Caligari in Berlin

Sensational Italian in New Cologne with cool style. Gladly again

The restaurant is rustically furnished and uncomfortable. The acoustics are very high when used well. The food depends on the day and changes. There should be something for every taste However, the portions are quite small. The positive thing is that everything is done in-house. However, it needs to be seasoned. Overall, the Caligari didn't convince me. I won't come back again and can't give a recommendation. Reservation is recommended

The food is remarkable and varies through time. The atmosphere is amazing and Andreas makes aaaall the difference for sure. The orange wine is amazing, but take any recommendation and you’ll be happy. Both times I’ve been there there was one vegetarian option (no vegan, tho) and it’s usually three main dishes offered - which you can really tell makes all the difference, they can actually focus on the excellence of each meal. The first time I went with my partner and her dish was visibly smaller than others around us, but I guess we could have said something (but as we were having the entry, main and deserts it wasn’t necessary). The second time we had a reservation for 20:0 but our friend was sick and we got there earlier (around 19:10) and the last told that they could offer us a table only until 20:30 even ate we saying that we had the reservation for later. So let’s say we rushed a little bit our meal to avoid any inconveniences, even tho there were free tables at all moments. After the dinner you’ll get also offered some lemoncello, traditional. Being honest I would highly recommend going there, don’t forget your reservation! 💕

I was at the Caligari in Neukölln and ordered a lasagna. The taste was okay, but nothing special. Unfortunately, the portion was surprisingly small, especially in relation to the rather high price. The price-performance ratio therefore did not convince me. The friendly staff who look after the guests attentively should be highlighted positively. Overall a nice place, but for the price I would have expected more.

Quality cuisine and perfect atmosphere for a quiet evening with Italian specialties.

I have been here 4 times and I always love it but I would say this was definitely the best. The paccheri pasta was 10/10. Would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to try authentic Italian cuisine

An italian restaurant with a matryoshka at the main spot? Nope, thanks

Very fine food and really nice people. A very nice expirience. i will visit caligari again. not only for the fine food but for the very nice people working here.

Super tasty and not too expensive!

Really lovely space with friendly service. Food was tasty and arrived quickly!

There's just nothing wrong here. As a Berlin newspaper wrote, “overhyped hipster shop”. That's exactly how it is: you sit on uncomfortable wooden chairs at tables that are too small. The service was more humorous than friendly. And the most important thing: the food - just doesn't taste good. Strange creations that don't work out in most cases. In addition, the portions were sometimes too small: I had a starter and the meat main course, we then gave a friend some of her pasta and I still had to spread bread at home to fill myself up. In the end only cash payment. So everything that's bad about being a hipster, without the benefits. If you want to know more, just google the newspaper review, everything is said there. Nah.

I came here with my partner to celebrate his new job and was super worried not to find any open restaurant on a Monday, I found this one not very far and I’m so glad I did!! We both loved EVERYTHING we ate here! We got two antipastis (one perfectly cooked beef with pesto and the second one was shrimps with 2 sauces that were incredibly tasty) for main course we had a vegetarian Lasagna and a pasta with cheese and Ragout! We had 2 desserts at the end that I can’t remember, they are the unusual stuff you find at Italian restaurants but OMG WE LOVEEEEEED IT! They also have a very nice wine selection! I totally recommend this spot! Ps: all the staff are super nice and welcoming 🫶

It’s a nice, cosy place. Food is 90%, great bread and starters. I am giving it 4 stars, because i made the mistake of ordering their risotto 2 times and it’s not good. Feels like they are using basmati rice instead of risotto rice. Because the rice they use is not starchy enough, it lacks the creaminess typical for this dish. The sauce is thin and also whatever flavor/ toping it comes it, its always too little of it (hardly any mushrooms or fish) and so it all tastes a bit bland.

