Berlin is one of Europe's most comfortable, interesting and vibrant cities, where many cultures come together in harmony. For almost 30 years, a high concrete fence ran through the city, dividing the German capital in two.
The wall has fallen, but the division is still evident in the city's architecture and culture. Tourists are attracted by the spirit of freedom, the many monuments and sights, the treasures of the many museums and galleries, and the fun festivals.
Traditional cuisine is an essential part of German culture, without which it is impossible to imagine the richness and generosity of Germany. In our article, we'll tell you what to try in Berlin and which traditional dishes to look out for.
In addition, Kidpassage has prepared a detailed price list of local shops, cafés and restaurants to help you calculate your travel budget.
Contents
Photo: pixabay.com
Traditional Berlin dishes you need to try
Traditional German cuisine is simple, uncomplicated, hearty and substantial. Meat dishes are famous: all kinds of sausages, bratwursts, wieners, schnitzels and steaks.
The stews with dumplings and cream soups are popular first courses. Here's an in-depth look at what to try in Berlin:
- Currywurst – the national food in Germany. These aromatic sausages in a fragrant sauce are sold everywhere, and deservedly considered as an indispensable part of Germany's culinary heritage.
- Schweinehaxe is a cooked meat made from a cut of pork.
- Eintopf is a German stew which is usually has both meat and vegetables. It can be varied with all kinds of seasonal vegetables such as zucchini, squash, broccoli or celery.
- Kartoffelsalat – the main ingredients are boiled potatoes, pickled cucumbers and onions. The dressing is mayonnaise, yoghurt or sour cream.
- Braised cabbage – a traditional side dish served with almost all main courses. The old recipe consists of putting sauerkraut on roast meat or lard, pouring beer over it and stewing it over a low heat for a long time.
- Berliner Pfannkuchen – the doughnuts are made of sweet yeast dough filled with confit and fried in oil. Throughout the world they are called 'Berliner' and in Berlin they are called 'Pfannkuchen'.
- Authentic German Black Forest Cake, Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte – a famous cake that leaves no one indifferent. It contains chocolate sponge, whipped cream and cherries.
Photo: pixabay.com
If you want to try some of the local delicacies, look for Berliner Allerlei on the café's menu. The name literally means 'everything that is eaten in Berlin'. It was invented by enterprising restaurateurs with tourists in mind.
Berliner Allerlei is a large plate of sausages, knuckle of pork, fried potatoes, minced pork and stewed cabbage. Order it and you'll get a taste of the locals' favourite dish.
While you're in Berlin, don't miss the local beer. We recommend Berliner Weiße, the pride of the capital's breweries.
Prices in cafes and restaurants
Germany is hardly a cheap holiday destination, and Berlin is not a cheap city. However, it is easy to find a place to suit your taste and budget.
From budget bistros to Michelin-starred haute cuisine restaurants, there's a wide range of places to eat in the city. How much it costs to eat in Berlin is one of the most frequently asked questions by first-time visitors. The average bill per person in local restaurants is:
- Breakfast — min. 15 euros;
- Lunch without alcoholic drinks — min. 30 euros;
- Dinner in a restaurant — min. 50 euros.
Prices in Berlin's cafés and restaurants 2023
We would like to take a closer look at the cost of eating out in Berlin. For this article, we have carefully researched the prices of cafés and restaurants and are happy to share this information with you. We start with the most budget-friendly establishments.
There are many places in Berlin where tourists can get a tasty and inexpensive meal: the canteens of government institutions, universities and schools.
Parkcafé Berlin is a cosy café, popular with locals and not yet spoiled by tourists. It is located in the western part of the city. According to locals, the café serves the best breakfast in town, with prices ranging from €8.50 (Sophie) to €31.9 (Romeo & Julia), depending on the complex. A two-course lunch (main course and dessert) costs €9.90.
At the Felleshus Canteen in the the cultural centre and event venue of the five Nordic embassies (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), meals range from €2.50 (soups) to a maximum of €9.9 (second course). Please note, however, that this canteen only serves embassy staff between 11.30 and 13.00. You can have a cheap lunch here between 13.00 and 15.00.
Photo: pixabay.com
A meal in a café will cost slightly more than one in a canteen. Average prices in cafés in Berlin:
- Breakfast (cheese & sausage variations, jam, butter & basket with bread) – 12 EUR
- Vienna schnitzel – 11 EUR
- Sandwich – 9-11 EUR
- Currywurst – 6,3 EUR
- Bratwurst – 6,5 EUR
- Pizza – 7,5 - 11 EUR
- Berlin meat balls with beans and fried potatoes – 11.5 EUR
- Potato salad – 3-4 EUR
- Fresh vegetables salad – 7 EUR
- Tuna salad – 12 EUR
- Tomato soup – 5-6 EUR
- Caesar salad – 14 EUR
- 4 American Pancakes – 12 EUR
- Apple strudel – 7 EUR
- Beer – 4 EUR
- Coffee – min. 2,5 EUR
Please note that it is relatively inexpensive to eat in cafes and restaurants between 12:00 and 14:00. Business lunches or set menus are available from as little as €10.
