You can go for breakfast in Berlin until as late as 4PM. The city's cafes (both the classic, old-fashioned ones in the West and the newer ones in the East) offer a variety of light dishes, and you can simply go for coffee and a piece of cake later in the afternoon. Sweet treats are a tradition in this city, and while Germany isn't particularly known for its cuisine, its capital does offer a variety of options. That's mostly due to the presence of more recent ethnic restaurants, and eating out is now an essential part of the Berlin social scene. The most interesting openings have occurred around Mitte, where the city's hippest crowds look for places with stylish interiors matching their fashionable tastes.


CAFES
Ankerklause
A young crowd usually gathers at this canal-side café, especially during the city's Turkish market. It's a unique place decorated with a maritime theme and diner-style booths, with some seats overlooking the water.

Café am Engelbecken
This is a charming lakeside option when the sun is shining, as it has a pleasant outdoor terrace. It serves an Asian-inspired menu in a stylish and tranquil environment, where you can also enjoy some cocktails or coffee in the afternoon.

KAFFEE AM MEER - Bergmanstraße 95
This stylish café-bar is a good choice for a quick drink or lunch in between shopping in its surrounding streets, and is a popular cocktail hangout at night. The name means "Café on the Sea" and the décor has an oceanfront theme, with a mural of the ocean. There is also outdoor seating, where the usual alternative crowd sits even in winter, as the space is heated when temperatures drop.

Kakao
If you love chocolate, this is the place for you. Savor all things made of chocolate sitting on the comfortable cushions or leather booths of the stylish interior. You can also learn a few extra facts about chocolate production if you look up at the ceiling's world map showing chocolate-producing territories.
There are new cocoa drinks every week, so be sure to return if you're in the city for a longer visit. If you're curious, check out the odd specialty pastry filled with dark chocolate, beef, and chilli -- it doesn't sound like a tempting combination but it has a number of fans. Next door is a shop with over 100 types of both local and imported chocolate. If you're not a chocoholic, you'll probably become one.

Milagro
This has been one of Berlin's most popular breakfast destinations for years. With its cosy atmosphere, it is a good meeting place or a choice for solitary brunch accompanied by a newspaper. The white mal coffees are famous here as are the huge Continental breakfast plates.

Tomasa
One of the city's most stylish and modern cafes, this is the place to head to for brunch, especially on weekends. It is served until 4PM, with a vast international menu of fine dining quality. If weather permits, choose the outdoor seating.

Café Bravo
A favorite of young artists, this modern cafe part of the KunstWerke Berlin Gallery serves light and healthy snacks. Choose a fruit shake and admire the design interior. You may also catch one of its parties or theater performances during the summer months.

Cafe Einstein
This is one of the city's legendary cafes, famous for its cakes. It has a grand gilded décor and the waiters wear bow ties, but it's surprisingly informal. It's a great choice for breakfast, although the perfect cappuccino is an option at any time of the day.

Cafe Schönbrunn
This cafe is especially attractive on sunny days, with plenty of light and views from its floor-to-ceiling windows and veranda. The crowd is young and cool, filling the 70's-style interior and bar at night.


RESTAURANTS
Paris Bar
As the name suggests, this is a taste of France. It's a trendy restaurant, where artists, stars, and entrepreneurs go to see and be seen. It's more of a place for socializing rather than a gastronomic experience, but the food is well prepared.

LUBITSCH - Bleibtreustrasse 47
Everything from the décor to the seasonal menu, to the clientele is classy and elegant. The richly designed interior features marble floors, mirrored walls, and flowers on every table. The international cuisine is a favorite of the ladies who shop at the exclusive boutiques nearby.

BROT UND ROSEN - Am Friedrichshain 6
This refined Italian restaurant is an ideal option on a sunny day, when light penetrates through the large windows. It is also a favorite among young couples on romantic dates. A gallery space at the back holds temporary exhibitions.

Facil
The Mandala Hotel's restaurant is one of Berlin's top chic dining destinations, with a retractable glass roof that opens on good weather days. As a fine dining gourmet restaurant you'd expect a more formal environment, but you may wear your jeans or your most trendy outfit and you'll blend right in with the young and stylish crowd.

Lutter & Wegner
This long-running fine dining restaurant is famous for its award-wining Sauerbraten dish (beef marinated in vinegar). Housed in the former house of E.T.A. Hoffman, it offers German cuisine in both the restaurant and cheaper bistro next door. Another space is the romantic basement wine cellar, offering hundreds of wines.

Susuru
Sleek design and style is the main attraction at this Japanese noodle bar. Servings come in big bowls, and although the menu changes regularly, it's always very tasty, healthy, and mixed with exotic flavors. Wash it all down with Japanese beers and wines.

Felix
Housed in the Adlon Kempinski Hotel, this modern restaurant serves contemporary Italian cuisine in an Asian-inspired setting. It's also a club at night, having attracted a number of celebrities such as Will Smith and Colin Farrell.

Hugos
Hugo's offers not only some of the city's best food, but also stunning views. Located at the top of the InterContinental Berlin Hotel, the menu and service sure does deserve its Michelin star. The dishes are impressive in their presentation and taste, and the staff is knowledgeable of their cuisine and the finest wines.

Vau
This modern gourmet restaurant has been one of Berlin's top (and Michelin-starred) restaurants for over a decade. The international menu offers a variety of dishes, and a list of hundreds of wines also await you in the wine cellar. The lunchtime offerings are surprisingly economical.

Storch
Discerning locals love the convivial atmosphere of Storch, as they sit at the large communal wooden tables in a rustic yet sophisticated interior. The German and French food is just as inviting.

Paris Moskau
It's not located in the center, but the classic Paris Moskau is worth finding, as it is one of the city's best restaurants. It's an elegant art deco-inspired space serving German-French cuisine made with the finest ingredients, and served by a young staff.

Jules Verne
Popular at any time of the day, this appealing local favorite is also a great spot for jazz as you dine. It has an international fusion cuisine, even in its popular "Around the World in 80 Days" breakfast. The decoration is just as original, and the personal taste of the owners is also reflected in the name of the restaurant (it's their favorite author).

Engelbecken
Overlooking a serene lake, this lively Bavarian-Italian restaurant is worth looking for. Although most of the dishes are meat-based, you'll also find several vegetarian options, including some great salads. Whatever you choose will likely be excellent, brought to your wooden table by a helpful staff (although the place is usually so busy that service can be slow).

Kuchi
This gets our vote for the best sushi in town, and the trendy crowd who loves it seems to agree. A popular stop before heading next door to the Greenwhich Bar, Berlin's coolest come for the authentic menu and sit at one of the stone tables sampling the East Asian offerings.

Kasbah
Lanterns and silk cushions attempt to provide a Moroccan atmosphere at this romantic restaurant. A hip crowd seems to love the décor, with furnishings brought directly from North Africa. Order one of the dishes prepared in the tajine and enjoy this intimate and authentic experience.

SASAYA - Lychener Straße 50, Mitte
Competing with Kuchi mentioned above for the prize of Berlin's best sushi, Berlin's most fashionable come as much for the excellent sushi as for the hip factor enhanced by the clean modern décor. You can dine at the bar, at a table, or on the floor which invites you to lounge well into the night.