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  3. Washington, D.C. Area
  4. District of Columbia
  5. Capitol Hill
Our cozy front dining room - Cafe Berlin, Washington, DC
This restaurant now offers Takeout

This restaurant now offers Takeout

Bring the restaurant to you. Order and pay for food directly on OpenTable.

Cafe Berlin

4.7
4.7
2118 Reviews
$30 and under
German
Café Berlin has been serving authentic German cuisine on Capitol Hill since 1985. It occupies the ground floor of three townhouses whose front yards serve as Biergarten for outdoor dining. The interior features a small bar and two cozy dining rooms. The restaurant is located within a short walking distance of Union Station and the U.S. Capitol. It draws politicians, congressional staffer, and tourists as well a loyal following of neighborhood residents. The traditional dishes are authentically prepared with lighter touch by chefs with extensive experience in German cuisine. In addition to the regular menu, the restaurant offer seasonally changing menus that feature fresh asparagus in the spring, salads and light fares in the summer, Bavarian dishes during Oktoberfest in the fall, and wild game in the winter. Desserts which are freshly made in-house include apple strudel, black forest cake, and luscious cream tortes. The bar offers a selection of imported German beers and wines.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 17 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    German, European

  • Hours of operation

    Wed, Thu 3:00 pm–9:00 pm Wed–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–9:30 pm Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (202) 543-7656

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Rico Glage

  • Catering

    Pick-up catering is available in the DC area. Contact us for more information.

  • Private party facilities

    Our private dining room can accommodate up to 45 people sit-down dinner and up to 60 people open buffet, cocktail etc.

  • Neighborhood

    Capitol Hill

  • Cross street

    Between 3rd & 4th

  • Parking details

    We are located in a residential neighborhood where street parking is typically ample. Alternately, Union Station is just 2 blocks away and has a large parking garage.

  • Public transit

    Union Station on the red line is only 2 short blocks away.

  • Additional

    Beer, Beer Garden, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine

Popular dishes

What 2,118 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

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  1. BenB

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service2ambience4
    If you're looking for authentic German cuisine in DC look no further. Everything is absolutely German (from the curry wurst to the imported beers) and even the chefs are German. Food and drink is high quality. Service is a bit German too, if you know what that means. (But to me, that's actually part of the charm.) I love this place.
  2. SallyD

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Cafe Berlin is our go to place to entertain in our neighborhood!
  3. Stephen

    Washington DC

    174 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    174 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    The venison was very tasty as were the accompanying vegtables. If you like German beer, as I do, this is the place to come for dinner if you are in the area.
  4. KevinS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was phenomenal! The German beer selection was not as diverse as I was hoping, but they were all good. Inside dining was quiet enough to maintain table conversations, but not boring.
  5. SuzannatheFoodie

    Pittsburgh

    83 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    83 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, wine, and service!
  6. Nayzie

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Cafe Berlin does not disappoint. Thank you again for a great meal and excellent service.
  7. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    5 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    It was a fun place to try good German food (from a Norwegian) 😊
  8. ZGoze

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 23, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Beer was great, the food was good, and the portions were quite large.
  9. SabineW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I eat deer for the first time and it was delicious! The Apple cider with pinapple rum was really warming me up!
  10. OpenTable Diner

    Stuttgart

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As a German I can say the Schnitzel is very good and the Spätzle came out great. Very authentic German food.
  11. LADR

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Cafe Berlin is a charming, quiet, restaurant with exceptional service and delicious German inspired cuisine! Love the cozy bar, variety of beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. We've dined inside, outside on the beautiful patio, and attended special catered events in their large dining room. We've never been disappointed and will continue to return. I highly recommend Cafe Berlin!
  12. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Craving real German food. So happy we tried here. Pricing a little high for a few items (dessert) but was good quality, just little high. Will still eat here just share a few of the more pricey items.
  13. RedLady55

    Boise

    31 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on January 27, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Cafe Berlin has great German food and we enjoyed the evening. The interior dining room wasn’t particularly special but nice, I imagine the outdoor dining would be excellent when it’s not winter. The service was super and the sound level was good, I could easily hear our table mates conversation. I would definitely go again but it’s not a special event place, more of a neighborhood gem.
  14. Carls

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of Capitol Hill's true gems. Never disappoints. Tim, the bartender, is an absolute rockstar. Rest of the staff friendly, efficient, and welcoming.
  15. SavannahA

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Had a lovely dinner here, great food at a great price, even looking at other tables their food looked delicious as well. Will definitely be coming back!
  16. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall1food5service4ambience5
    Went for restaurant week, the restaurant didn't end up having half of the options, and they were no not willing to substitute. Moral of the story. We paid a lot of money just to be told we can't have anything.
  17. Jeff

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place! Love the chicken schnitzel.
  18. RichardF

