Christmas Party at Engelbecken

Engelbecken by Lietzensee: Alpine Cuisine in Charlottenburg

Engelbecken occupies the yellow corner house at Witzlebenstraße 31, corner Steifensandstraße, with terraces out front and Lietzensee directly opposite. The area is quiet and residential, with little walk-in traffic. The name is misleading, as it originates from Kreuzberg: The restaurant opened there in 1995 on the Luisenstädtischer Kanal, where the eponymous Engelbecken (Angel’s Basin) is located, and moved to Charlottenburg in October 1999. Since 2020, Maik de Riese-Meyer, Oliver Sandor, Werner Zwosta, and Christoph Kiss have been managing the establishment.

Inside, bare wooden tables and subdued lighting define the space; there is no background music. Conversations at the table therefore work well even with larger groups, which is an underestimated advantage for a Christmas party. A rotating art exhibition by co-founder Marion Moutell hangs on the walls. The kitchen describes itself as homemade, modern, German, and seasonal with Alpine tendencies.

Christmas Dinner at Engelbecken: Menu, Beer, and Groups

Engelbecken does not offer a fixed Christmas menu. Instead, the restaurant creates custom menus or buffets for groups upon request; external catering is also possible. The regular menu features organic veal Wiener Schnitzel for 29 Euros and organic pork crackling roast for 24 Euros, along with homemade Bratwürstel, plaice fillet, and vegetarian dishes such as vegetable strudel and artichoke-spinach gratin. The meat is predominantly organic-certified, and according to its own statement, Engelbecken was the first Berlin restaurant to exclusively process organic meat.

Bavarian draught beers are served with the meal, including Tegernseer Hell, Allgäuer Büble, and Maxlrainer Dunkel, along with Waldhaus Pils from the Black Forest. The wine list focuses on Germany, Austria, and Italy. During the day, the restaurant accommodates up to 100 guests; for evening gatherings, early arrangements are advisable as tables are quickly booked during Advent. Next door, the same team has been operating Enzian am Lietzensee since September 2022, which seats up to 40 people and is suitable for smaller gatherings.