A Chef’s Guide to Berlin With Evgeny Vikentev

A recent arrival in Berlin, Evgeny Vikentev has already figured out what’s what on the city’s food and art scenes
A recent arrival in Berlin, Evgeny Vikentev has already figured out what’s what on the city’s food and art scenes | © Robert Rieger / Culture Trip

Berlin never stops reinventing itself – and that’s what Evgeny Vikentev loves about it. At his swanky Charlottenburg restaurant, the Russian-born chef has brought the city into the menu and design. He might not have been here long, but he’s already figured out all the most important things, like who does the best döner kebab and where to get a stiff drink after a long night in the kitchen.

This story appears in the third edition of Culture Trip magazine: the Gender and Identity issue.

Chef and restaurateur Vikentev is looking to recreate in Berlin the success he’s had in St Petersburg

Evgeny Vikentev is a relatively new Berlin resident. The chef arrived in the city in June 2018, hoping to re-create the success of his St Petersburg restaurant, Hamlet + Jacks, with his new Berlin venture, Cell, in Charlottenburg. Opened in partnership with Russian-born artist Tania Mann, the restaurant reflects his new city’s artistic edge and innovative food scene. Here, Vikentev shares his favourite spots in Berlin.

“Berlin is pretty unique from other European capitals because there are many chefs from around the world who are able to bring global perspectives to local ingredients,” says Vikentev.

Berlin’s Neoclassical architecture is a major draw for visitors

The city is a great place to explore different cuisines; Berlin staples such as currywurst and döner kebabs are a product of its international culinary landscape. Vikentev is a fan of the mezes at Dada Falafel (the falafel is good, too) and Taiwanese noodles, which are the speciality of Lon-Men’s in Berlin’s tiny Chinatown. For traditional German fare, there are impressive schnitzels and sausages at Zollpackhof – a favourite of German Prime Minister Angela Merkel.

The variety of Berlin’s food is no doubt helped by readily accessible, locally sourced ingredients. One of Vikentev’s favourite places to eat and shop is Markthalle Neun. “It’s a really cool place in Kreuzberg,” he says, “where you can find local produce, meat and food stands with different global cuisines.”

Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg is one of Vikentev’s favourite places to shop and eat

As a new resident, Vikentev also enjoys a little bit of local tourism. One of his favourite historic sites in the city is Berliner Dom, a 16th-century cathedral that sustained major damage during World War II but was restored to its former glory in 1993.

While Vikentev’s preferred medium is food, he also knew it was important to incorporate the city’s history as an art centre in the restaurant design. His business partner, Mann, curates an expression of Berlin’s modern art culture in Cell’s dining-room displays, and the playful nature of Berlin’s street art is present in Mann’s original bathroom graffiti.

The interior of Vikentev’s Charlottenburg restaurant, Cell, incorporates elements inspired by the city outside

“It’s really important that I reflect the local ambience to contribute to the city’s culture,” explains Vikentev. The chef is a fan of the city’s well-known street-art scene and recommends König Galerie for modern-art lovers.

After a late shift cooking for guests at his Charlottenburg restaurant, Vikentev knows where to get a late-night bite. “It’s a bit difficult to find normal food after midnight in the city because most of the restaurants are closed pretty early, but in Charlottenburg I have Aroma. It’s a Chinese restaurant with outstanding dim sum – the rest of the menu is good, but the dim sum is the best. It’s open until 3am and is one of the best places to go late at night.”

In Charlottenburg, Aroma is the place to go for dim sum

The city’s bars also offer a great post-shift diversion. Germany may be known for beer, but Vikentev loves the diverse selection of wines at Freundschaft, where the clientele sip away to the atmospheric sounds of old vinyl records.

Come cocktail hour, Vikentev doesn’t settle for anything less than the best: “One of my favourite places is Buck and Breck – it’s one of the best bars in the world. The cocktails are made without any non-alcoholic liquids, so they really understand the flavour of the cocktail. The bartenders know how to mix very tasty drinks – very strong, too!”
This story appears in the third edition of Culture Trip magazine: the Gender and Identity issue. It will launch on 4 July with distribution at Tube and train stations in London; it will also be made available in airports, hotels, cafés and cultural hubs in London and other major UK cities.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article