarium. The fusion of high-class experimental cuisine, architecture and electronic music makes for a unique experience. Guests dine together with reception at 7:45pm and dinner service at 8:30pm, lasting for most of the evening. Dishes served up include such fare as lobster spiked with mango, Serrano ham, and lemon grass, as well as a rack of lamb with a sauerkraut risotto. The prix-fixe menu consists of several courses encouraging diners to make an evening of it. Silk is open Tuesday to Thursday until 3am and Friday and Saturday until 7am.
Address: Hordend Strasse 30B, the Westend
Food type: Modern Eclectic
Gargantua
Gargantua is one of Frankfurt's Westend's most chic restaurants and is reminiscent of a slightly toffee-nosed 1920s bistro in Paris. The restaurant is located on a street corner with outdoor tables shielded from passers-by and traffic by a wrought-iron fence. Owned by a local food writer and columnist, the fare on offer is bound to be nothing but the best, including an impressive selection of Austrian, German and Italian wines. Patrons can expect a near-perfect dining experience. Taste sensations on offer include a creamy soup with black sausage and Perigord truffles, or a zesty risotto with radicchio, squid, and spicy chorizo sausage. A must is the duck breast in vinegar-cherry sauce. No lunch Saturday. Closed Sunday. Reservations recommended.
Address: Liebigstrasse 47, The Westend
Food type: International
Avocado Bistro
Avocado Bistro is a treat for all five senses. Brimming with fresh flowers and the complementary colour-scheme of turquoise and peach tones one might expect to find in Florida, the smells from the kitchen and the delicious and beautifully presented dishes ensure an unforgettable dining experience. The atmosphere is a mixture of bourgeois and artsy and is the perfect venue for a romantic dinner or a successful sales pitch. It is the type of restaurant associated celebrations and champagne. The menu changes with the seasons, ensuring everything is fresh and old favourites are given a new twist. The chef's experience and ingenuity are evident in the restaurant's dishes such as confit of quails sprinkled with truffle oil, a roasted saddle of rabbit served with plums in a coat of bacon on a beet mousse, and filet of cod with apple and fig and red lentils. Avocado Bistro is open Tuesdays to Saturday for lunch and Mondays to Saturdays for dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: Hochstrasse 27
Food type: French
Exedra
One of Frankfurt's most popular Greek restaurants, Exedra is deceptive with its ornate 19th-century exterior, but once inside, the large and relatively undecorated taverna with big windows overlooking the street offers guests a wonderful dining atmosphere. The cuisine originates from northern Greece (Macedonia), and the grilled lamb filet with a feta-cheese sauce and grilled sweet peppers is an absolute must as well as the more interesting and imaginative leg of rabbit braised in shallots, cinnamon, and red wine. The restaurant functions as a bar and café in the mornings and throughout the afternoon. Exedra is open Monday to Saturday 9am - 2am and Sundays from 4pm-2am. Reservations recommended.
Address: Heiligkreuzgasse 29
Food type: Mediterranean
Historix
Located on the ground floor of Frankfurt's Historisches Museum, Historix exhibits the age-old art of Hessian cuisine. Many exhausted museum-goers frequent this restaurant purely because of its proximity to the museum and its affordable menu, but anyone who knows a thing or two about good Hessian cuisine will find themselves returning time and time again. Emphasis on authentic Hessian tradition of wine and apple-cider cellars is evident in the décor, where the modern world streams through big, plate-glass windows, along with sunbeams, meeting the old world and affording diners views of passersby in the old town outside. Traditional Hessian fare includes pork schnitzel with green sauce, Tafelspitz, Frankfurter Hacksteak (chopped steak), and roasted pork shank with green sauce. All these dishes are designed to compliment the tart flavour of hard cider, which is in abundance at Historix. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: Saalgasse 19 (In the Historisches Museum, Altstadt)
Food type: Local
Pacific Colors
The Hilton's avant-garde lobby is the home of the Pacific Colors restaurant, which offers up a mouth-watering range of diverse Californian dishes combined with a touch of Asian, Mexican and Mediterranean tang. Pacific tones of green and blue as well as stunning views of the Friedberger Anlage Park and walkways through the floor-to-ceiling windows provide a beautiful backdrop for a wonderful dining experience. Fare on offer includes dishes such as the seafood medley, a sumptuous trio of red snapper, white fish, and prawns served with spicy chilli-laced noodles and a coriander syrup. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: Hochstrasse 4 (in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel)
Food type: American
Cities & Regions: Berlin | Munich | Frankfurt | The Black Forest | Hamburg
This historic establishment off Alexanderplatz should be on any visitor's sightseeing list not only for its hearty German comfort food (like Eisbein, potato dumplings, suckling pig and red cabbage) and tankards of beer, but also because it is the oldest restaurant in Berlin, documented as far back as 1525. The name, Zur Letzten Instanz, was inspired by a nearby courthouse and means 'without further appeal'. Napoleon is said to have dined here.
