Our cozy front dining room - Cafe Berlin, Washington, DC

This restaurant now offers Takeout

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Cafe Berlin

Name: Cafe Berlin
Address: 322 Massachusetts Avenu, NE, Washington, DC, United States, 20005
Telephone: (202) 543-7656
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.8

4.8

2019 Reviews

$30 and under

German

Top Tags:

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

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Aug 8, 2022

11:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

Order delivery or takeout

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
Website
http://www.cafeberlin-dc.com/
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.

Location
322 Massachusetts Avenu, NE, Washington, DC 20005
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

Wassermelonen Gazpacho$5.00
a refreshing cold soup of watermelon, tomatoes, onion, cucumbers, herbs and spices
Pikante Goulash Suppe$5.00
hearty beef and vegetable soup seasoned with paprika
Vesperplatte$28.00
leberkäse, German salami, Schwartzwalder Schinken, bierschinken, leberwurst, Emmentaler, Saxon, Alpinekäse, Obatzter, house pickled veggies, Bavarian-style pretzel, pickled red onion, cornichon
Bretzel$11.00
two Bavarian style pretzels with a trio of mustards or Obatzter (bier cheese spread made with beer, Camembert, butter, toasted caraway and smoked paprika)
Kartoffel Pfannkuchen$8.00
potato pancakes, house made applesauce, sour cream
Sauerkraut Bälle$9.00
sauerkraut and cheese, breaded, fried, with whole grain mustard aioli
Currywurst Appetizer$8.00
grilled sausage, curry sauce
Melonesalat$15.00
cantaloupe, watermelon, heirloom cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, shallots, burrata, lemon, olive oil
Gemischte Salatplatte$16.00
four German salads: tomato-onion, cucumber salad, kohlrabi- apple, carrot-apple-orange
Wurstsalat$18.00
fleishwurst, roasted potatoes, grilled green beans, mustard vinaigrette
Flammkuchen$12.00
German flat bread topped with sour cream, onions, leeks, & bacon
Blumenkohl$9.00
fried curry breaded cauliflower florets, lemon-caper aoili

Entrees

Wiener Schnitzel$28.00
veal top round, pounded thin, breaded, pan fried, choice of two sides
Jägerschnitzel$22.00
pork loin, pounded thin, breaded, pan fried, bacon and mushroom gravy, spätzle
Sauerbraten$28.00
red wine marinated braised beef roast, potato dumpling, & red cabbage
Hühnerschnitzel$20.00
chicken breast, pounded thin, breaded, pan fried, mushroom-bacon cream gravy, spätzle
Forelle Mullerin$24.00
whole trout, almond butter, fennel, apple and cucumber salad, grilled lemon, Yukon gold-potatoes
Bayerisches Bier Goulasch$23.00
dark beer & paprika seasoned stewed beef, spätzle, red cabbage
Wurstfeast$29.00
bratwurst, knackwurst, bauernwurst, debriziner, Nürnberger, choice of two sides
- Half Order$24.00
Konigsburger Klopse$22.00
a twist on the classic; wild boar meatballs, caper cream sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans
Leipziger Allerlei$20.00
asparagus, peas, haricot vert, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, new potatoes, herb-butter sauce
Kabeljau$24.00
cod filet, roasted baby Yukon gold potatoes, baby heirloom tomatoes, basil, lemon filet, crème fraiche, olive oil

Sides

Sauerkraut
fermented cabbage, stewed with bacon
Bratkartoffel
roasted potatoes, onion, bacon
Spätzle
rustic egg noodle
Käsespätzle
German-style mac and cheese
Kartoffelknödel
potato dumpling
Gemuse
seasonal vegetable
Ghurkinsalat
cucumber, dill, sour cream
Rotkohl
braised sweet and sour red cabbage, apples and onions
Kartoffelsalat
German style potato salad made with cucumbers and shallots

Dessert

Apfelstrudel mit Vanilla Eis$18.00
pink lady apples and raisins baked to order in cinnamon specked pastry; served with house-made vanilla ice cream
Schokoladekuchen mit Vanilla Eis$12.00
warm chocolate cake, salted caramel, house made vanilla ice cream
Olivenöl Kuchen$13.00
lemon olive-oil cake, strawberry ice cream, lime crème fraiche
Rote Grutze$12.00
compote of currants, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, gooseberries, orange zest & mint, served with house-made vanilla ice cream
Eiskaffee$9.00
house-made vanilla ice cream topped with coffee or the boozy version with Cold Brew Jagermeister

