When booking our trip to the world’s largest travel fair, ITB Berlin, a wide variety of travel-related thoughts and emotions crossed my mind. None of which involved the food.
That’s a great big shame on me because let me say, the food in Berlin was superb! My colleague and I ate at a variety of different venues and were constantly blown away by the flavor and overall satisfaction we received from each of our meals. A few of my favorites included
Pork Knuckle
Those who know me well know I am a hog farmer’s daughter. In most cases, that’s code for “pork snob,” a title I might honestly wear a bit too proudly. Which is why I was unprepared for the pork knuckle and cabbage at Augustiner Brau in Potsdam.
First, it was HUGE. I wish I could’ve weighed it. Our first meal after landing in Germany, it seemed almost the same size as my head. Next, it was LUSCIOUS. A word not typically associated with pork, I’ve never tasted such hearty and juicy flavors before. Finally, it was INTRIGUING. A tale of two textures, this dish was crunchy like a thick pork rind on the outside and incredibly tender on the underside. Never mind the onions, sauerkraut and cabbage it bathed in. Truly, my taste buds will never be the same.
Octopus
These days, it’s not terribly uncommon to see octopus on the appetizer section of a trendy restaurant menu. However, I rarely see it listed as an entrée. At Kink Bar and Restaurant in Berlin, the octopus jumped off the page at me, almost as if it was the only thing I should consider ordering. I’m extremely glad I did. The dish was equally tender and tasty. My knife sliced through the long octopus tentacle like warm butter. Black beans, rice paper and a variety of flavored oils finished off the dish and tempted me to lick the plate clean.
Vegan Vietnamese
Aside from missing the cash only sign on the front door, I was overjoyed with delight during our lunch at Cat Tuong in the trendy Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin. Splashy flavors of peanut and coconut were the star of our curry noodle bowl, while traditional spring rolls and wontons balanced out our meal. We also made room for fried tofu on a wooden dowel in a rice bowl topped with steamed veggies. However, the cat’s meow was undoubtedly the cereal bowl-sized ginger-mint hot tea I sipped on throughout the meal. According to our server’s English, the sign behind me roughly translated to, “You smile and the world changes.” Lucky for me, my smile was ear to ear throughout this entire meal.
I also savored a massive bowl of black truffle Parmesan pasta with beef tartare from To The Bone, a few different lunch-sized Mediterranean salads/wraps, and countless desserts while in Berlin.
And if you’re wondering if I paired any of these outstanding dishes with a fabulous German beer, I’ll simply say …
There’s always next year.
— Carrie Cox, account executive
Read This Next
![](https://www.globaltravelerusa.com/wp-content/uploads/group-904.png)
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Sep 6, 2024Indio, California is “Hot” Right Now, and We’re Not Talking About the Weather
Although most travelers are familiar with the name Palm Springs, the oldest city in the Greater Palm Springs region is Indio, California, Coachella Valley's "City of Festivals,” which has been experiencing an exciting downtown revitalization.
Sponsored Content
Daejeon Prepares for Its Iconic Zero O’Clock Festival
Daejeon, South Korea, looks forward to August 2024 and the return of its iconic tradition, the Zero O’Clock Festival. This year, the event is held Aug. 9 –17 with a time travel theme featuring past, present and future zones. Find events pertaining to each zone’s characteristics in the area of Jungang-ro Street, from Daejeon Station to the former site of the South Chungcheong Provincial Office. These streets will be free of vehicles, and public transportation is highly recommended.
September 2024
Sep 6, 2024Escape to Tahiti for a Captivating Island-Hopping Cruise
The 118 islands of French Polynesia reveal themselves layer by fascinating layer, with the spirit of mana (vital force) linking them all the way from Tahiti to the remote reaches of the Marquesas. This is part of the world best savored on a journey that dives as deep into culture as natural beauty, both above and below the water’s surface. A cruise makes it easy to cover a lot of ground while unpacking just once (and sneaking in some work done in comfort, too, during at-sea days). And cruising offers particular appeal within this semi-autonomous French territory sprawling across nearly 2 million square miles of ocean and covering five archipelagos.
Daily
Sep 6, 2024Experience the Awe of Fall Foliage at These 5 U.S. Hotels
‘Tis the season for flannels, pumpkin spice and beautiful fall colors. With seasons changing, leaves turn to stunning gold, red, orange and yellow, making it the perfect time for travelers to hit the open road and explore five fall foliage hotels in the United States.
Sponsored Content
Remarkable Medellín
Visiting Medellín in Colombia: The Country of Beauty is like stepping into a fantastic story — literally, as the city in the Western Colombian Andes region inspired Disney’s Encanto. Here, valleys, the world’s tallest palms, vibrant communities, colorful houses, garden-like balconies and more prove reality is more picturesque than anything on film. And it’s especially more tempting following Medellín’s remarkable transformation, shedding its troubled past and reawakening as a city of innovation, art, cultural richness, modern infrastructure, thriving tourism and resiliency.
Daily
Sep 6, 2024Finnair Celebrates 5 Years of Platinum Wing Lounge
Finnair’s exclusive Platinum Wing lounge in Helsinki opened in summer 2019 and recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. Open to Finnair and oneworld’s top-tier customers, the lounge offers travelers a place to drink, dine and unwind pre-flight. Featuring Nordic-inspired design, the lounge offers areas for working, relaxing and dining, accommodating up to 155 customers at a time.
Take a Look at Windstar’s New “Star Seeker”
Daily
Sep 5, 2024eFlyer Reviews
Sep 4, 2024The Shelbourne Review
Facing the vast St. Stephen’s Green in the heart of Dublin sits the iconic and historic The Shelbourne. Few hotels master the perfect blend of history and luxury, but The Shelbourne gets it right. The site of the signing of the Irish Constitution in 1922 granting the Republic of Ireland its freedom from England, The Shelbourne has hosted its fair share of notable figures, from Michael Collins to Princess Grace Kelly to John Ford, the latter of which was the name of my suite.
Sponsored Content
Extend Your Stay In Trendy Madrid
With its rich artistic and natural heritage, its outstanding transport network, the quality of its accommodation, its excellent gastronomy, and the passion with which the people of Madrid enjoy both the day and the night, the capital of Spain is one of the most attractive cities in the world.
eFlyer News
Sep 4, 2024Illinois Becomes First Great Lakes State to Ban Certain Single-Use Plastic Bottles in Hotels
All hotels in Illinois with 50 or more guestrooms are now required to eliminate the use of small, single-use plastic bottles containing personal care products in individual rooms and public bathrooms beginning July 1, 2025. By Jan 1, 2026, all hotels are expected to make this transition.
ShareThis