Let’s get one thing straight: when it comes to fine dining, Berlin isn’t just playing ball in the German league - it’s the dominating player. More Michelin stars than any other city in the country. More restaurants on international rankings. More chefs pushing boundaries, breaking rules, and rewriting the playbook of what high-end dining can be. The only thing that cities such as Hamburg and Munich have more is three-star restaurants.
But don’t expect a sea of white tablecloths and silver domes. This is Berlin. Yes, you’ll find that and more classical precision, multi-course ceremonial experiences, but you’ll also find wild fermentation labs, dessert-only tasting menus, and globe-trotting cuisine that couldn’t care less about being traditionally one thing. If there’s a rule, someone here is probably already breaking it.
Fine dining in Berlin is not just about luxury, it’s where culinary innovation happens. These are the kitchens with test labs, fermentation rooms, R&D departments and budgets and brains to test the limits. This is where new techniques are born, where the next generation of chefs cut their teeth, and where the boundaries of what’s possible on a plate are constantly being redrawn.
We get it though: fine dining can be a loaded term. Elitist, fussy, unnecessary. But here’s the thing: many of today’s most exciting casual chefs started their journeys in these very kitchens. These restaurants are the talent growing grounds of any serious food scene. That’s also why they are worth your money: they’re shaping the future of how we eat.
So who makes it onto the list of the best fine dining in Berlin? At Berlin Food Stories, we have chosen to define “Fine Dining” as restaurants that either hold a Michelin star or clearly play in that league (food, service, wine list - the whole monty). There is of course a very fine line between the list of our best casual fine dining and this list, and just recently a restaurant from that list received a Michelin star (PARS), but the line has to be dran somewhere. We’re not beholden to the guidebooks. This is a list shaped by experience, love, and a lot of very serious eating. These are the places chefs love and the places we reserve for special nights.
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Rutz
Rutz is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Berlin and also the city's only three-star restaurant. The restaurant is a cornerstone of the Berlin food scene and Executive Chef Marco Müller is famous for his German take on modern Nordic cuisine. Most of the ingredients are regionally sourced and after renovations in 2022 the restaurant was turned into a culinary temple spreading across two floors. Rutz is famous for its extensive wine list curated by sommelière Nacy Grossmann. Maitre D' Falco Mühlichen will make sure every one of your wishes is fulfilled.
Definitely a place to go all in with the tasting menu and check out their extensive list of old Riesling vintages
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Tim Raue
Tim Raue's eponymous restaurant is a culinary destination located in the heart of Berlin's Kreuzberg neighborhood. Chef Tim Raue's innovative and eclectic dishes are influenced by his travels and experience in Asian cuisine. The tasting menu features unique and flavorful dishes, such as the crispy-skinned duck with hoisin sauce, as well as a vegetarian option. The wine list is extensive, with carefully curated selections to complement the bold flavors of the dishes. The restaurant's sleek and modern interior, combined with impeccable service, creates an unforgettable dining experience. Tim Raue is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to indulge in exceptional cuisine in Berlin.
If you can't find a table for a dinner reservation, don't forget about their lunch offering!
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Nobelhart & Schmutzig
Nobelhart und Schmutzig is a Berlin restaurant that has been praised for its focus on locally sourced ingredients and minimalist cuisine. Helmed by chef Micha Schäfer, the restaurant's menu features dishes that showcase the best of German produce, often paired with lesser-known herbs and spices. The industrial-chic space is also home to an extensive wine list featuring natural and biodynamic wines. If you're looking for a dining experience that's both unique and sustainable, Nobelhart und Schmutzig is a must-visit. Be sure to book well in advance, as this popular restaurant tends to fill up quickly.
If you're on the fence about jumping into the fine dining experience, watch out for Wednesday night specials
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CODA
Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind dessert adventure at Coda, an extraordinary Michelin-starred restaurant in Berlin. With its innovative tasting menu of reimagined and deconstructed classic desserts, Coda takes you on a journey where sweet and savory flavors collide. Emphasizing natural sweetness from seasonal and sustainable ingredients, each dessert composition is a delightful surprise presented with artistic minimalism. This is one of Berlin's most unique restaurants.
