Gluten Free Berlin: A Complete Travel Guide for Celiacs

When I first started thinking about how I was going to eat gluten free in Berlin, I was a little concerned. German food is not known for being particularly celiac friendly. After my gluten free Berlin adventure, I realized that most big cities will have a variety of gluten free options – it’s just a matter of finding them. And sometimes, like in Berlin, it takes a lot of time and effort to find those diamonds in the rough that know how to safely serve Celiacs like you and me.

I’m here to help you do just that. You will be able to find plenty of Celiac-friendly gluten free options. You just have to know where to look.

While a lot of people in Berlin speak English, I HIGHLY recommend traveling with a Gluten Free Restaurant Card in German to make gluten free travel easier.

Heading to Munich on your trip to gluten free Germany? Check out my Guide to Gluten Free Munich.

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I make a little bit of money if you click through and book.

Gluten Free Berlin: The Complete Travel Guide for Celiacs

I want you to be able to confidently and safely travel to Berlin with Celiac Disease and have unforgettable travel experiences. And that’s why I wrote this guide to help you do just that.

It has everything you need to confidently and safely travel to Berlin with Celiac Disease. All in one place. You’ll get the best Celiac-safe gluten free eats, the best things to explore in Berlin, and the best places to stay.  

The Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Berlin

First, here is a Google Map of Gluten Free Berlin to use to plan your trip.

When I pictured German food, I didn’t picture a cuisine that is particularly celiac friendly. However, after spending Christmas 2017 in Berlin, I realized that Berlin is similar to every other big city: it has a wide variety of food, including a pretty wide selection of gluten free options. It just takes a little bit of extra research to find the Celiac-friendly gluten free Berlin restaurants.

I would absolutely recommend buying and printing out this German Gluten Free Restaurant Card from Jodi over at Legal Nomads.

That’s what I did, and it makes it much easier to communicate your needs if you don’t speak German. I can’t tell you how many times I practiced saying “Ich habe Zöliakie” before I went.

It was a lot.

Then, the first time I tried to say it at a restaurant, the server said to me, in English, “please just speak English.” D- for effort I guess. Lucky for me, I showed her my German gluten free restaurant card, she showed it to the chef, and I was able to eat safely.

Jodi’s cards will help you communicate your needs, including a note on contaminated fryers which I found to be one of the biggest issues for eating gluten free in Germany. Check out Jodi’s guide to Gluten Free Germany, which is full of great information on traveling in Germany with Celiac Disease.

The Best Dedicated Gluten Free Restaurants in Berlin

I always recommend eating at dedicated gluten free restaurants if you can find them. It means that you don’t have to worry about cross contamination, which means you’ll be able to confidently and safely travel to Berlin with Celiac Disease. And you’ll be supporting the places that are doing the right thing for the Celiac community. Support those who support us.

Here are FIVE great dedicated gluten free bakeries and cafes in Berlin to add to your itinerary.

Jute Bäckerei: Dedicated Gluten Free Bakery in Berlin

Jute Bäckerei is a dedicated gluten free bakery in my favorite neighborhood – Prenzlauer Berg – so naturally it rises to the top of the list of best gluten free bakeries in Berlin. I got a couple of pastries, including a delicious traditional spiced cake that was a German Christmas staple (except gluten free). They also have a great selection of gluten free bread. Grab some to make a sandwich in the Tiergarten later!

If you’re a Celiac or avoiding gluten, I highly recommend visiting this place for the gluten free baked goods. They even have gluten free croissants (although the texture isn’t quite right, but they were still amazing!)

Café Tante Nanni: Gluten Free Café in Berlin

Café Tante Nanni is a perfect place to include on your itinerary for exploring gluten free Berlin. This spot is dedicated gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan bakery and cafe. You can find a range of gluten free baked goods, bowls and rolls, and pancakes that rotates. On the list of dedicated gluten free Berlin options, this should be at the top of your list.

You can get a hearty breakfast to start your day, or take an afternoon break and grab a coffee and a slice of gluten free & vegan cake to enjoy.

