Quélia from Berlin

Born and raised in Portugal, I called many other cities my home before settling in Berlin, and what was supposed to be a short 6-month stay in the German capital has now turned into a 7-year (and counting) affair. I'm passionate about traveling and getting to know different cultures, and if I'm not on an adventure, I’m usually planning or dreaming about the next one. I try to really g...
Mar 26, 2025

La Criolla Berlin

Argentinian Empanadas in Berlin

"La Criolla in Prenzlauer Berg serves the most authentic Argentinian empanadas! Perfect dough, flavorful fillings & spicy sauce. Don’t skip the alfajores!"

Being married to an Argentinian and having spent a considerable amount of time in the country, I’ve come to love their bitter mate tea, their sinful pastries, and, of course, their famous empanadas.

Although seemingly simple, a truly good empanada is not so easy to find on this side of the Atlantic: usually, either the filling is good but the dough isn’t right, or the dough is okay but the filling is bland. The experience always ended in disappointment - until one fine day, when I was walking along the quaint Marienburger Straße in Prenzlauer Berg and stumbled upon La Criolla, an Argentinian empanada shop.

Although with low expectations, I decided to give it a chance, and with the first bite, I was sold. These were truly authentic empanadas, just like in Argentina — and I would even dare to say, better than some I had there.

The dough is just perfect, and the fillings include all the classics you’d find there - carne criolla, caprese, fugazzeta, jamón y queso — along with more original recipes like pear and roquefort, pork with plums and also vegan options. Whatever you choose, they’re all delicious. My favorite is the fugazzeta, filled to the brim with melted cheese and roasted onions. They also make a fantastic spicy sauce to go with the empanadas, and for dessert, the homemade alfajores de maicena are the obvious choice.

La Criolla is the perfect spot for a quick lunch while visiting the beautiful neighborhood of Prenzlauer Berg.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

About this spot

Marienburger Straße 9

Empanada:

3.50

Our Berlin City Guide

Find your way with 217 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Berlin guide.

Join as a Spotter?

Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Berlin

ocelot

"...not just another bookstore"

"ocelot" in Berlin is really not just another bookstore. For example, here you can find children's books for Arabic refugees or even written in Inuktitut!

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Cheong Kin

Man

Oct 25, 2025

U2 Northwest

“Skyline” from the past

This yesterday's futuristic bridge on U2 Northwest is a beautiful historical monument today, promising a beautiful sunset if Berlin's in a good temper...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Cheong Kin

Man

Oct 24, 2025
Die Geisterschmiede Berlin

Die Geisterschmiede

The fall of Philosophy!

"Die Geisterschmiede" is a second-hand bookstore in Prenzlauer Allee in Berlin specializing in philosophy classics and world & regional German fairytales!

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cheong Kin

Man

Oct 24, 2025
Backery & Coffee Berlin

Backery & Coffee

Neighborhood Turkish Bakery

My favorite item they offer has to be their potato gözleme: it's a generous portion that's rich, flavorful, and both crispy and soft.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Natalie

Avila

Oct 18, 2025
Capvin Berlin

Capvin

A slice of Napoli, an oasis in Berlin

Away from the hustle and bustle of Mitte, you enter a lush and leafy world, full of bistros. In the midst of all that magic, you will find Capvin...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Rafael

Dujarric

Oct 14, 2025
The Greens Berlin

The Greens

A Plant and Coffee Lover's Dream

The best part? Every plant is available for purchase so you can take a bit of the café home with you! From seedlings and succulents to plants that may require a little extra help to get out of the coffee shop.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Natalie

Avila

Oct 11, 2025
Magic John's Berlin

Magic John's

NY-style Pizza in Berlin

A classic slice of pepperoni or truffle mushroom is the way to go here, although they offer other great toppings like olive, ricotta, salsiccia, and even vegan butternut squash.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Natalie

Avila

Oct 11, 2025
Lalibela Berlin

Lalibela

Cozy Ethiopian Eatery

My favorite thing to order might just be their #17 plate which comes with stewed vegetables, fresh salad, butter-simmered chicken, chickpeas, lean beef, and collared greens.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Natalie

Avila

Oct 11, 2025
The Sanctuary Berlin

The Sanctuary

Vegan Italian Bakery

I am a big fan of their pistachio maritozzo which is a soft Roman bun filled with cream and topped with crushed pistachios. It's absolutely amazing, and not overwhelmingly sweet.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Natalie

Avila

Oct 11, 2025
Macondo Berlin

Macondo

Creative Latin Cafébar in Friedrichshain

One word to describe Macondo? Bustling! It's not the place if you need a quiet space to work, but it's nice if you want to have it all: work, play, wine, and coffee.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Natalie

Avila

Oct 9, 2025
Heisser Hobel Berlin

Heisser Hobel

Quality Käsespatzle

Heisser Hobel stands out through their use of quality ingredients. Their dairy ingredients are collected from an organic family-run dairy farm, and their noodles are made in their stall throughout the day.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Natalie

Avila

Oct 9, 2025
The Berlin Art Market Berlin

The Berlin Art Market

Buy Local in Berlin

I suggest stopping by the Berlin Art Market by the Zeughaus to pick up a locally created art piece. Since the market is located in the center of Museum Island it's easy to reach.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Natalie

Avila

Oct 9, 2025

Heading to Berlin?

217 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Berlin app Home
Berlin app Home
Berlin app Map
Berlin app Home

Heading to Berlin?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

217 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Berlin

Our team loves Berlin

Get to know our other Spotters from Berlin

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
35
Made with the 💚 of 500 Spotters.
Filters