Street Food: From Curry 36 to Markthalle Neun

No other German city does street food quite like Berlin. The city has a street food culture born from immigration, creativity, and a very Berlin love of the uncomplicated. From the original Currywurst to the best döner and international food markets — if you want to understand Berlin's culinary soul, start on the street.

Curry 36 — Mehringdamm

Quite possibly the most famous Currywurst stand in Berlin. Since 1981, taxi drivers have queued here alongside tourists, students next to businesspeople. The sausage comes with or without casing, and the house sauce hits exactly the right spot between sweet and spicy. A classic that has well and truly earned its reputation.

You order at the counter and eat standing up at one of the metal tables out front. That's part of the experience. The chips are solid, but the sausage is the star. A portion plus a drink costs around €5 — lunch doesn't get much cheaper in Berlin.

Address: Mehringdamm 36. Opening hours: Daily 9:00–5:00. Tip: Order the sausage with casing — it has more bite. And go for the spicy sauce, not the mild.

Mustafas Gemüse Kebab — Mehringdamm

Directly opposite Curry 36 sits Mustafas Gemüse Kebab, and the queue outside is legendary. Waiting times of 30–45 minutes are normal; at weekends it can be even longer. But the vegetable kebab — with grilled vegetables, feta, a secret sauce, and crispy flatbread — really is as good as everyone says.

The secret is in the vegetables: courgette, peppers, and potatoes are roasted directly over the flame, picking up a smoky note you won't find at other kebab shops. The sauce is creamy, mildly spicy, and ties everything together. For vegetarians, this is one of the best street food stops in the city.

Address: Mehringdamm 32. Budget: €5–7. Tip: Come during the week around 3 p.m. when the queue is shortest. Or just before closing time.

Markthalle Neun — Eisenbahnstraße

This historic market hall dating from 1891 has had a chequered history. After years of standing empty, it was revived in 2011 and is now one of Kreuzberg's most important culinary meeting points. During the week, small producers run their stalls here: cheese, bread, wine, and meat from Brandenburg farms.

The highlight is Street Food Thursday, every Thursday from 17:00 to 22:00. The Markthalle transforms into an international food market with ramen, tacos, khinkali, Ethiopian injera, Korean fried chicken, and much more — all from small, independent stalls. Portions cost between €5 and €10, and the quality is consistently high.

On Saturdays there's a weekly market with regional organic produce, less touristy than Street Food Thursday and well worth a visit if you're staying in a Berlin apartment and want to cook for yourself.

Address: Eisenbahnstr. 42/43. Street Food Thursday: Thu 17:00–22:00. Tip: Arrive early and do a full loop of all the stalls before ordering. It gets very busy from 19:00 onwards.

Burgermeister — Schlesisches Tor

In a former public toilet beneath the U-Bahn viaduct at Schlesisches Tor, Burgermeister grills what are arguably the best burgers in the city. The location alone is worth the visit: a small, green-tiled building with a handful of standing tables around it, the U1 rattling overhead.

The burgers are classically constructed — fresh patty, crispy bun, quality ingredients — and without the gimmicks that other burger joints rely on. The Meisterburger with bacon and egg is the bestseller. Add chips with house-made mayo. A meal costs around €10.

Address: Oberbaumstr. 8. Opening hours: Daily 11:00–3:00. Tip: Come late at night after a night out — the place stays open until 3 a.m.

Imren Grill — Skalitzer Straße

For many Berliners, this is the best döner in the city — and in a city with over 1,000 döner shops, that says something. At Imren, the meat isn't sliced from an industrial rotisserie; it's hand-stacked and slow-grilled for hours. The result is juicy, richly spiced, and smoky.

The bread is fresh, the salads crisp, and the sauce comes in three heat levels. They also serve lahmacun and pide, both excellent. The interior is simple — the focus here is on the food, not the décor.

Address: Skalitzer Str. 80. Budget: €6–9. Tip: Order the döner spicy and have an ayran on the side.

Practical Tips for Street Food in Berlin

Most street food stalls in Kreuzberg accept cash, some exclusively. Having €20 in small notes saves any discussion. Tipping isn't customary at street food stands, though rounding up to the nearest euro is appreciated.

If you want to hit several spots in one day: Curry 36 and Mustafas are right next to each other on Mehringdamm. From there it's a 10-minute walk to Markthalle Neun and another 10 minutes onward to Burgermeister at Schlesisches Tor. A perfect route for a hungry afternoon — and an ideal way to explore this Berlin neighbourhood on foot.

The best time for street food is between 12:00 and 14:00 during the week, when queues are shorter and everything is freshly made. At weekends it's busy everywhere, especially at Mustafas.