When I first heard of the concept being explored at the restaurant Sauvage, I could not believe my ears. Their website and folders advertise their food, bio Paleo-style. So what the hell is Paleo? Paleo food amounts to eating like our Prehistoric ancestors (in the Paleotological times) did. Apart from a restaurant-style, Paleo is also up and coming as a lifestyle and a way of dieting. When you are sticking to a Paleo-diet, you eat only authentic and close-to-nature food, free from any additives and non-natural supplements so present in our current day food lifestyle. When eating Paleo food, this does not mean you cannot indulge in meat or carbs – far from it.

Paleo Restaurant Sauvage

But, let’s look at the restaurant Sauvage. In one of Neukölln’s hip and still slightly secretive streets, you can find the small restaurant location of Sauvage. The name already hints to the slight posh and fashionable exclusivity you find behind its doors. With a rugged, typically Berlin-Neukölln deco, around ten small and a few bigger tables and some beautiful bits of art, Sauvage is a gorgeous spot for an elaborate meal. Their menu for dinner is small – with four different main courses and various appetizers, salads and daily dessert specials to choose from. The main courses generally consist of two meat dishes and two fish mains. Sauvage also offers a vegetarian option on every meal. Their menu changes very regularly and is based on seasonal ingredients.

Eating Bio and Paleo

As an appetizer we ordered wholegrain nibbles with a home-made pesto of rucola. The nibbles were reminiscent of dark bread with the texture of a crispy baked roll. A fairly fascinating appetizer of which I found the flavours too much – both bread as well as the pesto had very dominant flavours that did not seem to go together very well.

Afterwards, the daily mains during our visit were based on wild boar and pollack. We ordered a goulash with wild boar, a red wine sauce, grilled pumpkin – the second main consisted of pollack with a sauce of green cabbage and root-vegetable delicacies. All mains at Sauvage come with a large and tasty (and extremely fresh) salad. Portions are huge, to say the least, in proper Paleo caveman-style. The boar goulash was very tender, soft and basically melted in the mouth. The pollack, a white fish with more flavour to it than your average white filetted fish, was also huge – it looked like the entire actual fish was present on the plate.

After dinner, we were so absolutely full because of the huge portions (and a bottle of wine), we did not manage to explore the desserts. These change as often as the menu does, and consists of a collection of original takes on modern classics – such as a coconut crème brulée or home-made tarts.

What Is This Paleo Thing?

What makes the food at Sauvage have this typical ‘Paleo’ hint to it, is a bit difficult to describe. Flavours are more authentic, you practically taste that someone just dragged the vegetables from their own garden, after personally shooting the boar you are enjoying. Flavours are more direct, dominant and simply very present – compared to your traditional pre-prepared food. Consequence: it fills you up mightily. Sauvage is a great place to go to if you want something particularly special, both food as well as atmosphere-wise.

What Makes This Restaurant Fabulous?

• Great, original concept.
• Beautiful and authentic atmosphere.
• Great and surprisingly interesting food.

What Makes This Restaurant Less Fabulous?

• It is quite pricey for Berlin standards with around €20,- a main. Use it wisely – for special occassions.

Where to go?

[googleMap name="Sauvage" width="400" height="400" mousewheel="false" typecontrol="false" directions_to="false"]Pflügerstraße 25 12047 Berlin[/googleMap]

Sauvage
Pflügerstraße 25
12047 Berlin
030 53167547

Since some of Berlin’s great sushi restaurants have closed their doors and others have blossomed – or changed for the worst, it is time for a second and current up-to-date list of the best sushi restaurants in Berlin. Sushi is and will always remain one of our biggest foodie passions. Many, many places in Berlin offer sushi as a delicious culinary experience, which makes it difficult for hungry people in Berlin to find the best and most special places. Sometimes we run into a little eatery that you would never initially enter, but which surprises you with great sushi. Some restaurants are beautiful and posh, others are more about the food than the decoration. That is why, in this version of the best sushi restaurants, we distinguish between beautiful locations (with the style and the service) and the low-key sushi eateries. Both are worthy in their own right and suit different occasions and needs. We also cater to lazy sushi fans with a sub-section on sushi take-away places.

Enjoy the list and please leave a comment if you have any sushi tips or experience to add. We are always looking for input, since we simply cannot eat every bit of sushi Berlin has to offer.

