Berlin Charlottenburg

Charlottenburg's history of wealth and opulence is still visible to the visitor in the upscale Ku'damm or in its elegant hotels. It's not surprising that inexpensive meals are difficult to come by. In north Charlottenburg, the neighborhood called Moabit (right next to Mitte) is home to strong Middle Eastern and Asian ethnic communities. For cheap, authentic Turkish or Vietnamese food, it may be worth the trip of 20min. from the Zoo.

Schwarzes Cafe, Kantstr. 148 Pharmacies, grocery stores, and even whole neighborhoods might close down at night, but Schwarzes Cafe will still be open. Drink absinthe after dark inside the frescoed walls of the area's most popular boho cafe. The artistically peeling paint on the floors will increasingly bewilder as the absinthe gets to your head. Chase it down with breakfast when the sun comes up, or at a mere bohemian hour: all meals are served around the clock. S3, S5, S7, S9, or S75: Savignypl. Weekly specials €7-13 served 11:30am-8pm. Breakfast €5-8.50. Cash only. Open M 24hr., Tu 4am-10am, W-Su 24hr. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Abbas, Huttenstr. 71 Abbas and the restaurants around it belong to Arabic and Asian immigrants attracted by the area's low rent. This sprawling sweet and nut shop sells a wide range of authentic Middle Eastern desserts on the cheap, from chocolate-covered lentils to pistachio-cashew pastries. Try its specialty baklava (€1.30 for 2 pieces). Bus M27: Turmstr./Beusseistr. Cash only. Open M-Th 10am-5pm, F and Sa noon-8pm. Does not take credit cards. Has outdoor seating.
Maribel, Kantstr. 70 (www.restaurant-maribel.de), A lovely corner restaurant with floor-to-ceiling French doors that open onto the sidewalk on sunny days, Maribel is one of the best deals for families and those with exceptionally big appetites. For Saturday and Sunday brunch (10am-4pm), enjoy an all-you-can-eat spread of sophisticated cheeses (sophisticated can also mean pungent), sauteed vegetables, breads, pastries, salami, and smoked salmon (adults €9.50, ages 7-14 €4, children under 6 free). Breakfast (including omelettes, €4.80) served daily until 4pm. Lunch menu served from 11:30am to close. U7: Wilmersdorfer Str., or S3, S5, S7 or S75: Charlottenburg. Entrees €7-11. Open M-Sa 9am-1am, Su 10am-1am. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Paris Bar, Kantstr. 152 One of former West Berlin's favorite gathering places is still a hot spot for hip artists, popular politicians, uber-celebs being “normal people,” and students who can only afford the desserts. With warm lighting, dark wood, and a well-stocked bar, this restaurant is an option for any budget-—just supplement a dish off the starter menu with some dirt-cheap döner later. U1: Uhlandstr. Soups from €5.50; starters €6.50-14.50; entrees €12-25. Open daily noon-2am. Kitchen closes at 1am. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Mensa TU, Hardenbergerstr. 34 It's a cafeteria, but the Hardenbergerstr. Mensa offers the cheapest hot meal around, with three-entree choices as well as vegetarian options. And our favorite part: your portion size is as much food as you can fit on a plate. Accordingly, it's overrun by university students. A slightly higher-priced cafeteria is downstairs; avoid it. U2: Ernst-Reuter-Pl., bus #245: Steinpl., a 10min. walk from Bahnhof Zoo. Meals €3-4, students €2-3. Downstairs cafeteria open M-F 11am-2:30pm. Upstairs open M-F 11:30am-3:30pm, coffee bar M-F 11am-6pm, and cake shop M-F 7:30am-2:30pm. Does not take credit cards. Has outdoor seating.
La Petit France Croissanterie, Nürnberger Str. 24A Fresh, inexpensive lunches are sometimes difficult to come by in sprawling Charlottenburg. This pocket-sized French bistro has some stellar baguettes and classic Francophone music to transport you across the Rhein. Try the small baguettes with a variety of toppings, including tomato, mozzarella and basil (€2.50; large €3.30). Or try a light quiche and salad combo (€4.50). U3 to Ausgburger Str. Open M-Sa 8am-6:30pm. Does not take credit cards. Has outdoor seating.
Fam Dang, Hutten Str. 5 Located in a predominantly Vietnamese area, Fam Dang's bright rooms, outdoor patio, and ridiculously inexpensive daily menu make it a must. The highlight is the standing soup menu, with large bowls of Thai and Vietnamese favorites (€5). The entree menu rotates daily, but prices are in the same ballpark. Bus M27: Turnstr./Beusselstr. Entrees €5 or less. Open M-F 11:30-9pm, Sa 2pm-9pm. Does not take credit cards. Has outdoor seating.