Max und Moritz

Max und Moritz is a traditional Berlin tavern on Oranienstrasse in Kreuzberg that has been serving food and beer since 1902. Named after the two mischievous boys from Wilhelm Busch's famous picture story, it is one of the few places in this lively, multicultural part of the city where the old Berlin Kneipe atmosphere has survived largely intact.

The dining room keeps the look of an old Berlin tavern, with dark wood and traditional fittings, the kind of room that fills with conversation on a busy evening. The menu sticks to hearty German and Berlin classics, the sort of food that goes well with a glass of draught beer: roasts, schnitzel, meatballs, potatoes in various forms, and seasonal specials. Portions are generous and prices are moderate for a sit-down meal in central Berlin. Check the menu on the website for the current choice, including vegetarian dishes.

It suits groups of friends, families with older children and visitors who want a relaxed, unpretentious introduction to German cooking. Service is friendly but straightforward, in keeping with the setting.

Max und Moritz is open every day from 6pm. It is popular with locals as well as visitors, and booking is a good idea for groups and at weekends; the restaurant can be reached by phone, including during office hours. Arrive early in the evening if you want a quieter table.

For visitors, part of the appeal is the contrast between the old-fashioned dining room and the energy of the street outside. Oranienstrasse has been at the heart of Kreuzberg's alternative and immigrant culture for decades, and a meal here shows that the neighbourhood's older Berlin traditions have survived alongside its newer ones. Order a local beer, take your time, and if you are in a group, share a few different dishes so everyone can try something new. Evenings in the colder months are especially cosy, when the warm room and filling food come into their own.

The tavern is a few minutes' walk from Moritzplatz station on the U8. Oranienstrasse itself is one of Kreuzberg's best-known streets, lined with bars, cafés, Turkish bakeries and independent shops, and it is a good place for a drink after dinner. Orania.Berlin and the Oranienplatz are a short walk east, and the Jewish Museum Berlin is around fifteen minutes away on foot.