Café Berlin opened in 1985 in Capitol Hill's Stanton Park area, founded by three German-born friends — Irene Khashan, Peggy Reed, and a partner named Maria — who met working at another German restaurant and ran the place themselves in the early days, cooking, cleaning, and serving guests.
In 2013, Clytie Roberts-Glage and her husband Rico Glage took over ownership. Rico had arrived from Germany to work at Café Berlin and stayed on; Clytie was a longtime patron before joining as a server. Under their stewardship the restaurant has continued serving the same style of German cooking that built its reputation on the Hill.
The menu runs through German staples: Wiener Schnitzel, Rahm Schnitzel, and Jägerschnitzel, smoked pork loin, and potato pancakes, alongside starters like potato soup and minestrone. The beverage list leans into German beer, with drafts like Hacker-Pschorr and Paulaner and rotating seasonal pours. Regulars point to the cozy, sidewalk-café atmosphere, generous portions, and attentive service as reasons the place keeps its following among Congressional staffers, tourists, and Capitol Hill neighbors alike.
Café Berlin marked its 40th anniversary in 2025, four decades into serving the neighborhood from the same Massachusetts Avenue address.
In 2013, Clytie Roberts-Glage and her husband Rico Glage took over ownership. Rico had arrived from Germany to work at Café Berlin and stayed on; Clytie was a longtime patron before joining as a server. Under their stewardship the restaurant has continued serving the same style of German cooking that built its reputation on the Hill.
The menu runs through German staples: Wiener Schnitzel, Rahm Schnitzel, and Jägerschnitzel, smoked pork loin, and potato pancakes, alongside starters like potato soup and minestrone. The beverage list leans into German beer, with drafts like Hacker-Pschorr and Paulaner and rotating seasonal pours. Regulars point to the cozy, sidewalk-café atmosphere, generous portions, and attentive service as reasons the place keeps its following among Congressional staffers, tourists, and Capitol Hill neighbors alike.
Café Berlin marked its 40th anniversary in 2025, four decades into serving the neighborhood from the same Massachusetts Avenue address.