The Top Places For Authentic Turkish Food In Berlin

The first settlements of Turkish immigrants in Germany began in the 16th century, but the most notable influx came in the 1960s with West Germany’s labor recruitment agreement. As a result, Berlin boasts some of the most authentic and mouth-watering Turkish cuisine, far beyond the beloved twilight-hour kebab known to many who have blazed through a night out in Berlin.

1. The Turkish Market

Market, Street Food

What better place to get great Turkish food than the Turkish market? The various stands offer vibrant and seasonal fruits and vegetables. It’s as pleasing to the eyes as it is the stomach. Butchers are also dotted along the street selling their Halal meat. Here, it’s easy to gather the ingredients for creating the perfect Turkish dish. There are also the prepared food stalls that offer everything from Gözleme to Backlava in case hunger immediately takes hold. The bold do both, that is, shop and eat; after all, multi-tasking is the way of the future. It’s open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11am-6:30pm.

2. Defne

Restaurant, Turkish, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Defne is a pleasant dining experience that goes beyond the usual offers of kebabs from a stand. The cuisine balances classic flavors and aesthetics, while the restaurant balances warmth and intimacy. From sautéed jumbo prawns to walnut stuffed figs with chocolate and vanilla sauce, Defne offers decadence without the pretentiousness. There’s an outdoor patio that faces the Landwehr Canal when it’s warm out. The food is hearty, fresh, and deliciously authentic.

3. Çiğ Köfte Evi

Çiğ Köfte Evi

Be careful not to walk right by this little gem – the furtive storefront blends right into the façade of the building. A very small and unassuming interior is the perfect ambiance in which to enjoy a meal, because the simple, fresh food speaks for itself. The Çiğ Köfte durum is only 2.50 and is an absolute must.

Çiğ Köfte Evi, Badstraße 37a, Berlin, Germany

4. Mercan

Mercan

Mercan is a great place to come and sit down and enjoy a homemade Turkish meal at an affordable price. A main dish with bulgar or rice accompanied by a tomato salad or cake for only 6€ really can’t be beaten. The food carries an aromatic scent of native Turkish spices and is enveloped in delicious flavors. A rustic environment makes this a cozy place to enjoy real Turkish food while feeling right at home.

Mercan, Wiener Straße 10, Berlin, Germany

5. Çarik Kuruyemis

Cafe, Restaurant, Turkish

At a glance, this place gives the appearance of being a Turkish candy shop. Beyond the barrels of iridescent and sugar-soaked mouth pleasures lies a modest restaurant with most of the clientele eating one thing. That one thing is Kumpir. The restaurant holds its own in terms of other Turkish cuisine, but the Kumpir is why people come back. Fresh, warm potatoes caked in various toppings that range from olives to safran salad. Show up hungry.

6. Fes Turkish BBQ

Diner, Restaurant, Turkish, Mediterranean

A newer restaurant on the Turkish food scene, this exposed-brick restaurant is changing the game. The trendy aesthetic isn’t the only thing drawing in the hungry masses; each table comes with its own grill. This idea puts the diner in charge. Plenty of food and house-made Ayran make this place a go-to locale when craving hot and tasty Turkish food.

7. Imren Grill

Restaurant, Turkish, Fast Food, Italian

This Berlin institution has its original location in Kreuzberg. This is a family-owned restaurant that has had much success in Berlin, as they now have five locations. It’s a favorite of many Berliners because of the fresh ingredients, homemade sauces, and great menu variety. The döner and the fresh Turkish pizza (lahmacun) are some of the menu’s highlights. The meat is always fresh and the prices are always cheap.

8. Hasir

Hasir

Hasir is another successful cluster of restaurants springing from its flagship location in Kreuzberg. This also hails as a Berlin institution, with rave reviews about the döner kebab, which, incidentally, was invented by the founder in 1971. The exquisite taste doesn’t end there; try one of their authentic soups or the creamy hummus, just to name a few tasty menu items. The place is often crowded, and the location is more concerned with the food than the décor. Come in and sit down for a well-seasoned meal, or grab some hot and delectable food to go.

Hasir, Kreuzberg, Adalbertstraße 12, Berlin, Germany

9. NUR Gemüse-Kebap

NUR Gemüse-Kebap

Turkish food doesn’t just always cater to the dead-animal-loving crowd of homo sapiens, and this place proves it. For non-German speakers, gemuse means vegetable. This place doesn’t serve only vegetable kebabs, but that is what it’s known for. Bona fide carnivores will question their nomenclature after eating a freshly prepared veggie kebab. It also has up to ten different sauces, so choose wisely. The quick service and friendly staff give this kebab stand extra points.

NUR Gemüse-Kebap, Hermannstr. 113a, Berlin, Germany

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.