The Best Burgers in Kreuzberg

The Best Burgers in Kreuzberg

Burgers in Berlin are no laughing matter and no district seems to take it more seriously than Kreuzberg. So, I went out to see what all the fuss was about and to try find who makes the best burgers in Kreuzberg.

Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg has always been the centre of Berlin’s counterculture and alternative scene. In this modern age, the residents still fight to keep their area free from giant corporations and work hard to support independent shops and retain a sense of community (something Google learnt the hard way).

And although the area is famous for its a diverse range of Turkish cuisine, the suburb sometimes called Little Istanbul, burgers are still a really big deal. Kreuzberg boasts some of the highest-rated burger places in the whole city, in fact. My experience of eating them, all while getting to walk around the fantastic (and sometimes very sobering) cultural landmarks of Kreuzberg, was fun and deliciously interesting.

Burgermeister

TripAdvisor rates Burgermeister as one of the best burgers in all of Berlin. As someone who has eaten some great burgers in this city, I’ve always been a little sceptical of the hype. I mean, the original store is literally in a toilet under a bridge.

But I’ve got to tell you, after trying it (a few times in very short succession) I can see why people would think that. The patty was seasoned perfectly and while the meat was juicy, the bun never lost structural integrity. The skin-on chips were sublime and the chilli cheese fries were the perfect blend of spice and heart-stopping goodness, just what you want when you order that sort of thing. After 3 years of putting it off, I think I’m a Burgermeister convert.

Burgermeister – 2 burgers, 1 normal fries and 1 chilli cheese fries –  Photograph by D.I. Jolly

They currently have two locations. The original one is at Schlesisches Tor (under the bridge, as seen above) and is more of a burger stand. The other is a restaurant in Kottbusser Tor (Kotti). I prefer going to Kotti for a few reasons. I like to sit and eat, the line is shorter and it’s winter so being inside is a big old winner. My opinions might change come summer when I can grab my food to go, pick up a beer from the Spati and sit in a park. But I’m certain the quality won’t.

2 burgers, 2 beers, 1 normal fries and 1 chilli cheese fries will set you back about 21 Euro.

U1 Schlesisches Tor, Oberbaumstraße 8, 10997 Berlin

Skalitzer Str. 136, 10999 Berlin (Kotti)

Points of Interest:

• The original at Schlesisches Tor is near the River Spree. You can grab your burger and sit down by the water, looking over at the wall and East Berlin.

• The other at Kottbusser Tor is near the famous Kottbusser Tor u-Bahn station and around the corner from the alternative club SO36, famous for being frequented by Iggy Pop and David Bowie.

Kumpel & Keule

I’ll be straight up and honest, this might have been the best burger I’ve ever eaten in my life.

Kumpel & Keule – Burger and Chips? Photograph by D.I. Jolly

But at 25 euros for one person, it really should be. The 25 euros got me a beer, a burger and carrot chips. Kumpel & Keule has two locations, a proper sit-down restaurant where I visited and then a burger stand. The restaurant location is decorated like a butcher shop, has shared tables and the staff are slightly eccentric. I’m not saying I minded hearing the kitchen guys singing along with Elvis, I’m just saying be aware it might happen. They provided service which was on point and very charming, happy to offer me advice and help make sure I got exactly what I was in the mood for.

Kumpel & Keule – Sooo Good Photograph by D.I. Jolly

Like I mentioned, the chips were actually fried carrots. They do serve fried whole new potatoes, which looked great, but I like to try new and sometimes strange things. I also wasn’t disappointed with my choice, as the carrots were really good. Surprising, but really good.

But you just couldn’t top that burger – juicy, red in the middle, the bun holding together the whole time. You know, maybe it’s a good thing it’s expensive… because otherwise, I might have to eat every meal there.

Kumpel & Keule – Menu Photograph by D.I. Jolly

The other thing to be aware of is that Kumpel & Keule is technically a steakhouse. The burger options are The Burger, so I guess “options” isn’t exactly the right word. You can, however, have it with the addition of bacon and/or cheese sauce. This lack of variety makes it different from other Kreuzberg burger joints. Some people, myself included, often enjoy a spread of options. But if you’re after the finer things in life, Kumpel & Keule definitely fits the bill. Just a warning though, I’m not the only person who loves this place, so you’re safest bet is to book a table rather than just show up.

Skalitzer Str. 97, 10997 Berlin

Points of Interest:

• Görlitzer Park is basically across the street. A famous park in Berlin, it comes complete with a petting zoo, sports fields, a small lake and u-Bahn station.

Loui’s Burger

Loui’s Burger is a little further out in Bergmannkiez, away from what most tourists know and consider to be Kreuzberg. But this place is no doubt a Kreuzberg burger joint. The staff are non-German, the kitchen is behind the counter and the drinks are inside a fridge where you help yourself. Over in one corner was a customer on their MacBook, possibly writing the next blockbuster movie or best-selling novel.

Loui’s Burger – Menu Photograph by D.I. Jolly

The menu is cool. I really like alternative combinations, so I went with the Salami Burger with some sweet potato fries and onion rings. The patty crumbled slightly, the way homemade patties do, which I always take as a good sign. I particularly liked the onion rings. Not because they were anything special, but because they were exactly the kind of greasy onion rings I wanted with my burger. They did exactly what I was hoping for and I liked that.

Loui’s Burger – Burger S. Potato Fries Onion rings Photograph by D.I. Jolly

The staff were also really nice. I ordered at the counter, but I think if I sat down first they would have actually done proper table service. Beer, burger, sweet potato fries and onions rings came to about 17 euro. So not the cheapest place, but I really liked it.

Zossener Str. 25, 10961 Berlin

Points of interest:

• Loui’s Burger is just down the road from the world-famous Viktoriapark, which houses the national monument for the Napoleonic Wars.

Pudding

If burgers aren’t your thing but you’re keen to visit Kreuzberg and visit a restaurant, check out ‘The Best Asian Restaurants in Kreuzberg’ or ‘The hunt for Japanese Restaurants & Sushi in Kreuzberg’ for ideas.

There are actually so many fantastic places to get burgers in Kreuzberg that I’m sure I missed someone’s favourite. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Where is your favourite place to get a burger?