Prenzlauer Berge in Berlin, Germany, is a wonderful neighborhood with the hands of the past and the present intertwined. Hidden among the endless cafes and restaurants along its streets is a little gem that shines uniquely among the crowd due to its one of a kind ambiance and delicious cuisine – Alte Kantine.
The History of Alte Kantine
The building which houses Alte Kantine was once a canteen during the GDR era, and that is what the place is called; Alte Kantine translates to ‘Old Canteen’ in English. The original charm of the space has been kept and the visitors are brought back in time through the establishment.
Upon walking through its majestic vintage canteen doors, you’ll be astonished by the retro interior, with the classic timber furnishing, tiled walls and black-and-white pictures which adorned the walls. There’s an air of nostalgia to the atmosphere, revealing what the culinary past of Berlin looked like.
The Menu: In its modern twist, it’s Traditional German Cuisine.
The bright Alte Kantine, meanwhile, which serves up a menu that amuses both locals and touristalike, is also a hit. Third; their culinary team fuses traditional German recipes with fresh spins on classic dishes for a beautiful, delicious look, and tastes.
Starters
One of their tantalising starters will start you on your culinary adventure. From German classic soups such as Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) to creative appetizers such as hand crafted Flammkuchen (German style pizzas), there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss their homemade pretzels, plus a really tasteful selection of mustards.
Mains
Alte Kantine is a representation of German gastronomy as main course offerings. Eastside food indulgence includes hearty dishes like Sauerbraten (marinated pot roast), Schnitzel (breaded and fried meat cutlets) and Königsberger Klopse (meatballs in a creamy caper sauce). Vegetarians have still something to enjoy: Käsespätzle (cheesy noodles) and Leipziger Allerlei (a mix of seasonal vegetables).
Desserts
Alte Kantine does not let you go without a tasty dessert, and no meal is complete without. So you can treat your taste buds to slice of Black Forest cake, a creamy Crème Brûlée or a lovely fruit salad for example. If you’re a sweet and tangy delight seeker, their traditional Berliner Pfannkuchen, filled with jam, is a must try for you too.
The Alte Kantine Experience
Alte Kantine is also highly recognisable for the warm and welcoming atmosphere. And the staff have a real passion about the menu, not only knowing it, but knowing the history of each dish as well.
Attractive because it creates a sense of interaction during a dining experience, the open plan kitchen allows guests to watch their meals being prepared. Freshly baked bread, sizzling meat, the smells hit you in the face and you just await your meal.
Alte Kantine is no doubt a great place to visit whether you came for a dinner with your friends, for drink or do a quick and leisurely lunch; they have the comfortable dining area for you so you won’t be inconvenienced. All the room has are large windows which let in humongous amounts of natural light and end up adding in a nice touch to the rustic interior.
Visiting Alte Kantine
Keep in mind, they can get quite busy, especially in peak hours, should you be visiting Alte Kantine. If you didn’t make a reservation in advance, it’s advisable to take a reservation. The restaurant is easily accessible from locals as well as tourists through the public transportation.
Alte Kantine also arranges private events and celebrations. For anyone wanting a memorable event space, between their event space they accommodate groups of various sizes and give your guests a true and unique experience.
In Conclusion
Prenzlauer Berg’s tucked away gem is Alte Kantine, a place of history hiding delicious food and a cosy atmosphere. But whether you live here or you’re visiting Berlin, local or foreigner, this vintage canteen is guaranteed to be a watering hole you remember. This is a place that needs to be visited: the warm, friendly service along with the dishes from traditional German dishes, done in a modern twist are a totally walkable result.