Glutanada: Dedicated Gluten Free Restaurant in Kreuzberg

At Glutanada, a gluten free bakery in Berlin’s Kreuzberg neighborhood, you’ll find freshly baked gluten free bread, sweet and savory crepes, and even spaetzle!

It’s a 100% gluten free kitchen, so no need to worry about cross-contamination.

Go for their brunch, which includes some of their freshly baked gluten free bread, or for a nice lunch on your afternoon exploring Kreuzberg, one of Berlin’s best neighborhoods.

Brotquelle: Another Dedicated Gluten Free Bakery in Berlin!

There aren’t too many cities where you can find more than three dedicated gluten free bakeries.Lucky for you, Berlin is one of them.

Brotquelle is near the Eastside Gallery, so while you’re over there checking out the street art on the former Berlin Wall, take a quick detour to grab some gluten free sourdough bread. You won’t find things like gnocchi and spaetzle here – it’s purely a gluten free bakery – but you WILL find all of the gluten free baked goods. All of them. Breads. Pastries. Seasonal goodies. ALL OF THEM.

You will, however, find a traditional German breakfast of bread, cheese, and fruit for under 5 Euros. Which is a deal, if you ask me. The owner’s story is great – he was a mechanical engineer, and he quit his job and pursued his passion by becoming a baker’s apprentice. In January 2018, he opened Brotquelle, and the rest is history!

Unfortunately for me, this place opened right as I was leaving Berlin last time. It will be at the top of the list when I head back.

Glutenfreie Bäckerei Konditorei Eis Voh

A 100% gluten free bakery near a little further out than the rest in the southwestern part of Berlin. They claim to be the oldest gluten free bakery in Berlin! You’ll find a range of baked goods – all gluten free – and they also have ice cream! Definitely worth a stop if you find yourself in the area, but its location makes it hard to get to, and probably not worth a side trip.

A Challenger Appears! New Gluten Free Bakery Near Tempelhofer

There is YET ANOTHER gluten free bakery in Berlin, this one near Tempelhofer Field – Löblich Deli and Café. You’ll find baked goods and smaller meals, like crepes, pasta, and toast. Great place for brunch or lunch if you’re in the area. The space is cozy, and the food is highly rated.

Frai Foods: 100% Gluten Free Bowls and Smoothies

Frai Foods is a hip cafe is located in Bikini Berlin, a trendy hotel overlooking the Berlin Zoo that is one of my picks for where to stay in Berlin. They serve bowls and smoothies – all of which are clearly marked gluten free (as of late 2019).

More Celiac-Friendly Gluten Free Berlin Restaurants

Here are some other Celiac-friendly restaurants in Berlin. As always, I recommend that you don’t take an internet stranger’s (hey, that’s me!) word as gospel. You should email or message each restaurant that you’re interested in ahead of time and double check that they can accommodate you.

Fantastic Gluten Free Indian Food at Amrit

If you made me choose my favorite cuisines in the world, Indian is near the top of the list. It’s delicious, interesting, and mostly gluten free. What more could I ask for? Indian food is a great example of how traveling has opened up my eyes to the fact that “gluten free” doesn’t automatically mean bland, flavorless and gross.

Before I went to London in 2014, I had never had Indian food, and I stayed away from Asian food after my celiac diagnosis because I (wrongly) assumed all Asian food was like the cheesy Chinese takeout we usually got when I was growing up. Oh how wrong I was – now I regularly make Indian and Thai food at home, and I know that I can generally search out those cuisines when traveling and find something safe on the menu.

I first had Indian food at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in London, and I haven’t looked back since. I had a great experience, from the food, to the experience and the fact that it was BYOB, so we ate a long dinner, drank wine, and talked. Best of all? Gluten free, aside from some of the breads. When I came back, I started going to lunch with my mom at a local Indian restaurant in Bellevue, and when I go back we almost always go out to Indian food.

What does this have to do with Amrit in Berlin, you ask?

If you had asked me prior to 2014 what I thought about going to Indian food for Christmas dinner, I would have said something along the lines of “uh, what? Indian food is gross” despite never having tried it.