Stylish sushi restaurants

Sasaya (Berlin Prenzlauer Berg)

Sasaya is a quaint and original restaurant that gives off the vibe of authentic sushi eating. Sporting a large sushi bar in the center of the restaurant, it offers you a good view of the sushi chefs in action. Sasaya is the kind of place where you want to go for a special, fusion-esque experience. The menu changes regularly and they offer mighty interesting nibbles as well as sushi. Grilled squid is only one of the few delicious bites Sasaya prepares in its kitchen. Since their menu changes at least once a month, you will have to let yourself be surprised by the side-dishes and main orders that do not entail sushi. Their time-bound menu also gives you the choice to order special sushi rolls, but most beloved sushi classics can be ordered throughout the year. Essentially, Sasaya is a Japanese restaurant for the advanced sushi –eater. If you have grown bored of simple makis and run-of-the-mill selections, you should give this place a try. Cool and funky atmosphere, for the young at heart. Reservatiosn required.

Sasaya
Lychener Straße 50
10437 Berlin

Kuchi (Berlin Mitte)

A place I personally adore – it oozes beauty and a relaxed atmosphere while serving delicious sushi. It has the style of a fashionable restaurant, it serves both sushi and warm meals – and is simply pretty. Located in the middle of Berlin Mitte, it is a beloved after-work location for hip and trendy executives. A stylish place if you feel like eating good sushi in a proper atmosphere – and if you do not mind spending a little bit more than getting take-away. Kuchi is a proper sushi restaurant, but apart from the sushi, they also service warm main courses and Asian salads. But sushi is what you should go here for. Nicely prepared, beautifully delivered and simplistic food enjoyment. Kuchi is the sushi restaurant that you go to if you want to show someone a culinary as well as visually good time.

Kuchi Mitte
Gipsstraße 3
10119 Berlin

My Keng (Potsdam)

Not in Berlin, but located in the beloved tourist village of Potsdam, you can eat some fine sushi on the Brandenburger Straße in the middle of the shopping crowds. My Keng is a tiny, atmospheric little restaurant with an open kitchen. It is always warm, full and stuffed with mouth-watering smells. This is the essence of good sushi eating rolled into one small restaurant. Even though My Keng is not large, they offer a nice ambiance without resorting to tackiness. A pretty and special little place that does some of the best sushi rolls I have had the pleasure of eating. My personal favourite is a tempura sushi roll (with lightly fried dough on the outside) and scallops on the inside. Absolute heaven – perfectly balancing the crunchy exterior with the subtle soft texture of the inside. Whenever I visit Potsdam, I cannot not visit My Keng.  A great location for a rewarding and much-desired elaborate sushi meal after a daytrip in Potsdam. Cosy, romantic, great food and friendly staff.

My Keng
Brandenburger Straße 20
14467 Potsdam

Zaza (Berlin Prenzlauer Berg)

This sleek, hip cocktail and sushi bar on the Kastanienallee is to be found in the middle of Prenzlauer Berg. Amidst young and fashionable people and right in the middle of the lively hustle and bustle of one of Berlin’s most popular Bezirke.  A great location with a large outdoor space in summer and also a large smoker’s lounge where you can chill, eat and sip in that nicotine. Trendy at times, relaxed and chilled at slow evenings. Zaza offers nice Asian appetizers, good sushi and an elaborate menu of sushi choices. If you feel like eating good sushi and you want to do it in a trendy and good-looking kind of place, without overspending, you want to go to Zaza. Next door to many of Berlin’s fun bar and clubs, you are in a great location to start off a long night. Sushi restaurant Zaza has a happy hour, every day until seven (for cocktails) and after eight (for sushi). Keep an eye on that clock, and start enjoying. Good quality sushi, a large and extensive menu for every kind of sushi foodie.

Zaza
Kastanienallee 12
10435 Berlin

Simple sushi restaurants

Bamboo (Berlin Zehlendorf)

If you are a bit out of the way of the city center, or exploring other parts of Berlin, you should give Bamboo a try. Do not let the thirteen-in-a-dozen cheap name fool you, this restaurant does some mighty nice sushi. In a traditional Zehlendorf-esque house, with a classical-romantic vibe to it, you find the sushi restaurant Bamboo. Modern and sleek decoration determines its style – nothing too beautiful or fancy, but you do feel at home. The reason why you should be visiting Bamboo is the sushi. A lot of delicious, fresh sushi. Their menu offers your traditional sushi, but also good appetizers, exciting soups and large sushi menus. If you order a menu-selection of Bamboo’s sushi, you get a great variety of fresh fish, ranging from eel to scallops. With some  good wines on the wine menu and helpful staff, Bamboo is a great recommendation.

