The Shy Chef

Style:
chef style

More:
a secret private restaurant in a flat, ran by a married couple that cooks to not more than six guests.

Reviews:
The I Heart Berlin blog people have gone to the shy chef: "Our hosts, a Swedish/Irish couple, served us our dinner in 6 courses, every one of them accompanied by an exquisite wine. Every dish looked more delicately arranged than the other and all of them easily qualified as Gourmet Cuisine. In the end they asked us, which meal we liked best. But I could hardly decide, was it the goat cheese salad, the pork filet rolled up in prosciutto or the nut brownie on vanilla creme with hot raspberries? Hm… I just know one thing for sure:I could eat like this every day."

The Basics:
secret address, somewhere in Kreuzberg

URL: The Shy Chef

Accessible?

Child-Friendliness? no

Related Tours/Sites:

A visit could be integrated with a customised Berlin tours

Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:

It is a secret...

Chez Gino

Style:
Franco-German

More:

Reviews:
Lizzie writes in "Hollow Legs": "I couldn't leave Berlin without eating potatoes and Sauerkraut. We went to a restaurant called Chez Gino and tried to decipher the menu. In the end, I asked the waitress for a recommendation. She told me the Boudin Noir with potato puree and Sauerkraut is what she would have picked. With some apprehension as I'm not even a fan of black pudding, I went with her suggestion (more sausage!).

Unfortunately I completely forgot to take a photo at the beginning, so I have just a half eaten one. I loved the sauerkraut; it's tang cut through the richness of the sausage perfectly. My dining companions (especially the veggie) turned rather green when I explained what the sausage consisted of, but I actually really enjoyed it, much more than I thought I would. It's texture was very soft, with a nice, almost crunchy casing."

The Basics:
Sorauer Str. 31, 10997, Berlin-Kreuzberg (U Schlesische Tor)

Phone: +49 (0)30 69 50 65 25

URL:

Accessible?

Child-Friendliness?

Related Tours/Sites:

Kreuzberg

A visit could be integrated with the Kreuzberg Tour, as well as with customised Berlin tours

Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:

5 *****

4 ****
InterCityHotel BerlinUpstalsboom Hotel FriedrichshainInnside Premium Hotels BerlinNH Berlin Heinrich Heine
3 ***
Hotel Klassik BerlinBest Western Euro-Hotel Berlin
2 **
Ibis Berlin City OstHotel & Hostel FriedrichshainA&O Mitte OstbahnhofHotel garni Comenius
1*
Ostel - Das DDR-Design Hostel
Hostels:
Ostel - Das DDR-Design HostelHotel & Hostel FriedrichshainA&O Mitte Ostbahnhof
Apartment Hotels:

Altes Zollhaus

Style:
Chef Restaurant, high class

More:
One of the best "new German" restaurants

Reservations highly recommended (open from 6 pm)

Reviews:
10Best ranks it as one of the best restaurants in Berlin, adding "Housed in a timber customs house that overlooks the Landwehrkanal, Altes Zollhaus specializes in organic nouvelle fare. Indeed, the restaurant, adorned with rustic furniture and set amid tall trees, recollects the charm and elegance of a bygone era. Menu highlights include seasonal dishes like Brandenburg duck with cream potatoes, and roasted steinbutt with lobster sauce, spinach and cauliflower purée. A wonderful wine list complements these choices, and during warm weather, you can choose a charming garden as your dining backdrop. Three-, four- and five-course prix fixe dinners are available. "

The Basics:
Carl-Herz-Ufer 30, 10961, Berlin-Kreuzberg (U Prinzenstrasse)

URL: http://www.altes-zollhaus-berlin.de/

+49 (0)30 692 33 003 74 64 70

Accessible?

Child-Friendliness?

Related Tours/Sites:

Kreuzberg

A visit could be integrated with the Kreuzberg Tour or with customised Berlin tours

Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:

5 *****

4 ****
Winter's Hotel Berlin MitteGold Inn Angleterre Hotelrelexa hotel Stuttgarter Hof
3 ***
Meininger City Hostel Hallesches UferHotel Riehmers HofgartenExpress By Holiday Inn Berlin City Centre
2 **
Motel One Berlin-MitteMeininger City Hostel Tempelhofer Uferaletto JugendhotelHotel Am Anhalter Bahnhof
1*

Hostels:
Meininger City Hostel Hallesches UferMeininger City Hostel Tempelhofer Uferaletto Jugendhotel

Ron Telesky

Style:
Pizza, Canadian (?!) style

More:

Reviews:
This is considered to be one of the best pizza places in Berlin, or at least in Kreuzberg. The pizza is different from the basic Italian pizza, but is not as thick as American pizzas. It is a very small place, and in the winter, consider this (plus the fact that reservations seem out of the question): you might have to take your pizza with you or eat it outside.

