NENI Berlin

NENI Berlin: Levantine Cuisine Above the Rooftops of City West

Those who visit the Israeli restaurant NENI Berlin literally ascend to one of the most spectacular tables in the city. NENI Berlin is enthroned on the tenth floor of the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin on Budapester Straße, making it far more than just an ordinary hotel restaurant. The family business combines Levantine street food traditions with Russian, Moroccan, Spanish, German, and Austrian influences. The name NENI is an acronym derived from the first letters of Haya Molcho’s sons: Nuriel, Elior, Nadiv, and Ilan.

The concept is as simple as it is compelling. The menu is designed to be eaten in the so-called Balagan style, meaning communal dining where flavors and textures intertwine. Pots and pans come directly from the stove to the table, simply. So, those looking for Israeli restaurants in Berlin will find one thing above all: community on a plate.

Mezze, Hummus, and Kadayif with a View of the Tiergarten

The menu features classics of Levantine-Israeli cuisine, but always with their own twist. There’s homemade hummus with chicken in Jerusalem spices, baked eggplant with tahini, and Haya’s famous popcorn falafel. If you still have room, you should definitely continue: dessert fans shouldn’t miss the baked Kadayif with mozzarella, ricotta, and orange blossom syrup.

Of course, the space itself is also part of the overall picture. When the elevator doors open, one enters a lively yet cozy room, in the center of which stands a large greenhouse with space for up to 60 guests. Additionally, there’s an open kitchen, gigantic light installations, and casual furnishings that clearly set NENI apart from classic hotel restaurants. If you haven’t had enough of the view after dinner, you don’t have to go far anyway: the Monkey Bar terrace is on the same floor. Table reservations are recommended, as NENI Berlin is one of the most sought-after hotspots in City West.