For many, a kebab (like the one in the featured image © Alex Kehr) is a guilty indulgence consumed as part of a 3 AM post-binge drinking session.
The Berlin kebab, however – or kebap, as Berliners would have it – is nothing to be ashamed of.
A credit to the city’s large Turkish immigrant population, authentic kebabs are sold at more than 1,000 vendors across the city, with mouth-watering options including deep-fried halloumi, homemade falafel, and the classic halal döner.
Hasir
Opened in 1984, Hasir’s kebabs are legendary across Berlin. As a formal sit-down restaurant, it sets itself apart from the city’s other cheap and cheerful takeaway vendors, and plates up traditional Turkish fare including grilled lamb and stuffed grape leaves.
Mustafa’s Gemüsekebap
Famous for having the longest lines and waiting times of any kebab vendor in Berlin, the ever-popular Mustafa’s Gemüsekebap is an unassuming food truck outside Mehringdamm U-Bahn in Kreuzberg.
Wraps and rolls are served up to hungry patrons, oozing with feta cheese, sautéed onions, peppers, and special sauces (trust us, they’re special) in what is probably the most delicious kebab on the planet.
Tadim
Yet another Kreuzberg classic, Tadim is situated just outside the bustling Kottbusser Tor U-Bahn and does a good trade, dishing up high-quality veal that’s flavored with refined secret spices.
Whether you prefer your döner in a pita bread pocket or a soft duerum wrap, both options are available and freshly baked in-house.
All in One
Boasting what is rumoured to be the best falafel in Berlin, All in One is unsurprisingly well-attended, drawing in hundreds of tourists and locals 23/7.
Located directly across from the Hackescher Markt U-Bahn, the eatery offers a vast selection of vegetables and salads to accompany your kebab, as well as the traditional selection of sauces (herb, garlic, and spicy), all of which are homemade.
Vöner
An innovation in the Berlin kebab scene, Vöner promises delicious vegan and vegetarian alternatives where you won’t miss the meat.
Specialities at the trendy, hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Friedrichshain include the vegan döner drizzled with non-dairy garlic sauce, seitan kebabs, and two vegan burgers with spicy fries.
Hakiki
From its original location outside Osloer Straße U-Bahn, the popular Hakiki now runs three outlets in Berlin and looks set to continue expanding.
The döner is traditional and will satisfy the purists, while the range of mouth-watering sauces – all made to a secret recipe in-house – keep things just the right amount of interesting.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guide to Berlin covers all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas
