Berlin’s grand boulevard Kurfürstendamm (mercifully shortened to Ku’damm by locals) has long been the city’s premier shopping destination. But between the gleaming boutiques and art nouveau buildings, you’ll find some of the city’s most exciting restaurants. From classic French brasseries to glamorous rooftop spots, here’s where to eat when you’re done maxing out your credit card at KaDeWe…
GRACE, Kurfürstendamm
Ideal for when you want to feel like you’re in a film set…
With its New York townhouse aesthetic and Hollywood star-spotting potential, GRACE has somehow managed to walk the tricky line between being a ‘see and be seen’ spot and somewhere that actually serves exceptional food. The soaring ceilings and theatrical design by US designer Dayna Lee set the stage for Chef Martin Bruhn’s Asian-Californian menu that manages to be both creative and comforting.
The Black Cod has become something of a signature, while the Creamy Rock Shrimps demonstrate why this place has become a magnet for visiting celebrities and local power players alike. But the real drama unfolds after dinner, when guests migrate to the stunning rooftop bar for panoramic views across Berlin’s glittering skyline. Just remember to book ahead – and maybe pack your autograph book.
Address: Kurfürstendamm 25, 10719 Berlin, Germany
Brasserie Colette Tim Raue, Passauer Straße
Ideal for experiencing a masterchef’s take on French classics…
Celebrity chef Tim Raue might be best known for his eponymous Asian-influenced fine dining temple, but this sophisticated spot opposite KaDeWe shows he’s equally adept at French classics. The space strikes a perfect balance between Parisian nostalgia and contemporary Berlin cool, with vintage train seats and warmly lit wooden furnishings creating an atmosphere that encourages long, leisurely meals.
The menu changes quarterly but always maintains that magical mix of innovation and tradition that Raue does so well. Their Prawn Marocain has developed a cult following, while classics like boeuf bourguignon and steak frites are executed with the precision you’d expect from a chef of this calibre. It’s the perfect lunch spot when shopping fatigue sets in – though you might find yourself lingering well into the evening.
Address: Passauer Str. 5-7, 10789 Berlin, Germany
MINE, Meinekestraße
Ideal for when you want Italian food that transcends the usual tropes…
Hidden just off Ku’damm’s main drag, MINE has managed to carve out its own niche in a city hardly short of Italian restaurants. The space – which includes Berlin’s historic smallest bar – pulses with the kind of effortless energy you might find in a neighbourhood joint in Rome, but the food is firmly in special occasion territory.
The menu changes regularly but maintains certain greatest hits that regulars would riot without – chief among them the burrata-filled tortellini with black truffle, which has achieved near-mythical status among Berlin’s pasta aficionados. The wine list recently earned a prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, though we’d suggest starting with a glass of prosecco at that tiny bar – if only for the bragging rights.
Address: Meinekestraße 10, 10719 Berlin, Germany
Bob & Thoms, Viktoria-Luise-Platz
Ideal for intimate dining with serious culinary credentials…
When the legendary Alt Luxemburg closed its doors, Berlin’s food scene held its breath. Fortunately, two of its stalwarts – hospitality veteran Oliver Körber and chef Felix Thoms – decided to strike out on their own with this intimate spot just off Ku’damm. With only 14 covers, it’s about as far from the boulevard’s glitzier establishments as you can get, but that’s entirely the point.
The constantly changing four-course menus (including one vegetarian option) showcase Thoms’ stellar technique and creative flair, while several Alt Luxemburg classics – including a properly old-school lobster soup and duck liver terrine – keep regulars coming back. Book well ahead though; tables are as rare as a quiet day on Ku’damm.
Address: Welserstraße 10-12, 10777 Berlin, Germany
Georgios, Bayerische Straße
Ideal for authentic Greek meze and heartwarming family recipes…
This charming family-run taverna might have you feeling like you’re in Crete not Germany, but that’s exactly the goal of Georgios, where the eponymous chef has turned grandmother’s recipes into an art form. The story goes that owner Georgios spent childhood evenings sampling his grandmother’s “little things” (meze) while his grandfather told stories late into the night – and that same warm, familial atmosphere pervades the restaurant today.
The menu revolves around those carefully guarded family recipes: start with the Krya Pikilia, a cold meze platter that includes house-made tzatziki, taramasalata, and aubergine paste. The grilled octopus, served with fava bean purée and a zingy olive oil-vinaigrette, demonstrates why some dishes don’t need reinvention.