Address: Waisenstrase 14-16, Mitte
Food type: Local
Florian
For more than 20 years Florian has been regarded as one of the top restaurants in the popular Savignyplatz, offering a daily changing menu based on Swabian (ancient German) cuisine with a French touch. The restaurant's legendary dish is Nurnberg grilled sausages and sauerkraut. The relaxed, friendly ambience draws a clientele of writers, artists and filmmakers who arrive late and stay till the small hours. Reservations are essential.
Address: Grolmanstrasse 52
Food type: Local
Schwarzenraben
Two Italian brothers prepare the original new Italian cuisine in this chic and trendy restaurant where people come to see and be seen. The long, narrow dining room is not particularly attractive or comfortable, and it can be noisy, but it is the place to be in Berlin, whether dining upstairs or relaxing in the downstairs cocktail bar. Among the specialities are sea bass baked between eggplant slices, wild boar pâté with chocolate, or gnocchi with sausage and green olives. The chefs profess to know 150 fish recipes by heart, and stock 20 different types of salami. Reservations are essential.
Address: Neue Schonhauserstrasse 13, Prenzlauer Berg
Food type: Italian
Ganymed
Traditionally a popular spot to dine after the theatre, Ganymed has been around for decades serving good if not gourmet food in generous portions, gamely continuing to do business in East Berlin throughout the Cold War years. There are two formal dining rooms, one overlooking the Spree. Examples of menu highlights are goose liver terrine, Eisbein, schnitzels, mussels in Choron sauce and pheasant breast wrapped in Black Forest ham.
Address: Schiffbauerdamm 5, Berlin-Mitte
Food type: Local
Guy
The tiered interior of this restaurant is rather theatrical, setting off the haute cuisine offered on a menu that is changed frequently but could well include specialities like marinated quail, mussels with arugula puree, lobster and sweetbreads in puff pastry, or braised breast of goose. Guy is particularly proud of its well-stocked wine cellar where guests can enjoy tasting, and the pretty renaissance-inspired courtyard, which is put to use in summer weather.
Address: Jaegerstrasse 59-60, Berlin-Mitte
Food type: French
Zum Wagner
This huge, wood-panelled old apple wine tavern is a classic that produces hearty German dishes, which are better than the many other similar taverns in the popular Sachsenhausen area. Dishes like the pork shoulder with sauer kraut and potatoes, stewed beef or fresh fish (on Fridays) can be enjoyed with a slow glass of apfelwien, or a choice of beer or cider. The atmosphere is fun, boisterous and crowded; seating is at communal tables with a mix of locals and visiting German businessmen. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards.
Address: Schweizer Strasse 71 (Sachsenhausen)
Food type: Local
Erno's Bistro
Erno's is one of the best restaurants in town and something of a Frankfurt culinary institution offering classic French cuisine such as rack of lamb, lobster and fresh fish dishes. There is an excellent wine list to make the meal even more memorable, as well as some sensational desserts. Erno's is a chic gourmet rendezvous that is always busy, so reservations are essential. Closed weekends and July to August.
Address: Liebigstrasse 15 (Westend)
Food type: French
Maingau Stuben
This upmarket restaurant is presided over by chef Werner Döpfner who serves contemporary dishes such as rack of venison in a walnut crust, or seafood salad with scallops and lobster mousse in a candlelit setting. Maingau Stuben is famous for its fresh fish and game meat that is carved at the table, and the cellar is full of rare German wines. Closed Monday. No lunch Saturday. No dinner Sunday.
Address: Schifferstrasse 38-40 (Sachsenhausen)
Food type: French
Restaurant Français
This stately restaurant is very conscious of upholding the high standard of the five-star hotel that it complements. It is an ideal venue for a formal, discreet occasion with a quiet and sophisticated atmosphere, elegant furnishings, attentive service and high quality food that is beautifully prepared and presented. The menu offers international fare that is light and French-inspired with delicacies such as quails in champagne and grape sauce. Closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations required.
