Zur letzten Instanz

Zur letzten Instanz describes itself as the oldest restaurant in Berlin, with a history that it traces back to 1621. It occupies an old house on Waisenstrasse, a quiet lane in the historic centre beside one of the few surviving fragments of the medieval city wall. The name, which means roughly "the court of last resort", is a nod to the nearby law courts on Littenstrasse; legend has it that disputing parties came here to settle matters over a drink.

Inside, the rooms are small and wood-panelled, with tiled stoves and old furniture, and the feeling is of a traditional Berlin tavern rather than a museum piece. The kitchen focuses on regional and traditional Berlin cooking: hearty meat dishes, dumplings, potatoes and sauerkraut, with herbs from a farm in Brandenburg and fish from the Müritz lakes. In autumn and winter the restaurant is known for its Martinsgans, the roast goose dinner that returns from 11 November each year and is a popular reason to book. Takeaway is also offered.

It suits visitors who want to try classic German food in a setting with real history, and it works well for couples and small groups. Portions are generous, so arrive hungry. Vegetarians will find fewer choices than at modern restaurants, so it is worth checking the menu online first.

The restaurant opens in the evenings from 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 noon, with a break in the kitchen between 3pm and 5.30pm. It is closed on Sundays. Booking is strongly recommended, especially at weekends and during goose season, as the dining rooms are not large. The office takes phone enquiries on weekday mornings.

Over the centuries the house has welcomed many well-known guests, and the restaurant enjoys telling the stories behind its rooms. Even if you are not a history enthusiast, the combination of a quiet lane, an old building and a plate of traditional food makes for a very different evening from the modern restaurants of Mitte. Lunch on a Friday or Saturday is a good option if you prefer a calmer visit, and it fits neatly into a day exploring the historic centre around Alexanderplatz and the Nikolaiviertel.

Klosterstrasse station on the U2 is a few minutes' walk away, and Alexanderplatz is about ten minutes on foot. Nearby you can see the ruins of the Franciscan Friary Church and the medieval wall fragment, and the Nikolaiviertel, the reconstructed old quarter around the Nikolaikirche, is just across Grunerstrasse.