For mains, the Exochiko (tender lamb with aubergines, courgettes and feta) shows the kitchen’s deft hand with heartier fare. Wash it all down with a carafe of their well-chosen Greek house wines – the Moschofilero is particularly good with the seafood dishes.
Just around the corner is Spielbank Casino, should you be keen to continue your evening. Alternatively, if you’re looking for for online casinos in Germany, you could simply call it a night and retire to your hotel.
Address: Bayerische Str. 26, 10707 Berlin, Germany
Diekmann, Meinekestraße
Ideal for oyster enthusiasts and Franco-German fusion…
Since 1982, this neighbourhood institution has been quietly evolving while keeping its soul intact. The space cleverly incorporates elements from its past life as a 19th-century colonial goods shop, with decorative wine racks and vintage furnishings creating an atmosphere that’s both casual and refined. The front room, with its standalone oyster bar, practically demands you start with a dozen Fines de Claire, while the more intimate back space feels perfect for long, wine-fuelled evenings.
Chef Max Günther’s menu deftly walks the line between German and French traditions, with clear respect for both. The kitchen shows particular flair with seafood (those oysters really are exceptional), while more substantial dishes like perfectly executed sweetbreads demonstrate serious technical chops. Don’t skip the desserts – they’ve mastered that tricky art of being both creative and comforting.
Address: Meinekestraße 7, 10719 Berlin, Germany
DAO by Meo-Thai, Kantstraße
Ideal for elevated Thai cuisine that doesn’t compromise on authenticity…
Just a stone’s throw from Ku’damm’s designer boutiques, Chef Prattina Kross (known affectionately as Meo) has been quietly revolutionising Berlin’s Thai food scene since 2010. While many Thai spots in the city opt for toned-down flavours, DAO stays true to its roots with house-made curry pastes and ingredients imported directly from Thailand.
The menu spans the breadth of Thai cuisine, but it’s the Laab (minced meat salads) that truly shine – the pork version, with its perfect balance of heat and acidity, might just ruin all other Laabs for you. Their Som Tam (papaya salad) is made fresh to order, while the curries rank among Berlin’s finest. Just be prepared to convince the staff if you want your food properly spicy – though given the kitchen’s deft handling of heat and aromatics, you might want to trust their judgment.
Gasthaus Krombach, Meinekestraße
Ideal for authentic Berlin cuisine without pretense…
In a neighbourhood increasingly defined by international cuisine and fusion experiments, Gasthaus Krombach stands proudly traditional. This is Berlin cooking as Berliners know it – hearty, honest and gloriously unfussy. The space has that cosy, lived-in feel that you can’t fake, and the service matches: warm, efficient and refreshingly straightforward.
The menu reads like a greatest hits of Berlin classics: their curry wurst comes with a house-made sauce that puts street vendors to shame, while the pork knuckle with sauerkraut and pea purée could feed a small family. The daily specials board often features seasonal German specialties that your Berlin grandmother would approve of (if you had one). And yes, they do serve breakfast from 8am – including their famous Krombach special with enough meat, cheese and bread to fuel a full day of shopping.
Address: Meinekestraße 4, 10719 Berlin, Germany
Paris Bar, Kantstraße
Ideal for experiencing a slice of Berlin’s cultural history…
Just off Ku’damm on Kantstraße, Paris Bar has been a fixture of West Berlin’s cultural scene since the 1950s. A favourite haunt of artists, writers, and filmmakers (David Bowie was a regular during his Berlin years), this French bistro maintains its bohemian spirit while serving reliably excellent classic French cuisine. The walls are adorned with an ever-evolving collection of contemporary art, much of it gifted by regular patrons over the decades.
The menu is refreshingly straightforward: steak frites, coq au vin, and other bistro classics executed with precision rather than unnecessary innovation. Their steak tartare is arguably the city’s finest, while the oysters (when in season) draw seafood enthusiasts from across Berlin. The wine list leans heavily French, naturally, with some impressive vintages hiding among the more affordable options. Come for the history, stay for the perfectly crispy pommes frites and lively atmosphere that hasn’t changed much since the Cold War.
Address: Kantstraße 152, 10623 Berlin, Germany
The Bottom Line
West Berlin’s grandest boulevard might be better known for its shopping than its eating, but these restaurants prove there’s more to Ku’damm than designer boutiques and department stores. The area offers everything from traditional Berlin fare to contemporary fine dining, proving that Ku’damm’s culinary scene is every bit as diverse as its shopping.
