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A Taste of Germany in the Heart of DC

Elevating the German restaurant experience with authentic dishes, warm hospitality, and a place for friends and family to gather.

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Private Events

Host your Next Event at Cafe Berlin

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Private Events and Catering

Host your Next Event at Cafe Berlin

Book Now

Oktoberfest in the Heart of DC

Five weeks under the Biergarten umbrellas, September 19 through October 25. Festbier and Märzen on tap by the Maß, with Schweinshaxe, Wiener Schnitzel and Sauerbraten from our German chefs.

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Upcoming Events at Café Berlin

Celebrate the seasons, the traditions, and the flavors of Germany—right here on Capitol Hill.

October 2026

Upcoming Events at Café Berlin

Celebrate the seasons, the traditions, and the flavors of Germany—right here on Capitol Hill.

Oktoberfest

Private Events

Wine Dinners

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Valentine's Day

Easter

Mother's Day

Father's Day

Fasching

Restaurant Week

Happy Hour Menu

Wed-Fri: 2-6PM & 9PM-Close

DRAFTS
Hacker-Pschorr

$5.00

Paulaner

$5.00

Denizens

$5.00

WINE
Gruner Veltliner

$5.00

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Dinner Menu

Wed-Thu, Sun: 2-10PM & Fri-Sat: 2-11PM

STARTERS
Minestrone

$8.00

Alt Bayerische Kartoffelsuppe

$8.00

Kartoffel Pfannkuchen

$10.00

ENTREES
Wiener Schnitzel

$24.00

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Beverage Menu

Wed-Thu, Sun: 2-10PM & Fri-Sat: 2-11PM

ROTATING DRAFTS
Hacker-Pschorr-Oktoberfest-Märzen

$11.00

Paulaner Wies’n

$8.00

Spaten Oktoberfestbier-Ur-Märzen

$8.00

ALKOHOLARM & ALKOHOLFREI
Paulaner Non-Alcoholic Weizen-Radler

$9.00

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Our Story Through the Years

1985

Grand Opening

Café Berlin was founded by three German-born friends, Irene Khashan, Peggy Reed, and a third partner Maria, who met while working at another German restaurant. They launched Café Berlin amidst Capitol Hill’s Stanton Park neighborhood, personally cooking, cleaning, and serving their early guests.

1989

Establishing a Capitol Hill Legacy

Over the late ’80s, Café Berlin grew into a Capitol Hill institution admired for its cozy ambiance, authentic German dishes, and sidewalk café flair. The Washington Post spotlighted Café Berlin’s spring charm, praising its perfect asparagus dishes, cozy décor, superb Wiener Schnitzel, and delightful pastries—solidifying its reputation as a refreshingly authentic German restaurant.

2006

Continued Acclaim in Washingtonian Magazine

A 2006 review in the Washingtonian lauded Café Berlin’s standout schnitzels (Wiener, Rahm, Jägerschnitzel), smoked pork loin, and zesty sides—highlighting how rare a German dining experience like this was in the DC landscape.

2007

Transition Begins

Rico Glage arrived from Germany to work at Café Berlin for what was to be only a year; a few months later, longtime patron Clytie Roberts joined as a server. Using a pocket dictionary to assist in communicating (this was pre-iPhone folks!) they started dating and married not too long after.

2013

New Ownership Takes the Helm

Peggy and Irene retired, and in February 2013, Clytie Roberts-Glage and Rico Glage purchased Café Berlin, ensuring its authentic spirit continued under familiar and passionate stewardship.

2014

Celebrating One Year of New Ownership

On February 17, 2014, HillRag.com recognized the first anniversary of the Glages’ ownership, celebrating the restaurant’s sustained commitment to classic and modern German cuisine.

2015

Celebrating 30 years of Café Berlin

In 2015, after three decades nestled in the heart of Capitol Hill, Café Berlin celebrated its 30th anniversary. What began in 1985 as the bold vision of three German-born friends who cooked, cleaned and served every table themselves has grown into a gathering place where Congressional staffers, tourists and local friends alike feel at home.

2019

The littlest Café Berliner joins the family—Clarissa

In 2019, Café Berlin welcomed a new member to the family: Clarissa. Her arrival marked more than a personal milestone—it reinforced Café Berlin’s commitment to generational connections, community roots and the idea that this place sustains a family of guests, staff and owners alike.

2025

40th Anniversary and kitchen renovation

2025 marks forty years of Café Berlin—forty years of welcoming welcomes, schnitzels, seasonal menus, sun-drenched patio seats and countless stories shared under the bloom of spring’s asparagus and the glow of winter’s hearty fare.

Oktoberfest in DC — five weeks of it, in our covered Biergarten two blocks from Union Station on Capitol Hill.
DC Restaurant Week menu at Café Berlin on Capitol Hill.

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