Mustafa’s: Berlin’s most famous kebab spot moves location

So beloved is Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap in Berlin that the shop's move to a location over the road is making headlines across Germany.

Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap moves to Mehringdamm 33

Previously located in a free-standing kiosk directly outside U-Bahnhof Mehringdamm, Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap has relocated to a shop unit on the opposite side of the road. 

Since moving over the road on July 8, a banner reading “New location opposite Mehringdamm 33” in English has been hanging over the old kiosk. Mustafa’s owner Tarik Kara and his team have been forced to change locations due to a building development in the empty lot behind the old kiosk.

Kara, who opened the Döner kiosk in 2005, told the dpa he wasn’t dwelling on the move. “Now, it’s a new chapter, we go on,” he said. The Dönerladen’s famous queue of hungry locals and tourists has quickly followed.

Why is Mustafa’s considered the best Döner in Berlin?

With over 1.000 establishments selling Döner across Berlin, and Berliners estimated to eat 40.000 Döner each day, what’s all the fuss about Mustafa’s?

At this point, it’s kind of uncertain whether Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap is more famous for its Döner or the fact that people are willing to wait in line for hours to get one. But credit where it’s due, locals and tourists were queuing for Mustafa’s long before food trends on TikTok and Instagram normalised such behaviour.

A 2020 article in local newspaper BZ questioned queuers on their motivations for waiting at least 45 minutes for a sandwich. Some cited recommendations from friends and the internet, the value for money and a curiosity to compare with the kebabs available in their home countries.

One thing Mustafa’s certainly does well is its use of ingredients which seem fresher than in other Döner shops; lots of feta cheese, lots of citrus and salad. But if you can’t be bothered to find out… Curry36, which lies directly opposite, is also really good.