The tension in Berlin's gastronomy scene has increased measurably in recent weeks: Who will be the Berliner Meisterkoch, the Master Chef 2025? And which restaurants in Berlin will be highlighted this year?
Every year in November, the city of Berlin honours the most innovative and outstanding chefs for what makes Berlin's culinary world so distinctive: the courage to experiment with the highest level of craftsmanship and respect for the product. The awards are presented for various categories - from "Berlin Master Chef" to "Rising Star of the Year" and "Berlin Bar Culture". Find out here which restaurants and bars are behind the most creative minds in Berlin's gastronomy and where your trip is worthwhile.
Berliner Meisterkoch 2025: Nicholas Hahn from the Michelin-starred restaurant Cookies Cream
Nicholas Hahn, head chef at Cookies Cream, the first vegetarian restaurant with a star, received the coveted"Berlin Master Chef" award in 2025. If you want a stylish and cool Berlin ambience where creative and excellent vegetarian cuisine is constantly being reinvented, this is the place for you!
And by the way: most of the delicious ingredients here come fresh from a farm in Brandenburg. And how does that work now, in the run-up to Christmas? It's simple: Nicholas Hahn relies on the good tradition of preserving.
Restaurant Cookies Cream, Behrenstraße 55, Mitte
"Rising star of the year 2025": Jeff Claudio from the gourmet restaurant Stoke
If you want to discover something new: Stoke is a new star in Berlin's fine dining sky - and accordingly, chef Jeff Claudio has been honoured as "Rising Star of the Year 2025". At Stoke, you can expect a minimalist interior of great elegance, where you can enjoy a fine selection of natural wines and the best international drinks to accompany the top menus characterised by Japanese traditions .
Restaurant Stoke, Lindenstraße 34-35, Kreuzberg
"Berlin hostess 2025": Jana Kämpfer from the Manon Brasserie Nouvelle
Jana Kämpfer stands for one thing above all: launching outstanding new restaurants in Berlin with her innovative concepts and making them successful. She has already brought more than 20 restaurants up to a high standard with her unrivalled mix of strategies of perfection on the plate, inspiration for the team and unparalleled warmth for guests - most recently the Manon Brasserie Nouvelle on Steinplatz.
Enjoy a firework display of flavours from French cuisine - from fantastic bouillons and queue de boeuf to crème brûlée lavende.
Manon Brasserie Nouvelle, Steinplatz 4, Charlottenburg
"Berlin's Szenerestaurant 2025": Luna D'Oro at Clärchens Ballhaus
"Bringing the beauty of nostalgia of German food culture in its simplicity to the plate" - that is the declared aim of Luna D'Oro at Clärchens Ballhaus. But... does that sound like a very trendy restaurant? It's all a question of interpretation: the delicious, uncomplicated cuisine at thoroughly affordable prices in the ambience of the Golden Twenties of the traditional Clärchens is an absolute feel-good place where everyone meets: Families and the grandfather generation as well as the young scene and club lovers - and of course international guests.
Luna D´Oro im Clärchens Ballhaus, Auguststraße 24/25, Mitte
"Berlin Kiezmeister 2025": Adana Grillhaus in Kreuzberg
What do you think would characterise a" Kiezmeister" - a neighbourhood champion? Where do you like to go after work, just around the corner, to meet neighbours and friends?
In any case, you can't avoid the Adana Grillhaus in the Kreuzberg neighbourhood, which was awarded the 2025 prize because it offers everything your heart and stomach need to be happy: heavenly opening hours, namely daily until after midnight, the best lamb skewers, chicken and chops from the charcoal grill along with wonderful mezze platters...
The secret of this friendly family business: simply always being there for everyone...
Adana Grillhaus, Skalitzer Straße 105, Kreuzberg
Berlin Bar Culture 2025" award for Dustin Franke
Are you also looking for great bar locations? Without Dustin Franke, who was honoured for his commitment to Berlin Bar Culture 2025, this scene would be in a bad way: In recent years, the Berlin bar operator has revamped numerous venues into places of vibrancy, community and, of course, enjoyment: whether you visit the Bademeister in Weißensee, the Bar Nonno in Schöneberg or the Mausi in Neukölln: no matter how different the ambience, the common denominator is warm hospitality with openness towards inclusion and diversity, affordable prices for great drinks.
Bademeister, Bizetstraße 143, Weißensee
Bar Nonno, Akazienstraße 7A, Schöneberg
Lamm, Wisbyer Straße 1, Prenzlauer Berg
Mausi, Richard Platz 1, Neukölln
"Gastronomic Innovator 2025": Vadim Otto Ursus Henselder
The"Otto", a small, tasty restaurant full of neighbourly warmth. The"Trio" with real pub character and delicious lunches. The"Pluto", a cosy wine bar with a fine selection of snacks.
They were all created by Vadim Otto Ursus Henselder , who was rightly honoured as a"Gastronomic Innovator 2025": Being a host, making you feel welcome, engaging in uncomplicated conversation and turning employees into friends - that is his personal recipe, which brings a special friendliness and an atmosphere of togetherness to all of his establishments.
Otto, Oderberger Straße 56, Prenzlauer Berg
Trio, Linienstraße 13, Mitte
Pluto, Kastanienallee 27, Prenzlauer Berg
