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Charlottenburg has long been the grand dame of Berlin’s neighborhoods, with a high concentration of elegant, upscale dining spots frequented by long-time area residents. The past few years have seen new life infusing the area, though, which translates to exciting dining destinations.
Chic foodies frequent this sleek Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant from renowned Berlin restaurateur Duc Ngo, which sits behind a graffiti-covered door. The cocktails are top-notch, the sushi and sashimi some of the freshest in town, and the food is wonderfully prepared; South American--inflected dishes such as sashimi taquitos and variations on grilled beef, while not groundbreaking, are full of flavors just a bit different than what you'll find in Berlin's other Asian eateries.
Chef Gal Ben Moshe creates updated Levantine cuisine—a mix of Israeli, Lebanese, Syrian, and Greek cuisine—at his sophisticated restaurant on an unassuming side street off Kantstrasse. The six-course tasting menu, which also comes in a vegetarian version, lets you sample interesting ingredients such as jameed (dried yogurt) and baharat (Middle Eastern all-purpose spice) combined with top-notch meats and seafood.
This relaxed neighborhood restaurant facing a park on Lake Lietzensee focuses on food from Bavaria and the Alps. Excellent renditions of classics like Wiener schnitzel and grilled saddle steak use organic meats and vegetables, and the selection of beer—by the bottle and on tap—is small but includes a range of varieties and regions.
This upscale restaurant on the far western end of Kurfürstendamm is one of the best-kept Italian secrets in Berlin; you won't find many tourists here, but the posh neighborhood's residents pack the cheerful, rustic dining room. The high-quality, straightforward cooking means incredibly fresh salads and appetizers (the foccacia is excellent), as well as homemade bread, exquisite pasta dishes, and more-refined Tuscan and Umbrian creations.
Austrians from the small village of Ottenthal own this intimate restaurant with white tablecloths that serves as an homage to their country, with interesting and delicious combinations using many organic ingredients. It's a good option for a leisurely meal before catching a show at Theater des Westens around the corner.
