6 Best Restaurants in Berlin, Germany

In the historic grand villa of silent movie star Henny Porten, the Einstein is one of the leading coffeehouses in town, and it charmingly recalls the elegant days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, complete with an artsy, high-brow clientele and slightly snobbish waiters gliding across the parquet floors. Order Austrian delicacies such as Tafelspitz or schnitzel (the small order is plenty large), coffee, and, of course, some cake.

In a cozy wood-paneled room with a colorful mural of Berlin scenes along the wall and a sleek open kitchen, Austrian chef Sebastian Frank puts a creative spin on dishes from his native country. Vegetables (along with touches of meat and fish) become the stars of the show with innovative cooking techniques and a judicious use of herbs, many grown on his roof terrace, in a choice of five- or eight-course menus; each dish pairs perfectly with unique wines primarily from Eastern Europe.

The front bar area and a cozy dining room are usually filled with chattering locals and the occasional dog peeking out from under the table (pets are allowed in unexpected places in Berlin, including many restaurants). The house specialties include Viennese classics like Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel, along with a few "modern" Austrian dishes, but look for surprises, too, on the seasonal weekly menu, which is full of interesting ingredients and unusual combinations.

The dark-wood-paneled walls, parquet floor, and multiple rooms of this bustling restaurant across from Gendarmenmarkt have an air of 19th-century Vienna, and the food, too, is mostly German and Austrian, with game served in winter and classic dishes offered year-round. In the Weinhandlung, a cozy room lined with wine shelves, meat and cheese plates are served every day until late.

This intimate restaurant with white tablecloths is owned by Austrians from the small village of Ottenthal and serves as an homage to their country, with interesting and delicious combinations using many organic ingredients. It has the added benefit of being open on Sunday evening, when many of Berlin's fine restaurants are closed. It's a good option for a leisurely meal before catching a show at Theater des Westens around the corner.