Address: Frankfurter Hof Hotel, Am Kaiserplatz (City Centre)
Food type: French
Silk
The aptly named Silk is a 'bed restaurant' where patrons semi-recline on white leather beds and are served magnificent food in a setting of harmonious colours and soft lighting. Enclosed inside the CocoonClub, Silk pulls out all the stops to revolutionise the dining experience and is most likely the only restaurant in the world where the DJs outnumber the chefs. The restaurant features a waterbed, which is arguably the best 'table' in the restaurant, surrounded by a virtual aquarium. The fusion of high-class experimental cuisine, architecture and electronic music makes for a unique experience. Guests dine together with reception at 7:45pm and dinner service at 8:30pm, lasting for most of the evening. Dishes served up include such fare as lobster spiked with mango, Serrano ham, and lemon grass, as well as a rack of lamb with a sauerkraut risotto. The prix-fixe menu consists of several courses encouraging diners to make an evening of it. Silk is open Tuesday to Thursday until 3am and Friday and Saturday until 7am.
Address: Hordend Strasse 30B, the Westend
Food type: Modern Eclectic
Gargantua
Gargantua is one of Frankfurt's Westend's most chic restaurants and is reminiscent of a slightly toffee-nosed 1920s bistro in Paris. The restaurant is located on a street corner with outdoor tables shielded from passers-by and traffic by a wrought-iron fence. Owned by a local food writer and columnist, the fare on offer is bound to be nothing but the best, including an impressive selection of Austrian, German and Italian wines. Patrons can expect a near-perfect dining experience. Taste sensations on offer include a creamy soup with black sausage and Perigord truffles, or a zesty risotto with radicchio, squid, and spicy chorizo sausage. A must is the duck breast in vinegar-cherry sauce. No lunch Saturday. Closed Sunday. Reservations recommended.
Address: Liebigstrasse 47, The Westend
Food type: International
Avocado Bistro
Avocado Bistro is a treat for all five senses. Brimming with fresh flowers and the complementary colour-scheme of turquoise and peach tones one might expect to find in Florida, the smells from the kitchen and the delicious and beautifully presented dishes ensure an unforgettable dining experience. The atmosphere is a mixture of bourgeois and artsy and is the perfect venue for a romantic dinner or a successful sales pitch. It is the type of restaurant associated celebrations and champagne. The menu changes with the seasons, ensuring everything is fresh and old favourites are given a new twist. The chef's experience and ingenuity are evident in the restaurant's dishes such as confit of quails sprinkled with truffle oil, a roasted saddle of rabbit served with plums in a coat of bacon on a beet mousse, and filet of cod with apple and fig and red lentils. Avocado Bistro is open Tuesdays to Saturday for lunch and Mondays to Saturdays for dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: Hochstrasse 27
Food type: French
Exedra
One of Frankfurt's most popular Greek restaurants, Exedra is deceptive with its ornate 19th-century exterior, but once inside, the large and relatively undecorated taverna with big windows overlooking the street offers guests a wonderful dining atmosphere. The cuisine originates from northern Greece (Macedonia), and the grilled lamb filet with a feta-cheese sauce and grilled sweet peppers is an absolute must as well as the more interesting and imaginative leg of rabbit braised in shallots, cinnamon, and red wine. The restaurant functions as a bar and café in the mornings and throughout the afternoon. Exedra is open Monday to Saturday 9am - 2am and Sundays from 4pm-2am. Reservations recommended.
Address: Heiligkreuzgasse 29
Food type: Mediterranean
Historix
Located on the ground floor of Frankfurt's Historisches Museum, Historix exhibits the age-old art of Hessian cuisine. Many exhausted museum-goers frequent this restaurant purely because of its proximity to the museum and its affordable menu, but anyone who knows a thing or two about good Hessian cuisine will find themselves returning time and time again. Emphasis on authentic Hessian tradition of wine and apple-cider cellars is evident in the décor, where the modern world streams through big, plate-glass windows, along with sunbeams, meeting the old world and affording diners views of passersby in the old town outside. Traditional Hessian fare includes pork schnitzel with green sauce, Tafelspitz, Frankfurter Hacksteak (chopped steak), and roasted pork shank with green sauce. All these dishes are designed to compliment the tart flavour of hard cider, which is in abundance at Historix. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: Saalgasse 19 (In the Historisches Museum, Altstadt)
Food type: Local
Pacific Colors
The Hilton's avant-garde lobby is the home of the Pacific Colors restaurant, which offers up a mouth-watering range of diverse Californian dishes combined with a touch of Asian, Mexican and Mediterranean tang. Pacific tones of green and blue as well as stunning views of the Friedberger Anlage Park and walkways through the floor-to-ceiling windows provide a beautiful backdrop for a wonderful dining experience. Fare on offer includes dishes such as the seafood medley, a sumptuous trio of red snapper, white fish, and prawns served with spicy chilli-laced noodles and a coriander syrup. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: Hochstrasse 4 (in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel)
Food type: American
Cities & Regions: Berlin | Munich | Frankfurt | The Black Forest | Hamburg
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