Berlin isn’t a city stuck on tradition, which is why one of the best places to try German food is at PeterPaul. They serve modern takes on German classics—like Königsberger Klopse, meatballs in a creamy sauce, and the gravy-rich roast meat dish that is Sauerbraten. Pretty much everything on the menu comes in small portions, so definitely order three to four dishes per person, but if you find yourself drawn to heavier options like the buttermilk-marinated crispy chicken, just know that you’ll need to find a way to make room for the rich black forest cherry cake. Even though PeterPaul is one of the nicer places on this list, there isn’t a dress code, and you’ll probably still see people wearing open button-down shirts and VEJA sneakers.

photo credit: Zoe Spawton