Barbara Woolsey
Barbara Woolsey is a journalist and guidebook author based in Berlin, Germany. Growing up on the Canadian prairies with Filipino, Irish, and Scottish roots, helped spark a passion for food from around the world (across over 50 countries to date, in fact). She has worked on guidebooks for Lonely Planet, Fodor’s and Michelin Green Guides, and contributed articles about food, drink, and travel to The Guardian, Reuters, and more.
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Otto
Otto is a wine bar focused on natural wine and sustainable food options - come to this small place in Mitte for a little of both.
Rocket + Basil
Rocket and Basil is our favorite Persian lunch spot, and it’s especially great after Checkpoint Charlie - which is a 15 minute drive away.
Kin Dee
Kin Dee is Berlin’s best Thai restaurant, and while the food is beautiful and carefully made, it’s a comfortable space to eat some curry.
Bonvivant Cocktail Bistro
Bonvivant is part vegetarian restaurant, part bar, and it works really well whether you’re stopping in for a drink or staying for a full meal.
Lavanderia Vecchia
Lavanderia Vecchia is a romantic Italian restaurant in Neukolln that’s pricey for dinner, but a great deal at lunch.
Coda
Coda is the first and only all-desserts restaurant in Germany, and it’s one of the most unique dinners you can have in Berlin.
Chicha
Whether you’re going out in Neukolln or Kreuzberg, Chicha is located between the two and is perfect for a big group dinner before.
Barra
Barra is one of the few great places open on Sundays/Mondays, so make a reservation for this very comfortable place in Neukolln.
Liu
Liu is a Sichuan spot in downtown Mitte that’s the best option in the area for lunch - especially after Checkpoint Charlie.
Shiori
At Shiori, you’ll sit next to the 10 other guests during the single 7:30pm seating and eat European/Japanese small plates.
Nobelhart & Schmutzig
Nobelhart & Schmutzig is the fine dining restaurant that pioneered the local, sustainable food movement in Berlin - and it’s still worth a visit.
Markthalle Neun
This 19th-century market houses local vendors - come when you can’t make a decision, want to try lots of different things, or on a rainy day.
Horváth
A meal at Horvath in Kreuzberg, is going to be expensive but memorable - come for an anniversary or special occasion.
Goldies
Whenever you need a heavily-fried meal, come to Goldies for topped french fries and fried chicken - with lots of homemade dipping sauces.
La Lucha
Start your night out with a group in Kreuzberg with tacos, quesadillas, and strong drinks at La Lucha.
Chungking Noodles
The spicy handmade noodles from ChungKing are one of our favorite ways to warm up in this city.
Burgermeister
One of our favorite late-night spots, Burgermeister has locations around the city for great and simple burgers.
Rogacki
This old-school deli counter in Charlottenburg is the perfect place for breakfast or a late lunch - don’t leave without some smoked fish and eel.
Prism
There are few special occasion spots that we recommend as often as Prism - the food is great, the wine list is varied, and it’s a comfortable space.
Madame Ngo
When you need something warm in the middle of a Berlin winter, Madame Ngo serves our favorite pho in a comfortable space in Charlottenburg.
Lon-Men’s Noodle House
This decades-old Taiwanese spot is our choice for affordable soups, noodles, and dim sum in the Charlottenburg area.