Now? We went to Amrit in Berlin for Christmas dinner. Twice. 24^th and 25^th. It was amazing, and best of all, it was open on Christmas. We tried a variety of dishes, including Butter Chicken, Aloo Saag, and Biryiani. It was all fantastic, and I would have gone back again if we were there for another night over Christmas where the city was closed.

Most of the menu was naturally gluten free, but check with your server to make sure.

More Gluten Free Indian Food at Chutnify

As you might have already gathered, I’m a sucker for Indian food. And Berlin’s diversity is one of the things that makes it a special place.

Chutnify has a clearly labeled menu with plenty of gluten free options, from curries to biryani to dosa. They’ve got four locations around Berlin, and they are all a great option for a delicious safe gluten free meal. With the exception of the bread (like chapati) and samosas, the entire menu is gluten free (as of 2020), so you’ll have plenty of choices to choose from.

Gluten Free Buckwheat Galettes at Suzette Creperie in Prenzlauer Berg

We got lucky on this one, because they were only open the day we arrived. Luckily, that’s when we showed up! It was just up the street from the Circus Hostel.

They have a combination of sweet and savory crepes and galettes – the galettes are made of buckwheat and are gluten free, while the crepes are not. I bet if you asked nicely, they could make a sweet gallette for you though.

A galette is basically a thin pancake, made with buckwheat flour, and filled with some combination of savory meat, cheese, and veggies. We got two to split, including one filled with bacon, spinach, and goat cheese which was the winner.

The other highlight was the cider – they had a traditional French cider from Normandy, and it was well worth ordering. I got a glass, but after finishing it we both agreed that we should have gotten a whole bottle to share.

After lunch, we were the last ones in the restaurant and I chatted with the owners. They were literally closing down the restaurant and heading to France to spend Christmas with family later that day. Glad we decided to go when we did!

Gluten Free Pizza in Berlin: Two Options

NOTE: PIZZA PLACES ARE MORE RISKY THAN AVERAGE. BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN, ASK ABOUT THEIR KITCHEN AND PROCESSES. IF IT DOESN’T MEET YOUR NEEDS, LEAVE AND EAT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

After seeing multiple bad reviews of Simela from people I trust, I would not recommend them for Celiacs at this point.

Gluten free pizza in Berlin? Sign me up! Simela was our first food stop in Berlin. It’s a relatively small place, but they make solid gluten free pizza. Not only that, but when I asked about it and probed into cross contamination, they let me know that they have a separate area in the kitchen and they cook the pizza on a separate surface in the oven. I read that it gets busy, so make a reservation if you can! When we were there, there were only a few people in the restaurant.

They have two locations – one in Berlin Mitte, and one near the Berlin Zoo.

As always, tell them about your food needs and ask about cross-contamination.

The other option is Cielo de Berlino, where you’ll find gluten free pizza made on a buckwheat crust. They have a page on their site that talks about their processes to avoid cross-contamination. Tl;dr – they take all precautions they can, including separate prep areas for gluten free pizza, but there is inherently wheat flour in the air. Armed with that information, you can make an informed decision about whether or not it is safe for you to eat there.

Cevicheria: Gluten Free Peruvian Food in Berlin

Cevicheria serves up Peruvian food and most of the menu is gluten free (though it’s not clearly labeled that way). After exploring Colombia, I’ve fallen in love with ceviche. And for the most part, it’s normally pretty safe for Celiacs (soy sauce is the thing to watch out for). Avoid the desserts here, and double check with the restaurant to make sure things have changed.

Que Pasa? Mexican Food with a Clearly-Marked Menu

Mexican food is usually a good bet, and Que Pasa has what you’re looking for. It’s a cool, hip space, and they have great cocktails too, with more than five locations around Berlin.

The menu is clearly marked for things that are gluten free – at the very least, you’ll need to avoid the burritos (duh), the chicken filling (not safe), and the quesadillas. The menu has everything with gluten in it marked, but you still need to double check with your server before you order.

