Best Street Food in Berlin: 6 Dishes You Need To Try

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Germany’s multicultural capital has a chequered past. Once the powerhouse of one of the most brutal regimes, divided by concrete and finally reunified as the capital of an independent Germany less than 40 years ago, Berlin is the ultimate European city break for history lovers.

If delving into Germany’s Nazi and Soviet history isn’t your thing, Berlin is still for you. Marvel at the city from atop the Fernsehturm, take a tour of the Reichstag or lose yourself amongst the peace and solitude of Tiergarten. Once you’ve ticked off Berlin’s top attractions, there’s art galleries galore, some of Europe’s best luxury shopping and a nightlife that never sleeps. There’s good reason we list Berlin as one of our favorite places to travel solo in Europe this summer.

Just like the city’s diverse history, Berlin’s food scene is a mismatch of cultures. Of course, there’s no better place to indulge in the German staples. Sausages and schnitzels are everywhere you look, but Berlin has far more to offer. From Russian classics to Turkish delicacies, this is the best street food in Berlin.

The Best Street Food in Berlin

1. Currywurst

Invented in Berlin in 1949 when West Berlin chef Herta Heuwer was given some curry powder and Worcestershire sauce by British soldiers. Very quickly, currywurst became one of Berlin’s most loved dish. So popular, in fact, that there was once even a museum dedicated to it. The Deutsches Currywurst Museum sadly closed its doors in 2018, but currywurst is still some of the best street food in Berlin than ever.

A simple combination of German pork frankfurters, sliced and topped with British-style curry sauce, over 63 million portions are sold in Berlin every year. The sauce is traditionally made from Worcestershire sauce (sometimes ketchup) and curry powder, but you’ll often find paprika and red onion too. Commonly served with French fries, currywurst is also available on its own or with a bread roll.

Where to Find the Best Currywurst in Berlin

You won’t have to go far to find great currywurst no matter where you are in Berlin. As the most iconic of the best street food in Berlin overall, you’ll find stalls and restaurants dishing up this delicacy on almost every street.

One of my favorite spots for currywurst is Berlin Currys, just off Alexanderplatz. At the side of the wonderfully peculiar DeJa Vu Museum, it’s hidden away from the main tourist sites. Their fries come topped with a generous dollop of mayonnaise and the outdoor seating is the perfect spot for people watching.

As one of the best European capitals for vegan dining, many vendors offer vegan versions of this best street food in Berlin classic. Witty’s, right next to Friedrichstrasse Station, is our top pick. All their sausages (they do meaty ones too) are organic and the vegan option is also gluten-free.

2. Doner Kebab

In the midst of labor shortages, Germany and Türkiye signed an agreement to allow German companies to recruit Turkish workers in 1961. Over the next 12 years, 650,000 workers made the move and to this day, over 250,000 Turks live in Berlin alone.

With the influx of Turkish migrants, Türkiye’s divine cuisine soon found its way onto the streets of Berlin. If you’re curious why the fast food restaurant German Doner Kebab isn’t Turkish Doner Kebab, it’s because the doner in Germany and much of Western Europe really is German. Whilst the cooking method mimics the authentic Turkish way of doing doner, the concept of serving it in bread (usually pita), was invented right here in Berlin.

Traditionally lamb, although beef and chicken are popular alternatives, German doner is topped with salad and sauce. There are several sauces to choose from, but you’ll never beat the original hot sauce.

Where to Find Berlin’s Best Doner

Just like currywurst, as some of the very best street food in Berlin, doner kebabs are never hard to find. To sample some truly authentic German-Turkish fusion, head to Mustafa’s. Next to Mehringdamm U-Bahn station, despite being a few stops out of the center, the queue is always long, but the wait is always worth it. And for good reason.

If you’re craving a great vegan doner, Vöner is the place to go. Right next to Neue Bahnhofstrasse Station, they also do a vegan currywurst so good you won’t be able to taste the difference.

Travel tip: To sample more vegan alternatives to the best street food in Berlin, I love this Vegan Food & Culture tour through Friedrichshain. Beyond delicious street food, you’ll also learn just how much East Berlin has changed in the last 30 years.

3. Pelmeni

An ode to Berlin’s Communist past, Russian food was once a huge part of life in East Berlin. Whilst a visit to Russia may be off the cards for now, this example of the best street food in Berlin will transport your tastebuds to Red Square.

Originating from Siberia, pelmeni are dumplings full of minced meat or mushrooms which can be served plain, with sour cream or cooked in a broth and served like soup. For added spice, black pepper, onions and garlic are often added to the filling. If you really want to up the heat, top your pelmeni off with some paprika and curry sauce.

Where to Find the Best Pelmeni in Berlin

Naturally, this best street food in Berlin staple is best eaten in what was East Berlin. Pelmemi Wareniki in Friedrichshain is our top recommendation. A classic food truck, they make their dumplings fresh every morning. Get there early though, because once they’re gone, they’re gone.