What 2,019 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

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Filters

RD
RobD
Washington DC
32 reviews
vip
5.0
32 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding and authentic German food. The outdoor patio is inviting and relaxing. The ivy-covered entry arches are a nice feature and appointment for the patio. The inside dining is very quaint and relaxing also. Best German food restaurant in DC and perhaps the best I've ever been to.
DD
DennisD
Baltimore
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful food, great service. We all had an enjoyable time.
MB
MattB
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
It’s my favorite place for great German food and beer.
JP
JPerry
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience3
The food tastes like authentic German food. Would recommend trying it out.
TG
TwoGuysDC
Washington DC
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience3
We were not happy with the fact there was a large table of drunken partiers seated in the same room. The other tables were almost all couples on a date night. We had said that in our reservation. Everything else was great! We will go back soon in the hope that the partiers were an anomaly and that the atmosphere will be better next time!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful! Excellent, authentically tasting food!
AT
AmyT
Houston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
After living in Germany, it is refreshing to taste yummy German food again! The spatzle was spot on. We even returned for a second time in our short week of visiting DC!
C
Charlie
Washington DC
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on July 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Always a wonderful evening dining here. One of our most favorite dining places. Good food, service, and atmosphere at an affordable price. Especially a good time during October Fest.
CS
ChrisS
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I brought two of my good friends here for delicious food and quiet ambiance. We've been here before and we love the place. We are looking forward to the next time
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
vip
3.0
1 review
Dined on July 14, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience3
Mittagskarte ist sehr dünn.
WJ
WandJ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Authentic, delicious German food, and we loved the beer choices!
SD
SDGMS
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Enjoyed one of Cafe Berlin’s most charming feature, the outside beer garden.
LS
LauraS
Washington DC
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on July 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and wonderful service! The new owners have made it their own and it shows
k
k123
Dallas
30 reviews
vip
5.0
30 reviews
Dined on June 26, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
The apple streudel was stellar. It was as good as I have had in my frequent travels to Germany.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Denver
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on June 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great authentic German food
p
preston
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Been going to Cafe Berlin for years. Never disappoints. Great food. Attentive staff. Excellent menu options for food and adult beverages.
PM
PatM
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food is authentic and delicious. My wife and I split the Jaegerschnitzel and added several sides. It all tasted as good as any I had in Germany when stationed there. Can’t recommend them enough. I intend to go back soon and often.
S
Stephen
Washington DC
165 reviews
vip
3.0
165 reviews
Dined on June 16, 2022
overall3food2service2ambience3
Cafe Berlin used to be our favorite German restaurant in the DC area. Since the pandemic, their food and service has become erratic. Dishes that are good on one visit are not so good the next time. The beer selection is excellent and if you live near the restaurant, it is a great place to sit outside and enjoy a German beer. The Currywurst appetizer was good but the bread came after we had finished it and there was a charge for the bread. The main dishes were so so. The Wiener Schnitzel was soggy; the Sauerbraten was tender but cooked with too much vinegar as was the red cabbage that came with it; the Hungrian Goulash tasted as though the paprika was added at the end, rather than cooked into the dish. I grew up in a home that ate German food, so I know what these dishes should taste like. Lastly, the Apfelstrudel mit Vanilla Eis was excellent. In keeping with the erratic theme, it was poor the previous time we came and excellent the time before. The owners need to work on bringing the restaurant back to its previous levels of excellence. I would recommend coming for a beer with appetizers and finishing off with desert.
RJ
RoryJ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good was delicious, staff was kind and helpful navigating the menu. Definitely will be back.. oh and great beer list
DF
DavisF
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and great beer. Outdoor seating with a German beer garden vibe. Rotating specials. Friendly servers.
d
delrayfoodie
Washington DC
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on May 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The outside patio with great authentic German beer and food can't be beat!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this place. The staff, food and ambiance is what always brings me back. It feels like home.
m
michaelg
Washington DC
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
a terrific german restaurant.....very good food and friendly service.....and it is quiet
M
Maggie
Washington DC
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience4
The food was fine as were the alcoholic beverages. However, an ice tea ordered was basically water and a Diet Coke was watered down so much that it too was like water.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wunderbar!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Memphis/West TN
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall4food4service2ambience2
Little annoyed. When we arrived at the restaurant it was 3:50pm and the hostess told us there were only taking customers with reservations until 6:30pm. I then got on the website and made a reservation for 4:15pm and was seated. The next group of people behind us were told no walk-ins until 5:45pm and turned them away when there were plenty of reservations still available online.
E
Elena
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
Adventurous dining for us. We don’t have access to ethnic German food near us and this was just perfect. We thoroughly enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, attentive staff, exotic lagers and delicious food!
TF
TomF
Washington DC
36 reviews
5.0
36 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We dine here every time we travel to DC. The food is authentic and delicious. The staff is very helpful and attentive without rushing us. We’ll be back Labor Day weekend.
MM
MeredithM
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Cafe Berlin is great! Excellent food and beer selection. Friendly and helpful staff. Outside patio is nice and relaxing. Would totally recommend
k
kjgardner
Baltimore
13 reviews
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on May 11, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
We enjoyed the patio seating for lunch. I was disappointed that they did not have any maibock on draft (pre-pandemic they always had it in April and May), but the hefeweizen was good and my friends enjoyed their pilsner and gruner veltliner. My venison sandwich with a side of coleslaw was very tasty and something you won't see on very many menus. Servers Chicago and Hannah were very attentive and we appreciated their convivial attitude.
Cafe BerlinResponded on May 13, 2022Thanks so much for your feedback, Kevin. It was great to have you back dining at Cafe Berlin. We too are disappointed we don't yet have the Maibock! We are still waiting on our Maibock delivery (which hopefully will arrive today!). Global shipping is still quite a mess with shippers needing to pay a premium to secure space on the small number of vessels that are coming from Europe.
SS
StevenS
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience4
the food was outstanding and the service very attentive. I had the pork medallions special with delicious. The asparagus was done just right. My wife said the trout was tremendous. They have a good size beer list with some german choices that you will not find just every place. The wine list is also a nice size. I had not been since the pandemic but will return again soon. The entire dinner was a delight and the choices of deserts just cap off the night wonderfully.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience4
Went for Mother’s Day. Nice experience. Sadly they were out of trout (what I had most looked forward to and there aren’t many other GF options) and noodles which is what I was counting on my children eating. A bit disappointing they couldn’t make more noodles, especially since it took a long time for the food to come out.
CE
ChristinaE
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were there on Mother’s Day and everything was great! I brought my mother who is from Berlin Germany. She loved the food but had a comment about the goulash - she says the meat pieces should be smaller cube sizes as to absorb more flavor.
C
Carin
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Never disappoints in any way. Always much more than a meal but more like an event! Just love the place.
LK
LisaK
Washington DC
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Tasty German food, good portion sizes, friendly staff. Street parking was easy and free the Sunday I went. FYI not currently serving brunch (just lunch and dinner).
RG
RichardG
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
The German food was excellent - like I remembered it from time in Germany. The service was good for our group of 8, but obviously pressed by understaffing.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
Great evening with my family who sees their restaurant business like a family!
B
Brooklander
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Nothing to add.
HB
HeatherB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Fresh, deliciously prepared German food. Outdoor seating in a quiet neighborhood.
CS
ChrisS
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I have been to Cafe Berlin recently and in years past. I brought 3 friends with me who all love the place. We were all there just a month ago..same 4 friends. We sat at the small bar for dinner last night because 1) there was room for all 4 of us, and 2) because we all know and love Timmy Cousins, the bartender. Food was awesome, and the German Beer was the best!! Highly recommended.

