5 places to eat
Kin Dee Combining two of Berlin’s biggest trends, fine dining and Thai food, Kin Dee might just be the city’s best restaurant. Chef Dalad Khambu takes flavours from her native Bangkok and locally sourced ingredients to create striking modern Thai dishes that pack a punch. Highlights from the menu include clams with house-made chilli paste and a sweet green curry with beef and aubergine. Tasting menu £47 per person. kindeeberlin.com
Nobelhart & Schmutzig
This is Billy Wagner’s love letter to Berlin, with dishes made exclusively with produce from the capital and its surrounding areas – you’ll find no tuna, lemon, or even pepper on the menu here. Seated around a kitchen counter, the 10-course tasting menu is served directly by the chefs, and features crisp potato latkes with apple sauce, and venison tartare with red cabbage. Tasting menu £102. nobelhartundschmutzig.com
Madame Ngo With one of the largest Vietnamese communities outside of Vietnam, Berlin is not short of restaurants peddling pho and banh mi. Standing out from the crowd is Madame Ngo, a smart destination in West Berlin from one of the city’s most successful restaurateurs Duc Ngo, also behind such hits as Cocolo Ramen and Kuchi. A big varied menu includes some French influences, but it’s the steaming bowls of pho made with the best German beef that are the real draw. Pho from £11. madame-ngo.de
Panama Set in a converted warehouse, this space is full of modern artworks and colourful tropical details. Head Chef Sophia Rudolph’s menu is as eclectic as the design, with a vegan version of tacos al pastor made with mushrooms; a seabass ceviche with cucumber and avocado; and curried cauliflower with cured egg yolk and soured cream. Mains from £16. ohpanama.com
Frea As the first zero-waste vegan restaurant, Frea has taken the city by storm with its menu of simple dishes made with local ingredients, including fresh pasta, pickles and sourdough, as well as kombucha and hazelnut milk made in-house. Any leftovers are converted into a soil substitute. Mains from £9. frea.de