Recommendations for Foodies

Eating sustainably in Berlin means endless possibilities. It has never been so easy to try something new and take the first steps towards more sustainability. Whether you want to make a permanent change or just go meat-free and animal-free every now and then - from breakfast to lunch to dessert, you can easily have a vegan day in Berlin.

Street Food

It can be a challenge to satisfy your appetite with something quick and easy on the go, while at the same time paying attention to sustainability. You can make a good start by switching to vegan options or heading for street food spots that pay attention to the origin of their animal products despite their takeaway character.

Our recommendations:

Vamos Veganos: Berlin without kebabs? Unthinkable! Vamos Veganos offers a vegan kebab alternative as well as a changing weekly menu and delicious vegan salami pizza.

Witty's Currywurst: This Berlin original switched to ethical organic sausage early on and even developed its own recipe for the vegan alternative. The main branch is located at the name-giving Wittenbergplatz.

Neue Republik Reger: Burger enjoyment as it is written in the book. At "Neue Republik Reger" everything is vegan. Our blog article reveals even more vegan burger hotspots in Berlin. 

Möllers Köttbullar: Möllers Köttbullar offers the popular Swedish meatballs either made from organic beef or vegan pea protein. 

Vegan and vegetarian breakfast

With these three tips, it is not difficult to start the day meat-free and without animal products. Breakfast doesn't feel like a sacrifice at all. The keeping of animals for the production of meat and other animal products produces many times more CO2 than vegan and vegetarian products and uses significantly more drinking water. Eating meat-free permanently or as often as possible is therefore a real quick fix for more sustainability!

Our recommendations:

Geh Veg: In addition to savoury and sweet vegan breakfasts, there is a large selection of smoothies and shakes. All spreads are homemade and even cakes and bread are baked at Geh Veg. 

Haferkater: Porridge with various toppings - vegan breakfast doesn't get any tastier or easier than this. The basis for the porridge is German oats from controlled cultivation. The original Berlin bakery is dedicated to sustainable business practices.

Vegane Bakeries: You can find the 11 top recommendations for vegan bakeries in Berlin in our blog article.

Local and seasonal

Another important factor is the processing of seasonal and local food. The best combination is vegan or vegetarian food and local products to minimise long transport routes. A nice side effect is also the strengthening of local farmers and traders.

Our recommendations:

Mutter Fourage: Perfect for a trip to Wannsee - the farm with its culture barn, gallery, nursery and deli is complemented by its beautiful café. Here you can have breakfast, lunch and cake, and most of the products come from regional producers.

Bonvivant: The Bonvivant's refined vegetarian-vegan food selection is complemented by cocktail compositions. Not only with the food, but also with the ingredients of the mixed drinks, attention is paid to the origin of the products.

Café Botanico: It doesn't get much more local than this - Café Botanico uses a variety of herbs, fruit and vegetables from its own permaculture garden to create delicious Italian dishes. It is regularly possible to take part in guided tours of the garden. 

Certified restaurants

For all those who want to know exactly. Certified Berlin restaurants demonstrate their special commitment to sustainable standards by proving this through sustainability certification. In addition, many Berlin restaurants are committed to using only certified organic products, thereby ensuring the quality of their products. 

Our recommendations:

Hugo & Notte: The modern restaurant with German-French cuisine in the French Cathedral holds a sustainability certification with Sustainable Berlin and is therefore not only committed to the highest standards in terms of food. Social aspects also play a major role here and are reflected in factors such as occupational health and safety, diversity, accessibility and much more.

DoubleTree by Hilton: Breakfast lovers take note! At this hotel, you can experience Berlin's first fully certified organic breakfast buffet. From the ham to the butter, everything here really is organic - and officially tested by a state-approved organic inspection body.

Slow Food Berlin: The Slow Food Deutschland e.V. association publishes a gourmet guide that only includes restaurants whose food offers above-average regionality and unadulterated flavour - meaning no use of flavour enhancers or convenience products. The restaurants are scrutinised by testers. Eleven restaurants from Berlin are represented in the Slow Food Guide. 

International cuisine

Berlin is known for its vibrant, international food culture. Fortunately, most cultures have delicious, vegan and vegetarian dishes. So it is not difficult to consider the issue of sustainability. Many Berlin gastronomes find a good balance of exotic ingredients and regional products.

Our recommendations:

Oukan Dining: Inspired by Buddhist temple food, the focus here is on mindfulness. From the selection of purely plant-based ingredients to the design concept of the restaurant and the different ways of preparing the food, everything feels like a holistic meditative ritual.

Satyam: The vegan and vegetarian dishes of the Indian restaurant follow the teachings of Ayurvedic cuisine. Berlin's first Shiva and Ganesha temple is located in the backyard. A highlight is the purely vegetarian-vegan buffet for Sunday brunch.

Momos: Clever concept around vegetarian dumplings in eight different flavours, accompanied by aromatic dips.

Beyond Ramen: Under the motto "The future is vegan", Beyond Ramen serves its popular noodle soups completely free from animal products. While other ramen restaurants often only have one or two vegan alternatives on the menu, Beyond Ramen goes all in.

 W Imbiss: This is a trip around the world. Discover vegan fusion cuisine with Indian, Mexican, Californian and Italian elements. 

Fine Dining

If you're looking for upscale vegan alternatives, don't look far in Berlin. A full eight restaurants in the capital hold green Michelin stars, some in addition to their conventional stars. We have already introduced FREA above, but every single one of the award-winning restaurants inspires with creative, sustainable cuisine.

More recommendations for green star cuisine in Berlin:

TISK: The ingredients used come from the restaurant's own farm in Brandenburg, and true to the "farm to table" concept, sustainability is a top priority. TISK is a bit more rustic and focuses on young urban cuisine.

Nobelhart & Schmutzig: Guests are very close to the sustainable star dishes being conjured up for them here thanks to an open-plan concept. The restaurant describes its concept as "brutally local".

Horváth: High-quality regional ingredients are the key to the creative flavour compositions. Vegetables take centre stage and are the star of the show.

Vegan desserts

When we think of cakes and desserts, we often find it hard to imagine vegan alternatives. Luckily, creative bakers, patissiers and patissière have come up with stunning alternatives that leave no dessert dream unfulfilled.

Our recommendations:

Brammibal's: The donut company founded in Berlin has now achieved cult status. The vegan donuts taste better than their traditionally produced counterparts. An absolute must for vegan and non-vegan sweet tooths.

Chimneys: Baumstriezel are taken to a new level here. The vegan, sugary dough rolls from Chimneys in various flavours are additionally filled with ice cream and sauces and topped with garnishes. In addition, there are dreamy vegan cookies and opulent cinnamon buns.

The Sanctuary: Created a real hype on social media. The Sanctuary sells Italian pastries that will make your mouth water. Completely vegan!

You can find more tips here: Sustainable restaurants.