Throughout the city, you’ll have no problem finding delicious meal deals, like a döner kebap piled with fresh toppings for under €3! Armed with a €1 beer from the next-door “Späti,” you’ll enjoy every bite and look like a local while hunched over your food on the nearest bench.

So grab some extra napkins and belly up to the bar. Here’s a primer on Berlin’s best street food.

Döner

Döner is ubiquitous in Berlin, and most Berliners’ “favorite” döner shop is either the one closest to where they spent their evening partying or the most convenient to the tram, train or bus stop on the way home. While plenty of döner are enjoyed during normal daytime hours, for an authentic döner experience try ingesting one on any random street corner at 2 AM. Don’t feel the need to over plan your döner purchase, as döner will always, always come to you when you least expect it and most need it.

That said, if you prefer to flock to your döner, you can join the long lines forming at:

Mustafas Gemüse Kebap
Kreuzberg, right outside the U6/U7-Mehringdamm station.

Grill and Schlemmerbuffet
Located in Mitte at U8-Rosenthaler Platz.

Hasir
Six locations across the city.

Tadim
Located in Kreuzberg at U8/U1-Kottbusser Tor.

Know before you go: With/out onions “mit/ohne Zwiebeln,” with/out garlic “mit/ohne Knoblauch,” with/out chili sauce “mit/ohne scharfe Sauce.”

Currywurst

If you get to Mustafas (above) and decide the line is simply too long to wait, luckily relief is just up the block: Curry 36 serves up some of Berlin’s best currywurst virtually all hours of the day and manages to handle its line a lot more quickly than Mustafas. The Kreuzberg location is its most popular, but you can get the same food at its Zoologischer Garten outpost (U9, S-Bahn, and trains).

Konnopke’s is your currywurst destination in Prenzlauer Berg (U2-Eberswalder Str.).

Wittenbergplatz, located at the junction of the U1, U2, and U3 lines and at the foot of KaDeWe, is a handy place to grab a currywurst, as there are kiosks on each of its four corners serving up traditional or organic varieties (as well as, you guessed it, döner!). Nearby Dolores offers fresh, delicious, made-to-order California-style burritos.

Know before you go: With/out natural casings “mit/ohne Darm.”

Falafel

While Berlin isn’t as famous for its falafel as, say, Paris, fans of the food will greatly savor the offerings at DaDa Falafel (U6-Oranienburger Tor) or Habibi (two locations in Schöneberg, either U7-Eisenacher Str. or U1/U2/U3/U4-Nollendorfplatz).

Eating your way through Berlin’s markets

Like many European cities, Berlin hosts a variety of weekly indoor and outdoor markets with a wide selection of traditional and ethnic options on offer.

Winterfeldtplatz market has open stalls specializing in local cheeses and produce, perfect for an afternoon snack. Photo: Apler C

Winterfeldtplatz

This open-air market is recognized for fresh local produce and locally-crafted, high-quality meats, cheeses and other specialty foods. It’s held Wednesdays 8 AM to 2 PM and Saturdays 8 AM to 4 PM, a short walk from U1/U2/U3/U4-Nollendorfplatz or U7-Kleistpark.

Maybachufer

This market has the feeling of a Turkish bazaar, with as many cheap things as foods for sale. It’s held Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 AM to 6:30 PM and can be reached from U8-Schönleinstr.

Markthalle Neun

Popular with foodies from the slow food movement, the covered Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg offers a weekly market of locally-produced and high-quality foods on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 AM to 6 PM, and a daily lunch special in its canteen from 12 to 4 PM (closed Sundays).

Every Thursday night between 5 and 10 PM, the hall hosts “Street Food Thursday,” where an ever-changing cast of cooks offers up tacos, BBQ sandwiches, dumplings and everything in between! Markthalle Neun can be reached from U1-Görlitzer Bahnhof.

Streets with great outdoor dining

Friedrichshain is a popular area for al fresco cafes and eateries. Photo: La Citta Vita

Friedrichshain’s Simon-Dach-Str.

