Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Berlin

As blessed as Germany is with some achingly excellent restaurants, the culinary journey is incomplete without visiting Ernst. Located in the neighborhood of Wedding, Ernst, more often referred to as an "experience" than as a restaurant, has only twelve seats, making it arguably the most difficult restaurant to get into. They serve you over 30 delicacies, all prepared and plated in front of you. Beverage pairings are available at an extra cost. The decor is minimalist in order for your focus to be completely on the excellent food. Chef Dylan-Watson Brawn and his team are Michelin awardees, having been accorded one Michelin star, and the restaurant has been highly recommended by critics and travel guides alike. Bookings are full for months, so it is advisable to purchase tickets well in advance. The quality of the food is of the highest order, the atmosphere is very homely and the staff make you feel welcome in their kitchen and are happy to answer your questions.

For over a decade, award-winning chef Tim Raue and wife Marie-Anne have been welcoming guests into the warm ambiance of their Restaurant Tim Raue, which earned a Michelin star within a few months of its opening in 2010. Since then, they have come a long way and gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the best restaurants in Berlin, in the process bagging many more awards and titles. The cuisine served here blends Chinese, Japanese and Thai flavors to create tantalizing dishes that will surely have your taste buds tingling. Visit Restaurant Tim Raue to savor their unique take on classic Asian dishes, such as Peking duck and Miso chicken, and to sample some of the world's finest wine.

Hofbräuhaus, a landmark brew pub in Munich, brings its Bavarian flair to Berlin. Hofbräu München Berlin opened its doors in 2011, and is always packed with Berliners who want to have a relaxing time out. At this bar, beer-lovers get an opportunity to sample freshly brewed Hofbräu beer alongside a delicious selection of Bavarian delights. Every month, a selection of dishes are added to the regular menu, highlighting the season's specials. You can enjoy your meals at the airy beer garden while Hofbräuhaus musicians wrap you in a cocoon of lively melodies.

Trattoria Libau is famous in Berlin for its pizzas prepared in a stone oven, which exhibit a very crispy and thin crust. This pizzeria is as well-known for its helpful staff as the authentic Italian flavors of its pizzas. Its outdoor seating is always bustling with a younger crowd, sipping a mug of chilled beer. The pizzas are garnished with toppings such as the blue cheese gorgonzola, mozzarella cheese, prosciutto and arugula. Guests can also savor pasta in varieties such as the Pesto Goat Cheese Pasta. This restaurant, with its cozy interiors and beer benches in the patio, can be hired for private functions.

Located on Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg, the Dicke Wirtin has been a Berlin institution for decades and a student stronghold since the heady days of the 1960's demonstrations. The clientele is a raw mix of students (the Technical University is just around the corner) and locals who come here to dig into hearty portions of traditional German grub. The menu has become more international, a selection of traditional casseroles, and entrees like Irish stew, Tsatsiki and Chilli Con Carne fill out the menu. And there's Guinness on tap, too.

Want a private party with a difference? Rent the Floating Lounge in the Eastern Comforts Hostel for your fun-filled event. This lounge is housed in a ship anchored to one location and can be rented for birthday parties, weddings, conferences and family gatherings. The menu is not so elaborate but very tasty and there is a wide variety of premium drinks and spirits. You can also book a cabin for the family for a day or more. This lounge also offers a beautiful way to watch the sunset with your special someone while sailing. A lounge with a difference, it promises an extremely warm, romantic and blissful way to spend your evening.