Smoke-Free Cafes in Berlin

This minimalist-chic Japanese restaurant has a small but select menu. Its theme is udon-noodle soup, of which there are seven types to choose from. The million-dollar … option is the curry chicken soup. One is almost ashamed to slurp this visual masterpiece: a clean, clear broth packed with crispy chicken fingers, leeks, and cilantro. An altogether elegant and highly satisfying experience. [link]

This café is one of the first vegetarian joints in Prenzlauer Berg. Its focus is on healthy greens and is less self-conscious than Café Mia. All the sandwiches are … tasty and imaginative (no potatoes). It's ideal for a cheap bite in warm, gay surroundings. [link]

What makes this pizza shop king of its domain is the perfectly thin crust. A rarity in Berlin, the crust is not only semolina-dappled but also properly baked. The white … zucchini pizza is highly addictive, but sample as many as you can manage. Conclude your indulgence with a hefty double espresso. [link]

I love stopping into Fettnapf after an exhausting shopping spree at St. George's Bookshop. The specialty is Belgian fries. Served in a cardboard funnel, you can drown … the fries in as much mayo and ketchup as your stomach can hold. If you're craving protein, they also offer different types of wurst. [link]

The proprietor behind this pretty-in-pink bakery has created an all-out labor of love. Like New York's famed Magnolia, expect an array of frosted cupcakes, fresh from the … oven, in delicate pastel colors. With just enough tables to accommodate a small group, you can eat in and enjoy these flavorful miniature cakes in a smoke-free environment. Martha Stewart would approve. [link]

Upon entering Café Mia, one gets the health-conscious message of its aesthetic. The vegetable-green wall and large nonsmoking sticker are a tad on the loud side. … Otherwise, its minimalist effect will appeal to graphic designer moms (especially given the free wifi). But someone ought to tell the cook that the potato sandwich has Dr. Atkins rolling in his grave. [link]

Half of this café serves as a flower shop; the other half serves fabulous light snacks with an emphasis on greens and legumes. I recommend stopping in for lunch and … ordering the daily soup. Hopefully the vegetarian borscht or carrot ginger are available. Afterward, browse through the flower shop with a cup of fresh mint tea. Keep your ears open for the overly chatty tropical parrot. [link]

This American-owned café is a hit among locals and tourists alike. It's where you can get the classic sky-high Reuben sandwich just as you would in the Big Apple. If … you're getting the sugar shakes for bagels, cheesecakes, and peanut butter cookies, then look no further. An absolute must is the vegetarian borscht. The blood-red broth and chunks of beets pack a nice punch, and you'll leave with a natural flush to the cheeks. [link]