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Sauerbraten is a conventional sort of German pot roast that’s highly regarded in Berlin. It’s slowly marinated, then braised till tender to create a meat that’s deeply wealthy with tangy-sweet flavors. It’s sometimes served with pink cabbage, potato dumplings, and a wealthy gravy. It’s a must-try dish for any genuine Berlin meals tour.  

What Is Sauerbraten? The Story Behind Germany’s Signature Roast

Sauerbraten is taken into account by many to be Germany’s nationwide dish. Its historical past dates again to the time of Charlemagne when marinating meat in vinegar and spices was a way of preservation earlier than refrigeration.

Over the centuries completely different regional variations developed. Berlin-style sauerbraten is heartier with well-spiced gravy. It’s cherished by Berliners for its deep, slow-cooked flavors and connection to Germany’s wealthy culinary heritage.

The place to Eat Genuine Sauerbraten in Berlin

Discover a few of my favorite sauerbraten spots under.  

Zur letzten Instanz

With a historical past courting again to 1621, Zur letzten Instanz lays declare to being Berlin’s oldest restaurant. Additionally they serve a very genuine Sauerbraten the place you’ll be able to style the heritage whereas eating in such a historic setting.

Zur letzten Instanz model of sauerbraten could be very conventional. They use slowly braised marinated beef, served with a wealthy gravy. Together with traditional sides like pink cabbage and potato dumplings.

I like to recommend making an attempt sauerbraten right here first to expertise what it was and is right now. Then you’ll be able to go to different locations to expertise what sauerbraten could be.

Zur letzten Instanz (€30–40) – Waisenstraße 14-16, 10179 Berlin, Germany.

Max und Moritz

Photograph credit score: Max und Moritz

This beloved tavern in Kreuzberg focuses on hearty, old-school German delicacies, together with a superbly executed sauerbraten. The comfortable, classic ambiance provides to the expertise, making it a fantastic place to get pleasure from a slow-cooked roast paired with native beer.

For those who’re searching for a laid-back setting that additionally provides an genuine style of sauerbraten, that is the place to go. It’s additionally a fantastic alternative to strive different traditional German dishes to begin your Berlin meals tour off on the appropriate foot.

Max und Moritz (€30–40) – Oranienstraße 162, 10969 Berlin, Germany. 

Lebensmittel in Mitte

This can be a fashionable, upscale German restaurant that gives a extra refined model of sauerbraten. It sometimes incorporates seasonal substances that join you with the native terroir of {the marketplace}.

The comfortable but fashionable ambiance makes it a great place for having fun with German classics in an elevated eating expertise. It’s certainly one of my high takes for an important day meal, with sauerbraten that’s concurrently genuine, with minor inventive twists.

Lebensmittel in Mitte (€20–40) – Rochstraße 2, 10178 Berlin, Germany. 

Das Lemke

Photograph credit score: Das Lemke

This can be a craft brewery close to Alexanderplatz, with a Bavarian really feel and nostalgic vibe. Brauhaus Das Lemke pairs its Sauerbraten with house-brewed beer, creating an ideal concord of flavors. You’ll be able to even style the copper kettles they use within the brewing course of, and the way they affect the flavour of the beers.

Their tackle sauerbraten includes a deep, malty sauce. This each enhances the slow-cooked meat’s richness, whereas additionally creating an ideal complement to lots of the beers they’ve on faucet. Making it what is perhaps the right spot in Berlin to get pleasure from beer and sauerbraten on the identical time.

Das Lemke (€20–30) – S-Bahnbogen 143, Dircksenstraße, 10178 Berlin, Germany.

Wilhelm Hoeck 1892

Wilhelm Hoeck is conveniently close to Charlottenburg Palace, making it a straightforward cease for a meal after touring. With a historical past courting again to 1892, it’s certainly one of Berlin’s oldest pubs, with a nostalgic ambiance that matches the centuries-old conventional German menu.

They’re finest recognized to the locals for dishes like flammkuchen, and small plates experiences that pair with the staggering assortment of German beers they’ve on faucet. Nonetheless, I feel their sauerbraten can be a secret gem, that fantastically showcases the hearty Berlin model of the dish.

In an ideal world, you could possibly tour the Charlottenburg Palace within the afternoon. Then cease at Wilhelm Hoeck for some small plates appetizers and beers. All main as much as a principal course of a few of Berlin’s finest sauerbraten.

Wilhelm Hoeck 1892 (€20–30) – Wilmersdorfer Str. 149, 10585 Berlin, Germany.

Cooking Sauerbraten in Berlin: The place to Be taught the Recipe

For those who’re wanting to grasp the artwork of Sauerbraten, Berlin provides a wide range of cooking courses and workshops that make it straightforward to study this traditional German dish. It’s particularly good in case you’re staying for greater than per week in a trip rental, the place you can also make sauerbraten in your personal kitchen.

Culinary colleges like Goldhahn & Sampson present hands-on sauerbraten cooking classes. They cowl essential matters like conventional marination strategies, slow-cooking strategies, and learn how to discover the right stability of candy and bitter flavors.

At Berlin Meals Tales Cooking Faculty, professional cooks will information you thru all the course of, from choosing high-quality substances to getting ready genuine facet dishes like pink cabbage and potato dumplings. Additionally they have a big selection of different dishes, which can assist you go deep into classical German delicacies.

Kochhaus in Berlin provides a deeply immersive expertise with non-public sauerbraten workshops. These intensive courses are the right alternative so that you can refine your culinary abilities.

Sources:

Zur Letzten Instanz. (n.d.). Zur Letzten Instanz – Berlin’s oldest restaurant. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://zurletzteninstanz.com/

Instagram. (n.d.). Lebensmittel in Mitte [Instagram location page]. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.instagram.com/discover/places/605449233178652/lebensmittel-in-mitte/

Max und Moritz. (n.d.). Max und Moritz Restaurant Berlin. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from http://maxundmoritzberlin.de/

Goldhahn und Sampson. (n.d.). Goldhahn und Sampson On-line Store. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.goldhahnundsampson.de/store/index.php?language=en

Instagram. (n.d.). Kochhaus [Instagram profile]. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.instagram.com/kochhaus/

Wilhelm Hoeck 1892. (n.d.). Wilhelm Hoeck Berlin. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from http://www.wilhelm-hoeck.de/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Berlin meals excursions. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/berlin/