Bamboo
Machnower Straße 23
14165 Berlin

Cube (Berlin Kreuzberg)

Small, no-nonsense cosy sushi eatery. Affordable prices, practical cubes for sitting at and freshly prepared sushi. Cube is a great place for meeting up with friends in Kreuzberg, hanging out after a shopping spree on Bergmannstraße. This little restaurant is a comfortable place that seats around 15 people. Small, but atmospheric and relaxed enough to spend a languid Sunday afternoon. Cube’s menu is traditional, yet offers some more luxurious and special rolls for the more advanced sushi hunger.

Cube
Zossener Straße 18
10961 Berlin

Ishin (Berlin Mitte)

This restaurant is definitely my simplistic favourite because of its very specific style. Ishin is one of the few actually authentic places you can find in Berlin when it comes to sushi eating. It is not a posh restaurant, but a down to earth Asian eatery with sushi and sashimi. When you enter this large space you smell fish – lots of fish. You can order off laminated menus after getting your free unlimited green tea fix. For merely a few euros you can easily stuff your face with delicious sushi. You do not come here for the class or the fanciness, but for the sushi. A beloved place for local lunches and quick dinners. Great if you have been craving sushi for a long time and you want to engage in all-you-can-eat-esque binges.

Ishin Friedrichstraße
Mittelstraße 24
10117 Berlin

Mikoto (Berlin Prenzlauer Berg)

Prenzlauer Berg must be one of the Berliner Bezirke with the highest sushi to inhabitant-ratio. You can practically eat sushi on every streetcorner here. Nonetheless more so reason to be careful. Some sushi restaurant are simply disappointing when it comes to price-quality and especially the extent of their menu. Depending on what kind of sushi-eater you are, it is essential you can order to your heart’s desire. Where some people are satisfied with a sushi maki roll, others may demand fresh scallops, lobster and exotic fusion sushi creations. Mikoto is a simple sushi restaurant that sports a healthy, elaborate menu that will satisfy even the more advanced sushi-eaters: inside-out rolls, California rolls, futo maki and all the way up to tempura. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere relaxed and brimming with young trendy excitement during the weekends. Great lively place with good sushi and with a budget-proof price.

Mikoto
Pappelallee 22
10437 Berlin

Cogai (Berlin Schöneberg)

Oh, how this place will always have a special place in my heart. I love its semi-futurist decoration, the clean and hip look in the middle of the busy Bülowstraße in Berlin Schöneberg, merely a stone’s throw away from the infamous Kudamm and its KadeWe. Cogai is a cool restaurant in a location where you would not expect it – practically hidden from beautiful views by the U-Bahn rolling by. Nevertheless, a great place for eating sushi and other Vietnamese-related nibbles. Apart from a relatively elaborate sushi menu, Cogai makes delicious salads (beef and spicy papaya) and flavoursome summer rolls. If you are in the neighbourhood of Schöneberg and you are looking for affordable foodie indulgences, this is worth a try.

Cogai
Bülowstraße 9
10783 Berlin

Ordering sushi and sushi take-away

Steel Shark (Berlin Neukölln and Mitte)

A low-key and cheap sushi ordering little place. With locations in Mitte and Neukölln, you can only order food from within these respective areas. Steel Shark has an elaborate menu for a sushi-ordering kind of place and with very budget-proof prices. The staff is friendly and helpful, yet their German sometimes leaves something to be desired. Some of our orders have gotten mixed up in the past, but the Steel Shark staff is ever so friendly to solve everything. But do not let that keep you from ordering here: the salads, soups and sushi are absolutely delicious. If you want to make sure you get the good stuff: visit one of their locations and get sushi take-away style. It is worth it.

Steel Shark
Karl-Marx-Straße 13
12043 Berlin

Hangi (Berlin Prenzlauer Berg)

A small, non-descript sushi eatery on the picturesque Zionskirchstraße in Prenzlauer Berg, bordering on the Torstraße of Berlin Mitte. I used to frequent this little place during my lunch hours, or for a quick after-work bite. Hangi offers a traditional selection of different types of sushi, ranging from simple maki rolls to California rolls, soups and other flavoursome appetizers. Hangi sushi is budget-proof and easy to take-away. The location itself is simple and fine for a quick bite, with cubistic seating arrangements. Nothing too fancy, just proper sushi for proper prices.

Hangi
Zionskirchstraße 42
10119 Berlin

Yuuka (Berlin Prenzlauer Berg)

There are not many sushi delivery places in Berlin that offer a) an extensive menu, b) decent prices and c) good sushi. Yuuka is one of the few that actually does decent sushi and has a lively menu. Whenever I order from Prenzlauer Berg, this is the place I order from. Yuuka offers vegetarian, classical and more exciting maki rolls, appetizers, soups and salads. For decent prices you can order a lazy night of scrumptious sushi. Basically, the place to order from if you are looking for good sushi, for an affordable price.

