My Five Favourite Kebab Shops in Berlin
Berlin’s diversity also extends to its culinary offerings, right down to its widely beloved kebab shops. With all the different types of bread and sauces, you’re sure to find the kebab (Döner in German) you like best in Berlin. Here’s where you to start searching for your favourite one.
Mustafa's Gemüsekebap
Mehringdamm 32, Kreuzberg
Mehringdamm U-Bahn station: U6, U7
Some claim that the crowds of people seen daily in front of the small shop on Mehringdamm are part of an advertising scam invented by clever marketing professionals to create the false impression of a wildly popular fast food joint. I leave it to the gossipmongers among us to speculate. It doesn’t matter to me in the least. I just want to eat the most delicious and the most famous kebab in the capital. A while back, the idea of filling the bread with sautéed vegetables instead of just lettuce, and chicken instead of veal, was like a kind of ‘kebab revolution’ in Berlin. You can now find the veggie kebab everywhere, but here on Mehringdamm in Kreuzberg it just tastes better than anywhere else!
All in One
Rosenthaler Str. 43, Mitte
Hackescher Markt S-Bahn station: S3, S7, S75/ Weinmeister Str. U-Bahn station: U8
Admittedly, the name is a bit strange, but the streets around Hackescher Markt are the most international in this city. So it makes sense that a kebab shop in this area would have an English name (which is a pretty succinct way of summing up ‘kebab’, in my opinion). At first I was also confused about the location – right opposite a bakery, squeezed into the entryway of an Edeka supermarket. If there are a lot of people waiting here, they can’t help but move into the street at some point. Whenever I’m in Mitte between Rosi, O-Burger and Monbijou Park, I try to stop by here. The kebab is amazing, and the shop is really close to the banks of the Spree and Museum Island on the other side. There’s nothing better than enjoying a kebab while taking in a splendid panoramic view!
Bistro Bagdad
Schlesische Str. 2, Kreuzberg
Schlesisches Tor U-Bahn station: U1
Here’s a bit of personal history: When I came to Berlin for the first time for New Year’s, I probably ate here six times within 36 hours. It must have had something to do with the exceptionally crusty bread and the best-looking kebab skewer in the city. Another reason must have been that Bistro Bagdad is located right where all the action takes place during the summer. Schlesische Strasse is lined with cafés and clubs all the way to the Spree and is one of the hotspots in Kreuzberg. You can get a first-rate kebab here and also experience the most incredible nightlife and street life. Party tourists, regular tourists, real Berliners – everyone loves to come to this corner of the city!
Hasir
Adalbertstr. 10, Kreuzberg
Kottbusser Tor U-Bahn station: U1, U8
As long as your name is not Thilo Sarrazin (they refuse to serve him here), Hasir in Adalbertstrasse near Kotti is THE place for a truly authentic and traditional Turkish dining experience. They have been making kebab for over 30 years. Since then, what started out as a small family restaurant in Kreuzberg has now grown to become a group of six restaurants throughout Berlin. I find the special thing about Hasir, besides the doner kebab, is the broad selection of grill specialities, prepared in front of the guests on a charcoal grill. Not to mention the wonderful atmosphere with the din of the restaurant-goers, the delicious smell of food and the night sounds of this wonderful city coming in through the big windows!
Döner Turm
Wilhelmshavener Str. 1, Moabit
Turmstr. U-Bahn station: U9
With all the hype surrounding Kreuzberg, it’s important not to forget that there are other areas in Berlin where you can get a good kebab. One of them is Moabit, a beautiful part of the city not far from the government district. Once you reach the top of the stairs at the Turmstrasse U-Bahn station, you’re already right in front of Döner Turm. I really like their house-made sauces, especially the spicy one, which has a nice, slow burn. For those who want something other than a kebab, Döner Turm also has Asian fast food and a Currywurst grill!
