This list is a guide to the very best Döner restaurants in Berlin, from Neukölln to Wedding and Charlottenburg to Friedrichshain. As always with a BFS top list, there is no ranking between the places on the list. They are all great in their own ways and you have to read the descriptions for the nitty gritty details. Go forth, eat kebaps and hold your local döner joint accountable in terms of quality. But do remember; the strongest mechanism towards a better Döner culture is your willingness to pay just as much for your Döner as you pay for your gourmet burger.
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Pamfilya
Pamfilya is an iconic Turkish grill in Berlin's Wedding district, situated at Leopoldplatz. The cozy and welcoming atmosphere, combined with its traditional, Turkish cuisine, makes it a perfect spot for a lunch or a cozy dinner with friends. The menu offers a variety of traditional Turkish dishes, such as mezze plates, skewer kebaps, döner kebap and mantı. One of the standout dishes is the "Adana Kebab," a spicy minced lamb meat skewer grilled to perfection over an open fire pit, but the number one reason to come here is the hand-stacked yaprak veal döner kebap. Owner Fikri Arslan puts a lot of emphasis on quality and the lean döner meat at Pamfilya is unique and by many regarded as the best quality veal döner in Berlin.
The pro move here is to order a plate of döner meat only, ask for a plate of freshly baked lavash bread and then eat the meat in small pieces of flatbread like a taco with onions, a squeeze of lemon and chili flakes only.
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Tekbir Döner
Looking for a delicious and authentic Turkish meal? Look no further than Tekbir Döner in the heart of Kreuzberg. This eatery offers some of the best döner kebab in Berlin, with juicy meat and fresh veggies wrapped in warm, fluffy bread. Don't forget to add some flavorful sauces to your meal for that extra zing! With its affordable prices and friendly service, Tekbir Döner is a must-visit for anyone craving tasty Turkish cuisine.
The lamb yaprak-style döner is the move - go later in the day as they've cracked into the new one by then.
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K.W.A. Kebap with Attitude
Venture into the cosy quarters North West of Hackescher Markt for a visit to K.W.A. (Kebap with Attitude) and their contemporary interpretation of a Berlin Döner shop. Step into an energetic atmosphere where the sizzling sounds of grilled meats on the rotating spits and techno (this is in the bathroom) captivate your senses. Indulge in a Berlin kebap experience like no other as you savor their signature creations, featuring free range meat, vibrant vegetables, and bold, house-made sauces that elevate each bite to new heights of deliciousness. With its unique attitude, and a commitment to quality, K.W.A. is a unique opportunity to experience the iconic Berlin version of the Döner in a cool, modern dining setup-
Order the OG Classic with beef along with the homemade Ayran and swing by in the summer for Raki cocktails on their amazing curbside terrace.
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Et Dünyasi by Ehli-Kebap
Embark on a culinary voyage to the enchanting world of Turkish cuisine at Et Dünyası... in Wedding. Immerse yourself in the warm and inviting ambiance as the tantalizing aromas of grilled meats and aromatic spices fill the air. Indulge in a symphony of flavors as you savor succulent kebabs, flavorful mezes, and mouthwatering Turkish specialties, meticulously prepared with traditional techniques and a contemporary twist. With its commitment to culinary excellence, genuine hospitality, and a menu that showcases the rich tapestry of Turkish gastronomy, Et Dünyası offers an unforgettable dining experience that will transport you to the vibrant streets of Istanbul.
Come prepared with patience in your pocket - the service sometimes gets a little hectic and you have to be your own advocate to get what you ordered, but, trust us, the payoff is worth it. Don't get the Döner as a sandwich, bread is no good! get it as a plate on rice.
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Imren
The old-school and former champion of beef döner and the only Berlin chain which grills hand-stacked yaprak döner. The Imren-style of beef is a very specific one, where the meat is marinated in onions, yoghurt and unusual spices such as cinnamon and cumin. It’s also laced with lamb fat which gives the Imren döner its very rich taste. This used to a go-to place for BFS but deteriorating quality and increased competition has catapulted the Imrens to the lower end of the Döner list. But many locals still swear by their secret sesame-yogurt sauce. Imren has six outlets in Berlin and the best two are the original location on Boppstraße in Kreuzberg and the one on Haupstraße in Schöneberg.
