When I’m in the mood for Turkish food, and I mean something a little more substantial than a Döner, my go to restaurant in Berlin is the Yeni Adana Grillhaus in Kreuzberg.
I should point out at this point that I’m talking about the restaurant at Skalitzer Straße 99, which is not to be confused with the Adana Grillhaus around the corner on Manteuffelstraße, though I’m led to believe that is also very good.
I’ve been to Yeni Adana too may times now to remember and tried a fair few of the dishes on the menu and I’m yet to have a bad meal. It’s very difficult to pick a favourite but I’m partial to the Sarma Beyti – spicy minced lamb from the skewer rolled in bread with yoghurt and tomato sauce (note that the dish is only warm because of all the fresh yoghurt).
Most dishes are only mildly spicy but beware of the chillies served on the plate with some meals – there are some relatively mild ones that lull you into a false sense of security and some seriously fiery ones.
I had my first (and probably last) experience with Raki, an anise-flavoured Turkish spirit similar to Ouzo or Sambucca, here – definitely an acquired taste.
Yeni Adana Grillhaus has a large open kitchen and I haven’t done it yet but one evening I would love to sit at the seats at the front of the restaurant that face the grill – watching the guys prepare the food is pure theatre. The only drawback is that I would be suffering from almost constant food envy.
I can also recommend Yeni Adana for lunch – they serve the best Ekmek içi Köfte (Köfte in bread) that I have had in Berlin so far.
As you can probably tell by now, I’m a big fan of Yeni Adana Grillhaus and I’m not the only one, a friend told me that it is the most authentic Turkish food he has had in Berlin and he would take his Turkish parents there when they next visit him – if that’s not a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is.
Enthusiastically seconded. Abut a year ago, I landed in Berlin in the evening, checked into my hostel and then ended up att Yeni Adana. The prices were a bit above what I was aiming for, but I didn’t have the energy to keep looking. Once I got the food, I quickly realised why it was a bit dearer than your average joint; the food was worth every penny, and then some.
That was a lucky break. I always find it frustrating on holiday trying to decide where to eat, especially somewhere like Berlin with so many restaurants on almost every street. When you happen on a good place it’s such a relief.