The Top French Restaurants in Berlin

"Despite sharing a border with the land of Brie, Beaujolais, and Beurre Blanc, Germany has never exactly been a hotbed of classic, high-quality French dining. It's a bit ironic, really, considering French haute cuisine is the backbone of nearly every fine-dining kitchen in Germany. But if you've ever found yourself craving a proper steak frites, a hand-chopped beef tartare, or a steaming bowl of moules marinières in Berlin, you might find that the options can feel surprisingly bleak."

"And yet, something is stirring. After years of absence or attempts that overwork and try to "reinterpret" or "deconstruct", we feel that classical French fare is having a bit of a moment in Berlin. Young chefs are rediscovering the deep satisfaction of proper saucework, dining rooms are embracing white tablecloth energy, and suddenly there are again places where classical cooking is cherished."

"This list is a tribute to that subtle but growing renaissance, an ode to the kind of cooking that made Anthony Bordain weep and open up Les Halles in New York and Pixar produce the masterpiece Ratatouille. These are the French restaurants in Berlin that actually feel French, whether it's a candlelit bistro doing small plates and natty wines or a fancier spot leaning all the way into Escoffier."

Germany has historically lacked a strong tradition of classic, high-quality French dining despite geographic proximity to France and French techniques forming the backbone of many fine-dining kitchens. Berlin often offered few reliable options for staple French dishes like steak frites, hand-chopped beef tartare, and moules marinières. A culinary revival is emerging in Berlin as young chefs rediscover traditional saucework and dining rooms embrace white-tablecloth formality. New and renewed restaurants now prioritize classical techniques and authentic French flavours, ranging from candlelit bistros serving small plates and natural wines to formal kitchens practicing Escoffier-style cuisine.

Read at Berlin Food Stories