Berlin is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with nearly 190 different nationalities. With so many different influences from all over the world, it is not that weird that the food scene in Berlin is also very diverse. From Michelin-starred restaurants to vibrant street markets, it is all a reflection of the city’s rich multicultural tapestry. Street food and Michelin-starred cuisine offer distinct experiences that may seem worlds apart, yet both are deeply rooted in Berlin’s diverse food scene and multicultural fabric, so they are more alike than you might think.

The coming together of flavours and culinary traditions in Berlin doesn’t just happen by chance. It’s a result of centuries of trade, migration and cultural exchange. Each dish is supposed to tell a story, reflecting the histories and journeys of the people who call Berlin their home. For Michael Kempf, head chef of two starred Michelin restaurant ‘Facil’, that’s the essence of cooking overall. “If you are standing on the street or in a beautiful restaurant, it doesn’t matter, food should make you feel something. Of course in our restaurant the lightning, the atmosphere and the service is all made to feel the experience even more and that adds to the meal. But in the end, if the food is bad, the food is just bad. We don’t get Michelin stars only for the pretty plating.” The heart of the experience lies in the dish’s ability to connect with diners on a personal level, something that is done very differently with street food but with still the same idea behind it.

The inspiration for their Michelin-starred dishes comes from beyond their borders, drawing from cultures around the world, a reflection of Berlin in that way. Kempf and his team embrace all kinds of global flavours, but he also knows, that these kinds of international ingredients, brings a different type of audience. ‘A lot of Michelin-starred restaurants in the area are depended on the elder Berliners that come for the authentic German food with maybe a little twist, but not too much. We try to bring in new guests and also tourists with our broad palette of flavours. In exchange, they bring their stories with them that we also use as inspiration for our new menu’s. I think improvement and innovation is very important in a city such as Berlin.’ Kempf believes.

From Turkish kebabs to Vietnamese pho and to Berlins Kassler the city offers a global culinary journey, without you ever having to leave it. According to Dani Valent, food writer and restaurant critique, one of the most fascinating things about the food is its ability to seamlessly blend traditional German flavours with dishes from around the world. “It’s something that always comes back somehow in each dish. Of course having traditional German food in Berlin is not something that should disappear, but the different influences are also ‘traditional’ for Berlin, it adds to it.” she explains.

One might think that Michelin-starred restaurants represent the pinnacle of Berlin’s culinary world, because of their crafty dishes that showcase culinary artistry. Meanwhile, street food stands are all about the spontaneity and creativity. Not that far away from Facil, there’s a street food market where cheerful music from a local artist and a lively atmosphere make it a totally different scenery than the calm and Feng Shui-inspired restaurant Facil. Yet when asked about the motivation to start cooking, the vendors share the same philosophy as Kempf. Bob Gruchen, street food chef, agrees with this idea, “Food should always be about the food. We have been perfecting this bratwurst for over years, in the end people just want to sit down and enjoy their surroundings, but if the taste and smell is off they will not come back, it’s always the most important.” Where Michelin star food is more defined, street food is also defined but experienced different. “I think street food has a sort of comfort that brings it to everyone who eats it.” Bob smiles while the costumer nods in agreement with a mouthful of bratwurst.

Street food serves as a culinary bridge, connecting all kinds of people from different backgrounds with shared meals and flavours. Valent also believes that the essence of the multicultural meals in Berlin is indeed to bring people together, “In this big city there is something for everybody, the food really reflects the different influences. So it doesn’t matter what you want when coming here, there is something for everyone’s taste.”

So whether you’re dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant or grabbing some street food at the local market, you will be tasting the city’s traditions and global influences. Because this is the city where traditional German flavours meet international cuisines, which shows the open and inclusive spirit. “The city that keeps you guessing and still feel at home” smiles Kempf while he invites his first guests at Facil. In Berlin, every bite tells a story of diversity and unity, making it a culinary destination, no matter where you decide to dine at.