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Aspendos
Kebabs can be found everywhere, especially in Kreuzberg, but for a cut above the norm check out Aspendos, where the bread is freshly-made in an open kitchen
Haupstrasse 11, Schöneberg, .
Assala
After nearly a decade of catering to the Kuwaiti and United Arab Emirates embassies, Walid Bassal has decided to let the rest of us experience his extensive menu, which proves the Middle East’s flavor spectrum goes far beyond Imbiss fare. Maklube, Arabic for ‘upside-down’, features spiced rice covered with aubergines, zucchinis and cauliflower, and a layer of succulent chicken, inverted after cooking onto a plate of cardamom-accented sauce and sprinkled with pine nuts and almonds. Not to mention the cool, tangy yogurt-cucumber dip that comes on the side. Divine. Dahlmannstr. 27, S-Bhf Charlottenburg or U-Bhf Adenauerplatz, Tel 450 86188, www.assala.de, Mon-Thu 10:00-24:00, Fri 15:00-1:00, Sat 12:00-1:00, Sun 10:00-24:00, brunch until 16:00, main courses 6-15 euros, credit cards accepted
Falafel Salam
Keep going past the touristy ‘Italian’ restaurants until you get to this Imbiss of delicious, affordable eats a stone’s throw from the Gedächtniskirche and pedestrian swarms of Ku’damm. The Bezirk’s best falafel is fried with sesame seeds for extra crunch, while a broad menu also offers hard-to-find dishes like fool, an Egyptian bean specialty. There is ample seating to rest your shopping-weary legs, and specially-prepared couscous every Friday and Saturday. Rankestr. 3, S+U-Bhf Zoologischer Garten or U-Bhf Kurfürstendamm, Tel 8813 461, Mon-Sat 11:00-1:00, Sun 11:00-24:00, Middle Eastern specialties 2.50-6 euros, cash only
Habibi II
Old classic in the middle of Akazienstrasse’s pleasant bustle serves no-frills, tasty meals to Schöneberg denizens, while the filiale 10 minutes north at Goltzstrasse 24 stays open ’til 5:00 am on the weekends. Akazienstr. 9, Schöneberg, U-Bhf Eisenacherstr., Tel 787 4428, Sun-Thu 10:00-2:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-4:00, 2.50 euros, cash only
Hasir
If you’re looking for a great tasting kebab, Hasir has been serving the original and best since 1971. Here you’ll find great charcoal grilled, spicy meat dishes in bustling restaurant surroundings. Try Adana Kebab (spicy minced lamb on skewers) with pita bread and yoghurt, or a selection of the Turkish antipasti - ranging from hummus to bean spreads and aubergine salads - served with fresh homemade bread baked in the charcoal oven. You can expect bundles more flavour than your local Turkish take-out. Adalbertstr. 12, U-Bhf Kottbusser Tor, Tel 6165 9222, www.hasir.de, open daily 24 hours, main courses 5-19.50 euros, cash only
Rai
This newcomer has very fresh sauces and veggies - and you can taste it. No heaps of watery yoghurt sauce passing for a meal. Nice interior, too. /AP Rai, Skalitzerstr. 102, Kreuzberg, U-Bhf Görlitzer Bhf, Sun-Thu 11:00-3:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-6:00, 2 euros, cash only.
Rissani Restaurant
Moroccan specialties like couscous and tagine are prepared alongside usual dishes such as hummus, tabbouleh and halloumi, but what’s not-so-usual is the exceptionally fresh ingredients and deliciousseasonings. Rissani’s loyal following hails from throughout Berlin, all addicted to their tender shawarma, perfectly crispy falafel and wide veggie topping selection. The interior’s colourful walls are adorned with attractive Koranic calligraphy.
For hot days there are plenty of benches in the outside breeze./AP Spreewaldplatz 4, U-Bhf Görlitzer Bhf, Tel 6162 9433, Sun-Thu 12:00-3:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-5:00, sandwiches 2 euros, plates 3-7 euros, cash only
Salsabil II
Perfectly, divinely seasoned chickpea mix - better than competitors on Kastanienallee - meets thick, fluffy pita. Mmmmm. Wörtherstr. 16, Prenzlauer Berg, U-Bhf Senefelderplatz or Tram M2 to Marienburgerstr., Tel 4404 6073, Sun-Thu 12:00-24:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-1:00. 2.20 euros, cash only