we went as a group with out of town friends. had low expectations to catch a table during the holidays but were pleasantly surprised to get something spontaneously. service seemed great at first, quick ordering and delivery of wine. then we were just completely forgot about for nearly an hour. we thought maybe they had to make something fresh and we had nice wine and bread, so didn't notice an issue until other people started getting served the same dishes we ordered. We flagged the server to come back but they asked if we wanted dessert 🤣. Once they realised the problem, we soon had our food. No explanation what happened, just that it's coming. We ordered two plates of lasagne which was tasty but definitely just chucked in the oven for a few minutes so not evenly warmed up. We were really starving so just attacked the food. We just wanted to eat our food and move on at that point, but then the manager came and asked if everything was okay. I'm not sure why but they were offended when I said it was okay but cold 🤷🏼‍♂️. At the end after the complaint, we were offered some discount, which was reasonable. But it was strange the timing and offer of this at the end. I think in most places they'd just say please have some cake and limoncello on the house and sorry about forgetting. Instead we got the feeling that the discount came only when I complained, but also had to deal with the manager's attitude. for Berlin, not terrible but disappointing for an Italian restaurant. after 3 years of waiting to try this local spot, this was a let down. decent experience overall but won't be going back.

Inventive, very tasty, not too traditional. Quite a dump but cool and friendly

only one vegetarian main, and it was quite disappointing in flavours. The tiramisu was frozen. We wanted to love this place because the atmosphere is so nice but won’t be returning for the average food experience

Very delicious and very good atmosphere, very friendly staff 😊 the lasagna is exquisite!!

A friendly atmosphere, definitely Italians in the kitchen. It has the vibe of a small Trattoria, reminding me of times after university when I wanted a decent Italian meal without spending much or eating junk. The minus: the small tables were shaking terribly—like terrace furniture. Two visitors almost lost their plates, and even a bottle of oil was broken because of the very shaky tables... Good vibe, young public, and nive positive energy.

Very tasty and a great restaurant. The atmosphere is really very cozy and you enjoy spending your evening there.

I dined at Caligari Bistro again after ten years, and it’s sad to see that while the place was full, it has lost much of the charm it used to have. The burrata was plain, lacked flavor, and didn’t feel like it was of high quality. The accompanying greens were unseasoned, which is typical for this type of dish, but the overall execution was uninspiring. The pasta was more disappointing. Despite being a thick and typically chewy variety, it was served soft, which felt out of place for an Italian restaurant. The tomato sauce, despite containing fish, was bland, and the fried breadcrumbs on top were burned, adding an unpleasant bitterness. The service was missing as well. Although there were three or four staff members, it was surprisingly difficult to get their attention. Additionally, our dishes arrived several minutes apart, so we couldn’t eat together. Overall, while the restaurant is inexpensive, the food was dull and simply not worth it.

We really had been looking forward to this dinner which turned out to be a disappointment at an overrated location. Small plates, food was nothing special, not very tasteful, inattentive service. We sat at the table right next to the door, where the cold would crawl up your back each time people would come it and out. The curtain doesn’t help much :/

Great little place, particular highlights were the roast beef starter and the veggie lasagne. Modern but cosy interior, helpful staff.

Family atmosphere with super delicious food. A different card every day.

It was a nice surprise. Amazing and fresh food and a nice atmosphere.

Nice place with good food Friendly owner

How nice can a visit to a restaurant be?! Friendly, cozy, tasty, accommodating, authentic. Thanks for the great hospitality. Don't forget to reserve.

Super tasty, even small requests were taken into account and super nice staff, the food felt a bit like being on holiday in northern Italy

one of the best lasagnas I’ve ever eaten !!! And the bread was just WOW

Welcome to little Italy, authentic Italian food, great service, and hearty atmosphere. Anytime again!

Caligari It’s my favourite restaurant in Berlin. They offer authentic Italian cuisine with an interesting choice of high quality ingredients. The atmosphere is relaxed and the owner extra-friendly! I love their selection of natural wines, and specially the orange ones. Better to book a table in advance as its always busy!

It’s usually very busy, so a reservation is almost always needed. The Italian food is delicious, and the wine selection is fantastic. While the portions are slightly small (except for the lasagna) the menu is updated regularly.

What a lovely place — we loved all dishes and the wine was amazing! Looking forward to the next visit.

my favorite italian spot in berlin!! daily changing menu and every dish i’ve had here has been delicious!!! great drinks too and always a good vibe

We had an absolutely magical evening here—it felt like a true trip to Italy right in the heart of Berlin. Even without a reservation, the waiter kindly found us a table within 30 minutes, giving us time to enjoy a drink at the nearby SAVO bar. The menu, though small, was well-curated, making it easy to choose without feeling overwhelmed—a definite plus. The lasagna parmigiana was perfect, and the pasta with stracciatella was equally divine. Having spent two years in Italy, this meal brought tears to my eyes—it was that good. It even inspired me to dust off my rusty Italian, as English didn’t seem enough to capture the experience. We enjoyed a great wine pairing with our pasta and ended the meal with an incredible dessert—panna cotta with a lavender twist. The service was attentive and included the classic Italian touch of warm bread. We left feeling just full enough but incredibly happy.

