When watching Union

Eat

In and near Köpenick

Ratskeller Köpenick
If you feel the need for some good, solid German food (perhaps ahead of a boozy time at the game!), then this vaulted restaurant in the basement of the town hall (Rathaus) is the right place for you. Not the cheapest place in Köpenick, but substantial helpings and a nice atmosphere. Located at Alt-Köpenick 21 (right by the 'Rathaus' tram and bus stop), a 25-minute walk from the ground (you can also take the tram for 3 stops from 'Freiheit', just round the corner, to Köpenick S-Bahn station and walk at most 10 minutes from there).

Sandmann Restaurant
Do you like schnitzel (pork cutlet in breadcrumb coating)? If not, you may be best going elsewhere! If you do, the choice of different schnitzel variations here is extensive. The helpings are big, the place has the woody feel of a pub as much as a restaurant, and it's frequented by lots of locals, which is always a good sign. Located at Parriusstrasse 19, a 15-minute walk from the ground.

Ajanta 
For a cheap and cheerful curry, in the small inside area or at one of the pavement tables, the Ajanta won't disappoint. Not somewhere to linger for hours, but if you like Indian food (and they do some pretty hot dishes) and a quick beer or two, then this will do the job. Located at Bahnhofstrasse 12, a 10-minute walk from the ground. 

Zur Currywurst
Need a pre-match snack? Then this place at Bahnhofstrasse 39-40, next to the Forum shopping centre, can offer you 'Currywurst mit Pommes' (sliced sausage in a spiced tomato sauce, with fries) and a variety of other hot snacks. Bottled beer and soft drinks also sold. Outside and some covered seating available on a wooden deck. Full of Union fans before the game on match days. 

Mia Toscana 
Located in the adjacent district of Adlershof, where I lived for several years, is this Italian restaurant, my favourite in the area. A good selection of pizza, pasta and other dishes, good wine (I always have the Merlot!), friendly service and seating outside when the weather permits. Located at Dörpfeldstraße 47. From the Wassermanstrasse tram stop 100 yards down the road, it's a 14-minute ride to Köpenick S-Bahn station, from where it's at most a 10-minute walk to the ground. Going the other way, e.g. for a post-match meal, you'd want to get off at Marktplatz Adlershof, almost directly opposite the restaurant.

Maharadscha India
If you like curry, I can highly recommend this place. It's nearer the airport than the city centre, but well worth the detour. The German palate generally doesn't like food to be too hot and spicy, so what few Indian restaurants there are in the country tend to serve fairly mild curries. I like mine hot and that's exactly what I've enjoyed at the Maharadscha India in Adlershof on a regular basis for over 12 years. My tip: chicken jalfreizi and a large dark beer! As the website linked to above is in German only, here's the Maharadscha India Tripadvisor page in English. It's located at Radickestraße 44, 30 yards from the Radickestr./Nipkowstr. bus stop, which is served by the 164 bus that will take you to or from Köpenick S-Bahn station in 17 minutes. Between there and the ground it's, as mentioned above, at most a 10-minute walk.
 

In central Berlin

Kartoffelkeller (Potato Cellar) 
Perhaps second only to pork, the staple ingredient of hearty German food is the good old spud. This basement restaurant located just across the river from Friedrichstrasse station offers a whole menu of dishes based on the mighty potato. As the website linked to above is in German only, here's the Kartoffelkeller Tripadvisor page in English.

Treffpunkt Berlin
Also not far from Friedrichstrasse station, in this case a couple of blocks down the road of the same name walking towards Unter den Linden, this bar-cum-restaurant has a nicely authentic German feel to it despite being in a very touristy area. You can sit on stools at the bar to enjoy a beer or two, or take your place at one of the tables for some solid German cooking. All in all, I find it a good place to go if thirsty or hungry in that part of town. A good, friendly atmosphere. As the website linked to above is in German only, here's the Treffpunkt Berlin Tripadvisor page in English.

Lemke
Just outside Alexanderplatz station and across the road from the TV tower, this bar/restaurant is recommended by Liverpool fan John for its "VERY strong stout" and, he says, "they even serve fish and chips". Oxford fan Mark was less complimentary about the standard of service, but then Berlin waiting staff are renowned for being surly. More reviews here in English on the Biermeisterei by emke Berlin Tripadvisor page. You'll also find Lemke at Hackescher Markt (the S-Bahn station between Alexanderplatz and Friedrichstrasse) and near to the Schloss at Brauhaus am Schloss in Charlottenberg.

