Last updated on 06/23/2026
Tapas no longer have to be Spanish: in Berlin, the small plates today come with German, Korean or Israeli inspiration, always meant for tasting and sharing. We ate our way through surprising menus and found the places that experiment boldly with the small-bite principle. Heimlich Treu in Mitte serves creative little dishes of regional cuisine for sharing, while Coda in Neukolln, as Germany's first dessert restaurant, serves whole sweet menus in tapas format. At Kochu Karu in Prenzlauer Berg, Korea meets the Spanish idea, awarded a Bib Gourmand. From savory to sweet, the range is enormous. Which taste surprise appeals to you most?
Francesca Cerza
I find international tapas exciting because this is where the boundaries are played with. For this list I tasted and looked at whether the concept is more than a nice idea, whether the small portions really carry flavor, whether the composition makes sense as a menu and whether the price is right in the end. What convinces me most are kitchens that combine boldly and still keep every plate coherent on its own.
Those who find their way through two Berlin courtyards in Anklamer Straße in Mitte will be rewarded with creative international tapas that invite sharing. HeimlichTreu focuses on seasonal cuisine with French influences, a Nordic feel-good atmosphere, and unique cocktails not found elsewhere.
Hidden in the Heckmann Höfe on Oranienburger Straße in Berlin-Mitte, Night Kitchen Berlin brings Tel Aviv's gastronomic culture to the Spree. Mediterranean sharing plates, an open kitchen, and a rustic setting with warm lighting turn the evening into a communal experience.
On Torstraße in Berlin-Mitte, PeterPaul serves German home cooking as tapas for sharing. Königsberger Klopse, Sauerbraten, and Kassler are served in small portions. The interior with dark walls and cream-colored upholstery completes the experience.
In Prenzlauer Berg, Bricole serves French-inspired tapas at a top level, without allowing even a hint of stiffness. Small dishes, great craftsmanship, a global cuisine with roots: This is the concept behind one of Berlin's most exciting tapas addresses.
In Schöneberg, Taverna Ousia brings the tavern culture of rural Greece directly to Berlin: Mezedes instead of tapas, natural stone floors instead of restaurant design, and hospitality that feels like an evening in the village square.
Southeast Asia meets Mitte: Transit serves Thai and Indonesian tapas in small bowls, perfect for sharing and trying a variety of dishes. The concept is simple yet convincing, which is why the restaurant on Rosenthaler Straße has been one of the most visited addresses in the neighborhood for years.
Spanish tapas, paella, and wine directly at Helmholtzplatz in Prenzlauer Berg: Tres Tapas on Lychener Straße brings Mediterranean culinary culture to Berlin without relying on artificial settings. Here, you taste that tapas are not a trend, but a philosophy.
The "Bar Raval" at Görlitzer Park in Wrangelkiez, Kreuzberg, partly owned by actor Daniel Brühl (known for, among others, Good Bye, Lenin!), looks less Spanish-folkloristic than other tapas bars. It cultivates a minimalist Berlin design chic.
Hidden on Choriner Straße in Prenzlauer Berg, Rodolfo's Tapas Bar is one of the most authentic places for Spanish and Latin American tapas in Berlin. Guests not only get boquerones and ceviche but also the host himself – charming, multilingual, and with stories that will fill the evening.
Vietnamese Tapas in Schöneberg: Phojito Tapas on Goltzstraße brings Hanoi and a tapas bar together in one breath. Small plates, big flavors, fair prices, and one of Berlin's most sociable streets as a backdrop.
