January is Veganuary. Also in Berlin. But don't worry! Nobody has to be 100% perfectly vegan on the first day. It's more about being inspired and being conscious about your consumption. To help you get started, we've put together 11 tips to help you hit the ground running.
Tip 1: Explore Berlin's variety of vegan restaurants
The variety of vegan restaurants in Berlin is a real paradise for vegans. You'll find everything - pizza, hummus, ramen, home cooking, donuts and much more. The choice can sometimes be almost overwhelming. You can discover many vegan restaurants on our blog. We have put together a small list of highlights for you here:
- La Stella Nera (Italian)
- Kanaan (Israeli/Palestinian)
- Das Försters (German home cooking)
- Oukan (Japanese vegan fine dining)
- Happa (sustainable cuisine)
Tip 2: Attend vegan cookery courses
Vegan cooking and baking is not as complicated as you might imagine. With the right technique, anything is possible. But if you're still unsure which binding agents you can use instead of eggs or how to make irresistible tofu, a vegan cookery course is exactly what you've been missing. And since we are in Berlin, you have several options. Not only will you learn new recipes and flavours in the cooking classes, but you'll also learn a trick or two in the kitchen and have the best opportunity to exchange ideas with like-minded people. The best way to find out about the variety of courses on offer is online, but some vegan restaurants also offer their own courses, such as Secret Garden.
Tip 3: Have a cosy browse in the vegan neighbourhood shop Dr. Pogo
The small neighbourhood shop Dr. Pogo in Neukölln is quite inconspicuous. It is located between Richardplatz and Karl-Marx-Platz. On 90 square metres, you will find vegan food, snacks, cosmetics, books and information about the vegan lifestyle. True to the motto "small but nice", you can browse in a relaxed atmosphere and perhaps discover one or two special products.
When: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am - 8pm, Wednesday 12pm - 8pm, Saturday 9am - 4pm
Where: Karl-Marx-Platz 24, Neukölln
Tip 4: Frischhain brings fresh flavour to your bread roll
Cheese! Probably one of the foods that is the hardest to switch to a plant-based alternative. But that's where Formo comes in. The Berlin-based company produces cheese alternatives based on koji. Koji is found in miso and soy sauce, for example, and provides the typical umami flavour. The koji proteins are then fermented and matured in the same way as animal cheese. You can find out more about the production process online on Formo's website. Formo's cream cheese alternative Frischhain is currently available in stores. However, the range includes many other cheeses (alternatives) that are not yet on the market. That's something we can look forward to.
Tip 5: REWE - fully plant-based makes your vegan heart beat faster
REWE - voll pflanzlich has been on Warschauer Straße since spring 2024. The range is completely vegan. You don't need to worry about accidentally reaching for non-vegan products when shopping here. Basically, you can find everything here that you would find in a normal REWE: Fruit and vegetables, baked goods, frozen food, tasty snacks and drinks. Only everything is vegan. Shopping can be quite overwhelming, especially if you're just starting out on a vegan diet. With some items, you have to take a closer look at the ingredients list to make sure you don't miss any hidden animal products. REWE - voll pflanzlich will hopefully alleviate some of these concerns.
When: Monday - Saturday 7am - 11pm
Where: Warschauer Straße 33, Friedrichshain
Tip 6: The vegan butcher that doesn't sell meat
The name may sound a little strange, but after successfully launching in Dresden and Munich, this vegan butcher's shop is now finally available in Berlin. The small shop is located on Kastanien Allee. When you enter, the fresh food counter immediately catches your eye. Cheese, salads and a wide variety of sausages and cold cuts are on offer. Here you will find the usual flavour without animal products. All products are made exclusively from natural ingredients and the majority of them are even produced in-house. In addition to the fresh food counter, the vegan butcher's shop also offers sauces, soups and freshly prepared snacks. It's definitely worth a visit!
When: Monday - Saturday 11 am - 7 pm
Where: Kastanienallee 40, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 7: Hummus like at home - LikeHome Hummus
Hummus is probably one of the most popular dips. And best of all, it's vegan by nature! LikeHome is a Berlin-based brand that brings high-quality, fresh hummus made from chickpeas and sesame paste to your home. The products are prepared according to original oriental recipes and can be used in a variety of ways. Be it as a starter, for dipping or for refining other dishes. In addition to the fact that the products are all 100% vegan, they are also gluten and lactose-free.
Where: EDEKA, REWE
Tip 8: Sustainable and vegan shopping
With three locations in Berlin, Loveco is your place to go when it comes to fair and vegan fashion. In addition to fashion, you can also buy jewellery and cosmetics here. Another recommendation is the multi-brand store DearGoods. You can find the two Berlin branches in Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte. The range includes timeless and fairly produced eco-fashion, as well as accessories and bags. Discover even more tips for sustainable fashion on our blog.
Tip 9: Veganz - the well-known vegan Berlin original brand
The Veganz brand was founded in Berlin in 2011 and has been producing vegan food ever since. The range includes a wide variety of breakfast and evening meal products, as well as snacks and chilled foods. Veganz offers you delicious, sustainable alternatives to animal products. Veganz aims to inspire and motivate both vegans and non-vegans to be more conscious of our environment. You can find Veganz products in selected supermarkets as well as in the company's own online shop.
Where: REWE, DM, Rossmann, online trade
Tip 10: Discover Berlin's vegan cafés and bakeries
Just as there are countless vegan restaurants to discover, Berlin scores with a remarkable selection of vegan cafés and bakeries. You'll be spoilt for choice between cheesecakes, colourful donuts, delicious bagels and sandwiches. For more information and inspiration, be sure to read our blog on vegan bakeries!
Tip 11: Eco market at Kollwitzplatz
You can shop naturally vegan at the eco market on Kollwitzplatz. The Green League has been organising one of the oldest markets in Berlin here for over 20 years. Over a length of almost 150 metres, more than 40 traders from Berlin and the surrounding area offer fruit, vegetables and produce from their farms, including wine, bread, wild herbs and much more. Not everything is vegan, but guaranteed regional, fresh and healthy.
When: every Thursday from 12 noon
Where: Kollwitzplatz, Prenzlauer Berg
