The Germans probably have a 45-letter-word that perfectly describes the food of Berlin, but Americans may just think “sausages.” They would be mistaken — currywurst notwithstanding. Berlin is an international city that was once the largest in the world, and its multinational cuisine reflects that. On our recent trip, we ate well at both the Adlon Kempinski and the Orania hotels, and we had great experiences at the following three restaurants.

Bless Restaurant

Opened in 2022 near the Gendarmenmarkt, Bless Restaurant serves Asian fusion that was a refreshing change after a week of Continental fare. In a glam dining room under sparkling chandeliers, we perused a magazine-style menu highlighting its two young chefs, Vinh Ky and Tuyen Pham. Immigrants from Vietnam, they aim to build bridges and bring a “bite of happiness” to diners through their “Indochine” food. We ordered the mixed appetizer called “2 Be Blessed,” with two samples each of Inchi fried chicken, Inchi tempura eggplant — both coated with roasted rice flakes — vegetable dumplings and a mixed-vegetable salad. It was so delicious that we ordered another and followed it with salmon in a wasabi beurre blanc and Tonkin tiger prawns and squid-ink noodles in a carrot-and-crustacean-oil sauce. Some may find the restaurant’s philosophy a tad hokey, but with cheerful servers so quick to smile and eager to please, you start to buy into it. The food seals the deal.

Bless Restaurant
Hausvogteiplatz 10. Tel. (49) 302-061-9795