Go for the Döner and have onions, tomatoes and sesame sauce
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Doyum Grillhaus
Experience a tantalizing culinary adventure at Doyum, a captivating pillar of the restaurant scene in Berlin that transports your taste buds to the vibrant world of Turkish cuisine. Indulge in a symphony of aromatic spices, succulent meats, and delectable mezes, meticulously prepared by our talented culinary team. With its inviting atmosphere and impeccable service, Doyum beckons you to embark on a gastronomic journey that will leave you craving for more.
They've recently opened their completely remodeled dining room that's perfect for groups. Get the Adana Durüm, it's out of this world.
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Gokoreç
The black-and-yellow storefront on Kottbusser Damm may be part of a European franchise, but its owners, the Bahçeci brothers, have imbued it with a heart of its own – among other innards. As the name suggests, the specialty here is kokoreç (lamb intestine) sandwiches, their gutsy fillings imported straight from mothership Mr. Koko in Bulgaria. But the rest of the menu is worth exploring as well, especially the wood-fired, horizontally roasted lamb Čag Kebab.
Order the Atom Kokoreç and the Čar Kebab!
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Rüya Gemüse Kebap
Welcome to Rüya Gemüse Kebap, the beloved chicken Döner haven in West Berlin's Charlottenburg dsitrict, where the legendary owner, Yalcin Yilmaz, continues to grace us with his warm presence and meticulous attention to every detail. Yilmaz is not just a restaurateur; he's a local icon known for his friendly demeanor.
Yilmaz openly credits Mustafa Demir for the inception of the Chicken Gemüse Döner concept. Yet, he's taken that idea and crafted his unique, mouthwatering rendition where the vegetavles are stir-fried instead of deep-fried. Originally nestled in Schöneberg, Rüya Gemüse Kebap embarked on a journey to Charlottenburg in 2018, where it swiftly captured the hearts of locals and became a cherished institution.
Yilmaz's move in 2018 also paved the way for his former landlord to establish Döner shops bearing the name Rüyam. It's a testament to Yilmaz's influence and the enduring legacy of his flavorsome creations.
Get the Chicken Döner with all the sauces and condiments
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Közde Döner
Step into the realm of above-average-quality döner at Közde, the hidden gem that burst onto the Kreuzberg scene in spring 2023. Initially known as "My Food" before evolving into its current identity, Közde Döner has two standout features that set it apart from the standard döner crowd. Firstly, imagine a döner kebap skewer sizzling and spinning away before a lava stone döner gas grill. It's not a culinary revelation, but cranking up the heat to new levels creates a meat crisp beyond Berlin's usual döner joints. But, here's the real game-changer; Közde crafts a very special beef-lamb kebap skewer, marinated and hand-stacked fresh each morning right in the heart of the restaurant. This commitment to quality is evident in every bite you take. The soft, pocket-style bread cradles this masterpiece in a way that you won't even think about asking for the run-of-the-mill sauces.
Only order the Beef Döner and instead of the "spicy" sauce, ask for some of the marvellously spicy chili flakes.
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Babaleison
On the Southern side of Kottbusser Tor in Kreuzberg, just where Kottbuser Damm begins, this high end, fully stacked Ocakbasi and Döner House opened its doors at the end of 2023. Featuring strong, high end Turkish resort vibes, this Turkish restaurant is dishing out some remarkable food. Fancy and Kebab don't usually mix in Berlin, but they definitely should, and this place is here to show us how it's done. Apart from the stellar Kelle Paca soup, the items to for are the Adana Kebap, the Beyti Kebap and the a paper thin Lahmacun. But the real hero might be the Döner: Hand-stacked, 100% Yaprak beef, marinated and grilled to perfection before in a tasty, fluffy Tombik bread or on a plate.
You can also buy the Döner Kebap to go from the window facing Kottbusser Tor