Yuuka
Schönhauser Allee 134
10437 Berlin

Sushi Number One (Berlin Prenzlauer Berg)

A no-frills and no over-the-top decoration location. With three different restaurants in Berlin (all in Prenzlauer Berg), you can believe in Sushi Number One’s success. It is simple: a restaurant that offers your main sushi favourites, soups, salads and a few hot daily specials. All for good and budget-proof prices, in a relaxed atmosphere where you can sit inside, or lounge outside. Or, if you fancy eating at home, to take away. Sushi Number One is the kind of restaurant you go to if you are peckish for some sushi loving, and you wish to add some summer rolls or a salad to your order. Lovely and friendly staff – and a big plus: you can pay with your ec-karte. Also a cool place to hang out with friends, if you are not looking for any luxurious restaurant locations. Not for ordering sushi, you have to come and get it yourself.

Sushi Number One
Oderberger Straße 51/52
10435 Berlin

For more and even more up-to-date sushi, check out all our sushi restaurants in Berlin.

 

More than a specific cuisine, I like cool concepts of dining. We tried Pret a Diner, we have been up for some supper club dining and we even ventured outside of Berlin to look for nice places for food. However, most restaurants will remain conventional classical restaurants, but thankfully Berlin is a very exciting place with lots of opportunities for people with great ideas. One of these fabulous ideas is the backyard (Hinterhof) restaurant Lavanderia Vecchia – Italian for the old laundrette. If you want to visit this place, you will have to enter through a hidden entrance and walk all the way into the third Hinterhof before you can see a spacious but relatively small restaurant in the corner.

Italian Food in Berlin
Maybe I have not written enough on Italian food in Berlin, but this little laundry-esque restaurant had already impressed me upon entering. The space still looks like an old laundry place and reminders of washing machines and lots of table cloths ‘hung out to dry’ will not even allow you to forget the location’s old purpose. The kitchen is essentially completely open and you can witness the cooks prepare your dishes, as the tables are seated in the same space as the kitchen, bar and the reception.

When you enter here, you can immediately choose from today’s food menu at the small reception. The menu consists of two appetizers, two main courses and a dessert. You can mix and match it into a menu for 8 euros or choose one main dish (4,50 to 6,50), appetizer or dessert (2,50-to 4 euros). Each day will bring you new dishes from the kitchen, but the drinks (wines, prosecco, juices and coffee) will be on offer every day.

Out of a ten people staff, six are authentic Italians and the couple owning the restaurant are said to spend more time in Italy than in Berlin. The atmosphere in this place is really very homely and relaxed: you feel at home and you also feel the passion for the restaurant and it food. Very friendly hosts and accomodating staff.

The Food at Lavanderia Vecchia

Our menu during the day of visiting was a onion soup with a Käsestange, a salad with grilled pork and baked potatoes, a tuna spaghetti, a classical mixed salad and a dessert of panna cotta and apricot. The dessert was immediately decided upon: the panna cotta was to be had. I chose for the soup, whereas my lunch companion chose the pork.

The rucola salad with grilled pork, tomatoes and potatoes looked absolutely scrumptious and gorgeous and tasted fabulous. The portion was not too large, though, which has to be said. We wanted more.

My onion soup was actually quite a lot and very flavoursome. Simply a subtle, yet good onion soup. And the home-made Käsestange did not hurt either. Not to forget that we also received a healthy portion of (what looked like) home-made bread. But my favourite part of the meal was of course the dessert. A great panna cotta with slightly sour sweet apricot yelly, all home-made. The texture of the panna cotta was perfect and I could not help but pout after finishing my little glass with dessert delight.

What Makes this Restaurant Fabulous?

• Basically, almost everything.  I love the concept, enjoyed the food, fabulous atmosphere and decent prices to boot!
• For less than 10 euros you can enjoy an elaborate lunch here and feel like your worries will get washed away.

What Makes this Restaurant Less Fabulous?

• The food is good, but it is not extremely posh or haute cuisine. Simple, yet good and home-made Italian food.

Where to Go?

[googleMap name="Lavanderia Vecchia" width="400" height="400" mousewheel="false" typecontrol="false" directions_to="false"]Flughafenstraße 46 12053 Berlin[/googleMap]
Lavanderia Vecchia
Flughafenstraße 46
12053 Berlin
030 62722152

A few steps away from the U-Bahn station Hermannplatz, right in the middle of one of Neukölln’s most lively and popular corners, you come across a great many of cheap-looking standard Vietnamese eateries. One of these is the not very promising yellow banner of Hamy. “Specialities from the Vietnamese cuisine,” it says next to its name. Next door another Asian eatery is trying to lure its customers inside with a quite similar promise. Normally, Hamy would not be a place I would enter for enjoying an evening meal. It does not look like a real cosy restaurant and is more the epitome of an eatery – quick and easy fast food for the hungry business person, struck for time. But, actually, there is more to a book than its cover.