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 4.8 stars by 2019 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Aug 8, 2022

11:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

Order delivery or takeout

322 Massachusetts Avenu, NE, Washington, DC 20005

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

Website
http://www.cafeberlin-dc.com/
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.

This restaurant now offers Takeout

Cafe Berlin

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Sauerkraut

Wiener Schnitzel

Sauerbraten

Starters

Wassermelonen Gazpacho$5.00

Pikante Goulash Suppe$5.00

Vesperplatte$28.00

Bretzel$11.00

Kartoffel Pfannkuchen$8.00

Sauerkraut Bälle$9.00

Currywurst Appetizer$8.00

Melonesalat$15.00

Gemischte Salatplatte$16.00

Wurstsalat$18.00

Flammkuchen$12.00

Blumenkohl$9.00

Entrees

Wiener Schnitzel$28.00

Jägerschnitzel$22.00

Sauerbraten$28.00

Hühnerschnitzel$20.00

Forelle Mullerin$24.00

Bayerisches Bier Goulasch$23.00

Wurstfeast$29.00

Konigsburger Klopse$22.00

Leipziger Allerlei$20.00

Kabeljau$24.00

Sides

Sauerkraut

Bratkartoffel

Spätzle

Käsespätzle

Kartoffelknödel

Gemuse

Ghurkinsalat

Rotkohl

Kartoffelsalat

Dessert

Apfelstrudel mit Vanilla Eis$18.00

Schokoladekuchen mit Vanilla Eis$12.00

Olivenöl Kuchen$13.00

Rote Grutze$12.00

Eiskaffee$9.00

Overall ratings and reviews

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Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Screening

FAQs

Does Cafe Berlin offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Cafe Berlin restaurant rated?

Is Cafe Berlin currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information