Berlin and doner kebab go together like pitch and sulfur. Fast food in crispy bread, which is popular with tourists and locals alike, has a long tradition and has become an integral part of the streets of Berlin's neighborhoods.

Even the guests of Aletto Hoteli, whether school classes, families with children or business people, are often looking for a genuine Berlin doner kebab. But which is the best doner kebab in Berlin? How much does a good doner kebab cost in Berlin? And what is the “original” doner kebab? We'll get to the bottom of these questions and give you our top 5 of the best doner kebab in Berlin.

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Berlin doner kebab multiplication tables

Berlin as the birthplace of doner kebab

Whether the first doner kebab was served in Berlin or in Istanbul is a question that is still being hotly debated today. The fact is that the doner kebab (Turkish: “(turning) grilled meat”) has existed in a similar form for a long time. Meat has traditionally been stacked on skewers and grilled in Anatolia since the 19th century.

According to legend, however, it was Kadir Nurman who was the first to sell Turkish grilled meat as fast food in flatbread on Berlin's street in 1972 and thus invented the doner kebab that we all know and love today.

According to his recipe, the classic doner kebab consists of veal, which is served with fresh salad, some tomatoes, onions and sauces in flatbread. And of course the question has existed ever since: With sharp or without?

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What makes Berlin doner kebab special?

With the increasing popularity of doner kebab in the city, so did the number of snack bars that have been offering fast food on the streets ever since. Over time, the classic doner kebab has also evolved and there are now various popular variants.

Starting with chicken kebab to meatless alternatives with halloumi or falafel and various breads such as the Dürüm roll and doner kebab plates. The latter is particularly recommended for those who prefer to enjoy their meal in peace and quiet and with cutlery. The options are as diverse as our beloved Berlin.

You can recognize good doner kebab on the one hand by the fresh ingredients that are used. On the other hand, many snacks add love to the extra spoon, which gives their doner kebab that certain something. These include a squeeze of lemon, a few spoonfuls of sheep cheese or homemade special sauces and spice mixtures that distinguish Berlin's doner kebab from those in the rest of the country.

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How much does a good doner kebab cost in Berlin?

Now that you know what makes a doner kebab a good kebab, let's get to what the treat costs in Berlin. Admittedly, doner kebab has become significantly more expensive in recent years and the cheap kebab offers for doner kebab for €3 are unfortunately a thing of the past.

The price is currently between 6€ and 8€, depending on whether you order the fast food in flatbread, as a dürüm or as a plate dish. And you have to remember one thing: A doner kebab is a full meal and definitely fills you up. In return, the price is still in the middle range compared to other street foods and you also get something for your money. But now for the exciting questions: Where should you eat a kebab here and what is the best doner kebab in Berlin?

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Our top 5 best doner kebab in Berlin

5th place - Meraba Neuland Döner

Let's start with 5th place: Meraba Neuland Döner. This shop in Prenzlauer Berg offers classic doner kebab with a modern twist. The meat is juicy, the ingredients are fresh and everything is covered in crispy bread. A splash of lemon gives the doner kebab a refreshing note and harmonizes perfectly with the otherwise hearty dish.

The reviews on Google also praise the shop and the consistently excellent quality of its doner kebab. Perfect for strengthening yourself during a summer stroll through the hip neighborhood or watching the hustle and bustle on the roads in Prenzlauer Berg.

address:

Greifswalder Strasse 32, 10405 Berlin

Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

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4th place - XL doner kebab

In 4th place is the XL doner kebab in Kreuzberg. As the name suggests, there is doner kebab here for those who are particularly hungry. But size isn't everything: The quality is also right.

Fresh vegetables, perfectly seasoned meat and homemade sauces make this doner kebab a real highlight, which is also enjoyed by various celebrities. In particular, the house's “special sauce” is repeatedly praised and does its part to make the XL doner kebab one of the most popular snacks in town.

address:

Schlossstraße 27B, 14059 Berlin

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

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3rd place - Mustafa's vegetable kebab

Mustafa's vegetable kebab is a true institution and is known far beyond the borders of Berlin. This kebab shop on Kreuzberg's Mehringdamm in 10961 Berlin introduced one of the modern variants of the classic doner kebab: the vegetable kebab with chicken meat. Fresh vegetables, feta and delicious sauces as well as a secret ingredient make this doner kebab a true taste experience.

In addition, only chicken is served here. Some critics therefore regard it as not an original or classic doner kebab. But that doesn't make it taste worse — quite the opposite. The long lines, especially at lunchtime, speak a clear language and even celebrities like Kanye West are said to have come to Berlin especially for this small neighborhood snack.

From Aletto Hotel Potsdamer Platz You can also reach Mustafa's on foot after a short walk along the Spree or the park am Gleisdreieck. If the line is too long for you, there is now also a second snack bar on Warschauer Straße in the east of the city.

address:

Mehringdamm 32, 10961 Berlin | Warschauer Strasse 27A, 10243 Berlin

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 - 02:00 (Mehringdamm)

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 - 22:00 (Warschauer Straße)

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2nd place - Zeddy's by Kaplan

Zeddy's by Kaplan is an aspiring fast food star on the kebab scene. Here, doner kebab is traditionally grilled and prepared with love that you can actually taste.

The bread is crispy, the meat is tender and the sauces are to die for. A special tip: Be sure to try the homemade Ayran here. When you in aletto Hotel Kudamm If you stay overnight, you can walk to Zaddy's, as it is right behind the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. In other words, it's the perfect start to move through the city's shopping center and explore the city of Berlin.

address:

Tauentzienstraße 13, 10789 Berlin

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

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Honorable Mentions

Limiting yourself to 5 among the hundreds, if not thousands of kebab shops in the city is truly no easy task, which is why we will give you a few more highlights along the way. Even though they didn't make it into our top 5, we wouldn't want to leave these kebab shops unmentioned, as they are definitely worth a visit:

● Hakiki

● Rosenthal grill & gourmet buffet

● Hisar Fresh Food

● Doner tower

● Lale snack

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1st place - Nefi's

Our absolute favorite is Nefi's at Hermannplatz in Kreuzberg. This kebab shop offers everything your heart could desire: crispy bread, juicy, uniquely seasoned meat and a perfect mix of fresh vegetables and vegan sauces.

The vegetarian options with halloumi and falafel are also unbeatable and the staff always has a smile on their face. We don't know how they do it, but the doner kebab from Nefi's simply has that certain something that, in our opinion, not even the long-established representatives can get close to.

But Nefi's has also made a name for itself for 15 years as one of the best kebab shops in Berlin and is one of the top-rated stores in all of Germany. Long story short: Once with everything and enjoy it!

address:

Kottbusser Damm 34, 10967 Berlin

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

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Your opinion

Have you already tried one or even several of these kebab shops? Which is your favorite? Or do you have another secret tip for us that we didn't even know about? Let us know and write to us on our social media channels!

You can find us both on instagram as well as on TikTok and facebook. There are also many other highlights of the city and tips to help you get the most out of your Berlin vacation. We're looking forward to your feedback!

Bye!

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