17 Places to Eat Like a Real Italian in Berlin

Pizza
Pizza | © ponce_photography / Pixabay
Alice Dundon

Berlin’s foodie scene has a flare for multiculturalism and offers authentic flavours from all over the globe. Neukölln has been dubbed ‘little Istanbul’ as a nod to its Turkish influence and its amazing kebab joints, while Thai Park in Charlottenburg will have you feeling as if you’re walking through a Thai street-food market. Italian influences have also played their role in the food scene, with pizza and pasta available all over in city as a mixture of the real deal and the pay-by-the-slice late-night treats. We’ve scoured the city and found the restaurants bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to Berlin; here’s our guide to the 17 places to eat like a real Italian in Germany’s capital.

1. Masaniello

Restaurant, Italian

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© ☮ / Flickr

Located in Kreuzberg, just a short walk from Hermannplatz, Masaniello is an authentic Napolese pizzeria in Berlin. It’s family run, and the owners, chefs and much of the produce used in the restaurant all originally come from Naples, bringing the UNESCO ‘intangible’ status with them. They offer a fun range of Italian treats, but 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.

2. Olio Sale Pepe

Restaurant, Italian, Soul Food

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© ☮ / Flickr
Olio Sale Pepe is another place bringing a touch of Naples to Berlin, making a name for itself with Neapolitan pizzas. Found in the quiet neighbourhood of Schöneberg, this joint is less well known than Masaniello, but the food is just as tasty. The talented staff take full advantage of their top-quality ingredients, serving up authentic pizza, pasta and antipasto. For a real taste of Italy, order the buffalo mozzarella, which is as authentic as it gets.

3. Pastificio Tosatti

Bistro, Italian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian

Delicious handmade ravioli
© Neeta Lind / Flickr
Pastificio Tosatti is a handmade pasta shop and eatery, located just off Helmholtzplatz in Prenzlauerberg. Owner Matteo Tosatti, originally from Milano, switched from web design to crafting pasta after following his passion and enrolling in a famous pasta school in Bologna. Bringing this amazing knowledge back to Berlin with him, he opened up his store and bistro, and it serves up delicate, truly mouthwatering handmade pasta and lunch specials to hungry passersby. This cute little shop and its luscious variety of pasta is a unique and traditional find in the heart of Berlin.

5. Il Pomodorino

Bistro, Italian, Mediterranean

Pizza by the slice
© judywitts / Flickr

Pizza by the slice is a beloved junk food treat in Berlin, with casual, late-night places all around the city. However, Il Pomodorino is exceptional for offering slices of pizza topped with quality, fresh Italian ingredients. The two owners are originally from Naples but have been living in Berlin for years, without losing their love for Naples local ingredients or world-renowned pizza making. The cosy restaurant also serves up amazing pasta, traditional salads and a selection of wine and beer, making it a fancy, but still a reasonably priced, pizza-by-the-slice place with a traditional edge.

6. Restaurant Nudo

Restaurant, Italian

Carpaccio of kingfish
© Rod Waddington / Flickr

Tucked away in the centre of Kreuzberg, Nudo has all the components of a classic Italian restaurant: the waiters are friendly, the food is traditional and the wine always hits the mark. The menu is a selection of weekly changing dishes, in a tapas style, with a number of vegetarian options. Guests can find the weekly menu on their Facebook page or choose to be surprised; either way, they are sure to leave with a smile.

7. Bocca Di Bacco

Restaurant, Italian

Bocca Di Bacco in Berlin
© Fred Romero / Flickr

For a fancier Italian dinner with amazing service and gourmet treats, look no further than Bocca Di Bacco. This elegant place is located in the centre of Mitte and offers an impeccable menu of food and wine, a stunning venue and world-class service. It is advisable to make a reservation, but walk-ins are also welcome.

8. Mozzarella Bar & Bottega Al Contadino Sotto Le Stelle

Restaurant, Italian, Beer, Mediterranean

Buffalo milk mozzarella
© Luca Nebuloni / Flickr

If you want to discover what real Italian mozzarella tastes like, Mozzarella Bar & Bottega is the place to go. This cosy little place in Mitte has fresh mozzarella directly from Campania, Italy, as well as a selection of Italian treats for guests to enjoy. A great place for a snack, an apéritif or even a full dinner, this tiny place can fill up quickly on the weekends, so get there early or call ahead to grab a seat.

9. Sagrantino

Restaurant, Italian

Wine from Sagrantino
© Michela Simoncini / Flickr
Sagrantino is situated in the heart of Berlin, on Friedrichstraße in Mitte. Taking its name from a famous wine street in Umbria, Italy, wine and travel (Wein und Reisen), are at the heart of its concept. Serving delicious treats from across Italy, all paired with an impressive wine list, this high-end joint has welcoming and incredibly knowledgeable staff who can pair up the perfect Italian feast for you.

10. Arancina Welt

Food Truck, Italian

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© stu_spivack / Flickr

Serving up amazing arancini and Sicilian specialities in a mobile food truck, Arancina Welt is a relaxed yet traditional local favourite. The team behind Arancina Welt can be found all over the city, and guests can follow their Facebook page to stay up to date with their movements. However, most Sundays you can usually catch them at Mauerpark to get your arancini fix at extremely reasonable prices.

11. Trattoria A Muntagnola

Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean

Handmade pasta with seafood
© Mabel Lu / Flickr
Trattoria A Muntagnola brings the best of Southern Italian cuisine to Berlin, in all its simply prepared but delicious glory. The family-owned Basilicata restaurant offers a diverse menu of antipasto, salad, soup, pasta, pizza, meat dishes and fish dishes, all hailing from the south of Italy, as well as freshly baked bread and an extensive wine list. Reservations are certainly recommended, as it can fill up quickly with a business crowd during peak times.

12. Cecconi's

Restaurant, Italian

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© Ansgar Koreng / WikiCommons
Cecconi’s located on the ground floor of Soho House Berlin, bring gourmet, five-star Italian dining to Berlin. With a modern, stylish interior, an impressive wine and cocktail list and even the occasional celebrity, Cecconi’s is a high-end dining experience. Serving brunch on weekends and handmade pasta, seafood and dishes from Italy all week, it’s an authentic, fancy favourite. The interior is classic and chic, with an open-plan kitchen, wood oven, marble floor, red leather booth seating and an outside terrace for the summer.

13. Karloff Lokalino

Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean, European

Karloff Lokalino is a trendy, well-designed Italian favourite in Kreuzberg. With an intimate setting, offering only 14 seats inside, this cosy, open-kitchen space serves up southern Italian treats, late-night desserts, amazing wine and a romantic atmosphere. The staff, the menu and much of the produce comes straight from Italy, giving guests traditional flavours with a secluded, stylish backdrop.

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