A large and lofty restaurant and music venue inside of an old hospital (that kind of looks like a castle). On the menu: modern German food and live rock-and-roll.

Make reservations! This super cozy 22-seater is all about seasonal French plates, depths in taste, and unpretentious service (which can be tough to find in this town).

Tucked inside a quiet ivy-and-brick courtyard near Hackeschermarkt, an American dancer-turned-baker creates hearty deli-style sandwiches, soups, salads, and cakes.

Aussies run this fresh-feeling neighborhood coffee shop, where they showcase their love of carefully concocted espresso drinks, toothsome sandwiches, and homemade baked goods.

Serious baristas roast, tamp, tap, and serve excellent espresso drinks in a cramped but cozy spot on a charming block near Mauer Park.

Fantasize about the Austrian coffee houses of the 1920s and play into it: Ask for a window table in the walnut dining room, leisurely read the paper, and stay for an an aperitif.

Charming, white-walled, laid-back, and very neighborhoody. It's on a particularly sunny corner across from a park, and you can enjoy a homemade soup, coffee, or delicate sandwich while catching some rays.

Berliners are very opinionated about their late-night, post-clubbing snack, a sausage cut into bit-size pieces and sprinkled with curry powder. Order with fries, and all the condiments they provide.

Solid Kreuzberg tavern for homespun flammkuchen (German-style pizza), schnitzel, kraut, the works. Summertime means plenty of people-watching from the big outdoor patio.

Thoughtfully cut meats and interesting vegetable sides in a clean, white, dressed-up butcher shop. Quiet. Nice lighting. Excellent meals.

Berlin's only Michelin two-starred restaurant resides at The Regent hotel, complete with white tablecloths, fancy plating, and a little bit of stuffiness.

Incredibly tasty and uncomplicated Korean home-cooking served in a simple shop on a residential street. The walls are covered with Bible verses, as are the laminated menus, which offer bimbimbop and kimchi mixed in with instructions on living a Christian life. Proceeds go to charity.

Korean barbecue joint with a party atmosphere and soju bar next door. Keep up the beat in the bathroom, where you will find toilet karaoke.

Currywurst, the Berlin sausage snack, has been served from this kiosk since 1930. Long lines at lunch and early evening, eat standing up so that you're ready to go for seconds.

Tiny, casual Japanese ramen counter with a small but solid menu of noodle soups. The German ceramicist who owns the place also supplies the lovely dinnerware.

A Bavarian market up front (wooden crates of produce, deli cases), and energetic cafe in the back. Stop in for specialties like spätzle.

Run by two hip guys who know the value of American-style restaurant service and seasonal menus. The ambiance is casual and cool (woods, industrial metals). The meals are lovely and locally inspired. The service can't be beat.

A delicious deli counter, cafe, and dry goods shop adjacent to the throwback general store Manufactum. The bread and cheese selection is top notch. Lots of edible souvenirs you'll want to bring home.

Modern cafe great for meetings with those graphic designers/DJs/stylists. Cool rack of magazines for flipping through while waiting for your latte.

This French bistro was a hopping place for artists and journalists in the post-Wall years. You can still feel the history when you walk in the door, but the waitstaff is a crap shoot (sometimes, attentive and excellent; other times, dismissive). Good steak frites and elbow-rubbing make up for the rest.

Dreamy standalone building that once served as the crossing point for the Paris-Moscow railway is home to a charming French-German restaurant — elegant and Old World inside and out.