If you find yourself in Charlottenburg, and a visit to Villa Oppenheim is as good as reason as any for that, head to Pelmeni. As the name suggests, authentic pelmeni is what this cute café is all about. That said, if you’ve already tried Wareniki’s pelmeni, this is a great opportunity to sample some other Russian favorites. Their blinis, cabbage rolls and plov are amazing.

For a more formal Russian-inspired dining experience, we love Restaurant Pastarnek (which also happens to be one of our favorite restaurants in Prenzlauer Berg).

4. Falafel

The next dish on our rundown of the best street food in Berlin also comes from afar. A staple of Middle Eastern cuisine which originated in Egypt, falafel’s place in German cuisine is another result of the Turkish migration during the 1960s.

In Egypt, falafal is often made from fava beans (and called ta’amiya). In the Middle East, chickpeas usually form the base of falafel. However, in the world of Berlin street food, falafel takes on its own character. Thanks to an influx of immigrants from Türkiye, Syria and East Africa, you can usually find all types of fusion falafel for sale. For some unexplainable reason, falafel in Berlin often comes alongside halloumi or a spicy peanut sauce (we’re not questioning this one!). One thing is for sure, the falafel you eat in Berlin you simply cannot find on the streets of the Middle East.

Where to Find the Best Falafel in Berlin

Being some of the best street food in Berlin, falafel stalls are commonplace across the city. As always though, there are a few places which cook up falafel with an edge. Our absolute favorite falafel spot in Berlin has to be Marafina. Just down the street from vegan-institution Vöner, Marafina’s falafel is true to its East African roots. Order to-go from the hatch, or take a seat inside their cozy café. Whichever you do, make sure you try their peanut sauce.

Another top spot for falafel is Sudanese restaurant Sahara Imbiss where the falafel is true to its origins. If you’re feeling hungry, go for one of their falafel sandwiches, served in pita. The star of the show is, undoubtedly, Falafel Halloumi Magali which comes with fried halloumi and vegetables.

For a more formal (and traditional) take on falafel, don’t miss Aleppo Supper Club – one of our favorites restaurants in Friedrichshain.

5. Rollmops

Whilst the best street food in Berlin we’ve seen so far is recognizable the world over, you’d be forgiven for having no idea what you might get if your order a rollmop. A delicacy unique to Northern Europe, rollmops are a truly German dish which you’ll rarely find outside the country.

Similar to Finnish and Dutch pickled herring, rollmops are herring fillets which have been pickled and rolled. The centre of the rollmop is filled with onion and pickled gherkin, giving them a unique, sour flavor.

Where to Find Berlin’s Best Rollmops

Rollmops are commonly sold in jars at most grocery stores in Germany which makes them the best street food in Berlin for on-the-go snacking. If you’d prefer to have your rollmops served for you, historic Zum Nußbaum, just across the River Spree from Museum Island, is our top pick.

6. Cinnamon Rolls

A spicy take on the traditional Danish pastry, cinnamon rolls are now enjoyed the world over. As our number one best street food in Berlin when you’re craving something sweet, German cinnamon rolls are true to their Scandinavian origins.

Where to Find the Best Cinnamon Rolls in Berlin

Zeit für Brot are our go to for cinnamon rolls in Berlin. All their pastries are made from organic, locally sourced ingredients and you can tell. The proof, they say, is in the pudding, and thankfully, Zeit für Brot have five locations in Berlin where you can put this to the test. The most convenient when you’re exploring Berlin’s top sights is on Alte Schonhauser Strasse, just north of Alexanderplatz. Beyond Berlin, there are a handful of branches across Germany, as well as stores in London and Tel Aviv.

Markthalle Neun: Berlin’s Top Food Hall

The place of pilgrimage for foodies in the German capital, Markthalle Neun has all of the best street food in Berlin under one roof. From German staples to Argentine steak and American comfort food, whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it here.

With 30 street food vendors to choose from, you could come here every day for a month and never struggle to find new flavors to savor. My all time favorite is Manti Berlin whose Turkish ravioli is served in the traditional yoghurt and paprika sauce. Make sure you grab a glass of water- it may not look spicy, but it has a real kick.

Other Markthalle Neun highlights include empanadas from Aupa Che, a German take on mac ‘n’ cheese from Heisser Hobel and classic Texan BBQ at Big Stuff. Make sure you leave time to check out the microbrewery tucked away in the basement.

Berlin at Christmas: Unmissable Christmas Street Food

Some cities do Christmas better than others; Berlin is one of them. German Christmas Markets are in a league of their own and Berlin’s are no exception. Better still, there are a few special additions to the best street food in Berlin which you’ll only find around Christmas.

The first of our top, unmissable Berlin Christmas Market street foods is lebkuchen. A staple in German households over the festive period, lebkuchen are spiced ginger cookies topped with nuts or candied fruit. Next up is Stollen. A uniquely German Christmas cake, full of dried fruit and nuts before being dusted with icing sugar.

Round off your Berlin Christmas Market experience with a glass of warming glühwein. After all, German Christmas would be complete without one (or two). If you fancy trying something a little more unusual, go for a glass of Eirspunsch, Germany’s take on eggnog. It’s an acquired taste, undoubtedly, but once you’ve acquired it, you’ll never lose it.

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