Cyclo — Restaurant in Berlin

This place has a large number of tables outside but only a small seating area inside. Although there are many staff members, only one young lady spoke English, which made things a bit challenging for us since we only knew a few words in German. That said, one kind older lady stood out—she was very respectful and helpful. She spoke to us in German and kindly called over the English-speaking staff member to assist us. In contrast, another staff member simply told us to wait and then left us standing for another five minutes until the older lady stepped in to take our order.

This is a frequently visited restaurant, so be prepared to wait a bit before ordering, especially when most tables are occupied. However, once you place your order, the food arrives very quickly, which was a pleasant surprise. One important thing to know in advance: the restaurant accepts cash only, which caught us by surprise. It's a good idea to have cash with you, as their POS system relies on Wi-Fi, which can be unreliable in that area.

The food was pretty good overall—especially the curry-based dishes and the desserts. If you stop by, definitely try their mango-based lemonade—it’s worth it!

While the staff can seem a bit unorganized at times, the two waitresses were very kind and welcoming, even if only one of them spoke English. The friendly service and great desserts made it a positive experience. Also, the restaurant is conveniently located very close to multiple tourist spots near Alexanderplatz, making it an easy stop during a day of...

We stopped by in the late afternoon for a light dinner, slightly swayed by the glowing reviews. In the end, we found ourselves a little underwhelmed. The summer rolls – which we unfortunately forgot to photograph – were bland in flavor. Since we tend to eat Vietnamese cuisine once or twice a month, we’ve built up a pretty solid reference point, and these just didn’t hold up.

The main dish with coconut sauce and prawns suffered a similar fate. It lacked the vibrant herbs and spices that define Vietnamese food – very little coriander, and the usual fresh complexity of flavors was nowhere to be found.

On the upside, the sushi was surprisingly good. If you’re heading here, that’s where the smart money goes. Fill up on sushi, and you’ll likely leave happy.

The price felt a bit steep for what we got, and the service was on the sluggish side. Despite several staff being present, many were chatting with family outside, which created a slightly inattentive vibe – not ideal when there are only a couple of tables occupied.

Still, if you’re in the area and craving sushi, this spot might be worth a stop. Just manage your expectations if you’re venturing...

In October 2023, I attended Way Up North, an international wedding photography convention in Berlin. While there, I had the fantastic experience of discovering the cosiest little Vietnamese restaurant tucked away in the heart of Berlin's historic district. This hidden gem welcomes you with open arms and serves terrific food.

The dishes are incredible, prepared with the utmost freshness and presented with a BIG smile. It's safe to say that Robert and I found ourselves returning to this charming restaurant every single day of our week-long stay in Berlin.

Though it may be on the smaller side, the intimate atmosphere is enhanced by the soft glow of candles on each table. To avoid disappointment and secure a spot, I recommend arriving early, as this place is very popular among locals and visitors alike. And to top it all off, the prices are incredibly reasonable, making this little Vietnamese restaurant a must-visit in Berlin's old quarter.

I recommend this place to anyone seeking a taste of delicious Vietnamese cuisine in the German capital.

I am so looking forward to...