Zur letzten Instanz

Zur letzten Instanz is a traditional German restaurant at Waisenstrasse 14-16 in Berlin-Mitte, close to Alexanderplatz, which describes itself as the oldest restaurant in Berlin. It dates its gastronomic history to 1621, when a former groom to the elector opened a drinking establishment on the site; the building, part of Berlin's medieval city wall, was first documented in 1561. The name means at the last instance, and local accounts link it to a legal dispute between two farmers finally settled at the nearby Littenstrasse court. The restaurant has occupied its present address since 1924. It was badly damaged in the Second World War and did not reopen until 1963 after extensive reconstruction. A 200-year-old tiled stove, said to have once warmed Napoleon, remains in the dining rooms. The kitchen serves Berlin regional dishes including Eisbein. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday from midday to 15:00 and from 17:30, Monday from 17:30, closed Sundays. Klosterstrasse station on the U2 is nearest.