As its name suggests, this joint sets out to bring you a slice of Berlin in the +65. And it has all the elements nailed – a buzzy downtown location, grungy interiors with graffiti walls, metro motifs, and of course, plenty of signature Berlin street grub to boot. The founders wanted to replicate the chill, understated vibe that Berlin exudes, as well as its history of immigration. So don’t be surprised to see a mix of the German capital’s staples with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and even Asian influences.
When dining here, you’ll find it hard not to order the currywurst, which is pretty much a representative dish when it comes to German cuisine. It comes as a single pork sausage dressed with Kewpie mayo, curry ketchup made with curry powder from Germany, along with a side of fries. Flavour-wise, there’s nothing quite complex about it — it’s unquestionably tasty with just a hint of sweetness from the sauce. We’re just not sure if the $22 price point is quite justified considering how straightforward it is.
For something a little more novel, give the Konigsberger Klopse ($26) a shot. Hearty veal and beef meatballs come drenched in a savoury creamy white caper sauce and make for a moreish pairing with boiled potatoes. The Mediterranean-style heirloom tomato and watermelon salad ($18) is also worth a try as a refreshing, zesty counterpart to the other heavier, meatier flavours. Add on a side of Turkish Simit bread ($4.50) for your daily dose of carbs. It comes with molasses, sesame, and a tangy chilli tomato dip.
Unfortunately, the iconic Berlin doner kebab and Turkish Adana kebabs – touted as the restaurant’s signatures – leave much to be desired. While the shredded rotisserie chicken in the classic 1972 Berlin Original ($18) doner is decent, the flatbread and salad stuffing are a tad dry. Similarly, the Adana kebabs (long, hand-minced grilled skewers) (from $24) come packed with flavour, but are also on the drier end, and even more so when paired with Basmati rice. Having these with the accompanying sauces is a must.
Thankfully, the drinks and desserts somewhat make up for the experience. After all, no German meal would be complete without a pint or two, and Berlin65's choice of craft beer is the exclusively imported Pale Ale from BRLO (from $8), which is brewed right in the heart of Kreuzberg. You’ll also get to try an authentic Turkish Ayran (from $8) – a salty yoghurt drink similar to a lassi that comes in flavours like mango and passionfruit. Love yourself a good bomboloni? The restaurant’s homemade Berliner or Pffankuchen (a type of stuffed doughnut) ($8) sell out like hotcakes, and come with your choice of vanilla bean custard, strawberry jam, or a unique apricot jam filling.