The Best Wine Bars in Berlin, Germany

Located near the scenic Landwehr Canal on Friedelstraße is Naturales, a dimly lit, but unpretentious place beloved for its carefully selected organic natural wines (it’s in the name, after all). You can enjoy a glass in the living room-esque main bar, or out on the terrace on warmer days – the ideal spot for people-watching in this eclectic neighbourhood. Granada-born owner Pablo prides himself on bringing the best of Spanish wine to Berlin, along with a selection of small, tapas-style plates. These include tortilla and hummus, which regulars claim is among the most delicious in the city (no mean feat in Berlin, with its wealth of Middle Eastern restaurants).

In the trendy Friedrichshain neighbourhood, Noble Rot primarily serves German, Hungarian, and Austrian wines. This is the place to be if you want to improve your knowledge of (fairly) locally produced wines, sampling flavours from the likes of Germany’s Pfalz, Saar and Württemberg regions. When it comes to Hungary, the popular Tokaj name is well-represented here, as well as spicy white wines from the Somló region, which pair nicely with the varied selection of cakes and sweets. German and Hungarian wines may not have the same international clout as their French counterparts, but a trip to Noble Rot might just convert you.

You’re in Neukölln, one of Europe’s (if not the world’s) coolest neighbourhoods. At Vin Aqua Vin, Neukölln’s most popular wine bar and shop, not only can visitors purchase fairly priced bottles of German and New World vintages to take away but also, for a reasonable corkage fee, choose to drink them in the chic surrounds of the bar. As interesting as the wine bar’s carefully curated offerings are (take a look at their unusual sparkling selection, which includes Sekt and Cava), it is the monthly classes that draw people in – these cover a variety of topics, from tasting seminars to introductions and regional wines.

Tastavin lies in the multicultural, up-and-coming western Kiez (neighbourhood) of Moabit. Run by old friends Xavier and Max, Berliners are lured over from the established hangout spots of Kreuzberg and Neukölln by the best and most diverse list of Gallic wines in the city. The owners take wine seriously, asking visitors if they would like to sample vintages from the likes of Burgundy and the Rhône, with free tasting sessions held during the week. Considering this is a quieter neighbourhood, the fact that Tastavin is always busy is indicative of its quality.

The concept at this Mitte wine bar is a little bit different. On the weekend, you can pay a small fixed entrance fee that comes with an empty glass. You take said glass to the bar and drink to your heart’s content – paying at the end of the night for what you think is a fair price. The fun part is guessing how valuable each of the wines available are. If you have the chance to come to Forum Weinerei Café on Friday or Saturday, come early: seats fill up fast.

While Weinhaus Huth’s restaurant, delicatessen and wine store offer an exceptional range of vintages and hearty Austrian cuisine, it is the building’s historical heritage that is the biggest draw. Built in 1912, Weinhaus Huth is one of the few remaining traces of pre-WWII Potsdamer Platz; thanks to its innovative steel frame, the building was able to survive the wartime bombing raids. It is said that German novelist Theodor Fontane and fairytale masters the Brothers Grimm enjoyed having a glass or two here, so customers can drink safe in the knowledge that they are following in the footsteps of wine-loving literary greats. Start your evening at Weinhaus Huth with a visit to Daimler Contemporary on the 4th floor – a stylish gallery hosting a rotating schedule of edgy art exhibits – or a stop at the nearby iconic Checkpoint Charlie.

The namesake of this small bar, Hans, is a hearty, larger-than-life character who enjoys mingling and joking with guests. Hans himself grew up by a vineyard as the son of a winemaker in Mainz, and sources most of his bottles from there, meaning that this wine bar is a deeply personal project. Hessian dishes – meaning food typical of central Germany’s Hesse region – from his childhood also dominate the menu. The nearby Tiergarten park offers the chance for a scenic afternoon stroll – and a chance to work off the Sauerbraten (German pot roast).

This is a local favourite in Prenzlauer Berg, and is considered one of the gems of the neighbourhood. Baden im Wein offers 90 affordable wines from throughout Germany and other European countries in a sleek and stylish setting. In summer, the outdoor terrace is the perfect place to grab a table and watch Berlin go by, surrounded by flowers and strangers who happily strike up spontaneous conversation.

It’s near impossible to talk wine without mentioning Italy. While German and French vintages are well represented on this list, Sorsi e Morsi is the place to go for fans of Barolo or Chianti (and other wines from Il Bel Paese). That isn’t all this cosy neighbourhood bar has going for it, though; the cheese and meat boards come highly recommended, and an evening spent at Sorsi e Morsi, despite the high-quality wines and impeccable service, is surprisingly affordable.