The Best Coffee Shops in Berlin

Five Elephant is the only German coffee roaster that I had heard of from Germany before visiting. They lived up to the hype.

The café is located in Kreuzberg in a fairly residential area. The staff were super helpful, and we got some pourover coffee and hung out for an hour or two on a dreary day to do some reading and journaling. It was very pleasant. Out of all the coffee shops we visited in Germany, this was my favorite.

If you’re not a celiac or sensitive to gluten, they make all of their pastries in-house (except for the croissants) and they have excellent cheesecake according to my brother, who doesn’t even like Cheesecake but devoured the Five Elephant cheesecake in 14.2 seconds.

In Prenzlauerberg, we went to The Barn, Distrikt Coffee, and Bonanza Coffee Roasters. All three were good, though our favorite was Distrikt Coffee (it’s also just a block or two away from the Circus Hostel, which helps). Stay away from their food though, they told me it wasn’t safe for celiacs.

In Kreuzberg/Neukölln, there are three places worth checking out:

First, Five Elephant (see above). Then Chapter One Coffee and Roamers CC. I recommend a self-guided walking tour of this area that hits at least one of those places if you’re a coffee lover.

Fun Things to Do in Berlin

Usually my trips go like this: eat, walk, eat, walk, drink, eat, walk, repeat as needed. If you want to see some of the sights of Berlin in between gluten free eats, here are some of my favorite things to do in Berlin.

Headed to Berlin and want to figure out how to spend your time? Don’t miss my guide to 2 Perfect Days in Berlin: A First Timer’s Itinerary.

On Your First Day, Do a Walking Tour

One of the highlights of our trip was the 6 hour Brewer’s Best of Berlin Walking Tour we did on Christmas Eve. There were a ton of places closed, including most museums, so we figured we would do the complete walking tour on that day. We met at the Friedrichstraße S-Bahn station and did a big circle around the city center.

The best part of the tour was the robust history lesson we got about the Cold War and its effect on Berlin.

As the tour guide talked, I realized that we never really learned about the Cold War in a meaningful way in school here in the US.

At best, there were a few chapters in the textbook, but nothing that really dove into the effects of the Cold War on Central and Eastern Europe.

As we walked the streets of Berlin, the tour guide talked about the differences between East and West Berlin – from the government to the architecture. It was really interesting to see the stark contrast between apartment buildings that went up on either side of the wall.

The Cold War was definitely a blind spot for me in terms of history, and I thought the tour was great. Most people would probably be more than happy with the shorter tour, but if you have the time to dive deep, the 6 hour tour was fantastic.

We also considered Alternative Tours and SANDEMANs.

Explore Kreuzberg and Neukölln

Kreuzberg is the neighborhood just south of Museum Island and the canal, and it is heralded as one of the most interesting and diverse neighborhoods in Berlin. It is the center of counterculture in Berlin, and is also a great place to explore if you are looking for street art, artsy cafes, and nightlife. Just to the south is Neukölln, another vibrant neighborhood worth exploring because of its diversity. There are two things I would recommend doing while you’re in the area.

First, stop at Markethalle Neun, a collection of food, drink, and “other” vendors. It’s a fantastic example of Kreuzberg’s diversity. I saw Asian, African, French, Italian, and of course, German cuisine, and a variety of local artisans selling their products. Check it out, and before you go check out their events calendar to see if there is anything interesting going on while you’re around. Read this for a review of vendors. Definitely visit Thursday night for Street Food Thursday.

Second, grab some of the best coffee in Berlin at either Five Elephant, one of the best third wave coffee roasters in Berlin. Or Roamers. Or Chapter One Coffee. Seriously, Kreuzberg has some of the best coffee in Berlin. There’s a bunch of other things to do in the area. the East Side Gallery is close to see some cool art and a part of the Berlin Wall, Tempelhof Field (and the area immediately east) for a picnic in a public park that used to be an airport, and Birgit & Beer for a rooftop beer garden.

