Berlin things to do guide 2024
After tours I’m always asked what I recommend to do in Berlin. There are so many things to do in Berlin, and I usually only have time to write 2 or 3, so I’ve compiled a huge list here including German restaurants, my favourite Berlin cafes, bars with dance floors, and of course, museums.
So, whether you’re a history enthusiast eager to uncover Berlin's past, a foodie looking to taste your way through the city, or a night owl ready to experience Berlin's famed nightlife, we've got you covered. Get ready to explore the best things to do in Berlin with Whitlam’s expert recommendations and make your trip to this dynamic city truly unforgettable.
Contents
This article is essentially a mini guide book in itself. Use these links to find what you’re looking for.
Update: the one thing this guide is missing is beer gardens, so are 33 Berlin beer gardens to keep you occupied.
Find it all in real life with the Berlin Things To Do 2024 Map
Want to know exactly where all these fun Berlin things to do are? Click here to see them all on a map!
German restaurants in Berlin
German food will leave you so full you can’t move! Here are my favourites, including vegetarian options.
Heuberger
My favourite German restaurant in Berlin! I recommend the Schnitzel for meat eaters, but the Käsespätzle (vegetarian, cheese-onion-pasta) is the reason I come here.
Clärchen’s Ballhaus
Soak up some historical glamour in a 100+ year-old ballroom. I can’t give solid recommendations here because the menu changes often. Just know that it’s always good! Find the menu on their website here.
Bonus: stay and dance after your food. You’ll have an amazing time!
Hofbräuhaus
When you think of German food, this is what you’re thinking of. Which is to say, you won’t find Berliners here. This is rather a Bavarian import. Touristy but fun. The food and beer are traditional, authentic, and really good.
Check it out here.
Schwarzes Cafe
A 24-hour bar that also serves German food! A proper West Berlin institution. It still feels like the wild days of the ‘90s inside. More info on their website (scroll down).
Knödelwirtschaft
Time for huge, heavy German dumplings! Have three if you’re hungry, four if you’re bold, and five if you’re the one that always finishes the food on everyone else’s plate.
This place is always fully booked! So make sure you reserve a table here.
International restaurants in Berlin
Part of the fun of coming to the German metropolis is that it’s a world city. If you only eat German food while you’re here you’ll leave several kilograms heavier, so make sure you sample these international options.
Middle Eastern food at Neni
On top of the 25 hours hotel, Neni offers amazing Israeli food with a fantastic view over the Tiergarten. There are plenty of options for both vegans & vegetarians here. Find out more about Neni.
Vietnamese food at Hamy
Hamy is a legendary Vietnamese place. They only offer two dishes: vegan or meat. It will be full when you arrive but due to the simple menu table turnover is really quick, so you won't be waiting long! Check out Hamy here.
Burgers in a public toilet?! - Burgermeister
Berlin’s most famous burger joint is now a chain! The original Burgermeister is marked on the map, but you’ll find them all over town now. Of course, the original occupies a public toilet built in 1902, so if you want the authentic experience, you’ve got to go there-
My all-time favourite pizza - Salami Social Club
I am a simple man. My idea of a good time is pizza and beer. It’s been that was since I was a teenager over 20 years ago! There are loads of good pizza places in Berlin, but the spicy salami pizza from Salami Social Club is my all-time favourite.
Honourable mentions go to Ammazza Che Pizza and W Pizza.
Actually good Mexican good at Oh La Queca
For a long time you would have been sensible not to touch any food in Berlin claiming to be “Mexican”. Fortunately Oh La Queca has saved the day!
Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Berlin
Germans may still ask you “it’s only got a bit of bacon it, is that ok?” but things are changing fast and for the better for the vegans and vegetarians of Deutschland.
Försters - Das Vegane Restaurant
What if vegan German food was actually good? How about really good? Get to Försters for an authentic yet modern German vegan experience.
