The best Currywurst in Berlin

It’s Berlin’s iconic fast food – but who does it best? *Photo: IMAGO / Schöning*

Besides the Brandenburg Gate, the Fernsehturm or Berghain, is there anything more Berlin than Currywurst?

Invented in Charlottenburg by Imbiss owner Herta Heuwer, it was originally served in 1949 from her booth on Kantstrasse, corner of Kaiser-Friedrichstrasse. Now world famous, here is our list of the best places to get your fix.

Curry 36

Curry 36 is probably the most important and iconic currywurst stand in Berlin. Mehringdamm in Kreuzberg is crowded day and night with people queuing for this legendary Berlin dish or it’s multi-kulti competition down the road, Mustafa’s Gemüse kebab. A currywurst at Curry 36 in Kreuzberg is not only delicious, but also a social experience, with locals and tourists alike travelling from all over the city to enjoy it. The vegan version is also delicious.

Curry 36 Mehringdamm 36, Kreuzberg, daily 9:00-17:00
Hardenbergplatz 9, Charlottenburg, daily 8:00-17:00
S-Bahn station Warschauer Straße, Warschauer Straße, daily 9:00- 23:00
Hauptbahnhof, Mitte, daily 9:00-23:00

Berlin Currywurst

Berliner Currywurst, a rustic classic. Photo: Imago/Kraft

If you are in Mitte and visiting Museum Island, you can get a classic currywurst under the S-Bahn tracks near the Pergamon Museum. You probably won’t run into many locals there, but that’s not to say the food isn’t good!

Berliner Currywurst Under the S-Bahn bridge at the Pergamon Museum, Mitte

Zum Würfel II

Above all, it has to taste good: Imbiss Zum Cube II. Photo: Imago/Jürgen Ritter

Two Berlin classics come together here, the Currywurst and singer Frank Zander. The Neukölln born entertainer (who sings the Hertha anthem btw) is also famous for his activism. He was integral not only to the movement that saved Raucherkneipe but also to save the Reinickendorfer Imbiss Zum Cube II. Since then Zander is now a co-operator and was involved in the development of the sauce. You don’t often come to this remote corner in Reinickendorf, but the currywurst is worth it if you do!

Zum Wuerfel II Kurt-Schumacher-Damm 123, Reinickendorf, open all day, www.zum-wudel-ii.business.site

Konnopke’s Imbiss

Another classic among the currywurst stands in Berlin, it’s fair to call Konnopke’s Imbiss an institution that attracts Berliners, tourists and celebrities alike. Currywurst has been sizzling here since 1960, prepared according to a secret recipe. The old Imbiss was demolished, but the style of the new building is based on its predecessor. Interestingly, vegan and vegetarian curry sausages have long been on offer. Keep an eye out for Ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and his wife Soyeon Schröder-Kim, they like to pop in here from time to time.

Konnopke’s Imbiß Schönhauser Allee 44b, Prenzlauer Berg, Tue–Thu 10:00.–17:00, Fri 12:00-18:00, Sat 12:00-19:00, www.konnopke-imbiss.de

Curry & Chili

Currywurst in Wedding? Curry & Chili is far and away your best option. On the corner of Osloer Strasse and Prinzenallee is the spot for an extra spicy variation of the Berlin classic. The owners decided long ago to steer into their spicy reputation, and eventually hung a “Berlin’s spiciest snack bar” sign above their store. They then followed it up with one that says “Men are still allowed to cry here”. Progessive. They’ve also kept up with the times, offering meatless alternatives.

Curry & Chili Osloer Straße/ corner of Prinzenallee, Wedding, Mon–Fri 11:00-21:00, Sat 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun 1 p.m.–6 p.m.; www.curry-chili.de

Curry Wolf

At four Berlin locations, Curry Wolf offers a currywurst with a sauce that is said to be addictive, probably why they named it ‘Opium’. If you want to take the treat home with you, you can get the currywurst in a glass. A nice souvenir for non-Berliners, not sure I’d ever crack it open though!

Curry Wolf, Unter den Linden 77, center; Rankestrasse/Ku’Damm, Charlottenburg; Rehagener Strasse/corner of Bahnhofstrasse, Lichtenrade; Schloßstraße 17a, Steglitz, daily 10 a.m. to midnight, www.curry-wolf.de

Witty’s Imbiss

Currywurst in Berlin? Witty’s will sort you out. Photo: Imago/Schöning

Organic and healthy: that’s the trademark of Witty’s Imbiss, which takes currywurst culture to a new level at their three locations. All sausages and the side dishes are certified organic. The meatballs in the bun are excellent, as is the crunchy Viennese option. And if you are feeling adventurous, try it with satay sauce.

Witty’s Imbiss Wittenbergplatz 5, Schöneberg, Mon–Sat 11:00–midnight, Sun 12:00–23:00 Friedrichstrasse (under the S-Bahn bridge) Mitte, Mon–Sat 11:00–midnight, Sun 12:00–23:00 Witty’s at BER, Terminal 1, daily 5:00- 22:00 (seasonal, expect less in winter) Edeka-Center Schmargendorf, Wiesbadener Straße 53-55, Mon-Fri 11:00-19:00, Sat 11:00 16:00 www.wittys-berlin.de

Zur Bratpfanne

Currywurst has been served with the frying pan in Berlin since the Herta Heuwer era. Photo: Imago/Joko

Since 1949 – the era of the legendary currywurst inventor Herta Heuwer – fast food has been served out of the window hatch on Schloßstraße in Steglitz, including meatballs, fries and of course currywurst in many variations.

Zur Bratpfanne, Schloßstraße/corner of Kieler Straße, Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–1 a.m., Sun 12 p.m.–1 a.m., Steglitz

Krasselt’s Currywurst

Krasselt’s Imbiss has also been around for over half a century, but before that it was a mobile food truck. The currywurst here has often been voted the best in town. That’s a matter of taste of course, but the currywurst is terrific and the ketchup is in a league of its own! “The ketchup tastes so good, I’d eat it with a spoon”, is the opinion of one satisfied customer who would like to remain anonymous.

Krasselt’s Currywurst, Steglitzer Damm 22, Steglitz, Mon 10:00.–21:00, Tue–Sat 10:00–23:00, Sun 12:00–21:00 www.krasselts-berlin.de/

Haseneck

Controversial, but the atmosphere makes up for it. Photo: Photo: Imago/Joko

Haseneck is quite controversial. Not everyone likes the sausage served from the beautiful pavilion on Savignyplatz. However, we find that the atmosphere here makes up for a lot. It’s iconic, small and quintessentially Berlin. Personally we think Berliners just enjoy complaining. This is a solid alternative to the many Asian restaurants on Kantstrasse, if you can’t handle spice.

Hasenecke, Kantstrasse/Savignyplatz, Charlottenburg, Mon–Sat 11:00–20:00

Curry Baude

Blink and you will miss it. Curry Baude is basically just a window at S+U Gesundbrunnen. A local favourite, here you will get not only a traditional Berliner currywurst, but also traditional Berliner Schnauze.