Berlin burgers, from smashed patties to late-night cravings
The childhood cheeseburger at goldies, a burger at 3 a.m. under the U1, milkshakes at ALL IN. and fries in the bun at Ari’s.
A smash burger is easy to explain: a ball of mince on a hot griddle, pressed flat until the edges turn crisp. Berlin now has one on almost every corner. The four places here differ less in the meat than in when you get hungry.
goldies – the cheeseburger you already know
Kreuzberg · BurgersgoldiesOn the map
Kajo Hiesl and Vladislav Gachyn come from fine-dining kitchens and rebuilt a burger every kid knows in Kreuzberg: patty, cheese, ketchup, mustard, pickle, diced onion, a soft Martin’s bun. Their own slogan is “Best Bad Food in Town”. goldies now has branches across Germany, and since June 2026 in Nuremberg too.
The cheeseburger is on the World’s 101 Best Burger Places list, and it comes with fries and a shake made with real milk and bourbon vanilla. On Fridays and Saturdays the Graefestraße shop is open until 2 a.m.
Burgermeister Schlesisches Tor – for 3 a.m.
Kreuzberg · BurgersBurgermeister Schlesisches TorOn the map
Under the U1 tracks stands a listed cast-iron toilet block. It took three years before the first burgers could be grilled inside in 2006. You order at the window while the U1 rolls overhead. The booth has become a chain, and in May 2026 it opened in Łódź, Poland.
The Meisterburger with bacon, caramelised onions and barbecue sauce and the cheese fries are what you come under the U1 for. The cheddar sauce comes in a cup on the side, so the fries stay crisp. Open until 4 a.m. at weekends.
ALL IN. – for the milkshake crowd
Prenzlauer Berg · BurgersALL IN.On the map
A bright red shop on Schönhauser Allee, a few steps from Senefelderplatz, that calls itself “Nasty. Juicy. Burgers.” ALL IN. started with three burgers; the menu is a little longer today but still short: the Single and the Twin Cheese come with a beef patty, American cheese, grilled onions, pickles and secret sauce, the Better B with lettuce, fresh onions and a house spice sauce, the Hot Chick with crispy chicken fried in peanut oil. For vegetarians there is a cauliflower patty. The obvious order is the Twin Cheese with the crinkle-cut fries and a milkshake. If you like it messy, there is the Dirty French: fries topped with patty, cheese and secret sauce.
Ari’s – smash burgers with a Peruvian twist
Kreuzberg · PeruvianAri'sOn the map
A diner in a converted garage in a courtyard on Glogauer Straße. Arianna Plevisani grew up in Lima. Her Lima Kreuzburger comes with crispy fried potato sticks under the patty and ají amarillo, the yellow Peruvian chilli sauce. The sauce trio belongs with the fries, and the Spicy Green Goddess alongside.
Ari’s: A slice of America that never existedGuides · October 7, 2026Ari’s: A slice of America that never existed
The full catalogueAll fast food spots in Berlin