All-vegan Asian food at Mom’s Creation
Vietnamese/pan-Asian vegan food that comes highly recommended. I always go for the peanut curry, but there is so much on the menu, and it’s all so fresh and tasty!
Vegan Döner from Doen Doen
Arguably the most iconic Berlin street food, the Döner Kebab, has been perfected at Doen Doen. This is genuinely my favourite Berlin Döner, regardless of being vegan or not.
Maria Vegan Comfort Food
Who said vegan food is healthy? You want burgers, ribs, fries, the whole “junk food” but made with love shebang? Get yourself to Maria!
Secret Garden Vegan Sushi
If you’re looking for something fancy, special, and vegan, then check out the vegan sushi at Secret Garden.
Where to get the best Street Food in Berlin
Berlin’s most famous currywurst?
One of the best parts of travelling is trying all the yummy street food. Berlin is most famous for Döner Kebab, Currywurst, and, obviously, Berliner - donuts!
Street Food Thursdays at Markthalle Neun
You can find excellent street food here any day, but the best (and busiest) day is Thursday. It’s inside a beautiful 19th Century market hall in Kreuzberg. It’s one of the all-time greatest Berlin experiences! Find out what’s going on at Markthalle Neun here.
East Berlin’s best currywurst: Konnopke’s Imbiss
East Berlin’s most famous Currywurst stand! You’ll find it next to Eberswalder Strasse, underneath the U-Bahn tracks. Eat it the Berliner way - quickly! Discover Konnopke’s Imbiss on their website here.
Curry 36
West Berlin’s most famous currywurst stand! You’ll find outlets all over the city including outside Zoo station, inside the main train station (Hauptbahnhof), and my favourite: next to Mehringdamm U-Bahn station. The good thing is, they’re all good!
Eat Döner at K’Ups
Ask ten Berliners where to get their favourite Döner and you’ll get ten different answers. Honestly, unless you see a place and think “damn, I wouldn’t eat there” then your Döner will be good. It was invented here. Berliners know what they’re doing, and they do it well!
If I had to pick, my favourite Döner would be up in Prenzlauer Berg at K’Ups. I just love the lime they throw on at the end!
Where to get the best coffee in Berlin
Finding good coffee when travelling is always a nightmare! Ignore the sad coffee machine in your hotel and treat yourself to one of these…
Brammibal’s Donuts
A donut shop up first? Yup, Brammibal’s not only make the best donuts in town, but some of the best coffee too. They have several outlets all over town now including Warschauer Strasse and Potsdamer Platz, but my favourite is the one that had people lining up down the street when they first opened, next to the canal on Maybach Ufer.
The Barn
The Barn is for snooty coffee lovers (like me!), but to be honest I find the interiors really sterile and not at all cosy. Good for getting coffee on the go.
19 Grams
19 Grams offer cosy spots with great food and better coffee. I usually get the eggs Benedict!
Populus Coffee
You might be able to tell from my map that I love walking along the Landwehr Canal. In fact, I listed it as one of my ten essentially Berlin experiences!
Populus coffee is a nice, chill spot beneath the trees and by the water that offer ethically sourced coffee only. Fully recommended!
Where to drink Beer in Berlin
Despite making over 100 Berlin history videos, the most popular piece of Berlin content I’ve ever made is this blog post about where to get German beer in Berlin!
Expect some overlap, but here are some cool recommendations for you.
Note: all of the German restaurants I recommended serve excellent beer, too.
Craft Beer at BRLO
20+ craft beers, amazing food inside, and a great beer garden outside. Discover BRLO here.
Cosy pub feeling at Hopfenreich
A cosy bar in Kreuzberg with a hedgehog in it (sadly not alive). Hopfenreich have a wide variety of craft beers on tap.
Scandinavian style and shuffleboard at Kaschk
Craft beer served with Scandinavian style. Play shuffleboard in the back! Reserve your shuffleboard spot today.
