Food Guide To Berlin

As with most things in life, I like to find any occasion to indulge in delicious food. Birthday? Lets eat a giant slice of chocolate cake. Failed your driving test? Ah well, lets go cry into a bowl of carbs. Your Mum’s best-friend’s uncle’s son just got married? Why didn’t you say? We should totally go for dinner an celebrate! And travel is no exception. 

I’ve recently just returned from a weekend losing myself in Berlin celebrating a close friend's 21st Birthday. Now I’d like to say I spent the whole weekend getting outrageously drunk and partying until the wee hours of the morning, but alongside the red wine and cocktails, we mainly just got euphoric from the fantastic food and ate ourselves into food comas. Berlin is such a lovely, unusual city that I’d love to return to and explore more someday. Besides, there’s only so much a girl can eat in 72 hours, right?

Here’s my top picks for food in the city,

(Photo credit - CicoBerlin)

If you’re looking to dine alongside the locals…Caligari 

Kienitzer Straße 110 12049 Berlin

Finding this little Italian gem was akin to seeing a reservoir of water when struggling through deserts. We had wandered for hours and hours and finally came across Caligari, hidden down the backstreets of a Neukolln neighbourhood. Honestly, they probably could have served us spaghetti out of a tin and we still would have been thankful. Aesthetically, the interior is incredibly minimalistic and rustic, but the food was full of flavour and authentic. Luckily the staff could speak English and helped us translate their menu that changes on a daily basis. You definitely have to be open to trying something new, as options are very limited, but if all else fails, the freshly baked bread to dip in olive oil was to die for. 

If you’re looking for a cosy spot for a coffee… Distrikt

Bergstraße 68, 10115 Berlin

Dressed with exposed walls and old leather chesterfields, it’s the perfect setting to settle back and catch up over a coffee. Bear in mind it can get very busy on a weekend morning, but if you don’t mind sharing your sofa with some locals, go in and get comfy. I recommend the Poached Eggs & Smoked Salmon served on toast, or the Buttermilk Pancakes topped with fresh fruit and granola.

If you’re looking for raw, vegan food… Daluma

Weinbergsweg 3, 10119 Berlin

A completely raw cafe located in the heart of Berlin. It has a very hipster aesthetic and seems to be frequented by health foodies and yogis. Get there early to try their Buckwheat Porridge, or detox your system with their acai Dr Feel Good smoothie if you drank a little too much the night before. The staff are friendly and speak excellent english. 

(Photo credit - www.worldofwanderlust.com)

If you’re looking for something a little unusual… Shiso Burger

Auguststraße 29 c, 10119 Berlin

This Asian burger bar was a recommendation, and for a very good reason - I’m still dreaming of my Ebi burger (a burger made from black tiger shrimp) and homemade sweet potato fries. Very busy come evening, so reserved ahead of time or risk waiting for a table. Super casual and popular amongst friends and families alike. You must try the twisted potatoes if you go, but you can forgo the beer.

If you’re looking for the best brunch in Berlin... Le Bon

Boppstraße 1, 10967 Berlin

Maybe I’m just a bit biased, swayed by their dreamy interior and delicious eggs, but Le Bon must be the best place to spot by for brunch in Berlin. Great coffee, lovely staff, and not too busy. Try their Shakshuka served with roasted chickpeas, tahini and toasted sourdough, and thank me later.  

Do you have any good recommendations for food in Berlin?

K

My Favourite Cookbooks

Some people watch porn. I read cookery books. One in the same, right?

I’ll admit it. Personally, I find a little too much pleasure than most within the pages of a few of my favourite cookery books. I keep them hidden in the cupboard, sometimes underneath my bed. I spend long hours salivating over luxurious chocolate cakes, and pasta dishes chock full of all varieties of vegetables. And much to the dismay of my colleagues, I talk about this a lot. Bragging and flaunting photos of recipes I’ve nailed, fantasising over the recipes I’m desperate to try. 

It’s not that I always desire to make anything in a book, sometimes I read them just to idolise the photography. Just for the pure, unadulterated enjoyment. It’s probably why I’m hungry, like all the damn time. But we all have naughty indulgences, don't we?

So no surprise, each and every birthday, I ask for a new one to add to my collection and as you can imagine, I’ve got a fair few. But for now, here’s a few of my ultimate favourites:

Deliciously Ella

Ella Woodward was on of my main inspirations to lead a more plant-based lifestyle, like pretty much all of the UK. I’m yet to meet someone who hasn’t heard of her or who owns this cookbook. Through her diet and lifestyle, she managed to overcome her illness and has helped to heal herself from the inside-out, and that is something I strongly believe in. With a very rustic approach to recipes and photography, this book places a large emphasises on cooking with a wholesome approach that we had lost in the need of convenience. I swear by her 10-minute Tomato Pasta recipe, proving that real, healthy food is quick and easy to make.

Naturally Sassy

First it was her snacks that I fell in-love with, then with her blog, and now with her very first cook book. Training professionally in ballet, Saskia puts a focus on recipes that are full of plant-based protein and that are going to energise us through workouts, runs and just our day-to-day lives. Like Deliciously Ella, the book takes on that rustic approach to emphasise cooking with real foods.

Macaroons

Although I couldn’t tell you the last time a macaroon has touched these lips, I would be a liar if I denied that I still love them terribly. I still swoon every time I pass Lauderee in Covent Garden. So for me, this is one of those books I merely look through for the guilty pleasure of it - now how incredible do Peanut Butter & Jam macaroons sound? I have previously made recipes from this book and promise that they are fantastic. I’m not sure macaroons will ever be “simple” or “easy”, but this book has very straight-forward and easy to follow instructions.  

Nigella Lawson

A women who needs no introduction. The sex of the cookery world. Nigella Lawson - you would be lying if you said you didn’t fancy her a little bit. Now I idolise everything about this women, from all of her books to her TV shows. I love the photography, how she makes even the simplest of recipes sound like a dirty sin, and how her laid-back style of writing makes you feel like you’re just sitting having a cuppa’ tea with her. And anyone who decided to put marmite with spaghetti deserves a crowning glory in my opinion.

What are your favourites?

K