If it’s restaurant dining en plein air you’re looking for, there are two Berlin streets where you can’t go wrong. First is Friedrichshain’s Simon-Dach-Str. The atmosphere here is lively—even celebratory, as scores of stag and bachelorette parties seem to have an obligatory evening stop here. Weekend brunching is also popular in the area, which is easily reached from U5-Frankfurter Tor or S-Warschauer Str.

Related: A Walking Tour of former East Berlin: Hanging out in Friedrichshain

Kreuzberg’s Bergmannstr.

Second go-to address is Kreuzberg’s Bergmannstr., equally as visited on summer evenings as the Simon-Dach-Str., but by a more relaxed crowd. Cafes, bars and restaurants line both sides of the streets between Mehringdamm and Zossener Str. The popularity of both Simon-Dach-Str. and Bergmannstr. have led to similar development in neighboring streets, so feel free to wander a bit till you find the right place to sit.

Schöneberg’s Akazienstr.

A third option with a plethora of restaurant styles and comfortable places to enjoy a drink (but avoid tourist crowds) is Schöneberg’s Akazienstr. It has plenty of options including Vietnamese food, falafel and relaxed outdoor cafes perfect for hanging out for an afternoon.

And for dessert?

Caffe e Gelato at Potsdamer Platz Arkaden shopping center serves up a tasty bowl of ice cream. Photo: Olivier B

Within a stone’s throw of many of these establishments are some of Berlin’s most popular and delicious homemade ice cream shops.

For more information, read our previous post on the scoop on Berlin’s best ice cream options.

The post Berlin cheap eats: Döner, currywurst, and outdoor dining appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Although Mensa cafeterias are commonly found on campus at German universities and packed with healthy, athletically-inclined students, the dining halls are open to the public, and you’ll often find yourself dining alongside area businessmen and women. For the adventurous tourist, the cafeterias offer a unique and budget-friendly opportunity to get a taste of the real Deutschland.

Cafeteria food is, mildly put, not everyone’s culinary preference. But we enjoy it and embrace it for all of its qualities – healthy portions, light seasonings, regimented serving procedures, and unwavering value.

How the Mensa works

Most Mensa cafeterias require that you purchase a “MensaCard” onto which you can load – and reload – cash. These cards are for sale in the checkout lines for €1.55. Once you have procured a card, take it to the loading machine, where you insert money and load it up. At some cafeterias, you may also pay with cash, but you shouldn’t count on this.

Please note: Do not continue with your Mensa adventure until after you have fully loaded your card. The cashier can’t load up your card for you. Bad and embarrassing things could happen.

Your card activated, head into the cafeteria. Look for a big sign listing the day’s options (sometimes with illustrations), and note that most cafeterias offer daily options that are vegetarian, vegan, and “bio-essen” (organic). If you don’t speak or read German, it’s a pretty safe bet that you can ask any student around you for translation help. (“Schwein,” by the way, is “pork.” You’ll be seeing that.)

We usually head for the longest line, as it gives us a chance to survey the choices being dished up, and to overhear the ordering and practice our vocabulary. (English will probably not work on the women working behind the serving counter – but a smile and pointed finger usually does the trick.) Once your main entrée and side have been handed to you, slide down to the salad cabinet, and then head to the beverage dispenser. So many wholesome beverages are yours – milk, apple juice, orange juice, vitamin punch (Note: We’re still not quite sure what’s in the vitamin punch, but it does pack one)!

Now that your tray is filled with nourishing vittles, head to a checkout lane and be prepared to hand over your new Mensa card. If you’re a student, show your student ID before the clerk rings you up, as your prices will be markedly lower.

Our favorite Mensa cafeterias in central Berlin

In Mitte:
Mensa Nord
Reinhardtstrasse 30
Editors pick for dining in Mitte, north of Unter den Linden.
Monday – Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM

Near Alexanderplatz:
Mensa Spandauer Strasse
Spandauer Str. 1
Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 3 PM

Near Gendarmenmarkt:
Mensa Charlottenstrasse
Charlottenstrasse 55
Pop into this one when heading south of Unter den Linden or shopping on Friedrichstrasse.
Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 3 PM

Near Nollendorfplatz:
Mensa Kurfurstenstrasse
Kurfürstenstraße 141
Monday through Friday 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Read more

Still hungry? Read more posts on cheap eats in Berlin.