One of my favourites Italian restaurants in Berlin.

So tasty and cozy that I’d love to gatekeep it, but I can’t. A great please to have a dinner with friends, not a huge but a versatile menu that changes every few months, nice lighting and very sweet staff. Our food didn’t come very fast, but considering how crowded it was, it wasn’t a big deal. I went for vegetarian options last time and was absolutely satisfied, although I’m not vegetarian. I also tried my friends vitello tonnato and it was outstanding. Desserts were eaten so quickly that I didn’t get a chance to take a picture

This gem only has 4.5 stars out of caution so that it does not get overcrowded. I hope I am not spoiling it with giving it 5 stars ... we experienced a dinner nourishing the soul with fine food and beautiful esprit.

Very good food, slow service, noisy interior

Very good food. Friendly and friendly staff but very high wine prices.

One of my favourite places to eat in Berlin. Ever changing menu and always delicious. Great wine choices too

Small restaurant that doesn't look like much. Excellent meal, excellent service. THANKS

Quaint little Italian restaurant with carefully crafted dishes. Very fresh, original and deliciously prepared. Sensational!

Had to wait to be seated, which is okay. But it was an early indication of the slow and disorganised service. But they are nice people and trying their best - they were never rude. Unfortunately I found the food disappointing. We had the Vitello Tonnato, burrata, and the cannelloni. I found the burrata and the cannelloni particularly disappointing. The atmosphere and general vibe is great though; I think it’s a cool place if you want to hang out with friends in a casual place and not super fussed with the quality of the food.

Everything perfect! From the food and the desserts to the service. Also the prices are very reasonable. We had a great time at Caligari and hope to eat again there soon. Delicious!

I had been to this place twice before COVID and loved it but sadly it seems something has gone very downhill since then. The burrata was very leathery, much tougher than it should have been and with a strange taste. Maybe it went past expiry date or something went wrong with storage. Even a burrata from a basic supermarket tastes way better than that. The pasta in the prawn paccheri was undercooked, sauce was watery and tasteless and it was underwhelming overall. Both dishes definitely not worth the price tag. You would be safer going to many other Italian restaurants in town. I hope they manage to improve the situation so that we can experience the high quality they used to have. But for now it seems the culinary love there has gone - definitely avoid.

Good, authentic cuisine but very loud. You should invest in acoustic ceiling panels, especially in the front room.

We had to wait almost 2 hours for our food. Last plate came when everyone else was finished. Pasta was chewy and partly raw. Very pricey for the poor quality, service, portions..

Food didn't taste like much and came in the smallest portion in the world... after a cannelloni I definitely have to eat something else at the döjermann next door. This one cannelloni costs almost 15€ here... 15€ for almost nothing to eat is tough. Unfortunately, the service was very understaffed... accordingly, the food came before the drinks and everything took an extremely long time, which was not the waiters' fault, but is still very annoying...

Small is beautiful. Small menu, but everything is of excellent quality and freshly prepared. And for what it offers, it's also extremely inexpensive! Would come back at any time.

Best Italian restaurant we have ever visited! Mega Jammie

The zucchini and burrata appetizer and the vegetarian lasagna were delicious!

A place for young people run by Italians, the food and the variety of dishes are inviting, the cleanliness leaves something to be desired...

Really nice food but very slow service, everything seemed too difficult, even bringing us bread. The setting is lovely however. The beef which I ordered was nice but really needed a carb as it was literally just beef on its own (!?). I would have asked for some bread with it however that would likely have taken another 30-45 mins to come.

Too pretentious for the food served. But cute

We celebrated my birthday here, and from the reservation email to the farewell limoncello on the house, I was simply thrilled. Very nice atmosphere, good playlist. Delicious food. Not huge portions, but good value for money. Be sure to leave room for dessert. Insanely nice service team. Audience pleasant mix, unexpectedly even a bit queer ((: - will definitely come back. Thanks for the lovely evening.

