Most people traveling to a destination intend to explore, experience sights, smells and sounds that are unique to the place and of course to try out and experiment with food the destination is famous for. Berlin, being the largest city in Germany; as well as its capital, is a vibrant city that has a small but sizeable number of Muslim residents. Most of these Muslims came from Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and other Arab counties and brought with them a variety of different cultures and exotic cuisines. Muslim travelers do not have to worry about finding Halal food in Berlin. The city is home to several Halal restaurants that range from fine dining to more casual, every day eateries. However, Muslims visiting the city can’t depend on the tried and true restaurant-picking method; which is – find the locals and eat there; as most restaurants in Berlin are not Halal. But, travelers could ask around, or make inquiries about the availability of Halal food, at one of the many mosques found in the city. Also, most supermarkets like; Punjab Food Traders do have a selection of Halal goods and meats, if required. In addition to that, areas like KottbusserDamm, WichertStrabe, Hauptstrabe and LausitzerPlatz all have a good number of Muslim-friendly restaurants. Some of the most popular types of fast food, in Germany, come from döner bars, which are usually quite easy to locate in Berlin. These snack bars developed by Turkish immigrants, almost always serve delicious and authentic Halal food. The most popular item is the Döner kebab; which is more commonly known in the Arab world as a shawarma, which is quite basically a meat and vegetable stuffed pita bread. A few of the most well known Halal restaurants in Berlin include Zam Zam; which is an Indian and Pakistani restaurant that uses fresh, Halal meat. The restaurant is located in the heart of Berlin-Schöneberg. Diners get to select from a wide range of authentic dishes that are fairly priced. Baraka is another restaurant worthy of a visit. The food served here is a mix of Moroccan and Egyptian cuisine. The menu is extensive and the interior makes it an interesting place to dine at. If diners can’t make up their mind, the waiters at Baraka are more than happy to suggest dishes that are sure to be delectable. Zaim Falafel is another a reasonably priced Middle Eastern restaurant that specializes in fabulous, home-made falafels, hummus, shawarmas, mixed meat dishes, pita breads and much more. This restaurant is also a great choice for vegetarians, since the menu consists of a wide selection of oriental vegetarian dishes. Another restaurant similar to Zaim Falafel is Salsabil 2. A few other Muslim-friendly restaurants within the city include Rayan Chicken, Nour Restaurant & Café, Amira, Sharazad, Ya Karim and Imren Grill, all serving exquisitely authentic dishes. Visitors should keep in mind that some restaurants claiming to be Halal do sell alcohol, and while most have some sort of Halal certification, there are several that are owned by Muslims and do not have any certification and others have only verbally confirmed their Halal status. Thus, it is best to double check about the availability of Halal food at a particular establishment before dining there.
