The 13 Best Street Food Markets in Berlin
Of course we love Berlin for its beer gardens and currywurst – but beyond the traditional fare, a global menu of diverse street food has been evolving across the capital of Germany, making it an irresistible proposition for culinary explorers.
The long-standing Turkish population has always served up grills, kebabs and gorgeous pizza-like pides. But there’s more to enjoy in modern Berlin, reflecting the Middle Eastern, Thai, Polish and Italian sectors of society, among others, including Vietnamese, Chinese and Russian. Next time you find yourself in need of a bite in Berlin, take it from us – you can eat like a princess on the budget of a postgrad thanks to the excellent variety and quality of ethnic fast food here. Want to know where to indulge? Read on – here’s our guide to the best street-food markets in Berlin.
Street Food Thursdays
Market, Restaurant, German, Street Food
Breakfast Market
Food Truck, Market, Food Stall, Food Stand, Street Food
Markthalle Neun isn’t just the location for one awesome street food market, but two! This one isn’t the most frequent, but get there on the right day (every third Sunday of the month) and you could be lucky enough to grab a bite at the illusive Breakfast Market. Organized by the same masterminds behind Street Food Thursday, this is quite simply the same event but for breakfast and brunch foods. Ever wonder what Peruvians, Yemenis or New Yorkers eat for breakfast? This is your chance to find out and sample it all.
RAW Flea Market
Market
While RAW is predominantly a flea market, selling everything from clothing to antiques, home decor and jewellery, this is a spot that paints a vivid picture of Berlin’s past and present. Luckily, there is also a great little street food scene here, with an excellent variety of German and international cuisines on show, catering to veggies and vegans as well as full-blooded meat eaters. You’ll start your culinary adventure here on the Berlin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours.
Berlin's Christmas Markets
Architectural Landmark
Germany is famous for its fairytale festive markets that offer a pure hit if Christmassy dopamine. While these markets are filled with handicrafts stalls selling everything from hand-painted baubles to wooden toys, it’s the food that really steals the show. Grab a steaming cup of glühwein (mulled wine) and try to choose just one meal for the evening. From classic smoked wurst (sausages) to reibekuchen (Potato Pancakes), Käsespätzel (Mac n’ Cheese) and more modern international fare, choosing is the hardest part. Book a spot on a Christmas market tour to discover the very best of Berlin’s festive stalls, sampling a range of classic Christmassy snacks.
Mauerpark
Market, Park, Shop
Turkish Market
Market, Street Food
Unravelling along the Maybachufer canal every Tuesday and Friday is the Turkish Market, a Kreuzkölln institution. Locals love it for the sheer variety of fresh Turkish and Middle Eastern produce and street food. The yells of vendors calling out special prices to the shuffling crowds are transporting, as are the gorgeous aromas of cooking and pungent spices, drifting from the white tents: Istanbul in one giddy inhalation. Visitors pack in around small tables to wolf down pillowy breads with piled plates of köfte (meatballs). Just add creamy, garlicky hummus – and enjoy.
Thai Park
Market, Park
Boxhagener Platz Food Market
Park
Arminiusmarkthalle
Market, German
Bite Club
Market, Fusion, Street Food
Neue Heimat
Market
Every Sunday in the mid-2010s, from noon until late evening, dozens of international food trucks would gather in a post-industrial space in trendy Friedrichshain, a hub for art shows, DJs and live bands. Neue Heimat now focuses on popping up at Berlin’s best-loved cultural events like the legendary Lange Nacht der Museen, when more than 70 museums throw open their doors until 2am. They work with great names in the Berlin street food scene: Tapiocaria, serving smoky Brazilian black bean stew with their namesake cassava-based snacks; or Aftab’s Persian food van, its spiced meaty mains served with aromatic saffron rice, almonds and fresh minty yoghurt.
Burgers & Hip Hop
Architectural Landmark, Building
This one does just what it says on the tin – if you like flame-grilled burgers and hip-hop music, this is the place. The party-style combo, happening every six weeks at the Prince Charles club in Kreuzberg, is a winner. Arrive promptly, eat and drink all afternoon, then dance the night away. You can even vote for Berlin’s best burger from among the gourmet, globally inspired offerings of local chefs and café owners. Burgers & Hip Hop is the brainchild of Kavita Meelu, the British-Indian Berliner, who also masterminded other popular culinary events, such as Street Food Thursday.
Green Market
Market, Vegan
All vegan and always seasonal, Berlin’s Green Market offers top-notch street food: we’ve enjoyed so many things, memorably a vedic masala dosa from Goura Pakora with spinach and chilli; and tangy, plant-based sarnies with sauerkraut, mushrooms and garlicky creamed cashews from the VeganOst truck. You must try the Vietnamese bánh xèo coconut pancakes packed with seeds, herbs and shoots from the Toctoc snack van, and keep your eyes peeled for tofu burgers and natural waffles with non-dairy ice cream. The food is served along with music, fashion, workshops and gift stalls. Find it all in the cool biergarten space outside Café Jules in Kreuzberg, near the Gleisdreieck U-Bahn station.
Phoebe Taplin contributed additional reporting to this article.