A guide to brunching in Berlin

Dip, dive, and gorge on the city’s most delicious and accessible brunches, on offer all hours for the intrepid Berlin explorer.

In a city so known for its all-night partying, it’s worth knowing that you’ll need a lie-in. When you wake ravenous and hungry to explore this historic town that never sleeps, brunch should be the first thing on your to-do list. Whether it’s vegan and nutritious, or bottomless with cocktails and beers as you continue the party, the German capital’s got something delicious and convenient for any breed of bruncher. The world-renowned breakfast and lunch needn’t be a sad fruhstuck at a tourist cafe at Alexanderplatz. Follow our insider hacks to make sure your sustenance is top tier and affordable; like everything in Berlin, including your hangover after the best night of your life.

The Kate Moss of brunch: DAS GIFT

This place is the rock and roll stumble-into brunching place du jour. Served conveniently from midday on Saturdays and Sundays is a hearty plethora of German-meets-Scottish comforts from porridge to grilled cheese toasties to haggis mac and cheese, to, of course, sausage and eggs. If you’re lucky, they might be serving their mini-famous Naggis Hachos (that’s nachos with Scottish haggis after too many drinks). Nurture yourself further with one of their tap brews or a lethally strong and tasty Bloody Mary, and keep your table from day to night as the coolest kids of Neukolln fill the space with local DJs and a constant air of cool.

Setting the standard for brunches globally: GEIST IM GLAS

When whoever invented brunch did so, Gleis im Glas was present. Sprawling yet stylish, nutritious yet filling, colorful and moreish to the max, this is brunch at its finest. Flickering candles and cute, kitschy details surround tiny tables, complimenting your Mexican inspired huevos rancheros (black beans, baked eggs, sour cream, pico de gallo and much more served on a wooden board and pan) or their star dish: pancakes that make waiting till late morning worth every stomach rumble. (Book ahead or expect to queue on weekends and maybe even Thursdays (Wednesday night’s the new Saturday).

Brunch coctails at Geist im Glas.

Instagram paradise: HOUSE OF SMALL WONDERS

For a beautiful restorative experience that isn’t just a nap or a spa, come here. You may recognize its green, leaf-laden spiral staircase from Instagram: it’s one of the most coveted photographic environments in the city. From the same creators of the resplendent Zenkichi in the same neighborhood, Mitte, HOSW picks up on and accentuates with perfect quirk, the simple joys, and pleasures of things done simply all in a light-filled, high ceilinged wonderland. Asian twists on American brunches— that’s everything from an inspired eggs benedict with wasabi hollandaise to soboro don with sweet egg. Pair with umeshu tonic or pink mimosas and don’t forget your final daily kick: a green matcha latte.

Beautiful interior at House of Small Wonders.

Stepping back in time in Schoneberg: APRIL

Oh, April. This is old style Berlin glamor at its least debauched: dark, paneled walls, tall glinting stick candles, and the West’s fur and glove-kitted bourgeoisie sipping on coffee, fresh orange juice and the most satisfyingly traditional yet exuberant fruhstuck platters your yearning overly-peckish self could ever want. Outside of the usual ham and chorizo and cheese explosions of plenty, there’s also smoked salmon and apricot jams and freshly baked bread that will keep you here for hours, listening to the gentle chatter of those who wouldn’t be seen dead at the nightclubs—only the cabaret.

Brunch at Geist im Glas.

The vampire’s choice: SCHWARZES CAFE

After all is said and done, your sense of time and space while in Berlin might be slightly askew, and that’s OK because the city and the kitchen here at Schwarzes Cafe have got your back. That’s right, it’s 24 hours of breakfast plates and sandwiches for whenever you surface and feel the need to feed—note, the only time it’s closed is between 3 and 10am on Tuesdays which is apparently when the whole city decides to have a quick siesta. It’s laid back and relaxed, with snug armchairs, dark corners and a lovely terrace, and offers oodles of continental and hot breakfast options with any extra additions at a tiny price. You can, of course, on top of your black coffee at Black’s, get champagne, cocktails and a straight up pilsner to wash down your fruhstuck—fuel for the dedicated Berliner.

Don’t get stuck at home. Get fruhstuck in Berlin! WOW air offers cheap flights to Berlin from USA and Canada every day of the week, all year round. Find your flight at wowair.com.