The post Berlin: Mensa cafeterias dish up cheap meals appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But the neighborhood wasn’t without its charms: To insiders, it was always known as a great place to explore. You could come across amazing finds (with prices to match) at one of its many dusty second-hand stores, as well as a great place to find roomy, dirt cheap apartments.

A lot has changed since then. The dusty old stores have mostly given way to boutiques and artsy cafes; the ones that remain are well versed in terms like “mid-century” and lay in hopes of snagging an expat hipster willing to dig deep into their pockets. Long gone are the days of easy apartment searches and rent prices are today among the highest in the city.

This said, a trip to Neukölln is still a must for every traveler who wants to experience Berlin’s special brand of coolness. Here is our guide to the neighborhood’s best budget-friendly restaurants and bars, complete with several tips on where you can still get a taste for old-school Neukölln. We’ve broken it up into three main districts, Kreuzkölln, Rixdorf, and Schillerkiez.

Related: 10 Day Germany itinerary through Berlin, Potsdam, Hamburg, and Munich

Kreuzkölln

On the border to Kreuzberg, this part of Neukölln is especially popular with the hip, younger party crowd. The major streets are Weserstrasse, which extends from Hermannplatz, Reuterstrasse, Hobrechtstrasse, Pannierstrasse and Maybachufer, which runs along Landwehr canal, and Sonnenallee, also known as “little Lebanon.”

Food & drink under €10 in Kreuzkölln

With dozens of cafes, bars and restaurants, you’ll find plenty of places to chow down in Kreuzkölln. However, many of the places come and go at the whim of gentrification and prices are on the rise. Here is a list of a few tried and true tips, with good grub for under €10.

Wochenmarkt am Maybachufer
Maybachufer, Tuesday and Fridays, 10 to 6:30

Also known as the “Turkish” or “Oriental” market, this market has many cheap eats on offer mixed in with the produce and textile stands. Be sure and try a Gözleme, a traditional savory Turkish stuffed flatbread, served hot off the griddle.

Mae Charoen Thai Imbiss
Sonnenallee 134

An authentic Thai place with scrumptious curry dishes for €5 and under.

Croissanterie Cocina
Pannierstrasse 56

An old-school Neukölln establishment, this funky café bakes up what some call the best croissants in the city. It also serves great coffee and a small selection of other baked goods.

Fräulein Frost
Friedelstrasse 39

Great ice cream place with exotic flavors mixed in with the basics. Indulge your inner six-year-old and order a Spaghetti Eis, vanilla ice cream shaped like pasta with strawberry sauce and ground nuts posing as parmesan and marinara.

Ä
Weserstrasse 40

One of the first bars to open in what was then the newly dubbed Kreuzkölln, Ä is a smoky, no-frills watering hole that attracts a student-aged crowd. The place gets packed pretty fast, so come early if you want a seat.

Nathanja und Heinrich
Weichselstrasse 44

Here’s another “smoker’s bar” (you’re still allowed to smoke in bars if food is not served) with vintage furniture, a big store front window, exposed brick walls and a youngish crowd.

Soulcat
Pannierstrasse 53

This is a 1950s and ’60s music bar with a vinyl-only policy. Plenty of live music and cheap drinks guarantees an out of sight night for any hepcat.

Karl-Marx-Strasse and Rathaus Neukölln

Although plenty of hipsters abound in this part of Neukölln, it’s not quite as gentrified as Kreuzkölln and is still home to many Turkish and working class German families. When you’re there, be sure to check out Richardstrasse and Richardplatz near the U-Bahn station Karl-Marx-Str.