Check out seatings mid-week for a more personalized and intimate experience. Don't miss the iconic caviar popsicle and always go for the drink pairing!
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Tulus Lotrek
Tulus Lotrek is a warm, tastefully decorated (the waiters match the walls), and inviting Michelin-starred, fine dining restaurant located in a quiet corner of the usually buzzing Kreuzberg. Chef Max Strohe dishes out some highly indulgent and beautiful plates, rooted in French cuisine but buttered up with some modern twists. Maître-D, Ilona Scholl, will make you feel right at home and the Sommelier will walk you through one of the absolute best wine menus in the city. Even if you leave with a lighter wallet, you will certainly walk out with a big smile.
You can buy bottles to go! And check out Ilona Scholl's podcast "Röststoff"!
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Loumi
Loumi started off as a private dining project operating out of an apartment, but now they've opened up a brick and mortar restaurant of their own on Ritterstrasse just down from Oranienplatz. The venue is quite slick (on the list for coolest bathroom in Berlin) and the operation sophisticated. Loumi serves a carte blanche menu of around 8 courses where you can only control some upsell items such as caviar and truffles. The rest of the meal consists of seasonal, local ingredients, with strong French and Nordic influences. This is comfort fine dining with a high level of ambition, and is good value for money. Alternatively to their menu, you can grab some snacks and drinks at the bar. Go and pay these people a visit, chances are you will really enjoy it!
Don't feel like a big meal? Have a seat at their bar and enjoy some nice drinks and snacks.
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Bandol sur Mer
Located on Torstraße, Bandol Sur Mer is a modern French restaurant offering one of Berlin’s most exciting fine dining experiences. This cozy, 18-20 seat venue features an open kitchen and a vibrant atmosphere where modern French cuisine meets hip-hop and jazz for a true Berlin vibe.
The daily menu is written on chalkboards and offers two options: a meat-focused menu or a fish-focused menu, typically consisting of five courses for around €74, with additional dishes available for €10 each. The food combines classic French proteins with creative techniques like pickling and drying, resulting in standout dishes such as dry-aged Nebraska sirloin with pickled kale or veal sweetbreads with beet-pickled onions and coffee crunch.
With Michelin-level quality, friendly service, and a relaxed vibe, Bandol Sur Mer delivers exceptional value and a unique dining experience in Berlin.
If you want a great fine dining experience in an relaxed atmosphere, this is the place to go. Enjoy.
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Horváth
Experience the culinary excellence of Horvath, a renowned restaurant in Berlin that epitomizes gastronomic mastery and personal storytelling. Immerse yourself in an elegant ambiance as you savor meticulously crafted dishes that showcase a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. With its unwavering commitment to culinary innovation and exceptional service, Horvath offers a remarkable dining experience that is sure to captivate even the most discerning palates.
This is a great place for vegetarian foodies and they are trail brazers with non alcoholic pairings.
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Hallmann & Klee
Hallmann und Klee exemplifies all that is right in the Berlin dining scene right now. A Neukölln restaurant teeming with creativity that's evolved from being a casual neighborhood institution to a full-fledged fine dining operaiton. Despite all of its elegance, Hallman und Klee delivers beautifully restrained plates with unpretentious service. Dinners are served as a multi-course tasting menu, which is regularly updated to maintain its hyperfocus on seasonality and locality. Hallmann & Klee works equally well for romantic dinners, a place to impress visiting parents or, a memorable night out with friends.
A fine dining place for veggie lovers - the vegetarian menu is one of the best of its kind in all of Berlin
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UUU
This tiny fine dining restaurant in Wedding is a must-visit for food lovers seeking a unique dining experience. Owner couple Yuhang and Johan have created a unique experience where a modern tasting menu effortlessly blends Chinese flavors and techniques with local ingredients while Johan pours a non-alcoholic tea and kombucha pairing. UUU offers an unforgettable journey for your taste bud, which might redefine your view on Chinese cooking. From the moment you step inside, you'll be swept away by the calm vibes and the tantalizing aromas that fill the air, making UUU the perfect destination to gather with friends, celebrate special occasions, or simply indulge in a remarkable culinary adventure.
Eight seats only so make sure to reserve well in advance
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