From legendary burgers to currywurst, vegan kebabs and Asian street food, these are the very best cheap eats in Berlin.
By the party pros from Uniplaces, a student accommodation platform where you can book the perfect student accommodation in Berlin.
Rüya Gemüse Kebab
If you read a Berlin tourist guide, it will probably mention Mustafa, the king of vegetarian kebabs. In a hipster city, everything that’s vegetarian has a queue, but in Mustafa the queue is 50m long on a normal day which makes the wait a struggle if you are hungry. However, in Schoneberg, you can find an equally good one but without the queues.
The sautéed vegetables, alongside the potatoes and the goat cheese turned this tiny place in Hauptstrasse into a match made in heaven for Schoneberg residents. If you are a meat lover, don’t worry, the meat is also top quality and the portions are so big you’ll need to rethink something if you are still hungry after eating it.
Where: Hauptstrasse 133, Schöneberg
Metro stop: Julius-Leber Brucke (S1)
Average price: 4-6€
Curry 36
Many might argue that a currywurst is merely a sliced sausage with ketchup and curry powder over it, but it’s so much more than this. This simple dish, typical of Berlin, is perfect after a night out. It can be found almost anywhere around the city, however it can be found at its best in Curry36, one of the often crowded places in Mehringdamm. If you arrive there drunk, don’t forget: “eine currywurst mit pommes, bitte”.
Where: Mehringdamm 36
Metro stop: Mehringdamm (U6 and U7)
Average price: 4-5 €
Chutnify
Berlin is one of the worst cities to have proper Indian food in Europe, but Chutnify is one of the few restaurants that has stuck to their roots. It is arguably the most affordable Indian restaurant in Berlin and offers a wide variety of authentic Southern Indian food.
Try the classic masala dosa and I promise you won’t regret it. You can find two venues of this gem, one in Prenzlauer Berg and another one in Neukolln.
Where: Sredzkistraße 43, Prenzlauer Berg ; Pflügerstraße 25, Neukolln
Metro stop: Neukolln – Hermannplatz (U7 and U8); Prenzlauer Berg – Eberswalder Strasse (U2)
Average price: 8-10€
Burgermeister
Alright, we know… this one is a cliché. But clichés exist for a reason, because often they are actually accurate. This one is clearly the case. Either you are waiting on the line under the U1 bridge in Schlesisches Tor or in Kottbusser Tor, its burgers (the one with chilli is amazing) and chips will leave water in your mouth. Enjoy it better in S while watching the multicultural crowd crossing the streets of Kreuzberg, Berlin’s cultural melting pot.
Where: Oberbaumstraße 8; Kreuzberg; Skalitzer Str. 136, Kreuzberg
Metro stop: Schlesisches Tor (U1; Kottbusser Tor (U1 and U8)
Average Price: 6-8€
Babel
The best Lebanese restaurant in Berlin. Situated in Prenzlauer Berg, a trendy district in former East Berlin, it has some of the best kafta and falafel I have ever tried in this city full of great Middle Eastern food.
Order the mix plate and it will for sure satisfy 2 people. Friendly staff will help you choose among the several options on the menu and will serve you authentic Lebanese bread directly from the oven. During Summer book a table or come early if you want to sit outside.
Where: Kastanienallee 33, Prenzlauer Berg
Metro stop: Rosenthaler Platz (U8)
Average price: 10€
Arirang
If you’re looking for a posh place that serves kimchi burgers, you’d better try somewhere else. On the other hand, if you’re keen to give it a try to a place which serves authentic Korean food in huge portions, Arirang is the place to go. This Charlottenburg venue is mostly frequented by Koreans, which says a lot about the food quality. Try the kimchi cake, as well as the mixed bbq grill, a mix of spiced seafood and meat cooked in a stove on the table in front of you.
Where: Uhlandstraße 194
Metro stop: Uhlandstrasse (U1)
Average price: 10€
Dolores
“Dolores’ burritos are the size of a baby,” a friend of mine used to say. I couldn’t believe it until I tried it myself. And she was right. Besides the huge portions, these burritos are one of the best Californian-style burritos I have ever sunk my teeth into. The venue is cozy and it displays a counter with fresh ingredients, and the friendly staff helps you choose between the several (delicious) offers.
Try the tacos as well. It opens at 11am, a perfect timing for a hangover breakfast.
Where: Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 7
Metro stop: Weinmeisterstrasse (U8)
Average price: 5-7€
“Thai Park”
On a sunny Summer day, one of the best things you can do in Berlin is to pick your bike and go for a ride. If you head west and it’s lunchtime, there’s no better place to stop than in Wilmersdorf’s Preussenpark. This is one of the places that make Berlin such a great city. Dozens of Thai ladies gather here everyday, especially on Sundays and sell their homemade (sometimes really spicy) Thai dishes. If you are looking for a real Thai experience while chilling in the sun, try it out. You won’t be disappointed.
Where: Preussenpark, Wilmersdorf
Metro stop: Kontanzer Strasse (U7) / Fehrbelliner Platz (U2, U3 and U7)
Average price: 5€
Côcô Bánh Mì Deli
Do you know what Bánh Mì is? If you don’t, you have no idea what you are missing. Imagine a huge sandwich, with all kind of veggies and meat. In Mitte, you can find this gem, owned by Vietnamese immigrants. Try the lemongrass meatballs, the meat is so tender it literally melts in your mouth.
Where: Rosenthaler Strasse 2, Mitte
Metro stop: Weinmeisterstrasse (U8)
Average price: 6€
Gel Gör Inegöl Köfteci
Have you been eating too much kebab? Whether it’s a lunch, dinner or late night snack you can get over it here, one of the best Turkish restaurants in Berlin. Open 24 hours, it’s often crowded but it has seats both inside and out.
Order a Köfte Spezial, a Turkish speciality consisting of meatballs made of minced beef. There are other Turkish and Arabic specialities you can choose from and a movie theatre nearby where you can watch alternative movies.
Where: Kottbusser Damm 80, Kreuzberg
Metro stop: Schönleinstraße (U8)
Average price: 5€
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