Known as Rixdorf, this area was once a Bohemian village and still is home to many historic buildings you won’t see the likes of anywhere else in Berlin. Comenius Garten (Richardstr. 35) is a small green oasis dedicated to the teachings of universal scholars. Stroll along the “life cycle” path and think deep thoughts with locals and stray expats alike.

Food & Drink near Karl-Marx-Strasse and Rathaus Neukölln

Café Rix
Karl-Marx-Str. 141

Tucked away in a leafy green courtyard off of gritty, bustling Karl-Marx-Strasse, Café Rix was here way before the hipster invasion and will still be there once they have moved on to the next big thing. Although the food gets mixed reviews and is a bit on the pricey side, it’s still worth it to pop in for a Pils and enjoy this café’s old school, opulent veneer.

Tabibito
Karl-Marx-Str. 56

Don’t let the shabby, run-down, hole in the wall atmosphere fool you: Tabibito serves some of the best sushi in Berlin at a nice price complete with friendly service.

Louis
Richardplatz 5

Another Neukölln old timer, Café-Restaurant Louis cooks up one of the biggest schnitzels in all of Berlin. If you order the largest size, you could easily feed a family of five. A small selection of German and Austrian specialties are also available on the menu.

Sahara
Reuterstrasse 56

Order the scrumptious Sudanese falafel with peanut sauce — perfect for those looking for the same Turkish and Middle Eastern fare you can get all over the city but with a different ethnic twist. Chicken, halloumi cheese and tofu sandwiches and plates also available.

Klunkerkranich
Karl-Marx-Str. 66

Located on the top floor of the parking garage of one of the world’s dowdiest, most depressing malls, Klunker Kranich — part urban garden and part bar with somewhat surly service — is worth it for the novelty and breathtaking view alone.

Take a wander around the Schillerkiez neighborhood. Photo: Sludge G

Schillerkiez and Hermannstrasse

The neighborhood Schillerkiez is located at the top of one of Berlin’s only hills. Although this area is now as hip and gentrified as its downhill neighbor, you’ll find a slightly older crowd and lots of cool, urban families with Dutch design buggy bikes.

Besides the lovely tree-lined Schiller Promenade, namesake of the neighborhood, you’ll also find three parks: Körnerpark, Hasenheide and, the mother of all urban green spaces, Tempelhof Airport. If you’re visiting Berlin in the summer, Hasenheide also has a Freiluftkino (open air cinema) where they often show movies in the original language.

Food & Drink in Schillerkiez

Café im Körnerpark
Schierkerstr. 8

With its fountains and Neo-baroque garden style, Körnerpark — turning 100 in 2016 — brings a stylish flair to the rougher, somewhat less gentrified streets around S-Bahn/U-Bahnhof Hermannstrasse. Although the food at the café is nothing to write home about, it’s still the perfect place for a spot of Kaffee und Kuchen.

From Hanoi With Love
Hermannstrasse 176

A hipster hotspot with tasty Vietnamese food. Expect big portions and low prices.

Zimt und Mehl
Weigandufer 16

This café, popular for breakfast, has fair prices, friendly service, and tables with a view over the canal —what else could you ask for?

Mmaah
Columbiadamm 160

This little snack bar offers several Korean BBQ dishes in different sizes. Order one to go and jaunt around the corner to Tempelhof Airport to feast on bulgogi or mandu while watching the rollerbladers, bicyclist and kite skateboarders roll past.

SchillerBurger
Herrfurthstrasse 7

A popular burger place with several Berlin locations, including one down the hill at Karl-Marx-Strasse 223.

Froschkönig
Weisestrasse 17

A friendly neighborhood smoker’s bar which shows silent films on Wednesdays complete with live piano music.

The post Berlin’s Neukölln Guide: The ultimate cheapo food and drink guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

What to look for

Cheapos with an appetite are well served by a number of low-cost eateries in the central district of Mitte, where most major sights are located, that turn out big, warm meals at surprisingly low prices.