Hamy Vietnamese Eatery

In Neukölln, people know this place. Hamy is a institution, not unlike the flair-ish Monsieur Vuong is in Berlin Mitte. But Hamy is more suited to Neukölln – it is simple, sincere and budget-safe. For five euros you can enjoy a bowl of Vietnamese scrumptiousness where you would have to pay almost double for in the city center. They offer two daily specials and you choose one. On the menu they have drinks and some classical appetizers and the most well-known soups of Asia, such as Wan-Tan and Pho-Bo. But you should order a daily dish, if you want to eat something a bit more original (although their Wan-Tan is also very nice).

We rolled into Hamy one really late Sunday evening. Hungry, but tired and unwilling to cook or explore a more promising restaurant. Friends and fans of Hamy had already mentioned this location before, so it had been on the to-do list. That day, they had a daily special with glass noodles, slices of beef and fresh vegetables, herbs and a subtle sweet and sour sauces. We both chose the same dish immediately. And the food was good and yummy. It arrived really, ridiculously quickly. You gobble it up (or maybe it was due to my hunger) and are left craving a bit more. And although you probably get more atmosphere and bit more filling in your bowl at Monsieur Vuong,  I would not mind eating here every day. For 4,90 euros a daily special, you do not have to worry about sad any empty wallets.

Why Is This Restaurant Fabulous?

• We already adore the place and it is great for a quick and healthy bite.
• Simply good fast food from Vietnam.

What Makes This Restaurant Less Fabulous?

• Do not take people here on a date or go here when you want to enjoy a languid dinner.

Where to Go?

[googleMap name="Hamy" width="400" height="400" mousewheel="false" typecontrol="false" directions_to="false"]Hasenheide 10 10967 Berlin[/googleMap]

Hamy Café Foodstore
Hasenheide 10
10967 Berlin

On the beautiful Carl-Herz-Ufer with a stunning view of the canal languidly floating by and in the middle of Kreuzkölln – probably a bit more Kölln than Kreuz – you ought to pop into the brand new a.horn bar and brunch, lunch and dinner location. It is a restaurant, a brunch hot spot and a great bar all rolled into one. They have wi-fi, large wooden tables and a lot of space for any occassion. Great corners for working on your laptop, reading a book, lounging with friends or simply eating a functional meal. The style of the restaurant is casual, homey with a slight glitter of posh. Next door (and you can observe the next door place through a window) a.horn has also opened a practical bike repairshop. If you ever fall victim to a broken bike around here, you ought to combine the pleasures of a.horn with a much-needed repair.

Munching Brunch at A. Horn

Upon entering you see a large bar and an open kitchen, with a cooler with their daily produce on display. Fresh pie, home-made Spanish tortilla, authentic sandwiches, recently baked bananabread and so much more. The fun thing is that their offer varies. Maybe they will have chocolatepie today and an applepie tomorrow. Most classics however, will be likely to make a recurring appearance. Sweet tooths can nibble on muffins, cookies and pies, whereas the hearty hunger can be stilled with their bread, bagels, tortillas and wraps.

To me, a.horn is a location that gives off the brunch and bistro vibe most of all. Its large ceiling to floor windows make it the best place to sit on a windy Sunday (late) morning, while absentmindedly sipping on your freshly squeezed orange juice, waiting for your home-cooked brunch. The menu here also consists of a mainly brunch-esque collection of foods. All of which can be eaten in the evening, of course. And whereas a.horn does also offer hot dishes, the main focus of the menu is on lunch and brunch-like meals. They make their own bagels, which you can order the way you like, which any topping imaginable. A random selection: cinnamon bagels, goat cheese topping, spicy paprika, salami, Gouda and hazelnut-honey. Of course A. Horn also offers breakfast platters, in small, large, sweet and salty variations.

Why Is this Restaurant Fabulous?

• It is pretty, stylish, cosy and has a beautiful view.
• It is the perfect place for a brunch, lunch or a working afternoon.
• Nice prices, budget-proof. Breads and bagels for 1-3 euros. Home-made pies & co start at 2 euros.

Why Is this Restaurant Not Fabulous?

• Well, I would not go here for an elaborate supper. Simply because that is not the strength of this place. Unless you want a brunch-y dinner, of course.

Where to Go?