Galavant through the Tiergarten

Another one of the big public parks in Berlin, which I appreciated even though it was the dead of winter, this one is full of typical Berlin tourist attractions that you really shouldn’t miss. First, the Brandenburg Gate at the entrance. The best time to get a photo is either early in the morning or at sunset, when it’s not packed with people. Next, book a Reichstag Tour in advance and visit the Dome on top, which was super cool.

Then, stroll west through the park to the victory column in the center of the park. Stop at the beer garden Café am Neuen See in the middle of the park. Check out the Berlin Zoo if that’s what you’re into, or just head to the rooftop Monkey Bar nearby for a cocktail and an aerial view of the monkey exhibit. There’s a bunch of stuff to do, depending on what you’re looking for.

Visit the Pergamon museum

Since my early European adventures, I shy away from museums because they are definitely not the best way to see a city. However, I usually make an exception in big cities, which generally have one phenomenal museum that is well worth the stop.

I thought that the Pergamon Museum in Berlin was one of the best museums I’ve been to in Europe, despite the fact that half of the museum was being renovated. I can’t imagine that it’s not the best in Europe with the whole thing open. The Ishtar Gate was incredible, and they had a pretty cool, diverse collection of Middle Eastern art.

Do yourself a favor and book tickets ahead of time, and make it a priority to visit.

Where to Stay in Berlin

When I travel, I either stay in an Airbnb or a Boutique Hotel. If you need to have access to a kitchen to cook for yourself, Airbnb is the way to go. I recommend booking a place with a kitchen when you’re staying outside of big cities and gluten free options are scarce. There are plenty of gluten free Berlin restaurants and bakeries to choose from, so it’s not 100% necessary here.

For a complete rundown on Berlin’s best neighborhoods and places to stay, don’t miss my guide on Where to Stay in Berlin

Don’t have time to read the full guide? Here’s what you need to know.

Prenzlauer Berg – Overall Best Neighborhood to Stay in Berlin
Charlottenburg – Best Area to Stay in Berlin for Families
Friedrichshain – Best Place to Stay in Berlin For Budget Travelers/Nightlife

Specific recommendations:

Circus Hostel or Circus Hotel – Across the street from each other. I’ve stayed in the hostel, and it was a clean, comfortable, stylish, and in a great central location between Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte.

Stayery Berlin – Clean and modern furnished apartments in Friedrichshain. Perfect if you want to have a kitchen and more space to yourself.

Schulz Hotel at the Berlin Wall – Affordable, stylish, and highly rated. You’ll find tons of room options, from a single twin bed all the way up to a family room with two twin beds and two bunk beds.

Stylish Central Studio with Balcony (Airbnb – Studio) – Great studio apartment a few blocks from all the action in Prenzlauer Berg, and on the metro line that will take you to the city center.

Quirky Artwork at an Attic Oasis near Alexanderplatz (3BR – great for traveling groups) – Big, bright Airbnb with 3 bedrooms and kitchen facilities so that you can cook your own meals.

Final Thoughts on Traveling to Berlin Gluten Free

Are you excited for your trip to gluten free Berlin? While it’s not the most Celiac-friendly city in the world, there are plenty of gluten free restaurants in Berlin if you know where to look.

Don’t miss my detailed Berlin itinerary: The Perfect 2 Day Berlin Itinerary: See Everything (ish) in 48 Hours

Have any other ideas, questions, tips, or tricks to navigating gluten free Berlin? Contact me and let’s connect!

Looking to book a room in Berlin? Check out these great options!

• Schulz Hotel – Great Value near the Eastside Gallery
• Circus Hostel or Circus Hotel  – Where We Stayed
• Casa Camper – Best rated on Booking.com
• Airbnb in Berlin – Charming & Stylish Apartment in Kreuzkolln

If you’re not already following me on Instagram, head over and give me a follow to stay up to date on my travels. And for ALL the gluten free food porn.

Going to other places in Europe?

Check out my Guide to Gluten Free Europe to see other Celiac City Guides.

• Gluten Free Paris
• Gluten Free Rome
• Gluten Free Amsterdam
• Gluten Free Budapest
• Gluten Free Munich