Unless you’re in an adventurous mood, be sure to avoid Berlin’s more unusual specialties, including Eisbein (pickled knuckle of pork), Hering nach Hausfrauenart (pickled herring), and Gekochte Eier in Senfsauce (boiled eggs in creamy mustard sauce). Stick instead to filling classics like roasts, schnitzels, sausage, and vegetarian-friendly casseroles.

Where to get home-cooking in Mitte

Follow procrastinating Humboldt University students to Deponie No. 3 (Georgen Str. 5, U-bahn and S-bahn: Friedrich Str.) for a budget-friendly meal that will keep you fueled for hours. Near the pricey Friedrich Strasse and stately Museum Insel, this wood-lined, pub-like eatery is adorned with a hodgepodge of hokey antiques. Find a wooden table and peruse a huge menu of classic German meals like mama makes. Most entrees, including stuffed cabbage, big schnitzels, and vegetable Aufläufe (casseroles), cost less than €10.

Decorated with antique movie posters, cozy Sophieneck (Grosse Hamburger Str. 37, U-bahn: Weinmeister Str.) is steps from Hackescher Markt’s pricey boutiques and Sophien Strasse’s exclusive art galleries. Luckily, prices for dishes such as roasted pork, Bratwurst, and Boulette (meat patties), aren’t out of reach. Even with a beer, you can dine for about €10. Stop by for lunch to take advantage of the daily specials, which always include a vegetarian option (€5.90).

Quick eats that will still warm you up

If you’re in a rush or about the catch a train, head to the food court on the ground floor of the Friedrich Strasse Bahnhof (train station, U-bahn and S-bahn: Friedrich Str.) to find German classics served with speed at Damisch (across from the Edeka grocery store). Dishes like stew, schnitzel, Bratkartoffeln (fried potatoes), and a plus-sized Currywurst usually go for €5–7. With a meal like this, you won’t notice the brisk temperatures outside.

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And money-wise dining doesn’t always have to mean eating the same old sausage and pretzels. Following the advice in our Berlin food guide, you’ll quickly realize that with so many diverse options around town, you can try everything from classic German cuisine to kebab sandwiches.

Here are some of our best tips for eating cheap in Berlin.

Related: 12 Simple ways to save on your trip to Berlin

Berlin Food Guide: 8 simple ways to save

1. Avoid restaurants on the main tourist strips

As with any major city, the restaurants and cafés in the center of Berlin’s touristy areas are likely to be overpriced and mostly ho-hum as far as the food goes. If you want to go a little easier on your wallet, it’s important to get off these main strips. Check out some of the smaller side streets or a less touristy neighborhood nearby.

For example, if you’re around Potsdamer Platz, take the bus M85 down the street into Schönberg where you’ll find lots of inexpensive restaurants to choose from.

If you’re on Kurfürstendamm, make your way over to Kantstrasse for plenty of cheap Chinese.

At Savignyplatz, turn into Grolmannstrasse or Knesebeckstrasse for many nicely priced Indian places.

The Wedding neighborhood is also a cheaper dining alternative than a lot of what you’ll find in Mitte or Prenzlauerberg.

Currywurst and beer is the ultimate cheap pairing in Berlin. Photo: James C

 2. Go for some German-style fast food

If “greasy” is a word you equate with “yum”, why not check out some of Berlin’s finest fast food? The city has amazing quick-and-cheap options, including Turkish döner, gözleme and börek, German currywurst and bratwurst or Lebanese falafel.

Related: Döner, currywurst and other classic Berlin cheap eats

Although you can find tasty street eats all over town, the best rock bottom prices (sometimes less than €2!) can be found on the main thoroughfares in Berlin’s grittier neighborhoods. These include Hermannstrasse, Sonnenallee and Kotbusserdamm in Neukölln and Kreuzberg, Turmstrasse in Moabit and Müllerstraße in Wedding.

If you’re still hungry, grab a scoop of ice cream at one of these Berlin dessert shops.

