Some places stay with you because of what you ate; others because of who you were with. Kaibar Brasserie did both for me, effortlessly. The first time I went to Kaibar, it was date night. The room was candlelit, cozy, and softly buzzing in that way only good restaurants manage. The Berlin-Mitte-based restaurant Kaibar sits somewhere between the familiar and quietly exciting. Before founding Kaibar in 2025, Berlin-raised owner Tran, Duy Khanh, spent years working across various bars and kitchens. “Before there was land, there was the sea.” is the leitmotif. The sea, the origin of all movement, is also where the name Kai comes from. In Japanese, it simply means sea. Blue accents frame the space, from the deep tones of the exterior seating, reminiscent of old theater chairs, to the subtle details inside. Shell motifs appear on plates and throughout the decor, small nods to the sea that feel intentional rather than themed. In winter, it feels cozy and intimate. In summer, it opens up, and the terrace can make you forget you’re in the middle of Berlin.
At its core, Kaibar is a fusion brasserie, blending French technique with Japanese ingredients. Organic ingredients and careful sourcing aren’t a trend, but a philosophy. Sharing is what the place is built for. Plates like fresh oysters and temaki are easy to order, pass around, and linger over. We started with seared scallops and ceviche — both gone in seconds. My partner chose the salmon from the Chef’s Grill, grilled over a Japanese konro, using charcoal to create deep, smoky flavors, served with carrot purée, asparagus, edamame, and saffron sauce, melting like butter with every bite. I went for the “Truffle e Pepe Udon”. Rich and silky. The kind of dish that makes you insist, “You have to try this”. To drink, we sipped on a cocktail called Last Lychee in Paris — floral, playful, slightly nostalgic, served in a classy glass. As for the dessert, the Vanilla Crème Brûlée was just right: crackly on top, creamy underneath. While the Matcha Tiramisu was surprisingly light. Both desserts close the night on a softer note, leaving you scraping the bowl for every last morsel. Opened in May 2025, it already feels like a place people return to. A restaurant that became “our spot”. Kaibar isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about sharing dishes, stories, and falling in love all over again.
Text: Stefania Basano / Photos: Maya Jolina
Kaibar Brasserie, Große Hamburger Str.32, 10115 Berlin–Mitte; map
@kaibarmitte
