Gasthaus Figl

The Eckekneipe (corner pub), has always been part of the Berlin fabric, but much like London’s original pubs, is suffering. You’ll still see them dotted around back streets, bearded men in sleeveless denim jackets propping up the smoky bar. Figl occupies a former kneipe in Neukölln, and has maintained its beautiful original fittings, a giant ceramic coal heater in the corner, the dark wood bar and best of all, a two-lane skittles alley in the basement. The menu is based around their beefed-up Flammkuchen: Alsatian flatbreads usually topped with crème fraiche, smoked bacon and red onion. Here they utilise the stone oven to full effect, putting Tyrolean flavours such as blood sausage, ham, apple and Bergkäse on more of a pizza base, as well as offering Italian toppings of artichoke, anchovies, taleggio or plain Marinara. Be warned, all this cured meat and rich cheese takes its toll: best to balance a pizza with one of their generous herb salads. Otherwise, there is a short menu of southern German classics like organic roast pork with red cabbage or a beef in a red wine sauce with bread dumplings. The large spacious dining room makes it perfect for large groups and you can even order pizzas down to the bowling alley.