Gridskipper

This first-rate Vietnamese restaurant stands alone both in taste and décor. The daily menu offers only a few appetizers and four main dishes, but each is taken to masterly proportions. The chicken soup (pho ga)… is a work of art — fragrant, layered, and powerful. If you've been on an alcohol binge, I can recommend no more elegant or sure-fire remedy. All dishes are served in beautiful traditional bowls; if you order any of the aromatic teas, it will feel like a ceremonial rite of passage. Choose an outdoor table amid luscious exotic plants. No reservations necessary. [link]

The name says it all, and thankfully it isn't a sex club. Our favorite for Thai and Indonesian cuisine, Good Time serves nothing but seductive masterpieces. With such a hefty menu, one has to wonder how it's possible… to never get it wrong. An absolute starter should be one of the fresh fruit drinks — the watermelon is a gentle, delectable introduction to what will follow. All the rice dishes are outstanding, so order in confidence, knowing you are in for an Asian-Dionysian indulgence. With three locations throughout the city, there is no reason to miss out. [link]

Minimal-chic Sasaya is considered by most to serve the best sushi in Berlin, with Kuchi coming in second place. At Sasaya, you'll want to try any of the daily specials, particularly if they sound strange. Our only… quibble is the overwhelming crowd. If you go during lunch hours then you won't have to worry about sweating from so much smoke and body odor. Make reservations if you decide on dinner and request the table nearest the window (for air and elbow room). And be in the know regarding their hours (closed between lunch and dinner). [link]

In the contest over best sushi, with Kuchi and Sasaya as finalists, we choose the former. But if you like chic without the spartan effect and have a thing for magical courtyards, then Kuchi is your place. Furthermore,… the innovative creations Kuchi chefs fashion are the works of masters. For an after hours drink, walk a few feet to our favorite gin joint, Altes Europa. [link]

In an area where greasy fast food reigns, the always bustling Monsieur Vuong remains a local favorite for its high quality standards. The regularly changing menu specializes in dishes from Saigon and the Mekong… Delta, and with only a few items from which to choose, excellence is ensured. Reservations are not possible, so prepare to hustle. [link]

If you find yourself unable to elbow your way through Monsieur Vuong, then mosey on over to MannGo. By no means are the two comparable, but MannGo allows for a more quiet and intimate sit-down. The Vietnamese restaurant… poses as Thai, nevertheless the dishes are adequate and inexpensive, and you won't leave with an MSG migraine attack. Another reason to opt for MannGo is its location. Mulackstrasse is the epitome of high-end understatement — what Broome Street in New York's SoHo once felt like. [link]

It's impossible to talk about exquisite Thai food in Berlin without mentioning Mao Thai, where beauty, taste, and impeccable aesthetics come together for the full experience. Expect fuchsia orchids with your dish… and personable service that will have you booking the next flight to Thailand. Reservations are required. [link]

Located on the ground floor of the exclusive Lux 11 Apartment Hotel, Shiro I Shiro (a.k.a. the white castle) is a Japanese-Mediterranean restaurant of sheer luxury. Its concept belongs to Kuchi owner Mr. Duc. With… the help of French chef Eduard Dimant and interior designer Huyn Jung Kim, the restaurant has achieved status far above the rest. Submit yourself to the airy, loftlike interior with its striking synthesis of baroque and Asian minimalism, and expect nothing less than a decadent feast of radical innovations. Make reservations. [link]