Are you planning to travel to Berlin on a gluten-free diet and wondering where to eat? After covering the popular neighborhoods of Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain and Neukölln in the last post, the second part of this guide will show you where to get some excellent gluten-free grub in Schöneberg, Charlottenburg and Mitte. Don’t miss out on traditional Currywurst, tasty cakes, and French macarons.
Schöneberg
After visiting the famous Rathaus Schöneberg, checking out the farmer’s market at Winterfeldtplatz or strolling down Akazienstraße with its little boutiques, it is worth staying in Schöneberg just a little bit longer. This is the place to get your gluten-free pizza fix. Situated in a residential neighborhood, not far from the beautiful Viktoriapark, you can find Cielo di Berlino. Here you can eat delicious pizza with a crust made out of buckwheat. If you are more in the mood for a coffee and a little sweet treat, sit down and relax at Makrönchenmanufaktur near Akazienstraße. This cute little café offers a changing selection of delectable macaroons, all of them gluten-free. A bit further north, right by the renowned luxury department store KaDeWe, you can check a must-do for any Berlin trip off your bucket list – eating a traditional Currywurst. Witty’s staff is knowledgeable about all issues related to gluten and offers organic Currywurst and fries that are safe to eat. If you have a sweet tooth, it’s definitely worth taking the time to visit Eis Voh in quiet Friedenau. They offer an abundance of gluten-free cakes as well as cookies and ice cream – you can even enjoy your cold dessert in a gluten-free cone. Some of their desserts are also lactose-free or vegan. In addition, they now offer fresh gluten-free bread as well as small savory meals.
Macarons at Makrönchen Manufaktur. Photo by Makrönchen Manufaktur.
Charlottenburg
Charlottenburg is a great place to visit for Berlin tourists, as it offers excellent cultural sights as well as countless shopping opportunities. Thankfully, there are also some gluten-free eateries. If you are not afraid of meat free food, the vegan gourmet restaurant La Mano Verde is a good option. Most of their dishes are gluten-free and marked as such on the menu. They also prepare many raw food dishes. If you are looking for a cheaper and faster meal, dean&david on Kurfürstendamm is the place for you. They offer various curries, soups and salads gluten-free. They list an overview of all allergens contained in their meals on their homepage, but you can also just ask the staff. On Kantstraße, right by Savignyplatz, you can find Simela, another pizza joint offering pizza with a gluten-free crust.
The magnificent Palace at Charlottenburg. Photo Kai Liebisch via FlickrCC
Mitte
Mitte is home to many of Berlin’s historic sights, but also draws in people looking for independent shops and small art galleries. In between walking around and discovering all the sights, you can sit down in one of the following places to re-energize and enjoy a meal. Chén Chè Teehaus is ideal for grabbing some food, if you find yourself around Hackescher Markt or Rosenthaler Platz. They offer delicious Vietnamese fare, most of their dishes can be prepared gluten-free; you just need to ask the staff. If you suddenly feel starved while checking out Gendarmenmarkt, Checkpoint Charlie or the other sights around Friedrichstraße, don’t fret. Cha Chã, a Thai restaurant, has all their gluten-free options marked for you and will cater to your needs. You can also visit the TV tower and enjoy a meal in the restaurant Sphere while taking in views of the city. All allergens, including gluten, are marked on the menu. Moreover, they offer gluten-free bread. In addition to the places mentioned above, there are also several chain restaurants spread around the tourist sights in Mitte and other parts of town that will serve you a gluten-free meal upon request and have all the allergens listed online. They might not offer the most unique dining experience, but sometimes they are the closest restaurants around. Among these are the steak restaurants Maredo and Block House as well as the Italian inspired Vapiano.
The 368m TV Tower dominates Berlin’s skyline. Photo Reinhard Link via FlickrCC
Have you tried any of the places mentioned? Please feel free to share your experience in the comment section. Or let us know about other places serving delicious gluten-free meals that we might have missed out on. Disclaimer: If you have celiac or a severe gluten intolerance, we advise you to always inform the staff of any location of your condition. That way, you can make sure they are aware of cross-contamination issues and will point out the safe items on the menu for you. If you want to delve deeper into what Berlin has to offer to gluten-free folks, these are valuable resources:
(header image: Photo by David Wagner via FlickrCC)
