Suggestions for Dresden and Berlin

[Osler]

Hi all,

Chow has been invaluable in helping us plan our trips and we have one coming up to Germany - Dresden and Berlin specifically. We're traveling as a larger group this time and dietary preferences are making selections a bit more difficult. We want family friendly places, good food, and a reasonable price point (I don't have a max number, but aiming for about 25E per head for dinners excluding alcohol) - great values are always a plus. Much as I would love to try some of the Michelin starred places in Berlin, its not going to jive with the rest of the family, and not with my 2.5 year old (though she did an admirable job in Paris). I need to find places that will fit my fathers desire to sample local (German) cuisine/beer and my sisters psuedo-vegetarian preferences (chicken/fish/veggies only).

I've read the threads on Berlin and have a few ideas, would love to here any others. Feedback on Dresden seems a bit weak recently, hoping to get more suggestions. Thanks in advance!

[lipcan3]

Just saw your post on another Berlin board--in case you missed it, while you're in Dresden you should hit up Watzke Ball- und Brauhaus (beer garden) in the Neustadt. Take the 4, 9 or 13 tram up Leipziger Str. to the Altpieschen stop. Super fresh beer, excellent food--and the garden overlooks the Elbe. Very few tourists since it takes a little (but not much!) extra effort to get there. Our total was EUR 29 for two (large) dinners, four beers and tip. They also have another branch or two in perhaps more convenient locations, but this one's the original. http://www.watzke.de/

Non-food rec: I don't know if you'll have the opportunity, but if you can separate yourself from everyone for an hour you should reserve a ticket for the Green Vault. Bling city!

[Osler]

Thanks I've added Watzke Ball to our restaurant list - we leave in 3 weeks, very excited!

[alisonk]

Definitely not bursting with amazing places, but we did have some decent meals when we were there a couple of months ago.

We went to Schwartzmarktcafe for breakfast a couple of time - was really good.
Definitely worth a visit to Kreutzkamm bakery.

Had some czech and saxon food at Wenzel Prager Bierstuben and Sophiengarten (?) respectively. The former was probably better - the latter is a bit of a tourist trap, but it was a late lunch and it was still open....

Had a decent dinner one day at max on potsplatz

After having quite a meat driven few days we had a pizza at l'osteria - we sat outside and it was pretty good.

We went without huge culinary expectations and we didn't have any disasters! There are more upmarket places to eat in neustadt, but we had had quite an expensive trip so were happy to eat casual.

Have a good time - it is a great city. Definitely recommend a visit to the viewing platform of the residence schloss - you get so close you could almost touch the rooftops. Would also say that the Green vault takes more than an hour if you do the whole audio tour - leave 1hr 30 or so.

[linguafood]

Renger-Patzsch seems to fit your bill for Berlin - regional food with several vegetarian options & moderately priced.