Dicke Wirtin

Berlin Pub on Carmerstraße at Savignyplatz

Carmerstraße is a one-way street leading from the northeast side of Savignyplatz to Steinplatz, and Die Dicke Wirtin is located right at its beginning. The square itself dates back to the Hobrecht Plan of 1862 and was named in 1887 after the jurist Friedrich Carl von Savigny; the green area was added in 1892, redesigned by Erwin Barth in 1926, and restored to its original state in 1987, making it a protected garden monument today. The newspaper kiosk by Alfred Grenander from 1908 is also a listed building. The brick arches of the urban railway, housing restaurants, bars, jazz clubs, cinemas, and bookstores, as well as the mural Weltbaum II from 1986, are characteristic of the district. Savignyplatz S-Bahn station opened in 1896 and is also a protected monument. Because the Berlin University of the Arts is just a few steps away, students have always been part of the regular clientele, and the street names all around almost consistently commemorate scholars, philosophers, and jurists. Together with Zwiebelfisch, Die Dicke Wirtin is considered the best-known establishment in this district.

Own Butchery, Nine Beers on Tap, and the Legacy of Anna Stanscheck

The establishment owes its name to Anna Stanscheck, a generous landlady known for her stews and a soft spot for students from the nearby art college, as well as artists, authors, and actors. Today, Die Dicke Wirtin is run by the Drees family, and the character of a classic Berlin pub has been deliberately preserved: Old Berlin decor, at least two dining rooms, a long counter, and a tap system with nine varieties on tap. The Berlin dishes are presented under the heading Dit is(s)t Berlin: Á la Meyer with two “Bouletten” (meatballs), Königsberger Klopse (veal meatballs) for 19.50 Euro, roast pork, Berlin-style liver, beef goulash, stuffed beef roulade, suckling pig Sülze (brawn), and Currywurst without casing. A changing menu also features Berlin pea stew, “Tote Oma” (blood sausage dish), Berlin plate, and Eisbein (pork knuckle). In addition, there are the small snacks typical of a pub, such as “Solei” (pickled egg) for 2.10 Euro, goose fat sandwich, and Berlin pretzel ring. A special feature is the in-house butchery, from which the sausage and meat products originate. For non-meat options, there is roasted vegetables with “Schupfnudeln” (potato dumplings), homemade “Käsespätzle” (cheese noodles), and a vegetarian Currywurst, and the menu also includes options for children. House-made liqueurs and spirits can be purchased by the bottle to take away.