Drink

In Köpenick

Union Tanke 
Open-air, street corner watering hole, open only on match days. My place for meeting friends and having a pre-match drink for the last 10 years. Located at Am Bahndamm 31, it's just 50 yards from Köpenick S-Bahn station and a 10-minute walk to the ground. No frills. Mostly standing. Beer, plus a wurst or a steak in a bun. Sadly due to close at the end of 2024, as the plot of land is set to be redeveloped as flats. 

Abseitsfalle 
Fan pub on the outer perimeter of the stadium / training pitches complex. Located at Hämmerlingstraße 80-88, it's a 3-minute stroll to the turnstiles. Big screens. Long tables. Outside seating. Beer wagon in the car park. Our group's post-match choice if it's pouring with rain or too cold for standing out in the open at the Tanke! 

Tusches Kick & Rush 
Part-owned by former Union legend Torsten Mattuschka, the bar is full of Union and general football memorabilia, including a large selection of framed shirts. Don't be deceived by the fairly small front bar: in the back is a very big room with long tables and big screens for watching all major games. Located at Am Generalshof 3-5, it's midway between Köpenick old town and the stadium. Taking the short route, you can get to the stadium outer perimeter gate on Hämmerlingstraße in 10 minutes. 

Hauptmann von Köpenick
Corner pub opposite Köpenick S-Bahn station and thus no more than a 10-minute walk to the ground. The large back room is plastered with old posters advertising Union games of the past. Pool tables are covered on match days. Used to be extremely smokey, but now serves food (simple dishes), so smoking is no longer allowed inside. 

Köpenicker Hof
A beer garden 5 minutes down the road (Stellingdamm) from Köpenick S-Bahn station / the Hauptmann pub. Pretty much only outdoor seating/standing, but with a camp fire to provide some warmth on colder days. Grill snacks available. 

Schlossplatzbrauerei Köpenick
This fully glazed, rectangular, flat-roofed building in the middle of a public square (Schlossplatz) used to claim to be Germany's smallest brewery. Following refurbishment in summer 2024, they no longer do their brewing on the premises, but still offer a range of interesting craft beers. A nice spot to begin a pre-match ramble. It's about a 25-minute walk to the ground, or 10 minutes by bus or tram (from the Schlossplatz stop) to Köpenick S-Bahn station, from where it's at most a 10-minute walk.
 

In central Berlin

Prater Beer Garden
A large beer garden with a few trees for shade and usually a big marquee too. I and my Berlin mates watched several England games here during the last Euros. A good mix of German and international fans. Lots of screens.

Panenka
Cosy pub with lots of football memorabilia on the walls, plenty of screens and good beer. Very popular, so arrive early if you want to sit down to watch a game. But also a good place just to have a beer or two when there's no game on the box.

FC Magnet Bar 
A bar that exists to show football on various big screens. Sit on a raised bench at the back of the main room, watch from a seat at a table or peer in from the pavement. Very much a football fans' pub, as the name suggests! As much of the pub's website linked to above is in German, here's the FC Magnet Bar Tripadvisor page in English.

The Lir
If you fancy fish and chips while watching a game on TV, this is the place to go! A couple of minutes' walk from Belle Vue station, The Lir is an Irish pub slightly off the beaten track. I've been in there a few times while in Berlin to watch Bristol City games on Sky. And nearly always had the fish and chips!

Blarney Pub
Don't you just love a pub where the landlord not only remembers your name, but also what you drink and who you support! Despite by no means being a regular in here, that's now always my experience in this long and narrow pub with two screens for the footie and a small raised area for occasional live music. It's located between the Mehringdamm and Platz der Luftbrücke stops on the U6 underground line.

Bar Victoria Stadler 
How best to describe this bar? Bohemian, perhaps. It's quite spartan, but somehow has a great aura about the place. The landlord delights in wearing a long, black leather coat and spikey 'dog collar'! During the pandemic, they even did on-site Covid tests with a free paper cup of mulled wine outside while you waited for the result. You won't find any TV screens here or any other modern frills, but you just might have one of the best evenings of your trip! For more about the pub in English, see the Bar Victoria Stadler Google reviews here.

BRLO craft beer bar
Stopped here for a drink after a long walk a couple of years ago. Apparently the strong craft beer quickly made me quite tiddly. I, of course, couldn't possibly comment! The place is constructed from old shipping containers, has an outside seating area and a huge range of craft beers on offer. I dare say that anyone sampling several of them might end up a little tiddly too! 
 

If you have any other suggestions, I'm always interested in hearing about new places. Please let me know at: footballingermany@gmx.de