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    It’s always a pleasure to come here..great food,comfortable seating, easy noise level..it’s consistently a great time
  19. MSB23

    Washington DC

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent German food; friendly service; good ambience.
  20. WilliamU

    Miami

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 4, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Food and service were OK, but not nearing excellent or very good in any way.
  21. Intleater

    Cincinnati

    69 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    69 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    A true classic! If you have a yen for true German food, this is the place to be.
  22. ZToto

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had reservations at 9:30 exact time when the kitchen closes, to be on the safe side we called them and made our order. When we got there the waiter was very nice and welcomed us and our food was ready Excellent service and excellent food !! We had a great time
  23. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We hadn’t been to this old mainstay in >10 years and we’re glad we came back! Very cozy, very German and great food! Astrea was excellent, witty, fun and knowledgeable - a server you wish was at every eating establishment!
  24. PariL

    Chicago

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall2food2service3ambience2
    Food was just”ok”. Waiter was great. Owner/manager unfriendly and rude. Will not go back.
  25. Ginkgofan

    Richmond

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    We made a reservation for Christmas dinner. Our party of was seated promptly, but at a table situated almost inside the doorway of the back dining room. One of our party was sat at the end of 2 smaller tables pushed together, and felt jostled every time a waitstaff or guest passed through to the other dining area. Seating was too tight to be entirely comfortable, however, the food and experience overall was excellent. The one in our group that ordered venison received a very small dinner portion of steak conpared to the portion sizes of our other dishes ordered, but it was cooked very nicely. Christmas goose was worth the trip from Leesburg.
  26. DCFeline

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food and service.
  27. Schmerzer

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Cafe Berlin for Christmas Dinner. What a delight! The venison was excellent.
  28. Sandy

    Washington DC

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Potato pancakes and sauerbraten meet the standard. The holiday serving team was above and beyond. We were first to arrive for the Christmas dinner crowd, so we got my favorite table and had time to confirm our menu choices. The food overall was very good. The host was focused and professional. Can see going back to Cafe Berlin fro another special occasion.
  29. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Perfect Christmas Eve dinner!
  30. DavisF

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place for a special occasion, or a date night, or a place to bring the family, or a dinner with friends, or an average Wednesday. You get the idea. This is a nice establishment, with authentic German food, nice ambience, and friendly servers. The menu changes regularly, and there are often specials. Christmas Eve dinner was terrific.
  31. ThomasH

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    It was our Christmas present to each other, and we came for the special Christmas Eve goose - served with Farina dumplings, rotkraut, chestnuts and a marzipan stuffed apple. It was a delicious, home style german Christmas feast that was worth the cab fare into DC and back! The atmosphere and friendliness of the staff was great; they let us in early when our ride dropped us off 30 min too soon, even though they were not open for service yet. Danke Schoen!!!
  32. EricE

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food …the best German fare in the DC area
  33. Lindsay

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We tried to make reservations for the next night but they’re closed Mondays! Def coming back to DC just for the food here, the pheasant was out of this world & schnitzel amazing.
  34. GnoRules

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful time at Cafe Berlin. The food was great and the staff was really friendly and attentive. I would definitely come again.
  35. DanielH

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Cafe Berlin does not disappoint! Outstanding food, great service, and a nice atmosphere. Have been going here for years and will continue for years to come!
  36. bobdindc

    Washington DC

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Friends and I went to Cafe Berlin for our annual Christmas dinner and had another great meal!
  37. MichaelW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    When we travel to Washington, D.C., Cafe Berlin is the very first place we dine at!
  38. WilliamG

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2022

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    The food quality has dropped off significantly. Have been going there for years but will not be returning.
  39. HollyH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food Service was friendly and knowledgeable
  40. EKZoo

    Washington DC

    89 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    89 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We always enjoy our meal. Veal schnitzel & potatoes & red cabbage.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Extra space between tables
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

Cafe Berlin offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 543-7656.

Cafe Berlin is rated 4.7 stars by 2118 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 17 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Cafe Berlin

322 Massachusetts Avenu, NE, Washington, DC 20002

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Between 3rd & 4th

  • Neighborhood

    Capitol Hill

  • Hours of operation

    Wed, Thu 3:00 pm–9:00 pm Wed–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–9:30 pm Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    German, European

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    We are located in a residential neighborhood where street parking is typically ample. Alternately, Union Station is just 2 blocks away and has a large parking garage.

  • Public transit

    Union Station on the red line is only 2 short blocks away.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Rico Glage

  • Additional

    Beer, Beer Garden, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine

  • Phone number

    (202) 543-7656

  • Catering

    Pick-up catering is available in the DC area. Contact us for more information.

  • Private party facilities

    Our private dining room can accommodate up to 45 people sit-down dinner and up to 60 people open buffet, cocktail etc.

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