3. Go out for lunch, not dinner

Another classic dining-on-a-dime tip is to eat out for lunch in Berlin when the prices are cheaper. Many restaurants in the city center offer a “business lunch” option or set menus, and a lot of sushi places, like those on Oranienstrasse in Kreuzberg, offer half-off happy hour deal until 5 pm.

4. Pop into a bakery for sandwiches and savory snacks

If you’re staying in a hotel, why not do as the Germans do and enjoy a little Abendbrot (evening bread)? Pop into a bakery and pick up a belegtes Brötchen, a simple sandwich made up of a bread roll, cheese or cold cuts and maybe some lettuce and a few slices of cucumber.

But don’t wait too long: Most bakeries close by 7 pm. Here are three bakeries for your daily bread.

5. Get your fill at Sunday brunch

Berlin is a big brunch town and many cafes offer an all-you-can-eat buffet on Sundays and sometimes Saturdays. Although the price might not seem too nice at first glance (usually between €10 to 25 euros, drinks not included), you really get a ton of food and can lounge, chat and people-watch to your heart’s content, while filling you plate as often as you like.

For a list of some of the less expensive places, check out EuroCheapo’s picks for brunch and a guide to a cheapo Sunday morning in Berlin.

6. Check out a cafeteria

Although little known to tourists, all of the government buildings in Berlin and most of the universities have kantine (cantines) or mensa (cafeterias) that are open to the public. Although the food probably won’t blow you away (mostly standard German meat and potato dishes), we’re still big fans of the cafeteria scene in Berlin. There is also usually a large salad bar and a range of desserts, including the enigmatic quark, a specialty German dairy product that’s like a mix between Greek yogurt and sour cream.

The best thing about kantines and mensas, however, is that they are cheap, cheap, cheap! Plus, you get to taste a side of Berlin few tourists ever experience. Please note: These are all only open for lunch, not breakfast or dinner.

7. Tip German style

If you do as the locals do, you’ll also luckily save on tips. In restaurants, the standard tip amount is a maximum of 10% and is seen as an extra “thank you” for good service. If the service was truly terrible (sadly, this is not uncommon in Berlin) it’s perfectly fine not to tip. Most locals just round up the check.

But don’t just leave the money on the table. To tip, you need to tell the waiter the amount you would like to pay with the tip included. For example, if the bill is €4.30 you can hand him or her a €10 bill and say five, please, or “fünf (foon-ph) bitte” if you’d like to try it in German.

8. Don’t overdo do it when ordering drinks

One of the classic “dining don’ts” of any Cheapo is to remember not to order fancy drinks with dinner.

If you need something to quench your thirst after that spicy curry, you can always order water. When you do, make sure the waiter understands you want leitungswasser (Light-toons-vahsser), which is tap water. Although they may grumble a bit (it’s not standard to order tap water in restaurants in Berlin), it will spare you the nasty surprise of an overpriced mineral water put on the bill later.

For something tastier, go for a German beer. It’s probably as cheap as mineral water and is the perfect pairing with spicy meal. Want a meal with that beer? Swing by one of Berlin’s great beer gardens.

Happy dining — or, as they say in Berlin, guten Appetit!

The post Berlin Food Guide: 8 ways to save on dining out appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While they may never meet the selection or the quality of a Florentine gelateria, Berlin’s best ice cream makers are making their mark by focusing on quality organic and local ingredients for their hand-crafted ices.

Here are three of my favorites places to get scooped, each within easy striking distance of some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods and attractions.

Caffe e Gelato
Potsdamer Platz Arkaden shopping center
S/U-Potsdamer Platz

My favorite location for ice cream in the city, not only because it’s conveniently located when sightseeing or shopping, but also because their ice cream is (in my humble opinion) the best. Regularly offering more than 30 different flavors, they also serve sugar-, lactose-, and gluten-free varieties for those with dietary restrictions. Grab a spot in line for a scoop (or three) from the counter, or take a seat in their expansive cafe area and check out their full menu of fancy ice cream sundaes. Open late every day of the week.

