Part of the tavern revival, a seat at Taberna Sal Grosso is among the most coveted in the city. Its modern takes on classic dishes are fun and inexpensive, with choices such as stewed pork cheek, Azorean tuna, and cod tongue salad.
The historic Bob's Big Boy has been serving burgers, breakfast, and American-style comfort food since the 1940s. Request the "Beetles Booth", where the musicians once dined. Robert DeNiro's 1995 crime film "Heat" was also filmed here.
Japanese restaurant where the eye eats first. Wabi Sabi focuses on the clean and simple presentation of fresh and flavorful ingredients. Quality across the board - from the nigiri and sashimi to maki and bowls.
Affordable Mexican eatery on the banks of the Elbe. The place to go for tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. Also offers vegetarians options, such as a meatless take on chili con carne. Expect a laidback atmosphere.
A 19th-century pub noted for its warm atmosphere. Relax with friends over a few draught beers, or try their lamb shank - reports are that it melts in the mouth. The wine list is well-curated too.
Intimate dining spot offering a daily rotating six-course menu with bold global touches and fine Austrian wines. Ideal for those who appreciate mystery and quality.
Loungey bar and restaurant with an outdoor patio highlighting imaginative cocktails and small plates, plus seasonal farm-to-table fare. Great for an outdoor drink in the summer, or cozy cocktail in the winter.
Compact, busy taqueria on Avinguda del Paral·lel serving traditional street-style tacos and cold margaritas. The kitchen sticks to the classics, turning out slow-cooked carnitas, fresh guacamole, and house-made tres leches.
Tight, 80s-style Eixample dining room built around the Spanish potato omelet. The busy kitchen sends out traditional tapas alongside over fifteen variations of individual, made-to-order tortillas.
High-energy restaurant serving Californian-Mexican food on a Raval plaza. The raw, neon-lit space runs loud with music and strong margaritas, with tables spilling onto a tree-shaded terrace for LA-style burritos.
Fourth-generation restaurant serving classic seafood from a terrace overlooking the volcanic Lago Albano. After dinner, most guests tour the vast wine cellar, carved generations ago directly into the rock.
Small Kloof Street burger bar turning out single-source Wagyu smash burgers and hand-cut fries cooked in beef tallow. Orders happen at the counter, and limited seating keeps the room moving fast.
Two-story Isaan eatery behind a bright green facade off Banthat Thong Road. Plates of raw beef tartare, spicy minced meat salads, and grilled pork neck with sticky rice fill tables across the packed dining room.
Warm Pratunam dining room serving generous plates of home-style Sri Lankan food to a soundtrack of traditional music. Evening tables fill with massive portions of chopped roti kottu, fresh egg hoppers, and spicy pol sambol.
Three-story Yemeni restaurant tucked into an alley in Bangkok's Arab Street. Communal meals happen on traditional floor mats, starting with lamb broth before moving to massive flatbreads and shared platters of spiced lamb mandi.
Quiet, spice-scented dining room tucked down a narrow soi away from the rush of Pratunam. The kitchen serves home-style Nepali cooking, turning out steady plates of steaming momos and rich thalis.
Woodlands coffee shop stall turning out massive plates of crispy Swiss-style rösti and sizzling sausages. The open-air seating runs warm during the dinner rush, with heavy portions eaten right at the table before they lose their crunch.
Compact, 12-seat diner serving smash burgers and lamb birria tacos behind a black curtain door. Tight bench seating and strict reservation slots keep the small room moving fast to an R&B soundtrack.
Snug, family-run Södermalm restaurant serving traditional Northern Thai dishes. Deep bowls of rich Khao Soi and spicy seafood Tom Yum fill the tables during the busy evening rush.
Old-school Södermalm tavern serving traditional Swedish home cooking and cold beer since 1927. The wood-paneled dining room runs steady with heavy plates of meatballs and herring on crisp white tablecloths.
Old-school Sicilian trattoria in Chinatown with green and white tablecloths. Dinner starts at the antipasti buffet or with a platter of fresh raw seafood.
Relaxed Mitte burger joint doubling as a gaming lounge full of screens and consoles. The kitchen serves halal American-style patties, vegan options, and curly fries with handmade sauces.
Cozy Thai spot in Berlin serving bold dishes like juicy satay, crispy pork belly, and rich Mama Tom Yam. Authentic flavors shine in spicy papaya salad and green curry ribs, with sweet desserts like mango sticky rice.
Cozy Prenzlauer Berg dining room serving Thai home cooking with uncompromising Bangkok heat. Tables book out weeks in advance for holy basil stir-fry and rich Tom Yam soups set to a lo-fi soundtrack.