Dance the night away and drink Czech beer Zum Böhmischen Dorf
Czech beer! Drink the unpasteurised Pilsner Urquell in this trendy Neukölln bar. You might bump into my pal and fellow guide Ryan DJing there!
Stay out all night in Berlin’s Bars
Get great views over Berlin from the Monkey Bar
There’s more to Berlin than just beers! Here are some great, cosy, fun bars for you.
Monkey Bar
You’ll find the Monkey Bar on top of the 25 Hours hotel in West Berlin just next to Neni. Great views, great cocktails!
Fitcher’s Vogel
A trendy Berlin pub named after a traditional Grimm fairy tale of the same name. I come to Fitcher’s Vogel for the gin-basil smash (or maybe 2 of them).
Primitiv
The street where you’ll find Primitiv, Simon-Dach-Strasse, gets a bad rap for being just for tourists. Sure, a lot of tourists come here, but locals do as well. My pick of the strip is Primitiv (even if I did get barred from here once!).
Clash
Clash is the best rock bar in Berlin. It’s hidden away in a courtyard, but you’ll find (and hear) it. They serve food, have a dance floor, a stage, a pool table, and pinball. An absolute dream for me!
Berlin Bars with Dance Floors
Berlin’s clubs (see below) can be intense, and honestly, they’re not for everyone. Do you want to have a couple of drinks and have a dance with your pals? Then you need my favourite bars with dance floors!
Monarch Bar
You’re going to struggle to find this one. It’s behind a nondescript white door covered in stickers and graffiti. Head upstairs and you’re in! It’s got a super informal, pleasant and friendly vibe. Find out more here.
Paolo Pinkel
Pink neon lights, designer furniture, food, cocktails! This place is wild. I love it! You’ll find it in Neukölln where there are tons more bars to discover
Filmkunstbar Fitzcarraldo
In Reichenberger Strasse you’ll find Filmkunstbar Fitzcarraldo. A lively little joint that doubles as a DVD rental shop (really). It’s named after the overly ambitious film by Werner Herzog. Check out the making-of documentary, Burden of Dreams for an unforgettable watch.
The bar is cosy, super fun, and I once got told off here for singing along too well (presumably) to ‘90s music.
SO36
A Kreuzberg institution. It’s a concert venue and it hosts club nights, too. SO36 has punk credentials going all the way back to the ‘70s when David Bowie and Iggy Pop came here.
Monster Ronson’s Ichiban Karaoke
The best karaoke bar you will ever visit. Don’t roll your eyes! Monster Ronson’s is a wonderful place, and it’s super popular with Berliners. Rent a booth and sing away with your friends, or join the main room for some big stage (and big party) action.
Stay out all night dancing to pounding Techno at Berlin's world famous clubs
Berlin’s club scene is world famous, but that’s also because it’s completely unique. These are not like the clubs you have back home. Yes, the door policies are tough, no you won’t get in with a huge group of friends, and no, I don’t think you need to wear only black.
I always suggest having a back up plan just in case you don’t get into the club of your dreams.
Berghain
The most famous club in Berlin, possibly the world. People really do line up outside Berghain for hours only for Sven to tell them “no”. In fact, he doesn’t even speak, he just points.
Sisyphos
Not exactly centrally located, but more relaxed entry policy than and popular with locals. The sound and light system indoors is quite intense, but the outdoor section is really chill. Berliners like to come to Sisyphos for outdoor raves on a sunny Summer Sunday afternoon.
Renate
Salon zur Wilden Renate is a maze of different small rooms in an old apartment block. I’ve never been to a club quite like it! I prefer this one in Winter as the outdoor section is a bit small.
Holzmarkt 25
I love Holzmarkt. You can go here any day of the week and sip beers by the river, catch a concert, or dance away all night. One of the absolute best places in all of Berlin.
Discover the best Museums in Berlin
The Neues Museum
The Neue’s Museum is home to Berlin’s Egyptian collection, including the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti. This is my favourite museum on Berlin’s Museum Island. The architecture of the building - inside, rather than out, is truly beautiful.