Vanille & Marille
Hagelberger Str. 1
U-Mehringdamm

While V&M has three locations throughout the city, the shop near Mehringdamm is located between Mustafa’s Kebap stand and Curry 36 on the one side and the Kreuzberg restaurant and bar strip in the Bergmannstrasse on the other. Early afternoon, the sidewalk in front is lined with kids and parents on their way home from kindergarten or school.

Berlin Homemade Icecream
Elßholzstraße 10
U-Kleistpark or U-Eisenacher Str.

A short stroll from Schöneberg’s Wittenbergplatz, it’s also a great way to finish a dinner at one of the many restaurants in the nearby Akazienstrasse (see our post from Oct. 8).  Grab yourself a cup or cone and follow the locals across the street to Kleistpark to enjoy your ice cream en plein air.

The post The scoop on Berlin’s best ice cream appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here a selection of Berlin’s weird but memorable food options.

Sauvage
Neukölln (Reuterkiez, U8-Hermannplatz)
Dinner only, closed Mondays. Reservations recommended

The Paleo Diet trend hasn’t passed Berlin by. If you’ve ever wanted to eat like a caveman (grunts excluded), head to Sauvage, Berlin’s first Paleo restaurant.   Expect entrees for hunters (meat and fish) and gatherers (fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts) — no dairy, sugars, grains, or legumes allowed.  While their concept should have broad appeal among slow and local foodies, be warned that given the reliance on meat-based proteins, vegetarians may only have one choice for entrees.

unsicht-Bar
Prezlauer Berg (U2-Weinmeisterstr.)
Dinner only, open daily. Reservations recommended

A play on the German word for “invisible,” dining at unsicht-Bar is more about the experience than the menu.  The restaurant’s total darkness creates the illusion of blindness for diners.  For your two- to three-hour dinner, blind and visually-impaired servers guide you through this new world, delivering (and interpreting) three courses of your choosing.

The “burger” of Burgermeister. Photo: Aotearoalove

Klo
Charlottenburg (U7-Adenauerplatz)
Evenings only, open daily

Pack your sense of humor before taking a seat at Klo (Loo), Berlin’s toilet-themed bar and restaurant.

The atmosphere is jovial and entertaining, the decor, dishware, and even seating an eclectic hodgepodge of antique toilet articles.  Be ready for a few surprises!

And if that’s not enough potty humor for you …

Burgermeister
Kreuzberg (U1-Schlesisches Tor)
Open daily till 3 a.m., 4 a.m. on weekends.

This popular outdoor kiosk — still bearing the signage from the public toilet from which it was converted — sells reasonably-priced burgers, fries, and drinks directly under the U-Bahn station.

Also in our guide: If you’re planning a trip to the city, be sure to swing by our budget guide to Berlin, for information on budget hotels and tips for saving on sightseeing, transportation and dining.

The post Berlin: Weird but memorable restaurant options appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are some of the best places in Berlin to soak up the sun and fill up your stomach.

Morgenland
Neighborhood: Kreuzberg

In the shadow of Görlitzer Bahnhof, Morgenland offers all the traditional trappings of breakfast (cereals, yogurt, fruit, eggs, bread, jam, Nutella), as well as the traditionally German trappings (sliced meats, cheeses, veggies), then adds a rotating and constantly refilled selection of sweet and savory options, from hummus to filled crepes to pasta salads, many with a distinctly Mediterranean flair.

Brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., €9.50, no credit cards accepted, reservations possible. kontakt@morgenland-berlin.de

Anna Blume
Neighborhood: Prenzlauer Berg

This combination flower shop and cafe/restaurant in the heart of the trendy Kollwitz neighborhood serves ample and beautiful tiered brunch platters for one, two, or four persons. Enjoy the quiet atmosphere of these leafy streets from the large outdoor seating area in front of the cafe.

Open everyday from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., platter for two €17.50, credit cards accepted, no weekend reservations.

Datscha
Neighborhood: Friedrichshain

Serving up repeatedly refreshed trays of Russian-inspired dishes in an atmosphere that can be described as an “Ostalgic” living room, Datscha’s selection is far better than anything you’d find in Moscow. With plenty of options for meat eaters and vegetarians alike, this is a place to hunker down and try plate after plate of savory and sweet delectables.