[googleMap name="A.Horn" width="400" height="400" mousewheel="false" typecontrol="false" directions_to="false"]Carl-Herz-Ufer 9 10961 Berlin[/googleMap]

A.Horn
Carl-Herz-Ufer 9
10961 Berlin
030 60059888

In the midst of snowy evenings and chilly winterdays, and after all those christmas markets in Berlin, it is time to move on to the warmer corners of the world. After weeks of mind-numbing chills, maybe you too feel like it is time for some warm and cuddly foods in a comfortable and sweet environment. After sad times and heartbreaks, only good foods and even better restaurants will make the chilly dark thoughts disappear. Since we like tapas, our first holy destination was found in a small tapas restaurant in Neukölln – and who doesn’t like tapas? You can choose exactly the kind of mini dish that you want to be consuming and enjoying  and you can mix and match as much as you want.

Eating Tapas in Berlin Neukölln

In Neukölln, on a sidestreet off the well-known Sonnenallee (walkable from Hermannplatz), there lies the small and personal little tapas place called Maria Mulata. Run by a couple of passionate tapas-lovers, you feel the vibe of home-made authenticity seep into your pores from the moment you enter. The restaurant is a combination of sleek design mixed with a homely family kitchen. The main colour is white, but without it being cold or boring. One of the restaurant’s main features is a large bar, on the left of the square space.

Maria Mulata has a nice menu with some of the most popular and well-known tapas, ranging from calamares, spanish tortilla, chorizo all the way to olives, dates wrapped in a bacon cover and squid salad. But the interesting thing to their menu is that Maria Mulata does not merely serve classical Spanish tapas, but has also imported some of the juiciest South-American tapas. My personal favourite of the evening was fried maniok with three different dips – a great and original tapas dish. And the best feature of it all: the budget proof-ness of it all. Since Neukölln is not as pricey as Mitte yet, and most locals simply expect low prices, you can enjoy an elaborate tapas meal at Maria Mulata for a lot less than twenty euros. And do not forget they do some very nice wines to drink with your tapas collection.

What Makes this Restaurant Fabulous?

• Great tapas, all freshly prepared on location. Interesting menu with some refreshing tapas up for choice.
• Budget proof, great acceptable prices.
• Homey and comfortable atmosphere.

What Makes this Restaurant less Fabulous?

• It is cute and pretty, but also very casual. Not a place to go for a business meeting or official dinner.

Where to Go?

[googleMap name="Maria Mulata" width="400" height="400" mousewheel="false" typecontrol="false" directions_to="false"]Wildenbruchstraße 88 12045 Berlin[/googleMap]

Maria Mulata
Wildenbruchstraße 88
12045 Berlin

I know I may call a lot of sushi places or restaurant ‘the best’ or ‘the most fabulous’, but there simply is a lot of great sushi going around in Berlin. And today, I would like to point out another fantastic producer of sushi in Germany’s capital. Steel Shark is a small mini-chain of sushi shops with two locations in Berlin. One of them you find in the popular tourist hot spot the Nicolai Viertel – a couple of small streets with nice historical atmosphere and shops – on walking distance from the Alexanderplatz with its Fernsehturm. The second location is on the busy Karl Marx Straße in Neukölln. Both restaurants are tiny, small shops where you can sit yourself down or order take-away sushi from.

Mango, rucola and salmon inside-outs @ Steel Shark

Unbelievably cheap sushi

The best and most fabulous feature of Steel Shark is their price. This must be one of the most affordably budget sushi restaurants in Berlin – obviously because it is not really a restaurant in the proper meaning of the word. You should not take your parents, family or date to Steel Shark. But if you have a sushi-loving friend that does not need a big, bustling location with dozens of other customers, this is your sushi laden. The Neukölln restaurant probably seats around 8 people tops and the restaurant in the Nicolai viertel has a couple of tall bar-like tables where you can seat yourself. I would recommend ordering, unless you pop in for a brief lunch.

Mango salad with prawns

Unbelievably scrumptious sushi

But that is not all. Not only is Steel Shark very, very nicely priced – the sushi is also amazing. They have quite an extensive variety of the most interesting and original sushi combinations. For example, they do sushi ‘Italian’ style, with tomatoes, mozzarella and other ‘typical’ Italian ingredients. And sspecially their ‘simple’ maki’s (which you can get for a mere 1 euro and eighty cents) with rucola, prunes and cream cheese or mango, rucola and salmon – are fantastically amazing. Definitely worth a try, you will not be disappointed!

And not only is their sushi flavoursome, original and cheap – other great recommendations include their fresh and filled wan-tan soup (which costs only 3 euros), the fresh spring rolls (they are huge!) and their salads. We tried  the mango-prawn-herb salad, which was also big and absolutely mind-blowing.