Being 15 min late for a reservation, instead of make u wait for a next table u get simply send away 😞

We were lucky to get in without booking the table in advance. Amazing vegetarian lasagne and desserts. We loved our time there!

Love everything about this place! The food quality, the menu, the staff and atmosphere are just amazing. Everything is delicious, wines are very good too. The atmosphere is so cozy nd staff adorable. Nothing has changed since 2020, just perfection!

Amazing lasagna and nice service!(:

Great place! Maybe they could have a few more veggie options but apart from that I’m super happy! Also, great service!!

We waited around 20-30min to get seated despite having made a reservation. It also took them a very long time to bring us two bottles of wine. The food itself was also a bit disappointing, many of our dishes were oversalted and masked the taste of everything. This is sad cause it ruined the great taste of their homemade pasta. I had to rub off all the sauce to at least appreciate something. The dish with seafood just tasted like sea… The place itself looked very cute and cozy, also the dishes were very pretty.

Excellent pasta dishes and great location with a beautiful atmosphere.

Waited an hour, but no one seemed to bother, despite there being free tables. Food was okay but nothing special (pasta).

It's like being able to enjoy homemade, original Italian cuisine in the living room at home! The fine selection of dishes and wine is simply wonderful. Also the fresh !good! Bread, which was free, was part of the high-quality cuisine. The portions could have been a little larger. But lasagna with dandelions made me very happy 🤤 The boss himself serves, which gives the whole thing even more charm.

I've always wanted to go to Caligari and was really looking forward to it. The restaurant itself is super nice and cozy. The service was very attentive and nice. However, the food is of a good standard and you can make it yourself at home. There is definitely room for improvement here.

Amazing restaurant with high end food choices, the chefs really know what they're doing and still sell it at incredibly affordable prices. Modern and interesting Italian cuisine with some twists, the service is super friendly and makes you feel right at home.

Busy Italian restaurant without pizza.

My absolute favorite shop in Schillerkiez Changing menu, appetizers are always a highlight, pasta dishes to put in and you should also leave room for dessert The staff is super nice and overall the store offers a family atmosphere! Must try!

Unfortunately not at all what I expected.. the food was at best mediocre, some of it was actually not good and both my partner and I had digestion problems afterwards.. there are a lot better Italian places in the area

-The cheapest supermarket water with a 1000% markup. -Dirty and broken dishes. -Warm wine from dirty glasses. -Unorganized service. A pity.

No card payments possible. The 2024 German standard apparently...

Regular client. The menu is simple but there’s choice for everyone (veggie, meat, fish,…). Lasagnas are my favorite. The restaurant is often crowded, I recommend to book your table in advance. Overall, a superb experience each time I go there.

Super cute, authentic little shop. Small menu, every dish a hit!

sous chef is a cutie btw will come back for him

Authentic Italian cuisine. Serious wine selection. Owned and staffed by cool Italian guys. If you appreciate fine flavours go! Highly recommend.

Incredible! There's a curated daily menu which gives the restaurant a very personal touch. Very well balanced flavors, fresh ingredients and a lovely ambience, as well as personable service.

We waited a few minutes for our table but the food was great All starters are great

Amazing food and atmosphere! I totally recommend it.

Wonderful! The good food was only surpassed by the fantastic service! Even if it is not centrally located - the journey is worth it! ❤️

The Caligari restaurant skilfully combines modernity and Italian taste. The atmosphere is chic and cozy, the food creative and delicious. The service is outstanding and very friendly. Absolutely recommended for anyone looking for innovative, Italian (but not only) cuisine and a stylish Berlin ambience.

Cozy trendy pub with high-end cuisine. The place was absolutely packed when we arrived (we had reserved, so we were able to reach the last available seats without having to wait) and to be honest it was *too* full for me. (When I get to a certain level of tightness, I just feel pressured and therefore constantly uncomfortable.) I agree with those who wrote about the “service level” not matching the prices. However, the staff were very friendly throughout, despite the crowdedness/crowdiness, which was certainly stressful for them too. From 9:30 p.m. onwards the “filling level” reached a pleasant level. From then on, it was time for me to “feel good” again. The food was very tasty for me. But I'm not a gourmet, so I can't judge whether it was really "good". (However, the prices speak more for high-end quality.) By the end of our visit I felt really comfortable there. By the way, the restaurant really closes at 11 p.m. (not just the kitchen first), you have to keep that in mind when timing. Another note that I will keep in mind in all my reviews in the future: I am an (exclusive) train/bike and public transport rider and I also walk a lot (in big cities). It is therefore important to me that I can "seriously" store/hang up a certain amount of weather-appropriate clothing (coat, winter jacket, hat, gloves, umbrella, etc.), which can also be wet on days like last Sunday. This means that you *don't* have to sit on them, you *don't* have to put them under your chair on the (usually dirty) floor, or you *don't* have to put them over the chair backs, which are often far too small, in order to then a. having to share space and/or b. can lean on the wet clothes with his normal outer clothing. That (seriously storing clothes) is *definitely* not possible here!

