Eating at Odessa Mama, Berlin
Berlin is a beautiful city with rich history and culture, but did you know that you can experience a taste of Ukraine right in the heart of the capital? Odessa Mama is a family-run Ukrainian restaurant situated in the heart of the city. They originally opened back in 2008 as an Italian restaurant, before switching to their roots in 2017 and becoming one of the few Ukrainian restaurants in the German capital.
The Starter - Борщ
We kicked off our dinner in true Ukrainian style with some traditional Борщ (borshch) – a hearty beetroot soup accompanied with Пампушки (similar to garlic bread) and topped with soured cream and dill. We ordered the vegan option (with soured cream!) but the restaurant also offers a veal option for those preferring a heartier flavour.
The Main - Вареники
If there’s one dish I could not live without – it’s Вареники. Whenever I visit a Ukrainian restaurant, these dumplings are always ordered; for research purposes, obviously. I am an absolute sucker for an abundance of fried onions topping this dish, but it made a really refreshing change to try a different take.
To Drink - Вишнівка
Would it even be a Ukrainian restaurant without some cherry vodka to end your meal? We sat outdoors, and whilst it might not be the most scenic place you’ve visited, if you love Berlin like I do then sitting outside is the way to go. The inside is even more beautiful, with traditional Ukrainian embroidery adorning the tables, and artwork hanging on the walls – you feel at home.
The Location
Odessa Mama is really accessible to those in Berlin. Located at Innsbrucker Platz 3 10827 Berlin, the restaurant is 20 minutes from the city centre and you can get there by the Ringbahn lines S41, S42, and S46. The U-Bahn also goes there – line U4.
The Verdict
I would rate Odessa Mama a 5/5, and would definitely recommend you visit!
I know just how hard it is to find authentic, tasty Ukrainian food abroad. That’s why I started this series – I find the hidden Ukrainian gems so you don’t have to! For more restaurants make sure to check out our section dedicated to Ukrainian Restaurants.
If you have any restaurant recommendations, please drop them in the comments below. Смачного!
