Ten years ago, finding truly good fried chicken in Berlin was surprisingly difficult, despite its popularity at the local, Lebanese-German chicken chains. The first real shift came with the rise of Korean fried chicken. Suddenly, the city had places double-frying their chicken into impossibly crunchy shells, glazing it in sticky soy-garlic or gochujang sauces. But the real fried chicken boom arrived during the pandemic. One of the biggest catalysts was Humble Pie, the Nashville Fried Chicken Truck taken over by American chef Chris Haskins and eventually transformed into a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Around the same time, the crew behind Birds in the Kitchen were quietly perfecting their buffalo-glazed fried chicken sandwich, a tangy, buttery, spicy and marvellously crunchy sandwich, engineered with near nerd-level dedication to texture. Both projects helped push Berlin’s fried chicken scene from casual comfort food into something closer to craft.
Beyond sandwiches and Nashville-style heat, another important category in Berlin’s chicken universe is buffalo wings. The longtime reference point is The Bird in Prenzlauer Berg, which, after a brief dip in quality, has returned to respectable form. But Buffalo wings were truly pushed to the next level by Bertie on Schwedter Straße, whose near perfect versions have become something of a local benchmark.
And then there are the outliers: Japanese karaage, for example, which appears in a few unexpected places around the city. One of the best versions hides at San, a small sushi restaurant in Mitte, where the marinated, lightly battered chicken pieces are easily among Berlin’s finest. All of which is to say: fried chicken in Berlin has quietly become a serious category, from Korean crunch to Nashville heat, buffalo wings to Japanese karaage.
-
Birds in the Kitchen
Birds in the Kitchen is a Berlin-based popup project by Carlo Enuchat and ex-Facil sous chef Maximilian Kindl, renowned for its innovative and flavorful Fried Chicken Sandwiches. With a focus on high-quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations, Birds in the Kitchen has garnered a very dedicated following through its food truck and pop-up appearances. In September 2024 the project opened up a restaurant near Rosenthaler Platz in Mitte.
Get the Blazing Buffalo Sandwich and don't miss their outstanding dip sauces
-
Humble Pie
Humble Pie is a Southern fast-food joint in Neukölln specializing in Nashville-style fried chicken. Run by American owner Chris Haskins, the project began as a food truck circulating through Berlin’s street food markets before settling into its first brick-and-mortar space in 2024. The menu centers on fried chicken sandwiches and chicken and waffles, alongside sides like tater tots and mac and cheese. Rooted in American comfort food traditions, the operation pairs its cooking with a notably hospitable, down-to-earth approach.
Humble Pie is also famous for its American catering - especially the Thanksgiving food is legendary!
-
San
SAN in Berlin-Mitte operates slightly under the radar despite being one of the city’s most consistently Japanese-leaning sushi restaurants. The focus is on a broad yet precise menu spanning sushi, sashimi, and small starters, with an emphasis on fresh seafood and clean execution. A minimalist interior and open kitchen keep attention on the craft, while the structure of the menu allows for both quick visits and more extended meals. Centrally located yet low-key in presence, SAN stands out for delivering one of the more traditional and well-rounded sushi experiences in Berlin. Fun fact: The Karaage Chicken here is so good that it earned the restaurant a spot on the list of the best fried chicken in Berlin.
Go for the Chef's Omakase selection and definitely order a portion of the oustanding Karaage Chicken
-
Kokio
Embark on a delectable culinary adventure at Kokio, an extraordinary Korean fried chicken haven in the heart of Berlin. Step into a vibrant atmosphere where the tantalizing aroma of perfectly crispy and flavorful fried chicken fills the air. From the signature original recipe to the irresistibly spicy renditions, Kokio's menu boasts a symphony of bold and savory flavors that will ignite your taste buds. With its dedication to high-quality ingredients, expert preparation, and a welcoming ambiance, Kokio is a must-visit destination for fried chicken enthusiasts and food aficionados looking to savor an authentic taste of Korea right in the heart of Berlin.
Push yourself to go hotter. There's always a bigger shark and a hotter wing.
-
Guten Dag
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of Korean fried chicken at Guten Dag, a renowned stand in Berlin that brings the taste of Seoul to the city. Crispy, golden chicken pieces are expertly seasoned and served with a variety of mouthwatering sauces that will have your taste buds dancing with delight. Don't miss the chance to experience the perfect blend of crunch and juiciness that Guten Dag's Korean fried chicken offers, making it a must-try culinary destination in Berlin.
You don't have to bring your own black latex gloves from home, kids - they'll give you a set for free.
-
Goldies Bar
Goldies Bar at KaDeWe is a high-end side project from Goldies Burger that opened in the fall of 2025. The burger bar on the 6th food floor of the iconic department store offers a fresh and confident take on classic diner fare. Starters like deviled eggs pack a strong mustard punch, while the juicy sliders with soft onions and melty cheese steal the show. The Buffalo chicken wings rank just behind Berlin’s best for their perfect balance of spice and acidity, served with a fantastic ranch dip. The undeniable highlight, however, is the dry-aged steakhouse burger which is available in limited quaitity every day.
Check out their website to make a reservation for the limited Dry Aged Burger!
-
Bertie
From zero to hero right from the jump. We expected nothing less from the Annelies crew who gifted us with this recent jewel of a place. This is fun and delicious food; not pretentious, but perfectly executed. A NY-Style bistro/modern diner serving some strong fare, there are truly no bad dishes in the menu. Deviled eggs, buffalo wings, chicken schnitzel, even the desserts are delicious. Straight to the top of Berlin's foodie scene. Get a spot while you can!
Order the Buffalo Wings and then order them again.
-
Gully Burger
Back and bolder than ever, Gully Burger returns to Berlin with its signature mashup of Indian street food soul and classic American diner swagger - now popping up inside the Tea House at The Hoxton Hotel in Charlottenburg.
Born from founder Sachin Obaid’s upbringing between India and the U.S., Gully’s new menu dives deep into its cross-cultural roots. Think: Maharaja burgers stacked with chapli kebab-style patties and bone marrow-buttered buns, Kerala fried chicken with curry leaf slaw, and a Khumb Royale for the vegans that still hits like a heavyweight.
Book a room at the Hoxton for the chance to order Gully Burger room service
