Currywurst is Berlin’s most famous street food: a sliced pork sausage covered in curry-spiced ketchup and dusted with curry powder, usually served with fries. It was first sold in Berlin in 1949 and is still eaten standing at an Imbiss (snack stand). Expect to pay about €3–€5 for a currywurst, a few euros more with fries. Two classic stops are Konnopke’s Imbiss in Prenzlauer Berg and Curry 36 in Kreuzberg.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| What it is | Fried or grilled pork sausage, sliced, with curry ketchup and curry powder |
| Origin | Berlin, 1949; credited to snack-bar owner Herta Heuwer |
| Where to buy | An Imbiss: a street kiosk or small snack bar |
| Typical price | About €3–€5, or €6–€8 with fries (2026) |
| Classic order | Currywurst mit Pommes (with fries) |
A short history
Currywurst is usually credited to Herta Heuwer, who is said to have mixed ketchup, curry powder and other spices at her snack stand in Berlin-Charlottenburg in 1949, using ingredients available from British soldiers. A plaque marks the spot. The dish spread across Germany, but Berlin still treats it as its own.
How to order a currywurst
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Eine Currywurst, bitte | A currywurst, please |
| Mit Darm / ohne Darm | With skin / without skin |
| Mit Pommes | With fries |
| Pommes rot-weiß | Fries with ketchup and mayonnaise |
| Scharf | Spicy (many stands offer spice levels) |
With or without skin? In Berlin you will often be asked mit oder ohne Darm? Skinless sausage (ohne Darm) is a tradition from the former East Berlin; sausages with skin are more common in the West.
Where to eat currywurst in Berlin
- Konnopke’s Imbiss (Prenzlauer Berg) – a family-run stand under the elevated U-Bahn tracks at Eberswalder Straße, in business since the 1930s and famous for its skinless currywurst.
- Curry 36 (Kreuzberg) – a busy stand near Mehringdamm station, popular day and night.
- Any busy neighbourhood Imbiss – currywurst is everywhere, especially near train stations. A queue of locals is the best recommendation.
Opening hours change, so check before a special trip.
Frequently asked questions
Where did currywurst come from?
Berlin. It is usually credited to Herta Heuwer, who sold it at her snack bar in Charlottenburg from 1949.
What is the best currywurst in Berlin?
Konnopke’s Imbiss and Curry 36 are the two names most Berliners mention, but it is a matter of taste and many locals swear by their neighbourhood stand.
How much does a currywurst cost in Berlin?
About €3–€5 on its own and €6–€8 with fries in 2026.
Is there vegetarian currywurst?
Yes, many stands now offer a vegetarian or vegan sausage with the same sauce.
More in Germany: Bavarian pretzels and beer, Black Forest cake and German Christmas market food. Browse all Germany food guides or estimate your food budget for Germany.
Sources
- visitBerlin – official Berlin tourism site.
- Currywurst – history and origins.
