Hauptstadtrestaurant Gendarmerie
Berlin
At a glance
Hauptstadtrestaurant Gendarmerie offers an experience in Berlin akin to a love letter to the classic French brasserie. Situated in the vibrant district of Berlin-Mitte, near the iconic Gendarmenmarkt, this venue captures the essence of a cosmopolitan dining experience. It combines refined culinary techniques with a commitment to regional gastronomy, ensuring that diners enjoy dishes crafted with fresh, local ingredients. The restaurant's alluring menu is never static, delighting patrons with a frequently changing selection tailored to the season's bounty.
The ambiance at Gendarmerie merges stylish modernity with an understated elegance, providing diners with a setting that is both sophisticated and relaxed. It's a location that caters well to various dining occasions, from intimate settings for a couple to gatherings of friends seeking the shared joy of excellent food and drink.
At the heart of the culinary offering is the French brasserie cuisine, featuring an assortment of delicacies including seafood and rich meat dishes. Guests might explore items ranging from perfectly prepared oysters to carefully grilled entrecôte. To complement the meal, the restaurant highlights a range of corresponding wines, adequately enhancing each dish's unique flavors.
The bar at Gendarmerie deserves its own mention. Stretching an impressive 13 meters, it invites guests to savor imaginative cocktail creations and a curated selection of fine champagnes. Such offerings make it not only a place for dining but also a venue where patrons can indulge in elaborate beverages.
Open daily with extended kitchen hours on weekends, Hauptstadtrestaurant Gendarmerie accommodates guests throughout the day, presenting options for both a luxurious business lunch or an indulgent dinner. The restaurant is committed to upholding a high standard of culinary excellence, making it a noteworthy destination for those in Berlin seeking a taste of sophisticated French cuisine infused with dynamic regional elements.
Reviews
Our cruise boat docked at the closest port to Berlin, about a 2-hour drive, but we were not going to be in that part of Germany and not make it to Berlin. So, our group of 10 booked a private guide and drivers and set out. After the initial drive and some touring, we needed lunch and our guide took us to Gendarmerie. First off, it is one of the coolest restaurants inside that I have ever seen. The large piece of art that stretches the width of the restaurant is outstanding and eye catching. There are also replica pieces of the Berlin wall used as art and a series of giant portraits of famous German actors and actresses along with John F. Kennedy. Strange combination. We were seated at a long table. Our server was excellent and very entertaining for this table full of Americans. I can only speak of the two dishes that my wife and I ordered. I had the fried pike-perch fillet, but it was served on fresh local white asparagus which was in season and highly recommended. I can say without question that it was the largest asparagus I have ever seen in my life. Full of flavor with a sauce on the side. Trouble with it was that there was too much and much of it was quite tough. I prefer my asparagus thin not tree trunks. The fish was good but a bit dry so the sauce was welcome. My wife had Konigsberger meatballs with red beetroot and mashed potatoes all in a cream sauce. They are not shy about their sauces here as the photos indicate. But, the meal was very good. At the end, knowing we wanted to divide the check, the server merely had us come to the counter a couple at a time and simply tell him what we had to eat. It all added up so we were good. End review is that it was a great location, but the food was not outstanding at all. If given a greater scale, the review would be a solid 3.5.
We had very good food and a delightful evening sitting on the patio. Asparagus is in season and was tasty with Weiner schnitzel. Good service. Farmed salmon was good. Spinach also tasty but a bit heavy on the salt.
One of the best dining experiences I got. Absolutely stunning from beginning to end. The staff guided us to make the choices of the beer and the desserts. All the decisions are the best. I will visit again if I get to chance to visit Berlin in the future.
For a celebration, we chose Hauptstadtrestaurant Gendarmerie, and from the moment we called for a reservation until the time we left, our experience was exceptional. We were served by Blerim, an extremely professional and pleasant staff member who truly understands customer satisfaction. He managed each table with care while efficiently taking our orders. We opted for the salmon steak, mashed potatoes, and grilled veggies. As we waited for our food, we enjoyed a glass of white beer and tonic water to start the evening off right. The entire team that night was courteous, polite, and attentive. The food was delectable, with rich flavors and perfectly balanced seasoning. The ambience in the restaurant added to the overall charm, making it an incredible dining experience. Overall, a ten-star evening, and we would absolutely return!
