BEST PLACES TO EAT
1. Reinstoff
Schlegelstr. 26C • (030) 30 88 12 14 • 7pm–midnight Tue–Sat • €€€
A gourmet temple with two Michelin stars. Reinstoff serves fine regional specialities with a molecular twist: try the Brandenburg rabbit with celery and liquorice.
The stylish interiors of Reinstoff
2. Vox
Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 2 • (030) 25 53 17 72 • 6:30–10:30am, 6:30–11pm daily • €€
The exquisite food in this elegant restaurant at the Grand Hyatt is a sleek and modern fusion of Asian and international dishes, with an emphasis on Japanese (sushi) dishes and French-Italian fare. In summer, reserve one of the tables on the terrace outside. Open for breakfast, too.
3. Hugos
Budapester Str. 2 • (030) 26 02 12 63 • 6:30–9:30pm Tue–Sat • €€€
The Michelin-starred Hugos at Hotel Intercontinental Berlin is the city’s most affable gourmet restaurant, with impeccable service and stunning views. Wood panelling and plush leather set the tone, while the international cuisine reveals the light touch of German chef Thomas Kammeier. The wine list is extensive, and there are private dining rooms.
4. Bocca di Bacco
Friedrichstr. 167–8 • (030) 20 67 28 28 • noon–midnight Mon–Sat, 6pm–midnight Sun • €€€
Berlin’s hippest Italian restaurant offers fresh fish and exceptional meat creations such as bresaola di cavallo (cured horse meat served with salad and nuts). Excellent enoteca with a good wine list.
5. Borchardt
Französische Str. 47 • (030) 81 88 62 62 • 11:30am–midnight daily • €€€
Everyone of importance, including German chancellors, dines at Borchardt. The historic room is furnished in Wilhelminian style (featuring tall columns, wall mosaics and tile flooring) – a stunning setting for the modern French cooking and schnitzel served here. Without a reservation, however, even celebrities can’t get a table.
The simple interiors of Borchardt
6. Rutz
Chausseestr. 8 • (030) 24 62 87 60 • Open from 6:30pm Tue–Sat (wine bar 4–11pm Tue–Sat) • €€€
This rising star in Berlin’s gourmet scene has slowly worked towards its second, well-deserved Michelin star by offering consistently high-quality fish and hearty meat dishes based on local recipes, but served with a creative twist. Rutz is cosy and informal, with a prodigious wine list of over 1,000 wines (see Weinbar Rutz).
7. Fischers Fritz
Hotel Regent Berlin, Charlottenstr. 49 • (030) 20 33 63 63 • noon–2pm, 6:30–10:30pm daily • €€€
This high-profile establishment is one of seven restaurants in Berlin with two Michelin stars. Chef Christian Lohse prepares some of the most inspired and spectacular seafood dishes in the country.
8. Facil
Potsdamer Str. 3 • (030) 590 051 234 • noon–3pm, 7–11pm Mon–Fri • €€€
This Michelin-starred restaurant, in a green oasis in the courtyard of the Mandala Hotel, is a study in understated elegance. Chef Michael Kempf creates stylish Mediterranean dishes with a French accent.
Courtyard dining at Facil
9. Bandol sur Mer
Torstraße 167 • (030) 67 30 20 51 • 6–10pm Thu–Mon • €€€
This Michelin star restaurant offers modern French cuisine, seating 20 in a relaxed, intimate setting. Diners can watch chefs prepare and plate their meals in the bistro-style open kitchen. The ambitious menu changes with the seasons, comprising creatively plated meat and fish dishes and clever wine pairings.
10. Horváth
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44a • (030) 61 28 99 92 • 6:30–10:30pm Wed–Sun • €€€
The culinary inventiveness of Austrian chef Sebastian Frank helped earn this restaurant its second Michelin star in 2015. Diners should allow themselves at least three hours to enjoy the seven-course menu and the accompanying wine.