Restaurants in Berlin are ubiquitous and cater to the most discerning palates. Most locals and visitors prefer mid-priced restaurants. We've included a few menu items from some of the more popular establishments:
- Salad with ham, arugula, tomatoes and parmesan – 11 EUR
- Sausage “Berlin style“ with or without skin, homemade curry sauce, coleslaw, fries & mayonnaise – 8,9 EUR
- Homemade Berlin style meatballs with Berlin potato salad, gherkin, almond slivers & mustard – 12,5 EUR
- Tomato cream soup – 6 EUR
- “Berlin“ potato salad – 3,9 EUR
- Pork stew in dark beer with potato dumplings – 13,5 EUR
- Pork chop with potatoes and vegetables – 14 EUR
- Breaded pork schnitzel with fried egg, a small salad & fries with mayonnaise – 17,9 EUR
- “Brezos“– a German style mix of pretzels and nachos, served with Obatzda, Salsa and Garlic dip – 6,5 EUR
- Baked potato served with mixed salad and a garlic sour cream dip – 8,5 EUR
- Home-made pasta with grated Swiss-Alpin cheese and crispy onions – 17,9 EUR
- Large platter with a selection of sausages, meat loaf, schnitzel bacon, pan-fried potatoes,crispy onions and sauerkraut – 24 EUR
- Viennese apple strudel (filo pastry) with vanilla ice cream – 7,8 EUR
- Sacher Cake – 7,8 EUR
- Сappuccino – 3,7 EUR
- Americano – 3,5 EUR
- Mineral water (sparkling/still) 0.33l – 3,7 EUR
- Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Fanta in a classic bottle – 3,7 EUR
- Beer – 4,2 EUR
There are several Michelin-starred restaurants in the German capital that cater to the highest standards.
You should book a table at these places a couple of days in advance, as they are very popular with gourmets. The chefs will take you on a gastronomic journey.
The menu usually lists the names of the dishes without a price, but for a small fee you can order 4-8 dishes. For example, let's see how much a meal at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Facil costs per person:
- 4 courses from the menu – 178 EUR
- 8 courses – 258 EUR
Photo: pixabay.com
Street food and fast food
Fast food is one of the German capital's main attractions. Street food can be found everywhere in Berlin: near underground stations, at train stations, in large squares and near popular tourist attractions.
You'll find food from all over the world: Asian, African, Chinese and, of course, German. For €5-7 you can have a hearty meal without interrupting your walk.
Asian fast-food is mainly sold near Friedrichstrasse station. Chinese noodles and seafood specialities can be found around the city zoo. For authentic German sausages and Viennese pastries, Munich Central Station is the place to go.
Cafes selling hamburgers, cheeseburgers and chips can be found in almost every busy tourist area. A large hamburger costs around €6.
Here are some prices for fast food and drinks in Berlin:
- Sausages – min. 5 EUR
- Rolls set 220 g – 7-8 EUR
- Kebab lunch – 7-9 EUR
- Doner kebab – min. 6 EUR
- Udon noodles – 7-8 EUR
- Falafel – 7-8 EUR
- Salads – min. 1 EUR per 100 g
- Pastries – min. 1,5 EUR
- Sandwich – min. 3,5 EUR
- Coffee – min. 2 EUR
- Latte – min. 2,5 EUR
- Tea – min. 1,5 EUR
The cost of a meal at McDonald's:
- "Big Mac" – 5,99 EUR
- Cheeseburger – 2,39 EUR
- Chips, small pack – 3,29 EUR
- Chicken nuggets, 6 psc. – 5,49 EUR
- Chicken roll – 5,69 EUR
- Snack salad, classic – 3,19 EUR
Around 6am, Berlin's bakeries open their doors and the dizzying aroma of freshly baked goods fills the streets. In Germany, every day begins and ends with bread.
It's even reflected in the language: dinner is Abendbrot (German for 'evening bread') and snack is Brotzeit (German for 'bread time'). Don't miss the opportunity to try some of Berlin's pastries and baked goods.
There is a museum and old bakery in Pankow where you can watch the secret of making authentic German bread on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 15:00 to 18:00.
Photo: pixabay.com
Food prices in Berlin
Berlin is a city with one of the highest living standards in the world. Many tourists think that food prices will be exorbitant. However, we can assure you that food in Germany is affordable for everyone.
Almost all supermarkets and hypermarkets regularly run promotions and offer discounts. In addition, there are volunteer organisations and social programmes that can sell products very cheaply or even for free.
