Bertie, a casual fine dining gem in Prenzlauer Berg, has quickly captured the hearts and taste buds of Berliners. While we at Berlin Food Stories definitely contributed in hyping this place over our social channels (our first meal here took our hearts with storm!), it's fair to say that this casual fine dining has managed to capture the Zeitgeist of Berlin’s food culture exceptionally well. Sometimes the answer to a successful restaurant is very simple: Just lower the entry barriers. When this new venture from the Distrikt Coffee and Annelies team opened its doors, lines formed almost immediately. Its success can be attributed to a combination of factors: a crowd-pleasing menu, a welcoming atmosphere, and a commitment to accessibility.
Unlike most Berlin restaurants in the casual fine dining category, Bertie doesn't require reservations. Simply show up, add your name to the list, and enjoy the wait, which is easy to do on this wide Prenzlauer Berg sidewalk with drinks being served to you while you’re waiting. The menu offers a mix of à la carte dishes and an exceptionally diverse and well-curated drinks selection, including the rare drinks trifecta of ice-cold draft beer, natural wine, AND cocktails. If you’re lucky you get two of these in a restaurant, but all three is just a rare case of stars aligning. This combination of appealing factors caters to a wide range of preferences and makes Bertie a heavily versatile and enjoyable dining option.
At the helm of Bertie's kitchen is Head Chef Matthew Maue, a seasoned professional with decades of experience. At his side, his trusted sous chef Victoria Cabred. Maue's vision for an upscale bistro has finally been realized here, after years of opening Annelies, which by all means is Berlin’s (and probably Germany’s) most elaborate breakfast spot. What many don’t know is that Maue never intended Annelies to be a breakfast spot, but that location restrictions made dinner service impossible. Bertie is, in a way, the logical conclusion to Annelies.
Bertie's interior has a notoriously sleek and inviting atmosphere, with booths and tables creating a cozy and crowded space in the best possible way. The menu features sharing plates, a curated wine list, and a comprehensive cocktail program. However, it's the food and service that truly stand out.
It’s fair to say that food generally is fantastic at Bertie, but if you come here for the first time you HAVE to eat these things:
Deviled Eggs: These classic comfort food dish is elevated with a touch of smoked egg yolk.
Flatbread with Mussels and Saffron Aioli: This dish is a symphony of textures and flavors, with the aioli creating a delicious hot mess when it melts onto the hot bread.
Beef & Cheese Sandwich: This monstrous creation, with wonderfully sliced beef in a brioche bun that gets dunked in a gravy, is messy, decadent, and undeniably tasty.
Chicken Caesar Schnitzel: A classic Caesar salad ON a crispy chicken schnitzel? Brilliant in every way.
Side Salad: Might sound simple, but the crispy salad is doused with the perfect dressing and then drowned in even greater Deichkäse and it’s everything a salad should be.
Buffalo Wings: Are these the best wings in Germany? With their perfect balance of crispy texture, flavor and spice (they are dipped in a Franks Red Hot Sauce and Butter Emulsion, then drizzled with blue cheese dressing) we say “hell yes they are!”.
Bertie's sides are equally impressive, and dessert friends will be delighted to find the egg white flan, a familiar favorite from Annelies. In just a short time, Bertie has become a local sensation and the restaurant's strong menu, professional kitchen, and exceptional service make it a must-visit for foodies in Berlin.
