Berlin is a true haven for food lovers, offering a culinary experience that spans from street food to Michelin-starred excellence. With renowned chefs and restaurant managers sharing their personal recommendations, it’s clear why this city is considered the gastronomic heart of Germany. Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin, says it best: “Berlin has the most interesting restaurant scene in Germany. Together with the innovative chefs, we are scouts for our guests. After all, eating well is one of our visitors‘ favourite pastimes.”

The following chefs and restaurateurs share their personal favourites:

• Marco Müller (Rutz) recommends Goldies as well as Trio and Bandol sur Mer in Mitte
• Tim Raue (Restaurant Tim Raue) recommends Do De Li, Madame Ngo and Papaya in Charlottenburg
• Micha Schäfer and Billy Wagner(Nobelhart & Schmutzig) recommend Annelies in Kreuzberg, Michelberger Restaurant in Friedrichshain, Café Akkurat in Kreuzberg and Pars in Charlottenburg
• Michael Kempf (Facil) recommends Frühstück 3000 in Schöneberg and Kreuzberg, Otsuka and tigertörtchen in Mitte
• Sarah Hallmann (Hallmann & Klee) recommends La Maison in Kreuzberg, Mausi in Neukölln and Schwarzes Café in Charlottenburg
• Fabian Fischer (Bricole) recommends Allan’s Breakfast Club & Wine Bar and Zum Schusterjungen in Prenzlauer Berg, Canal Berlin in Mitte and Osteria Ribaltone in Schöneberg
• Nicholas Hahn (Cookies Cream) recommends the kebab shop Ugur in Wedding, Shaniu’s House of Noodles in Wilmersdorf, Due Forni in Prenzlauer Berg and Coda in Neukölln
• Sophia Hoffmann and Nina Petersen (HAPPA) recommend the She Said bookstore café and Love Deluxe in Neukölln, Häppies in Prenzlauer Berg and doen doen in Friedrichshain
• Ralf Zacherl and Marcel Woest (Schmidt Z&KO) recommend The Lunch Club in Mitte, Markthalle Neun and Tante Fichte in Kreuzberg

Sustainability plays a key role here, with many of the city’s top spots championing local, ethically sourced ingredients. From trendy cafés and street food markets to exceptional fine dining, Berlin’s culinary gems are all about high-quality, meaningful food experiences. And it’s not just about the food—the experience is amplified on platforms like Instagram, where food influencers help uncover the city’s hidden gems.

“Dine & Sleep”: Culinary train journey from Brussels to Berlin

The Berlin culinary campaign kicked off in November with a train journey from Brussels to Berlin: on the European Sleeper overnight train, top chefs Nikodemus Berger from Bonvivant Cocktail Bistro, Sebastian Frank from Restaurant Horvath and Arne Anker from Brikz Berlin delighted guests with their food creations. At the invitation of visitBerlin, the chefs showed around 20 media representatives from Belgium and the Netherlands that the capital has earned its reputation as an international food metropolis. The campaign for Berlin’s gastronomy was initiated and organised by visitBerlin and supported by DEHOGA Berlin and the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises.

Travel for Berlin’s Gastronomy

In fact, Berlin’s food scene is one of the main reasons people visit. According to visitBerlin’s guest survey, dining out is the second most popular activity in the city—right after sightseeing and culture. For both locals and travelers, the food is truly a reason to explore Berlin’s unique and exciting flavor world. The city’s gastronomic offerings are among the top 10 reasons for visiting Berlin for German holidaymakers.