Food costs in Berlin depend on your budget and preferences, and the same items can cost differently depending on where you buy them.
Food prices in Berlin 2023
Most Berlin shops offer an 'online grocery shopping' service, for which they develop special software.
We have researched the prices of groceries on several chain supermarket websites and bring you a summary table.
Supermarket prices in Berlin
| Name | Q-ty | Price, EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Bananas | 1 kg | 2,29 |
| Сherry tomatoes | 300 g | 2,79 |
| Grape | 1 kg | 8,99 |
| Courgettes | 1 kg | 3,58 |
| Cucumber | 1 pcs. | 1,29 |
| Oranges | 1 kg | 2,79 |
| Kiwi | 4 pcs. | 1,99 |
| Kollrabi Bio | 1 pcs. | 1,49 |
| Iceberg lettuce | 1 pcs. | 1,69 |
| Mango | 1 pcs. | 2,49 |
| Apples | 1 kg | 2,49 |
| Lemon | 1 pcs. | 0,89 |
| Potato | 1 kg | 1,15 |
| Tangerines | 1 kg | 2,99 |
| Onion | 1 kg | 2,80 |
| Cauliflower | 1 pcs. | 2,49 |
| Aubergine | 1 pcs. | 1,29 |
| Sausages | 1 kg | 9,32 |
| Salami | 1 kg | 24,9 |
| Mozzarella cheese | 125 g | 1,19 |
| Gouda cheese | 150 g | 1,89 |
| Feta cheese | 150 g | 2,19 |
| Chicken fillet | 1 kg | 12,79 |
| Chicken fillet (organic) | 1 kg | 29,9 |
| Chicken feet | 1 kg | 5,99 |
| Chicken carcass | 1 kg | 4,66 |
| Chicken hearts | 1 kg | 7,96 |
| Minced meat | 1 kg | 7,96 |
| Beef for goulash | 1 kg | 24,3 |
| Pork fillet | 1 kg | 20,46 |
| Beef tenderloin | 1 kg | 29,99 |
| Forelle | 1 kg | 15,5 |
| Salmon | 200 g | 9,49 |
| Eggs | 10 pcs. | 2,89 |
| Milk | 1 l | 1,25 |
| Yoghurt Natur | 1 l | 2,6 |
| Pasta | 1 kg | 2,78 |
| Rice | 1 kg | 2,99 |
| Sunflower oil | 1 l | 2,69 |
| Oat flakes | 1 kg | 1,98 |
| Spaghetti | 0,5 kg | 0,98 |
| Pearl groats | 250 g | 0,89 |
| Lentils | 1 kg | 3,3 |
| Toast bread | 750 g | 1,69 |
| Bread made from wholemeal flour | 1 pcs. | 1,89 |
| Sweet bakery | 1 pcs. | 1,69 |
| Chocolate | 100 g | 1,19 |
| Jacobs instant coffee | 0,2 kg | 9,49 |
| Tea | 25 pcs. | 2,19 |
| Beer | 1 l | min. 1,8 |
| Water | 1,5 l | 1,18 |
* Prices are taken from Rewe, Metro online supermarkets and are indicative.
** Prices for fruit and vegetables may vary depending on the season.
Supermarkets, shops, markets
There are supermarkets, shops and market stalls on every corner in Berlin. In this section we take a brief look at the local shopping scene and the most popular places for locals and tourists to shop.
Please note that most supermarkets are closed on Sundays and public holidays. The exceptions to this are the individual shops located around the train stations.
Another peculiarity is the deposit for the trolley, which is 0.5-1 euro. After using the trolley, you can get the money back by returning it.
Photo: pixabay.com
Real, Globus and Kaufland are popular hypermarkets. They sell not only food, but also household appliances and everything else you might need around the house. It makes sense to go there if you need to make some big purchases.
Aldi, Netto and Lidl are budget supermarkets. They offer a wide range of inexpensive groceries, snacks, ready meals and drinks. Lidl supermarkets have a good range of organic products.
Kaufland and Rewe are mid-price supermarkets. However, meat and seafood in Rewe is more expensive than in other stores.
Biocompany is a popular organic food store. Compared to regular supermarkets, their prices are much higher, but they are considered to be budget-friendly among such organic shops.
Alpatura is an expensive organic food shop.
Be sure to plan a trip to one of the local markets. Here are the biggest ones.
Markthalle Neun is an indoor market in the trendy Kreuzberg district. On Thursdays the whole area turns into one giant restaurant for the weekly Street Food Thursday. Street food from all over the world is on offer.
Turkish market is open on Tuesdays and Fridays. It's a colourful market with lots of bargains.
The Hackescher market is located at the Hackescher Markt exit of the station. It's open every Thursday and Saturday. It has a wide range of organic products.
