As the year of 2025 kicks off, Berlin’s restaurant scene finds itself in the usual post-holiday lull - chefs lament empty dining rooms, and the city’s brutal winter makes hibernation seem far more appealing than a night out. But despite the gloom, the first half of 2025 promises a handful of truly exciting openings, some of which could easily become destination restaurants with the potential to shake up Berlin's culinary landscape.
Without having tasted a single dish yet - and thus without passing judgment on quality - we have composed the most highly anticipated restaurant openings of early 2025, purely based on the pedigree of the people behind them and the industry buzz they’ve already generated.
1. STOKE
Japanese-inspired charcoal and wood-fire cooking in Kreuzberg
Few restaurant projects in recent memory have garnered as much anticipation as Stoke, a project that’s been in the works for a few years. Behind it are Jeffrey Claudio, Jessica Tan, and Niklas Harmse, three names that have made Berlin's (end Europe's) food enthusiast pay extra close attention to this particular opening.
Jeffrey Claudio, the head chef, brings serious firepower to the table—having worked in some of the world’s best restaurants, he’s particularly known for his expertise in yakitori and open-fire cooking. His past includes an executive role at Yardbird in Hong Kong, widely regarded as one of the city’s most important yakitori restaurants. Jessica Tan, Stoke’s restaurant manager and beverage lead, adds further credibility with her extensive industry experience, and Niklas Harmse (co-founder of Slurp Ramen in Copenhagen) provides additional, advisory muscle. The crew also already made a name for themselves during last summers's Torikabin Yakitori Popup on the rood of Aufbauhaus on Moritzplatz.
Located near Axel Springer in Kreuzberg, the team has been meticulously renovating their space, with the opening now just weeks away. The menu will center around yakitori and kushiyaki skewers, with a strong focus on Japanese techniques adapted to European ingredients. Given the talent behind this project, Stoke has all the potential to be one of the biggest openings of the year
WHERE? Kreuzberg
OPENING? February 2025
2. ROMEO
A serious love letter to sandwiches
If there’s one thing Berlin has historically been bad at, it’s sandwiches. But Romeo, a café dedicated to celebrating sandwich culture, is on a mission to fix that.
Created by Rochelle Bambery and Ola Holboom, Romeo has already built a following through a series of well-received pop-ups over the past year. The sandwiches they’ve put out so far look leagues ahead of Berlin’s usual bread based misery, promising the kind of sandwich culture that makes a sandwich worthy of being a full meal, not just a functional snack.
The menu will feature a mix of toasted and fresh sandwiches, made with homemade focaccia and bread rolls, alongside rotating specials, daily desserts, and high-quality coffee. In a city that still clings to its Stulle legacy, Romeo might just usher in a new era of proper sandwiches—and we’re all for it.
WHERE? Lausitzer Str. 43
WHEN? May 2025
3. ARIS
A Peruvian-inspired greasy spoon with serious chops
Chef Ariana Pelevisani (formerly of Julius, the casual sister restaurant of Ernst) is behind Aris, a simple yet promising all-day neighborhood restaurant. The concept? A greasy spoon with a Peruvian twist, offering affordable comfort food with bold flavors.
While details on the exact menu are still scarce, Pelevisani’s culinary pedigree suggests a deep understanding of flavor. With Berlin’s dining scene still lacking in quality, casual Peruvian offerings, this could fill a much-needed gap - especially if it delivers on its promise of great food in a relaxed, no-fuss setting.
WHERE? TBD
WHEN? Q2 2025
4. BASTA
The evolution of Lobb - a hotel restaurant with attitude
If you were lucky enough to experience Lobb, the pop-up at Casa Camper Hotel last summer, you’ll know why this next project is one to watch. The team behind it, Arash Ghassemi and chef Cecilia Baldszus, made such an impact that they’ve been commissioned to take over the space permanently.
Basta will be an all-day eatery in the iconic locaiton at the heart of Mitte, serving daily breakfast plus business lunch and dinner four days a week. It aims to capture the spirit of Lobb—a concept built around simple yet well-executed food, great cocktails, and what they call “brutal hospitality”.
What made Lobb so special wasn’t just the food—it was the energy, the vibe, and the effortless drinking culture that made it a go-to spot for those in the know. If Basta can channel that same spirit, expect it to become one of Mitte’s new hotspots before summer even begins.
WHERE? Casa Camper Hotel, Weinmeisterstr. 1, 10178 Berlin
WHEN? Q2 2025
5. Pluto
A no-reservations drinking spot by the Otto crew
When the team behind Otto and Trio opens something new, Berlin takes notice. Their latest venture, Pluto, is set to open on Kastanienallee, and if early descriptions are anything to go by, it’s exactly the kind of place Berliners will love.
Pluto is a project by the head of the Otto "group", Vadim Otto Ursus, and Sören Zuppke, and is essentially Spanish pintxo bar meets a French wine cave, offering simple, well-curated drinking culture. Expect wine, draft beer, and easygoing cocktails, paired with low-key but excellent bar snacks. The menu will include Otto’s signature ham, pig head terrine, chicory salad, marinated mussels, and other rustic small dishes—the kind of food that makes you stay for “just one more drink.”
Designed for drop-ins, pre-dinner pit stops, or post-dinner unwinding, Pluto is shaping up to be one of the most exciting new bars in town—and a natural extension of the Otto team’s effortlessly cool hospitality philosophy.
WHERE? Kastanienallee 27
WHEN? Just opened - so early February 2025
Final Thoughts
From high-concept yakitori and wood-fire cooking to game-changing sandwiches, comforting Peruvian diners, vibey hotel restaurants, and effortlessly cool bars, 2025 is already shaping up to be a fantastic year for Berlin’s food scene.
While it’s still too early to tell which of these restaurants will truly live up to the hype, one thing is certain: these are the places that will have food lovers buzzing in the months to come. Stay hungry, Berlin. And let's eat.
