Kreuzberg conjures of up images of punk bars, graffitied streets and venues crowded with Berlin’s hipsters. However, it’s also home to some of the tastiest Italian restaurants in the city. Here are the must-try spots when visiting Kreuzberg.
Salumeria Lamuri, just a short walk from Schlesisches Tor, is a relaxed Italian lunch restaurant and delicatessen. A casual spot with two rooms, the restaurants’ interior is made up of dark wooden tables and stunningly tiled walls and floors, with a rustic atmosphere. The menu offers delicatessen products and wine, as well as freshly-made panini, salumi, salads, Italian croissants, cakes and a freshly prepared, ever-changing lunch menu consisting of several main dishes. Boutique, arty and a little bit quirky, this cosy, casual restaurant is the perfect lunch spot in Kreuzberg.
Gasthaus Figl is a charming, cosy restaurant with candle-lit outdoor seating and some of Kreuzberg’s tastiest pizza. A unique Alpine and Italian mix, the menu at this spot is a diverse selection of classic dishes, salads and a huge selection of pizzas. Fresh produce and fresh pizza dough are at the heart of their pizza philosophy, ensuring a flavoursome and contemporary taste. The restaurant’s trendy, yet laid-back atmosphere make it a hotspot in Kreuzberg.
Grünfisch is Berlin’s top Sicilian restaurant. The dimly-lit and romantic restaurant has a gourmet menu including wild boar carpaccio, squid ink spaghetti, and rabbit risotto. All the wine comes from Sicily and is paired flawlessly with the dishes. The atmosphere, like its menu, is sophisticated yet rustic, creating a stylish, yet accessible spot for something a little bit different in Kreuzberg.
Located in Kreuzberg, just a short walk from Hermannplatz, Masaniello is a truly authentic Napolese pizzeria joint. The owners, chefs and much of the produce used in the restaurant have all come from Naples, bringing the UNESCO ‘intangible’ status and traditional pizza recipes with them. The menu is a range of Italian treats, including pasta, daily specials, pizza and antipasti. However, the one dish to try is, of course, the pizza, prepared in an authentic Neapolitan style. The place fills up fast on the weekends, so to avoid missing out, booking a table in advance is recommended.
Gorgonzola Club is a traditional and classically-styled, gourmet restaurant in central Kreuzberg. Serving up some of the best carpaccio in Berlin, the menu is extensive but simple, with a selection of antipasti, pasta, pizza and a nightly special board. The interior consists of an assortment of small tables, dressed up with white tablecloths amid a candlelit ambience, as well as a quaint courtyard, perfect in the summer. Just a stone’s throw from Kottbusser Tor, the restaurant serves a mix of locals and tourists, both equally excited for well-priced Italian favourites, paired with European wines.
Il Casolare is perfectly located by the canal on the leafy streets of Kreuzberg. A family-run restaurant, this joint has some of the most delicious and authentic wood-oven pizzas, as well as cheap but tasty wine and traditional pasta dishes. The interior is equally as simple and authentic, with an assortment of tables, crammed into the bustling spot. The restaurant’s inviting, canal-side location means it’s popular with locals and fills up quickly in the summer, so making a booking is advised.
With homemade tortellini, regional ingredients, Italian wine and fresh seafood specialities, Trentasei is a mouthwatering restaurant. The name Trentasei refers to the ‘36’ nickname for Kreuzberg and this spot is well-located on bustling, bar-heavy Skalitzer Straße. The warmly-lit interior combines exposed brick, wood tables, with a traditional, old-school charm. The menu reflects this regional, authentic charm and consists of five different four-course meals, that start around €24 (USD$28). Romantic and stylish, this is the perfect spot for regional, traditional meal in Berlin.