The market at Kollwitzplatz is open on Saturdays. Try the unusual fast-food currywurst with champagne.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays there's a market on Winterfeldtplatz with a huge variety of stalls.
You can buy Asian spices, Polish products, pastries and even dumplings, as well as a wide range of meat and dairy products, cheeses and pastries.
Meals at hotels in Berlin
Travelling with children takes its toll on tourists, and for a while you may have to take a more responsible approach to holiday planning.
Fortunately, Germany's capital city has many hotels, guesthouses and hostels that offer meals as well as accommodation. Here's a look at what's on offer in Berlin's hotels.
As tourists in this city are not expected to spend much time on hotel premises, only breakfast is usually included in the price.
Best family-friendly hotels in Berlin usually serve a continental breakfast. This includes hot drinks, cheese, pastries and cereals. Sometimes they offer an extended continental breakfast, similar to a buffet. This may include juices, fruit, sausages or ham.
It is difficult to find hotels that offer half board or all inclusive, but there are on-site restaurants where you can order an à la carte meal for an additional charge.
Photo: pixabay.com
Baby food
Organising children's meals on holiday is one of the most important tasks for all parents. Care should be taken not to disrupt the daily routine, especially for young campers. This is easiest for babies who are breastfed.
The most difficult are children who are already eating complementary foods but are not yet eating with adults. These children should be prepared with a supply of familiar foods, at least for the first few days after arrival. You can of course buy baby food, biscuits and juices in any German shop.
However, if you arrive at night or at the weekend, it may be difficult to buy anything. Also note that it is impossible to find baby milk products in Berlin.
Good quality quark, milk and yoghurt are fine for baby food. Here are some examples of the approximate costs of baby food in shops:
| Name | Qty | Price, EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Rewe Bio fruit puree | 90 g | 0,65 |
| Hipp fruit puree | 190 g | 1,65 |
| Freche Freunde Bio biscuits | 100 g | 1,99 |
| Alete biscuits | 180 g | 1,65 |
| Hipp vegetable puree | 190 g | 1,05 |
| Juice Hipp | 330 g | 1,75 |
| Hipp chicken risotto | 250 g | 1,75 |
| Spaghetti Bolognese Hipp | 250 g | 1,95 |
| Milupa formula | 800 g | 11,29 |
| Nestle formula | 800 g | 18,95 |
There is no need to worry about meals for children over the age of three. Almost all cafés and restaurants in Berlin offer children's menus with light soups, rice, meat dishes and salads.
Photo: pixabay.com
Tips for parents
Berlin is a city that both adults and children will enjoy visiting. Here are some useful tips we've put together for travellers with children.
- Remember that most shops are closed on weekends and public holidays, so don't plan to go shopping on a Sunday.
- Strict German law makes it illegal to sell yesterday's bread. That's why many bakeries lower their prices at the end of the day or simply give away unsold goods.
- Prices in Berlin are high for tourists. If you want to save money when eating out, don't be lazy and look for local cafés away from the busy streets.
- When you enter a café or restaurant, it's customary to say hello. Say also "Mahlzeit", which means "Bon Appetit".
Kid-Friendly Eats in Berlin
The German capital is full of good restaurants, so it's no easy task to choose the best one in Berlin. Here are some restaurants that appeal to both grown-ups and the little kids.
- Luise Dahlem (Königin-Luise-Straße 40 – 42, 14195 Berlin) is a popular family restaurant. Traditional stone oven pizza and huge beer garden accommodating up to 700 guests are awaiting for you. There is a special children's menu. There's plenty of room to run around in the restaurant, so the kids are sure to be happy.
- Buchkantine (Dortmunder Str. 1, 10555 Berlin) is the famous "book canteen". It is a cosy German café serving traditional cuisine. There is a games room to the right of the entrance and a real library to the left. You can relax and read an interesting book while you eat.
- Berliner Kartoffelhaus (Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 9, 10178 Berlin) is worth a visit if you like potato dishes. It is a child-friendly restaurant located in the centre of Berlin. The restaurant offers a unique and authentic German dining experience. The special Kid menu is available.
- Tomasa Villa Kreuzberg (Kreuzbergstraße 62, 10965 Berlin) is an interesting restaurant with a menu of national dishes. It is located in Victoria Park. There is a small playground next to the restaurant and a beautiful waterfall just a few steps away.
- Casalot Restaurant (Claire-Waldoff-Straße 5, 10117 Berlin) offers mainly Arabic cuisine. All food is always fresh and cooked with love. The interior is colorful and inviting, there is a children’s play area on spot.
We hope you found our article interesting and that it helped you understand the prices of food in Berlin. As a nice bonus, Kidpassage has an article for you on what to do with children in the German capital, "Kids' Itinerary: Berlin". We hope you have a great time!