Open-plan Kreuzberg dining room centered on a concert stage and roaring fireplaces. Dinner service revolves around the signature four-course duck menu while live jazz plays from the Steinway.
Original medicine cabinets and dark woodwork wrap the bustling dining room of the former Oranien-Apotheke. Dinner service pairs seasonal plates from the restaurant's farm with natural wines.
Small Neukölln dining room serving traditional Ghanaian stews, jollof rice, and fufu. The cash-only space runs busy on weekends with bowls of spicy peanut soup and fried plantains.
Compact neighborhood counter serving daily-made falafel and marinated chicken shawarma. Fast, straightforward service loads heavy platters and tight wraps with fresh tabbouleh, hummus, and a standout peanut sauce.
Tight, loud Schöneberg snack bar frying panko-crusted chicken cutlets since 1968. The busy room moves fast, turning out straightforward plates of crispy katsu, rice, and shredded cabbage smothered in rich Japanese curry.
Intimate French brasserie on a quiet residential square, run by a husband-and-wife team. The Michelin Bib Gourmand spot serves a surprise tasting menu – book well in advance.
Classic Italian deli and enoteca running as a cozy Charlottenburg dining room. Dinners come straight from the glass counter, pairing fresh antipasti and cured meats with bottles pulled from the massive wine selection.
Italian restaurant and plant shop tucked under the Schöneberg train station. Plates of Venetian cicchetti and squid ink pasta arrive on vintage school desks surrounded by hanging vines and potted plants available to buy.
Cozy, fast-casual Mitte kitchen turning out hearty plates of traditional Greek street food. Warm, fluffy corn pitas come loaded with lamb souvlaki or chicken gyros alongside hand-cut herb fries and thick tzatziki.
Bustling Korean barbecue hall on Kantstraße with tabletop grills for searing marinated beef and pork belly. The strict walk-in policy keeps the room packed and high-energy.
Lively Prenzlauer Berg spot dedicated to chimaek – the Korean ritual of fried chicken and beer. Halal, double-fried wings arrive sticky with soy garlic or spicy glaze alongside pickled radish and cold drafts.
Dimly lit Helmersbuurt neighborhood cafe running steady into the night as a casual bistro. Evening menus stick to European classics like mussels with smoked beurre blanc and half chicken alongside glasses of natural wine.
Warm, minimalist Oud-West space running as a coffee bar by day before shifting to plant-based dinners on weekend nights. The open kitchen turns out fermented, vegetable-focused plates meant for splitting over glasses of natural wine.
Retro dining room in a former bank serving fixed seasonal surprise menus on vintage Formica. An open kitchen drives the unhurried dinner service, while the basement vault takes private groups.
Dimly lit Zeedijk dining room buzzing with steam and noise from the open kitchens. Sushi rolls and Korean beef arrive in rapid-fire rounds that fill every inch of the table.
Waterfront Spanish spot in the Western Islands with a terrace facing the harbor. Pitchers of sangria and plates of jamón fill the table during the 45-minute wait for fresh paella.
Glass-walled dining room set on a former railway bridge above the IJ. Creative tasting menus run up to fifteen courses in a raw space of concrete, steel, and panoramic views.
De Pijp deli stuffing freshly steamed pitas with smoked brisket, chicken shawarma, and homemade hummus. Orders cross the counter for takeaway or get carried up to a tiny attic seating area.
Traditional corner pub running as a high-energy natural wine bar. The triangular room stays loud and low-lit as crowds share funky bottles and seasonal vegetable plates.
Lively three-story kitchen in central Amsterdam turns out sizzling stone bowl bibimbap and spicy fried chicken. Large bulgogi platters feed groups before mango bingsu shaved ice cools the heat.
Mayfair seafood institution split between a bustling ground-floor oyster bar and a formal upstairs dining room. Shuckers work fast at the marble counter, while the heated terrace stays full year-round.
American-style takeaway dishing up smash burgers and crispy fried chicken. A popular last stop after a night out in Belleville – the house-made fries are essential.
Hectic Belleville storefront serving fresh, house-made tofu and traditional Wenzhou snacks. Staff sling savory tofu puddings, steamed pork buns, and hot soy milk for quick meals at cramped tables or fast takeout.
Lively corner bistro serving affordable lunch sets and evening small plates. The tiled room gets loud as locals crowd the formica counter for natural wine and sourdough pizzettes.
Neighborhood bistro with its original marble bar, spotted mirrors, and wine-red banquettes. The menu is classic French, but the extensive natural wine list and strong house martinis are what fill the room with locals.
Classic Parisian bistro that built its reputation on one dish: a legendary sausage and mash. The small room is packed nightly, with a long zinc bar and wine bottles lining the walls.
