4 Best Restaurants in Friedrichshain, Berlin

In the grand Berlin tradition of reinventing historical spaces, this lovely wine bar and Italian restaurant has taken over a former stamp shop (“Briefmarken” means “stamps” in German) on beautiful Karl-Marx-Allee; you can pick a regional Italian wine off the shelves (also preserved from the stamp-selling days) or leaf through the extensive list. Accompany your choice with antipasti like fresh mozzarella with speck, broccoli rabe, and marinated artichokes, or one of the daily menu of fresh pastas.

Located inside the bookshop Shakespeare & Sons, Fine Bagels is their in-house coffee shop and bakery. They serve hand-rolled and boiled New York–style bagels (don't miss the Zaatar-spiced bagel) and other traditional Jewish pastries, breads, and cakes.

A casual restaurant, Matreshka offers small candlelit tables among matryoshka dolls on the shelves. The menu comprises homemade Russian and Ukrainian specialties such as pelmeni, blinis, stroganoff, and Russian soups; mix and match the dumplings to sample more of the varieties—and enjoy the friendly service. Many times you'll receive a free sample of one of their specialty vodkas with your entree.