What makes this restaurant fabulous?

• The food, the food, the food. Fingerlicking fab.
• The prices. One of the cheapest sushi sources in Berlin.

What makes this restaurant less fabulous?

• The fact that it is not really a restaurant for languid dinners, but a place for a quick bite or ordering/ picking up sushi.

Update (March 2011): sadly, the prices of sushi have gone up at Steel Shark.

Where to go?

[googleMap name="Steel Shark (Neukölln)" width="400" height="400" mousewheel="false" typecontrol="false" directions_to="false"]Karl-Marx-Straße 13 12043 Berlin[/googleMap]

Steel Shark
Karl-Marx-Straße 13
12043 Berlin
030 – 25 76 24 61
Steel Shark website (for ordering online)

We have been blogging for a while about all sorts of restaurants in Berlin and we have been writing about sushi a lot. Yes, it may be a bit obnoxious, but we do just adore sushi rolls. And just to mark our extensive search and expertise when it comes to sushi eating and enjoyment in Berlin, I hereby proudly present our very own sushi restaurant top 10, with the best, coolest and most scrumptious restaurants in Berlin for eating sushi. Graded based on deco and atmosphere for lovers of prettiness, the quality of the food and the amount of money you will be spending here. If you’re a sushi fan, all you need is this list and you will be eating away most fabulously for weeks and weeks to come.

• Most of the restaurants on this list already have complete restaurant reviews. Click the link to the restaurant names to read the elaborate reviews.

+ means less (expensive, atmospheric, flavoursome noms)

+++ means more (expensive, atmosphere, flavoursome noms)

This article was written in 2010 : read our new and updated list of best sushi restaurants in Berlin.

1. Wasabi (Mitte)

• Deco/ atmosphere +
• Food +++
• Price +
  

I proudly present the number one! My personal favourite restaurant that I just keep coming back to and that I would recommend to anyone who wants to eat sushi in Berlin. They serve great sushi, they have a large selection of basic maki’s, special rolls and fried rolls, nice and friendly staff – and all of that for a budget price. Simply good food for good prices, located on the corner of the lively Oranienburger Straße. In summer you can lounge outside and enjoy the weather, a glass of wine or a nice mango lassi with your kim-chi salad. Budget prices, great sushi.

Friedrichstraße 114
10117 Berlin

2. Sushi number one (Prenzlauer Berg)

• Deco/atmosphere +
• Food +++
• Price +

Looking for a quick sushi bite? Feel like taking some sushi home? For take-away anywhere in and around Prenzlauer Berg I would recommend Sushi number one. It is also a great place to sit down for a meal, but the restaurant is not always filled up with people and the deco is not particularly exceptionally enticing. For take-away, though, they are perfect. Very quick and friendly, a huge menu with budget sushi to choose from and great appetizers en desserts to take away as well. Tip: get the Sommerrollen as take away, you will get a large kim chi salad with it for free! They do charge fifty cents for packaging though.

Oderberger Straße 51/52
10435 Berlin

3. Le coq d’or (Friedrichshain)

• Deco/ atmosphere +
• Food ++
• Price +
  

Another sushi location that I keep popping in to. Not the prettiest of locations, but practically located in Friedrichshain on the Boxhagener Straße. Sweet staff, low prices and good quality sushi. If you like spending time in and around the Simon-Dach straße and like sushi, you definitely ought to pop in here for a nice filled plate with fresh and afforable sushi. Do stay away from the fried appetizers, unless you are into fried fry. Do order a nice bottle of wine for a budget price to accompany your sushi meal. Cheap, good sushi. Not such an extensive menu.

Boxhagener Straße 27
10245 Berlin

4. Kuchi (Mitte)

• Deco/atmosphere +++
• Food ++
• Price ++

With a spacious and atmospheric courtyard for summery evenings and classy deco for a night inside, Kuchi already flaunts its tailfeather before you even sit down to eat. This is a fabulous real restaurant where you go for a nice proper dinner. They do beautiful and great flavoursome sushi and have a great and extensive menu with sashimi, soups and hot rice-based dishes. A great restaurant that may cost a bit more, but you get for it in return is definitely worth it. Fab food, friendly service and a beautiful deco.

