Elevating the German restaurant experience with authentic dishes, warm hospitality, and a place for friends and family to gather.
Celebrate the seasons, the traditions, and the flavors of Germany—right here on Capitol Hill.
Wed-Fri: 2-6PM & Sat & Sun: 3-4PM
Wed-Fri: 2-6PM & Sat & Sun: 3-4PM
Wed-Fri: 2-6PM & Sat & Sun: 3-4PM
Wed-Fri: 2-6PM & Sat & Sun: 3-4PM
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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