What a beautiful place to have a delicious meal. A small, confy Restaurant, with a familiar ambiance. Loved it!

Sadly not impressed. Vibes were ok, although a bit loud. Waiters were nice, but service was very slow. It took more than 45 minutes to get our first course and another 45 minutes to get the main. To be honest, the lasagna was tasteless. It was just layers of pasta and loads of heavy bland bechamel, with tiny bits of veggies here and there. I had a hard time to digest. I was expecting way more of this place!

Bin schon das zweite Mal hier gewesen. Das Essen ist stets hervorragend, die Getränke auch (Wein und Negroni Sbagliato), Service ist nett. Preise sind okay (nur Barzahlung).

very low key but friendly, and delicious. no brainer for an easy italian outside. lovely staff!

Amazing!! The food was extraordinary, excellent quality, great attention to detail and the staff was super friendly 🖤

Sehr gute Küche in einem gemütlichen Ambiente. Super Service.

Superb food! It’s worth making a reservation. It’s sweltering hot in the summer inside—maybe a few fans could make the atmosphere more pleasant?

Vado spesso da Caligari. Il cibo è buonissimo, lo staff gentile specialmente Gioele! E l’ambiente è molto cozy. 🩷

😍everything was amazing! The service did it all very effortlessly and calm which made a beautiful atmosphere. The timing of the food was perfectly on point and it was all soo delicious! We had a table with 12 ppl and not one glass was ever empty we had a blast! Thank you soo much!!!

Good. Fair price value ratio. Nothing super fancy and nice staff.

Leckeres, kreatives Essen, stylische Einrichtung und freundlicher Service!

It’s the second time for me here and the first time I was not extremely surprised. I have to say that this time everything was tasty and had an amazing quality! I’ll be back for sure!

This spot is simply fab. Authenticly rustic decore we know and love, teamed with genuinly good food at very sensible prices. The lasagne is, 'mwah'.

Very good Italian food. We highly recommend the goat cheese salat!! Even on Monday they had a full house, so it is better to previously reserve a table Only cash is accepted

Il miglior ristorante italiano di Neukolln per qualità delle pietanze. Piatti italiani rivisitati in modo raffinato e originale. Le porzioni però per chi ha molto appetito sono medie / piccole. La carta dei vini offre una buona scelta.

A modern little kiez restaurant serving up some delicious Italian food from a changing menu. The place is compact and lively with the front dining section facing a large open window and the inside having a rustic open brick wall. The open bar and kitchen adds the warmth of the place. Service is always friendly and polite but can get a bit frantic when they're very full, but they'll take care of you nonetheless. The menu consists of a few well made, rustic, entrées, mains and desserts. The tartare was an absolute win! Every dish was made with care and left nothing to be desired. The portion sizes are perfect for you to enjoy a 3 course meal. The wine list is short but curated. They have an interesting collection of Italian wines are that uncommon but worth trying in Berlin. All in all, it's a pleasure to have these establishments be a part of every kiez. It's a great place to bring your friends or even a date!

Small menu which didn't disappoint, definitely would come back if I was in Berlin next to see what else is on the menu! Staff were super friendly.

We visited with family and the food was lovely but the restaurant just has too many tables crammed in due to high demand. It felt very crowded and uncomfortable. Staff were nice but those on front desk were drinking and one kept popping out to smoke. Maybe a new way of working but but for me and obviously ok in Berlin- wouldn’t be allowed for hygiene reasons in U.K. In summary: lovely food and wine, tables too crammed in. Staff need to retrain on hygiene.

Merci! Sehr schmackhaft und tolles Personal 🌻