Ari’s — Restaurant in Berlin

Why You Shouldn’t Staff a Restaurant with Your Friends!

As a local who lives on the street, I really wanted to support this new diner. Unfortunately, from the moment we walked in, it was clear that the staff were overwhelmed, untrained, and generally not functioning as a team. We stood at the entrance unacknowledged while other diners awkwardly watched, clearly familiar with the disarray.

Tables were left uncleared, guests had to walk up to ask for menus, cutlery, or to pay, all while creating a growing congestion at the entrance. At any given moment, nearly every table was trying, and struggling, to get a server’s attention. No one seemed in charge, and not a single “we’re sorry” or “please bear with us” from anyone. Instead, responses were short, borderline snappy.

With regards to the “Single mom discount 10%” I appreciate that this diner is supporting single parents, but I was surprised to see the discount offered only to single mothers. While well-intentioned, this policy feels unfair, as single fathers often face similar financial and emotional challenges. Offering help based on gender may unintentionally reinforce stereotypes and exclude others who also deserve support. I hope the diner considers extending the discount to all single parents equally, doing so would make the gesture even more inclusive and meaningful.

To their credit, the pancakes were fluffy and the food was decent, but service basics were missing. Bringing food before cutlery? Big no.

I hope they turn things around, and I genuinely look forward to the day I get a newsletter letting me know they’ve replaced the friend group with a real team. Until then, it’s less Peruvian brunch and more front-row seat to a service circus.

Follow-Up Review: I Believe in Second Chances, and Ari's Earned Theirs

After a rocky first visit, I returned to Ari’s with an open mind, and I’m glad I did.

Something’s shifted. The service still feels casual, but now it’s comfortably so, not chaotic. What stood out most this time wasn’t just the food (though the pancakes were flawless), it was the thoughtful atmosphere.

There’s a refined sense of colour and coordination that’s quietly brilliant: from the booths and Salt-N-Pepa shakers to the ketchup dispensers and even the fries trays. Everything works together, effortlessly charming, not curated-to-death.

And the food? Well. Let’s just say there’s no guessing how many return trips I’ll make for the salad and fries combo; it’s an unexpected winner. Antonia summed it up perfectly: “I wouldn’t know a comparable salad in Berlin.”

Ari’s doesn’t try to be anything it’s not, and that’s part of its magic. It’s warm, unfussy, and welcoming. It feels like going to a friend’s for lunch, if that friend happens to nail their vinaigrette every time.

Fair warning: if you visit once, you’ll probably be back. So, whether that means budgeting for the commute to 10999 or checking out apartments within walking distance, consider...

Overall a great experience and will be back!

You can tell this place is run by a chef because the kitchen is immaculately organized, but the front of house not as much. We came on a Saturday and it was very busy. Despite it surely being stressful for the wait staff that day, our service was nothing but friendly and helpful, albeit a tad bit slow. They were also considerate when I mentioned my allergies, which I really appreciate. If they can improve how they organize their front of house, this place will be hard to beat.

The menu is very 'right-now' - Elevated American diner food with a modern Peruvian twist. Everything we ate was delicious, and all the other dishes I saw coming out of the kitchen looked immaculate. The pancakes were perfect - a big pat of butter and salted syrup along with fluffy cakes that were rich, but not heavy. The fries were perfectly executed, with the ideal balance of crunchy and salty. I also had the pickled carrot lime-ade which was such a complex and tasty refreshment for sour drink lovers. I bet it would also be fire with a splash of tequila.

Plenty of dishes that I am super keen to go back and try, like the mushroom reuben - but it will be tough not to order those pancakes again 😂 Great work guys - looking forward to...

So, Aris is definitely the new spot in town, a retro diner-style place that everyone seems curious about right now. It’s fully booked, very lively, and you can tell the hype is real. I’m still not sure if that’s because the food is truly great, or just because it’s a new opening with an eye-catching concept.

The staff was nice and friendly, and we waited about 20 minutes for a table, which was fine given how busy it was. But honestly, the food felt a bit underwhelming. Everything was okay, but nothing really stood out. I don’t know why, but everything seemed a bit too salty, even the coffee with cream and the hot chocolate had a noticeable saltiness. The churros were dry and had way too much cinnamon sugar on top. Not terrible, but not something I’d rush back for either.

The atmosphere is cool and hip, love the open kitchen idea in theory — but it gets hot and stuffy fast. The air feels dense, and the smell of oil and spices just kind of lingers nonstop, which can get overwhelming after a while.

Overall, Aris is interesting and has potential, but right now it feels more like a place people go because it’s new, not because it’s amazing. Solid, but not...