Gipsstraße 3
10119 Berlin

5. Zaza (Prenzlauer Berg)

• Deco/atmosphere +++
• Food ++
• Price ++

A cool, sleek cocktail and sushi bar that also does noodle soups and noodle dishes. Very after-work-ish and cool. A nice place to take your collegue or your boss for a meeting. In the back they have a large smokers lounge where you can also sit and eat very comfortably. Filled up in the weekend, not that packed on the week days. Good sushi, not particularly budget. You pay for the cool lounge atmosphere – but order sushi after eight, when the happy hour starts. Cocktail happy hour runs up til eight. So pop in after work for a cocktail and sushi. Extensive and interesting sushi on the menu.

Kastanienallee 12
10435 Berlin

6.Chaapa (Schöneberg)

• Deco/atmosphere ++
• Food ++
• Price ++

A slightly posh and up-scale sushi and Thai restaurant in the middle of brimming Schöneberg. I love the location and especially for people that do not hang out in Schöneberg enough, I recommend hitting the streets around the area for a nice bar or restaurant. At Chaapa you can enjoy and order great sushi from an elaborate menu, enjoy the fresh air on the heated patio and watch interesting Schönebergers walk by. A bit more pricey than a budget sushi location, but you are well compensated by the atmosphere, deco and polite and friendly service. Not to mention yummy sushi.

Maaßenstraße 9
10777 Berlin

7. Steel shark (Neukölln)

• Deco/atmosphere ++
• Food +++
• Price +

A small and tiny restaurant that is probably most suitable for taking away food, or having a lunch with one of your friends or lovers. But do not be deceived! This small sushi shop serves the greatest sushi in Neukölln. Interesting and original combinations surprise you as soon as you open the menu. Maki rolls with prunes – or spicy peppers? Definitely order a new type of sushi and prepare to be surprised. Their soups are also fabulous – I have eaten the best wan-tan soup in my life here. Not a huge menu, but everything is very budget. Perfect for a weekend brunch after sauntering through Neuköllner shops. Ordering or take away recommended.

Karl-Marx-Straße 13
12043 Berlin

8. Cogai (Schöneberg)

• Deco/atmosphere ++
• Food ++
• Price +

A modern and sophisticated interior is the intial attraction of this Vietnamese sushi restaurant. In a very mellow atmosphere you can chill on one of the design tables or chairs and order an interesting and flavoursome salad or  enjoy the nice sushi. Their menu is normally-sized with an afforable offer of the most desired sorts of sushi. A cool restaurant with great food for a very decent price. Located around the corner from the Nollendorfplatz, on the lively Bülowstraße.

Bülowstraße 9
10783 Berlin

9. Cube (Kreuzberg)

• Deco/atmosphere ++
• Food ++
• Price ++

Around the corner from the Bergmannstraße, on the Zossener straße, lies this little cute sushi restaurant. I have eaten here a couple of times and I was positively surprised by the nice and original sushi combinations. The cosy tables and seating arrangements make you feel right at home and with a diverse and extensive sushi menu, you will definitely be tempted to have a long and elaborate sushi meal here. The price is very reasonable for hanging around the Bergmann kiez and the Mehringdamm. Cute, nice and fine sushi in a pretty restaurant. Basically how eating sushi should be.

Zossener Straße 18
10961 Berlin

10. Ishin (Mitte)

• Deco/atmosphere +
• Food ++
• Price +

Essentially, a sushi eatery. You pop in, order the sushi, sashimi oder steamed fish that you want and you eat it. Not pretty, comfy or posh. Just a very functional restaurant that offers good quality sushi for budget prices. Very authentic and perfect if you just really want to eat sushi and do not care about any of the other stuff. Probably not the best place for a beginner, even though they offer ample vegetarian opportunities in case you are not that into fish. In the city center, almost on Friedrichstraße. Perfect for a functional business lunch. (Also recommended for tourists that like an authentic sushi experience. It is not as unattractive as it sounds. Just do not go here when you want to be lounging about a restaurant for hours. This is not the place.) Free green tea for everyone.

Mittelstraße 24
10117 Berlin

Other Great Sushi Restaurants

Yet another great sushi place worth a recommendation: Mikoto (Prenzlauer Berg).
Eating sushi in Zehlendorf? Bamboo makes fantastic sushi.

And if you want to order sushi, you could give this sushi delivery service in Berlin a try.

Going on a trip to Potsdam?

Then definitely hit the sushi restaurant My Keng in the city center on the main shopping street, the Brandenburger Straße. It is a small restaurant and a bit more pricey than anything in Berlin, but they do some awesome tempura sushi rolls. My personal reccommendation is the tempura roll collection with scallops, which taste absolutely surprisingly delicious.

Request:

If you have eaten at any of these sushi restaurants, please leave a comment on how your experience was! I would be thrilled to read about your own sushi experiences!

Read our new and updated 2011 list of best sushi restaurants in Berlin.