Mercure's travel guides

Berlin's heady multicultural mix gives it a remarkably diverse restaurant scene: dine on anything from sushi to foie gras and expect some innovative fusion food. Even vegetarians are looked after, despite Germany's reputation for meat-and-potatoes cuisine. Traditional German restaurants are ubiquitous, all offering Wurst and Wiener Schnitzel accompanied by pretzels and sauerkraut, but for something more upmarket head to Friedrichstrasse in Mitte or Charlottenburg. Kreuzberg has a lively Turkish area and the trendy Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain neighborhoods are the places to go if you're tightening your belt on your vacation budget. And whatever you eat, in this city it always tastes better accompanied by a large Stein, or tankard, of Berlin's own Pilsner beer.

Alt Luxemburg

Windscheidstrasse 31, Berlin, 10627
+49-(0)-30-3238-730
http://www.alt-luxemburg.de

Description:

Intimate. Elegant. Historic. This Charlottenburg restaurant is located in a renovated customs house. Attractive décor, antique furnishings, an attentive waitstaff, and a skilled kitchen work together to create a most pleasant dining experience. Menu selections feature traditional German cuisine tempered by a dash of Eastern spice, including honey-glazed duck breast and Brandenburg duck with pineapple chutney. Guests may choose from three-, four-, or five-course prix fixe menus. Reservations required. U-BAHN: Sophie-Charlotte-Platz
Daily 5pm-Close
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club

Margaux

Unter den Linden 78, Eingang Wilhelmstrasse, Berlin, 10117
+49-(0)-30-2265-2611
http://www.margaux-berlin.de

Description:

Recipient of a coveted Michelin star after only seven months of operation, this Central Berlin restaurant soundly served notice to older, more established competitors. Classic design elements (black marble floors, gold-leaf ceilings, and well-appointed tables) meet headfirst with a sleek, uptown attitude. The result is an interior that impresses even the most critical of eyes. Make no mistake, though: owner-chef Michael Hoffman's traditional French fare is Margaux's forte, thanks to dishes like venison with foie gras and ravioli "von Kürbis." It's little wonder that his culinary classes have become near legendary with jetsetters! Reservations are necessary. S-BAHN: Unter den Linden
Sep - Jun  Tue-Sat 7pm-10:30pm
Jul - Aug  Mon-Sat 7pm-10:30pm
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club

Restaurant Maxwell

Bergstrasse 22, Berlin, 10115
+49-(0)-30-2807-121
http://www.mxwl.de

Description:

Modern Med-inspired cuisine earns top billing at Maxwell, which occupies the circa-1878 Josty Brewery. Its elegantly minimalist interior design features sleek brown leather bench seating. The seasonal menu may offer unusual dishes such as pigeon or rabbit, and the dessert menu boasts innovative flavour combinations like buttermilk pancakes with lavender ice cream, or mousse with stewed rhubarb, raspberry ice cream and white pepper. In the summer, the secluded courtyard is a popular destination for couples. Terrific wine list too. Reservations are encouraged. S-BAHN: Nordbahnhof; U-BAHN: Rosenthaler Platz
Daily 6pm-11:30pm
Visa, MasterCard, American Express