The Canadian Press is all the rage. We liked it, but did not see it as heavenly.

The Basics:
Dieffenbachstraße 62, 10967, Berlin-Kreuzberg (U8 Schoenleinstrasse)

URL: http://www.myspace.com/rontelesky

+49 (0)30 61 62 11 111 43 74 64 70

Accessible? No, there are stairs getting into the half-basement shop

Child-Friendliness?

Related Tours/Sites:

Kreuzberg

A visit could be integrated with the Kreuzberg tour or with customised Berlin tours

Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:

5 *****

4 ****
NH Berlin Heinrich HeineMercure Hotel Berlin Tempelhof Airport
3 ***
Hotel Ludwig van Beethoven
Best Western Euro-Hotel BerlinMeininger City Hostel Hallesches UferBest Western Hotel am SpittelmarktHotel Erlanger Hof
2 **
Motel One Berlin-MitteMeininger City Hostel Tempelhofer UferA&O Mitte Ostbahnhof
1*

Hostels:
A&O Mitte OstbahnhofMeininger City Hostel Hallesches Ufer
Meininger City Hostel Tempelhofer Ufer

Hartmann's

Style:
Chef restaurant (Stefan Hartmann)

More:
Interesting design

Reviews:
The World of Art in Berlin reviews the restaurant (in German) mostly due to its innovative design, which goes well, they say, with the innovative food

The Basics:
Fichtestraße 31, 10967, Berlin-Kreuzberg

URL:
http://www.hartmanns-restaurant.de/

Accessible?

Child-Friendliness?

Related Tours/Sites:

Kreuzberg

A visit could be integrated with the Kreuzberg Tour as well as with customised Berlin tours

Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:

5 *****
Hilton Berlin

4 ****
Mercure Hotel Berlin Tempelhof AirportNH Berlin Heinrich Heine
3 ***
Hotel Ludwig van BeethovenMeininger City Hostel Hallesches UferBest Western Euro-Hotel BerlinHotel Riehmers HofgartenMeininger City Hostel Tempelhofer UferHotel Riehmers Hofgarten
2 **
Motel One Berlin-Mitte
1*
Hotel Putinnaletto Jugendhotel
Hostels:
Meininger City Hostel Hallesches Ufer
Meininger City Hostel Tempelhofer Ufer

Amar

Style:
Indian

More:
note: bad review!

Reviews:

Davey writes in his blog "Davey & Jane's overseas adventure 2008": "an Indian restaurant called Amars. I'm naming this one so you all know where NOT got if you want good Indian food."


The Basics:
Schlesische Straße 9, 10997 Berlin-Kreuzberg

URL:

Accessible?

Child-Friendliness?

Related Tours/Sites:

Could be integrated with the Kreuzberg Tour, the Cold War Tour or with customised Berlin tours

Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:

5 *****

4 ****

3 ***

2 **

1*

Hostels:

Mirchi

Style:
Singaporean

More:
Two branches, one in Kreuzberg, one in Mitte; You can find it in our recommended restaurants in Berlin page.

Reviews:

Unfortunately, we haven't been to Singapore yet and I must admit that this Asian fusion is not what I hear about Singaporean food - but it is still good food, a mixture of Indian, Malaysian and Chinese, which also means something for (almost) everybody: vegetarians and carnivores, those who like their food drowning in coconut milk and those who'd prefer a Chinese style dish or a grilled Tandoori style dish. The prices are fair, especially during business lunch hours (called "Mittag Menu" in German), when you can get a whole meal for 10 EUR or less. The service is a bit lacking (as usual in Berlin), with the Oranienstrasse (Kreuzberg) branch slightly better in this devision (and in our opinion, in general).


The Basics:
Two branches:
Oranienburger Strasse 50, 10117 Berlin-Mitte (S Oranienburger Strasse),
+49 (0)30 28 44 44 82

Oranienstrasse 204, 10999 Berlin-Kreuzberg (U Goerlitzer Bahnhof),
+49 (0)30 61 62 99 93

URL: Mirchi

Accessible?

Child-Friendliness?

Related Tours/Sites:
For the first restaurant, Mitte, Tacheles, the gallery district ; for the second, Kreuzberg

The first could be integrated with a gallery tour or with the classic Jewish Berlin tour.

The second could be integrated with the Kreuzberg Tour, the Cold War Tour or with customised Berlin tours

Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:

5 *****
The Westin Grand Berlin (branch I)

4 ****
ARCOTEL Velvet Berlin (branch I)
Artist Riverside Hotel & Spa (branch I)
NH Berlin Heinrich Heine (branch II)

3 ***
Hotel Aquino, Tagungszentrum (branch I)
Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Hotel (branch I)
Hotel Augustinenhof (branch I)
Hotel Zarenhof (branch I)
Best Western Hotel Berlin-Mitte (branch I)
Best Western Euro-Hotel Berlin (branch II)

2 **
Hotel Taunus (branch I)
A&O Mitte Ostbahnhof (branch II)

1*
baxpax downtown Hostel Hotel (branch I)

Hostels:
baxpax downtown Hostel Hotel (branch I)

Solar

Style:
Eclectic and Fusion

More:
Come for the view and the atmosphere: a combination of a club (17th floor) and stylish restaurant. Mid-priced to expensive.

Reviews:
Catherine Hickley writes in Bloomberg.com: "

The clientele at the restaurant is noticeably older than the crowd upstairs. Most tables have a window view, though it's worth asking for one when booking to be absolutely sure. The food is competent -- less spectacular than that view.

Tuna carpaccio squares rolled in black and white sesame seeds were bland, though they were accompanied by delicious curried lentils that perked up the dish. A huge portion of beef tartare with quail egg was dauntingly rich, yet the blinis, cream cheese and caviar that went with it were a smooth, delicate delight.

The main courses are fish and meat standards. A salmon filet with mushrooms was wrapped in a fine, crispy pastry that helped concentrate the flavors and keep it succulent. A perfectly cooked lamb filet was rolled in mint leaves -- surprising to me, as Germans generally find it hilariously bizarre and typically eccentric that the British eat mint sauce with lamb. (They don't know what they are missing.)

[...]

On a previous visit, a main course of Iberico pork with chicory, rocket and a scallop disappointed because the meat was overcooked and dry. At 22 euros ($33), that shouldn't be the case. The desserts, though, are always a hit: this time we had an amaretto pavlova and a variety platter, all served with plenty of fresh fruit and lots of flavor."

More: in TheLobby

The Basics: Stresemannstrasse 76, 10963 Berlin-Kreuzberg (S Anhalter Bahnhof)

URL: Solar Berlin

+49 163 7652 700

Accessible?

Child-Friendliness?
no.

Related Tours/Sites:
Kreuzberg, Anhalter Bahnhof

Could be integrated with the Kreuzberg Tour, the Cold War Tour or with customised Berlin tours

Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:

5 *****
Berlin Marriott Hotel

4 ****
Mövenpick Hotel Berlin
relexa hotel Stuttgarter Hof
Casa Boardinghouse
Winter's Hotel Berlin Mitte

3 ***
Suitehotel Berlin Potsdamer PlatzHotel Bel Ahr
Express By Holiday Inn Berlin City Centre

2 **
Ibis Hotel Berlin Potsdamer Platz

1*
Hotel Putinn

Hostels:

Henne (Die Henne)

Style:
German; Berlin Cuisine

More:
Considered to have the best chicken in Berlin (and that's it...)

Reviews:
This historical restaurant, which had the Wall on its doorstep in Kreuzberg, serves one thing mostly: grilled chicken. But it is considered to be the best in it.

Bradley Chodos-Irvine writes in his blog: "we [...] had dinner at a little restaurant named Henne - they have been open since 1908 or something like and serve chicken. A 1/2 Roast chicken is the only thing on the menu - but it was very good, particulary after walking forever during the day."

The Basics: Leuschnerdamm 25, 10999 Berlin-Kreuzberg (U Moritzplatz)

URL: Die Henne

+49 30 614 77 30

Accessible?

Child-Friendliness?

Related Tours/Sites:
Kreuzberg

Could be integrated with the Kreuzberg Tour, or with customised Berlin tours

Nearby Hotels/Accommodation:

5 *****
Hilton Berlin

4 ****
NH Berlin Heinrich Heine
Hotel Luisenhof
art'otel berlin mitte, by Park Plaza

3 ***
Hotel Ludwig van Beethoven

2 **
A&O Mitte Ostbahnhof
alameda berlin
Motel One Berlin-Mitte
Ibis Berlin City Ost

1*
Ostel - Das DDR-Design Hostel

Hostels:
Ostel - Das DDR-Design Hostel