Berlin has just been named “The New Vegetarian Capital of the World” by American lifestyle magazine Saveur. The article claims, in no uncertain terms, that Berlin is the “first major Western city where vegetarianism has achieved complete culinary parity with the traditional carnivore’s diet”.
Whether or not you agree that Berlin is on a par with London or San Francisco when it comes to dining meat-free, it is certainly no secret to Berliners that their city is packed with a huge number of places to eat great vegetarian food!
We did a quick office poll and, without further ado, here are our picks for our favourite veggie eats:
Sumatra Burger at Yoyo Foodworld
- Gärtnerstraße 27, Friedrichshain 10245
- Nearest station: S Ostkreuz / U Samariterstraße
- Cost: Around €5
With an aesthetic that harks back to the proper Berlin punk ethos, this vegan burger dive serves some of the tastiest veggie food in the city, and is the perfect place to scratch your greasy junk-food itch – while still remaining 100% vegan. With an overwhelming choice of options, see what you fancy, but the Sumatra Burger is both enormous and tasty. This tip came from Tom on the Content team, and he is a hungry man.
“When I grow up I want to work in a vegan restaurant in Berlin!” “Me too!”
Fatteh at Al-Pascha
- Address: Sonnenallee 77, Neukölln 12045
- Nearest station: U Rathaus Neukölln
- Cost: €3-€5
This Lebanese restaurant has been serving up Arabic classics in the heart of Neukölln for years. The whole of Sonnenallee is a treasure trove of places where you can feast as if you are in Beirut or Damascus, but this is one of our favourites.
Their fatteh is a delicious mix of textures and tastes, with layers of chickpeas, yoghurt, pine nuts, spices, toasted pitta and fresh green herbs. It makes a perfect side, or it’s big enough for a main if you’re popping in for a quick lunch.
Daily Wrap at Fast Rabbit Fast Food
- Address: Eberswalder Straße 1, Prenzlauer Berg
- Nearest station: U Eberswalder Straße
- Cost: €4-€6
Not far from the junction of Schönhauser Allee and Eberswalder Straße sits Fast Rabbit Fast Food, a cosy vegetarian cafe with pavement tables and a comfortable interior for colder days. You can sit in or take away, and their wraps and juices are a great way to refuel after a Sunday stroll through the Mauerpark flea market. All their wraps are freshly made by the very friendly staff, and you can have a soup on the side if you want to make a really decent meal of it. Their coffee is excellent too.
“I just can’t get enough of vegetables! Thank goodness Berlin is full of them!”
Neapolitan Pizza at Ristorante Masaniello
- Hasenheide 20, Neukölln 10967
- Nearest station: U Hermannplatz
- Cost: €8-€10
While this isn’t a vegetarian restaurant, this traditional Italian has several pizzas on the menu that are cooked in the true Neapolitan style – i.e. just one minute in the oven. One of them is a simple cheese and tomato base but scattered with fresh buffalo mozzarella that melts into a kind of milky butter. It is finished with a simple topping of fresh basil. Our resident foodie colleague Sam describes it as one of the top three pizzas he has ever eaten. And that guy knows his food.
Hot Mama Burrito at Burrito Baby
- Pflügerstraße 11, Kreuzberg 12047
- Nearest station: U Schönleinstraße
- Cost: Around €7
This vegetarian Kreuzberg favourite describes itself as serving up “Mextralian streetfood”, and its menu is stuffed with tacos, quesadillas and burritos – as well as sides including taco salads and nachos. Prepare to queue at popular times of the week, but this cosy little place is perfect for vegetarians wanting some fresh Mexican-inspired comfort food. If you’re thirsty, order the “big ass glass of apple & guava juice” – delicious!
“I just LOVE apples! We call them Äpfel in Berlin!”
The Buddha Bowl at The Bowl
- Warschauer Straße 33, Friedrichshain 10243
- Nearest station: S/U Warschauer Straße
- Cost: Around €10
Friedrichshain’s 100% plant-based kitchen is situated above a vegan grocery store and offers different mixed bowls full of delicious fresh ingredients. The Buddha bowl is a heavenly mishmash of Sumatra curry, aubergine, sweet potato, green asparagus, beetroot carpaccio, wild rice, pickled shiitake mushrooms, mixed greens and avocado dressing. Hungry yet?
If you are interested in Berlin’s food scene, take a look at our in-depth guide to eating gluten-free in Berlin, broken down by district – and don’t forget to look at the range of apartments on our Berlin page if you’re planning a trip to the city.