The Berlin Wall Memorial & Documentation Centre
This is basically a free open-air museum all about the Berlin Wall. There’s loads to see, and it’s all for free. The Berlin Wall Memorial provides you with the best overview of the history of the Berlin Wall in the whole city.
Museum in der Kulturbrauerei
A free museum all about life in East Germany. It doesn’t just focus on the Wall and the Stasi, but gives you a look into what regular people’s lives were like on the ‘other side’ during the Cold War. Find out more here.
Deutsches Historisches Museum
The German History Museum. It’s undergoing major renovations at the moment, but the new building at the back is still open and hosting excellent temporary exhibitions.
The Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum covers centuries of Jewish history, including but not limited to the holocaust. Architecturally fascinating, informative, and free. Highly recommended.
The Topography of Terror
The Topography of Terror is the museum that offers the deepest insight into who was who and who did what under the Nazi dictatorship. Very detailed and well-presented.
The German Resistance Museum
Located in the headquarters of Germany’s WWII military, the Wehrmacht. Discover stories of impossibly brave people that, however futile their actions, stood up to Hitler and his cronies. Find out more here.
My Berlin history book recommendations
Have you caught the Berlin bug? Do you want to be the next Berlin tour guide? Are you just a nerd like me? Get stared on your Berlin history journey here
Berlin, David Clay Large
An overview of everything about Berlin from the unification of Germany in 1871 up to reunification in 1990. It’s big and heavy, so check out the Kindle version.
The Third Reich Trilogy, Richard J Evans
The absolute best books on the Nazi period. Evans starts with the First World War and continues right the way to the aftermath of Hitler’s suicide. Despite stretching to 3 volumes it’s very readable.
The books are called:
The Coming of the Third Reich
The Third Reich in Power
The Third Reich at War
Find out more here.
Beyond the Wall, Katja Hoyer
Katja Hoyer is one of the most exciting and interesting historians of the present day. Her 2023 book, Beyond the Wall, offers a compact, readable, fascinating overview of life in East Germany.
Maus, Art Spiegelmann
Don’t write this off because it’s a graphic novel - that’s what I did for years and it was very stupid of me. Art Spiegelmann drew and wrote Maus based on interviews with his father, an Auschwitz survivor. Exciting, tragic, emotional, and (in places) surprisingly funny. Check it out!
Berlin in Film & TV
Berlin’s Kino International has even appeared in a couple of movies!
Berlin has a long history of appearing on screens big and small. Here are some of my favourites!
Run, Lola, Run
See Berlin in its post-Wall ‘90s glory. A fun caper, good if you’re in the mood to soak up the Berlin vibe and not think too hard.
Victoria
Shot all in one take, Victoria tells the story of a Spanish club-goer that ends up involved in a robbery. Tense!
The Lives of Others
A dramatic look into the Stasi and the East German state. Tense, exciting, sad. Like many movies, The Lives of Others isn’t 100% accurate, but it’s a gripping look into life in East Berlin.
Kleo
A Quentin Tarantino style TV series from Netflix about a Stasi assassin that ends up going rogue. Kleo is colourful, funny, and violent.
Good Bye Lenin!
The Wall falls down and everything changes for a family in the East, except the mother’s in a coma when it happens. Her kids try to keep East Germany alive for their mother as the whole country is changing around them. Touching, funny, and informative. Find out more here.
Downfall
The story of Hitler’s final 10 days in the bunker. Yes, this is where the memes come from. A tough watch, at points you might catch yourself feeling sorry for Hitler! Very well done, I highly recommend it.
Baader Meinhof Complex
Movie about the Rote Armee Fraktion, a domestic anarchist terrorist group in West Germany in the ‘70s. Exciting, sexy, dangerous, and full of action!
Check out more Berlin Things to do with the latest posts on my Tips For Your Trip blog
