NORDSEE Berlin Spandauer Straße — Restaurant in Berlin

We were surprised how empty the restaurant was at lunchtime (I have come to Berlin and known this place for many years and it was previously always full with customers). There were more servers making themselves busy in the kitchen area than diners. We waited at the food counter for several minutes but were ignored, then realised they'd converted the place into a "order ready" diner with automated order displays, similar to busy McDonald's. Other customers, of whom there were literally two, were similarly ignored. Having placed our order, it took absolutely forever to arrive, which was surprising as nothing more was required other than assembling the plates: the ingredients of our dishes already sat on the counter in front of our eyes. Then they "forgot" the prawn skewer for the soup, then argued with me that I hadn't ordered potatoes with my plaice fillet: I was sure I had because the display clearly showed the picture of plaice with potatoes. My German was not good enough to argue further...

The breadcrumbs crust of my plaice had absorbed an excess of rancid oil which I was regurgitating for the rest of the afternoon; the "creamy" pasta with overcooked salmon and spinach swam in what looked like milk, the prawn skewer was cooked to death in the same rancid oil... There was a hair in my plate. We paid an average of 15 euros for three mains with two soft drinks.

To sum up. The huge dining space in the centre of East Berlin looked eerie and spookily empty. The staff were rude and incompetent, the food was of poor quality and hygiene. My impression was that the management deliberately wanted this place to fail. My message to them: reform this branch or close it down. To all Nordsee enthusiasts: if you love their menu, go to Viktualienmarkt...

I was here first two weeks ago, there were only 7 costumers inside and it was quite empty, ordered a soup and also the fish burger. The burger came separately and then had to wait 38 minutes for them to go to ask for the soup, first they said its coming and it took another ten minutes for me to go and ask again and then they said they forgot to put the soup order even tho6I ordwred and paid from the machines.

I thought it was a one time mistake and thought to give these guys another try today, but guess what?! Orderes shrimps and a burger as well. This time they got the shrimps and now waiting still since 20 minutes for the burger!!! Simply terrible service. I guess the work8just want to be fired so they get the social benefits lol.

This place is a joke.

Just close it please.

Do...

We like the Nordsee  seafood restaurant chain so well, every time we are in Germany we eat at one of them.  Whether in Kaiserslautern, one of stops   on the Autobahn or in Berlin.   The last being in Berlin  in the  Alexanderplatz across from St Marien's Kirche.  It's pretty much in the hub of tourist traffic,  attractions, & shopping   so it's easy to include Nordsee  in your plans where to eat.   The restaurant is clean.  There is a   restroom in basement down steep steps  (scarcity of public toilets in city).   The Nordsee is set up as a cafeteria.   The serving line offers a  large selection of tasty seafood items.    Once finished,  you return your dishware &  food  tray to a rack for cleaning. .  No table service.    No tipping.    Good fresh seafood. Good value...