Germany

Berlin

Last traveled · May 2018
City Snapshot
Best Months
May–Sep
Ideal Stay
3–4 days
Best For
History & Culture
GF Friendliness
7/10
Language
German
English
Widely
City Size
Large
Currency
Euro (€)

Where to Stay

Recommended
Near Hampton by Hilton Berlin
Where I stayed

Hampton by Hilton Berlin City West

Charlottenburg
Why Stay Here
Reliable Hilton property in western Berlin with complimentary breakfast, close to Kurfürstendamm shopping and well-connected by U-Bahn to all central sights.
Free Breakfast WiFi Gym Bar
Book on Hotels.com

Gluten-Free Survival Guide

Key Phrases (German)
"Ich habe Zöliakie"I have celiac disease
"Ist dieses Gericht glutenfrei?"Is this dish gluten-free?
"Keine Kreuzkontamination, bitte"No cross-contamination, please
Grocery Stores
  • REWE — best "frei von" (free from) section
  • EDEKA — solid GF selection
  • DM — Schär products, good drugstore GF range
  • Alnatura — organic market, many naturally GF items
Naturally Gluten-Free
  • Bratwurst (not breaded) — confirm preparation
  • Kartoffelsalat (potato salad)
  • Sauerkraut
  • Grilled meats without marinade
Berlin-Specific
Berlin's strong vegan scene means more GF-friendly options than most German cities. Brotquelle near the Eastside Gallery is another 100% GF bakery worth seeking out. EU allergen labeling has been required since 2014. Download the DZG (German Celiac Society) app for certified products.
Score Breakdown
Dedicated GF restaurants
Menu labeling
Staff knowledge & safety
Density of GF dining
Grocery availability
7/10Overall GF Score
GF Friendly

GF Friendly Restaurants

9 spots
GF Score 5/5 4/5 3/5 2/5 1/5 Hotel

Simela Finest Food

GF Options
Italian / Pizza
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
GF pizza with buckwheat crust, cute family-owned spot. Separate kitchen and oven for gluten-free preparation.
Location
Charlottenburg
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free
Photo of Simela Finest Food

Sachiko Sushi

GF Options
Japanese / Sushi
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
Quaint sushi bar with a conveyor belt (river boat) that serves up sushi dishes. Sushi is naturally GF-friendly but ask about soy sauce.
Location
Charlottenburg
Photo of Sachiko Sushi

Jute Bäckerei

100% GF
Bakery
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Berlin's FIRST 100% dedicated GF bakery. Bread, pastries, rolls, cakes. Most items are also vegan. Zero cross-contamination risk.
Location
Prenzlauer Berg
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Burgerie

GF Options
Burgers
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
GF buns available, separate fryer. Owner is celiac-aware and takes cross-contamination seriously.
Location
Prenzlauer Berg
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Simela Finest Food (Prenzlauer Berg)

GF Options
Italian / Pizza
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Second location with GF pizza, separate GF oven, and red-marked trays for identification. Mixed reviews on cross-contamination.
Location
Prenzlauer Berg
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Cevicheria

GF Options
Peruvian
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
GF menu available. Not a dedicated facility, but Peruvian cuisine is naturally GF-friendly with its reliance on potatoes, corn, and rice.
Location
Kreuzberg
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

No Milk Today

GF Options
Vegan Café
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Quiches and cakes labeled GF. Not a dedicated facility — shared kitchen, so cross-contamination risk for very sensitive celiacs.
Location
Kreuzberg
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

OAK & ICE

GF Options
Ice Cream
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Artisanal ice cream. Check individual flavors for GF status — many are naturally gluten-free but watch for cookie/brownie mix-ins.
Location
Prenzlauer Berg

Brammibal’s Donuts (Maybachufer)

GF Options
Vegan Bakery
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Cross-contamination with GF donuts noted. Has vegan donuts but not reliably safe for celiacs. Proceed with caution.
Location
Kreuzberg

Landmarks & Must-See Spots

12 spots

Mauerpark

Market
Flea market, karaoke, beer garden. Open karaoke starts at 3pm on Sundays — amazing atmosphere. Really fun, hipster vibe with drinks and food at the flea market.
Prenzlauer Berg
Went here
Photo of Mauerpark

Berlin Wall

Historic
Remnants of the wall that divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. The East Side Gallery stretches 1.3 km along the Spree, covered in murals by international artists.
Friedrichshain
Photo of Berlin Wall

Berlin Wall Memorial

Historic
The main memorial site for the division of Berlin, with a preserved section of the wall, watchtower, and documentation center on Bernauer Straße.
Mitte

Checkpoint Charlie

Historic
The most famous Berlin Wall crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Now a tourist landmark with a small museum.
Mitte
Photo of Checkpoint Charlie

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Historic
2,711 concrete stelae of varying heights covering 19,000 square meters. A powerful, disorienting memorial designed by Peter Eisenman.
Mitte

Reichstag Building

Historic
Home of the German Parliament (Bundestag). The Norman Foster glass dome offers panoramic views — book free rooftop visits in advance.
Mitte
Photo of Reichstag Building

Berliner Fernsehturm

Historic
Berlin's iconic TV Tower at Alexanderplatz. At 368 meters, it's the tallest structure in Germany with an observation deck and revolving restaurant.
Mitte · Alexanderplatz

Berlin Cathedral

Historic
Stunning Renaissance-era cathedral on Museum Island with a massive dome. Climb to the top for views over central Berlin.
Mitte · Museum Island
Photo of Berlin Cathedral

Teufelsberg

Historic
Abandoned Cold War-era NSA listening station built on a man-made hill of WWII rubble. Now covered in street art. Guided tours available.
Grunewald · Western Berlin

Olympiastadion Berlin

Historic
Built for the 1936 Olympics, now home to Hertha Berlin. Tours available to explore the historic stadium and its impressive architecture.
Charlottenburg · Western Berlin
Photo of Olympiastadion Berlin

Görlitzer Park

Nature
Graffiti-covered park in Kreuzberg with people playing music — a hub of the bohemian scene. Avoid at night.
Kreuzberg
Photo of Görlitzer Park

Markthalle Neun

Market
Historic food market hall in Kreuzberg. Street Food Thursday is the main event — local vendors, craft beer, and international flavors.
Kreuzberg

Neighborhoods

Mitte

Historic & central
The historic center of Berlin. Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Museum Island, and the TV Tower are all here. Where most first-time visitors spend their time.

Charlottenburg

Upscale & quieter
Western Berlin's refined district. Charlottenburg Palace, KaDeWe department store, and Kurfürstendamm shopping boulevard. Where we stayed — quieter, well-connected by U-Bahn.

Kreuzberg

Bohemian & edgy
The bohemian heart of Berlin. Street art, nightlife, multicultural food scene, and Görlitzer Park. Markthalle Neun's Street Food Thursday is a highlight.

Friedrichshain

East Berlin & artsy
Former East Berlin district. Home to the East Side Gallery (longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall), RAW-Gelände market, and a thriving nightlife scene.

Prenzlauer Berg

Cafes & flea markets
Boutiques, cafés, and the famous Mauerpark flea market on Sundays. A gentrified former East Berlin neighborhood with a young, family-friendly vibe.

Things to Do

Tours & Activities

Fat Tire Tours Berlin

Guided Tour
HIGHLY recommend — you get to see a lot of cool spots and hear great stories. Covers the Berlin Wall, Holocaust Memorial, and more by bike.
3 hours Mitte
Book Tour

Berlin Wall Walking Tour

Walking Tour
Half-day walking tour covering East Berlin and Cold War history. Learn the stories behind the wall, the escape attempts, and the night it fell.
3–4 hours Mitte / Friedrichshain
Book on Viator

Getting Around

U-Bahn
Berlin's underground metro. Extensive network covering all central neighborhoods.
AB ticket €4.00
S-Bahn
Overground rail connecting outer districts. Same ticket as U-Bahn. 24-hour service on Friday and Saturday nights.
Tram
Runs mainly in eastern Berlin (Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain). Good for short hops between neighborhoods.
Bike
Berlin is very bike-friendly with dedicated lanes. Nextbike rentals available throughout the city.
Nextbike €1/15min
Validate Your Ticket
Get an AB zone ticket for all central sights. You must validate at the yellow or red boxes before boarding — inspectors do random checks and the fine is €60.

What to Pack

May in Berlin

Travel Tips

What I'd Do Differently
Have a tip or comment?
Found a great GF spot in Berlin? I'd love to hear from you.
Send a note