In the 30 years since the Cold War ended, Germany’s capital city has fully reinvented itself, with a new, modern, multicultural identity built up from the crumbled concrete and steel of the Berlin wall. And the gritty, DIY Berlin spirit that arose with reunification is perfectly reflected in the city’s thriving food scene: a culinary explosion of diverse tastes and trends, transcending the boundaries between cultural influences, between old traditions and new explorations, between fine dining and street food.
Eat
More of a rich stew than a melting pot, Berlin offers a breadth of culinary experiences matched by few other places in the world. In a city where doner kebab is celebrated as an equally important representative of local cuisine as traditional dishes like the hearty eisbein, openness to new cultures, flavors, and ideas is the norm, something clearly seen in the diversity of Berlin’s Michelin starred restaurants.
Drink
While the local culture of imbibing may revolve around inexpensive beer enjoyed outdoors in good company, Berlin has recently become home to a number of mixology bars with a level of refined elegance that rivals any other modern city, as well as a nascent craft beer scene with some exceptional local breweries.
Experience
As locals often say, Berlin is the least German city in Germany. A rich and complicated history has saturated every aspect of its contemporary culture, from the architecture to the nightlife to the vibrant
culinary scene with its myriad of flavors and global influences.