Brunch Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., €10.90, credit cards accepted, no Sunday reservations.

Your favorite brunch spots in Berlin?

Have a favorite brunch to add to our list? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post Where to get your brunch on in Berlin appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Alternatively, you could take a walk down the Akazienstrasse in Schöneberg. During the day, the area bustles with activity in local shops, ranging from discount chains to Berlin artisans selling jewelry and fashion to local cornerstone specialties such as printers and curtainmakers. At night, the restaurants and bars take center stage. Lacking the hen and stag parties which flavor the other going-out addresses around the city, you can truly savor your glass of wine and the evening in your garden or cafe seats.

Some of the highlights of the street include:

Cafe BilderBuch
Akazienstr. 28

The cafe regularly features live music. Variety of seating options, including outdoor garden, cafe indoors and out, and comfortable antique furniture in a cozy living-room atmosphere. Sunday brunch is also a popular option, with the Hänsel and Gretel for two filling the table for 18€. Make reservations, if possible.

Choice Vietnamese Food
Akazienstr. 9

This spot features a changing menu of fresh Vietnamese entrees. Be sure to check the Tageskarte posted out front for the specials. Half a liter of beer for 2.60€ is truly a steal.

Habibi
Akazienstr. 9

Habibi is one of Berlin’s top addresses for falafel, with a full selection of middle eastern salads, baklavas, and fresh juices. If you’re in a hurry (or you’re stumbling by after a long night), get it “to go.” Open daily till 3 a.m., 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights!

Gottlob
Akazienstr. 17

This tiny corner place has prime outdoor seating for sun-soaking and people-watching, though it’s just as comfy for a winter beer or coffee. Also has an ample Sunday brunch for 8.50€, reservations recommended.

In these two long blocks, you’ll also find Italian wood-fired pizzas and pasta, a Spanish vinoteca next to an Italian enoteca, Indian, Tibetan, and steak – enough options to appease even the pickiest eaters.

Getting there

Akazienstrasse is located between U7 Eisenacher Strasse and S1 Julius-Leber-Brücke. Alternatively, take bus M48, M85, 187, 146, or 106 to Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz. The street is a 10-15 minute walk from Schöneberg’s beloved gay-borhood surrounding Nollendorfplatz.

The post Berlin Cheap Eats: Eat and drink with locals along Akazienstrasse appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here is a list of two of our favorites from Berlin’s eclectic cast of biergartens—both on and off the beaten path. (Need some more suggestions? Check out this list of biergartens from last year!)

1. Prater Garten
Kastanienallee 7– 9
10435 Berlin
030 448 56 88

Considered Berlin’s oldest biergarten, Prater lies tucked off Kastanienallee submerged in a mini-forest of shady chestnut trees. During the spring and summer, Prater is always packed with loyal patrons and newcomers—both drawn to its lair, which seats more than 300.

Relaxing in the Tiergarten at Schleusenkrug. Photo: Fozzman

Prater boasts a fine selection of beers combined with a selection of other beverages, such as wine, appeasing all palates. Its house-made Bavarian-inspired cuisine, such as wurst, schnitzel, sauerkraut and potato salad functions as the perfect pair for a night of beer drinking and good German grub.

2. Schleusenkrug
Müller-Breslau-Str.
10623 Berlin
030 313 9909

Schleusenkrug is a classic-style biergarten situated near the Tiergarten. It’s canal-side location allows customers to wave to the boats passing by whilst they sip their frothy brew and absorb the beautiful scene.

Schleusenkrug’s close proximity to the Berlin zoo makes it a good pick-me-up for families—specifically moms and dads in need of a refreshment after a long day of staring at caged animals. Like most biergartens, the menu remains simple and loyal to its German roots, providing patrons with a nice variety of German-style beers and food.

The post Bier Bitte! Our favorite biergartens in Berlin appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.