Berlin Munchies

You’re lucky to grab a seat quickly at the most bustling Vietnamese restaurant in Berlin. Founded years ago by Dat Vuong (his uncle’s muscular portrait still hangs inside), Monsieur Vuong will delight the senses with its scrumptious daily specials and small but rich set menu. Choices are limited, but for the dishes they do, they do well. Apart from the amazing food, the shakes are worth trying as is the yummy ginger tea.

The area is hipster chic, and the place more expensive than other Vietnamese locales in town, but if you’re looking to splurge a bit and don’t mind waiting 15 minutes for a seat, Monsieur Vuong won’t disappoint.

Monsieur Vuong. Alte Schonhauser 46, Mitte.

Falafel is a Berliner food staple, but a place that has mastered the fine art is DaDa Falafel, right off Oranienburger Tor in Mitte. The DaDa Plate (pictured) comes piled sky-high with tabouleh, baba ghanoush, kofta, haloumi, hummus, tahini, and loads of more yummy sauces and mezze. The freshly pressed orange-carrot juice is a treat, and don’t forget to grab a seat in the adjacent art gallery, which lets you take your DaDa Plate inside and peruse the collection.

Prices are slightly higher than in Kreuzberg or Friedrichshain, but in a neighborhood plagued by tacky, tourist filled restaurants, DaDa Falafel is a welcomed retreat.

DaDa Falafel. Linienstrasse 132, Mitte.

Follow the McDonalds logo-turned-upside-down to find Imbiss, a hole in the wall-style outdoor place specialized in Naan Pizza hybrids. Right in the middle of Kastanienallee you get these culinary weirdos that are strong on the organic side. (”High quality organic water buffalo meat” anyone?) Always good for a yummy surprise!

Kastanienallee 47, where Prenzlauer Berg meets Mitte.

Photo: Naan Pizza with olive paste, dried tomato and ruccola (’italian’), naan pizza with guacamole, dried tomato and ruccola (’green warrior’)