I'm conflicted when writing good reviews for neighborhood places I love. I certainly want my favorite places to do well, but not so well I can no longer get a table. Cafe Chagall is totally magic...it feels like it's been there offering great food and great service since before the war, although I'm betting it wasn't Russian food before the war. I could be totally wrong but I have a memory of drinking in this space on my first trip to Berlin in 1994, but it's a total throw back to everything that was amazing about east Berlin right after the wall came down. I love this place. read more

Customer service: A Our male waiter was very sweet and polite. Bartender was also nice, but she misinformed us about the kitchen being open, when they were practically closed (10:30pm). Food: D (1) soup was bland. Only tasted a hint of tomatoes. Lack of spices and flavor. (2) chicken nachos. A huge bowl of tortilla, a few sprinkles of cheese on top and 4-5 pieces of thinly sliced chicken...dry chicken. (3) Russian dumplings with a side of salad. Meat was flavorful and tasty, but only wished that it was fresh. Lastly, they said only cash AFTER you've eaten everything and ready to pay. Luckily we had barely enough cash to cover dinner. read more

We came here 2 times in 5 days so we enjoyed it a lot. After a long day of walk we came here for a "beer break" at 6 or 7 PM a friday. Young people drinking around (20 to 35 years old), tables of friends, nice atmosphere. We took two big white beers. The waiter is really friendly and attentive, same for the waitress. They often propose another beer or something to eat but they don't force. We enjoyed our 1st break here so 2 days after we came back and took nachos with our beers. We took the nachos with salsa sauce and cheese, creamy sauce with herbs and bread. To finish we share a cream with fruits. We can also eat traditional russian dishes like a borsh. There's a part of the Chagall more restaurant and the other part more bar. The decoration is more "pirate style" in the bar and more russian restaurent in the other side. read more

Maybe it was an off night, but I came for the Chagall Salat - which typically has heaps of fresh veggies, nuggets of mountain/sheep cheese and generous hunks of cooked turkey. But tonight they served me something that somewhat resembled a salad, except the turkey was tiny shreds cooked to a dry almost jerky like state. 10,50€ and crap service- no thanks. read more

Place has gone downhill. Been coming here for 15 years for breakfast whenever I travel to Berlin - used to have lovely cheese and meat plates, always with the little soft boiled egg. Menu changed a couple years ago and then the whole place started to slide - now today I got a piece of clearly expired prosciutto, cheese that looked like it had already been served once, and a sad little blini. 2 stars because I really did love this quirky little place once and because the coffee is still good. read more

Super cozy bar. I was in Berlin with my mum for xmas shopping. We went in one day for a beer, and the next day for lunch. Very friendly staff, nice prices, good food and a wonderful atmosphere. read more

Wow, a friend of mine took us to this place. When we entered all tables were occupied. After a couple of minutes a waiter asked us to sit at the bar. So far - very nice and polite and we followed his offer. What then happened was just outrageous and probably the most disturbing thing ever happened to me in any bar anywhere. Barkeeper - who turned out to be the boss - told us that he wouldn't serve us - one of as was sitting in the alley....in such an unbelievable arrogant way that all three of us were pretty much stoked.."I don't serve u - u sit wrong" was actually all he said. When one of us told him that a more proper and polite german and explanation would be most likely more suitable as we were asked from one of his waiters to sit here - the only reaction we got was completely being ignored for the whole evening- even when we switched places. No .....we didn't get kicked out for improper behavior nor were asked to leave...we just got ignored in the most impolite way. Seriously if u are out for a nice evening in berlin - avoid this place - there are thousands of other bars in berlin with a nicer service. Simply "unterirdisch" read more

The background music played a 'twisted in my sobriety 'and here's the Rule: your employees cannot have a better time than the customers. There is this squirt behind the bar and she takes as good as she gets. The gay waiter is has a touch; the right touch of concern and the big guy is a push-over: he's selling and I'm buying. So, can they make an exception? Can they make a change in the menu? Can they break the Berlin Rules and give me what I want? I prepped for the resistance and put my words together for the argument, but it never came. Instead, they turned me upside down and said, Sure. Now, what kind of respectable Berlin restaurant gives you what you want? Who are these happy people and what are they doing here? Are they trying to lighten my day with their happiness and willing service? Chagall gives the rest of Berlin a bad name with their customer friendly service and good food. Just who do they think they are? I picture the torches going up Prenzlauer Mountain at night to drive them out of town. Let's burn their menus and put them on the rack. Convert them from their evil ways of good service and good food. Well, could we hold off the inquisition until next week? I'm going there tomorrow for the Zwiebelkuchen. Oh, and next week, I'm having the Pierogi aka. pasta clouds. Listen, let me get back to you and I'll tell you when to start the revolution. I can't write reviews and eat at the same time. read more

Nice atmosphere. Blini was good. Service is friendly

Chagall is my favorite restaurant in Berlin. A refreshing break from grumpy servers throwing your food down in front of you, the staff at Chagall is friendly, speak English and German, and are incredibly helpful. My friends and I come here at least once a week, it is a great place for delicious food and drinks, especially if you're on a budget. It's easy to go overboard, but all one really needs is a bowl of kaese-lauch suppe, a large krusovice beer, and a basket of bread. read more

here everybody are very very nice and smiling!!! the amazing moment is when I try to speak german and the owner answers to me in italianweird moments! :))) the place is very unique especially in the smoking lounge: time seems to stand still in the cracks of the walls. I go often here. read more

Happened upon this place as Meierei up the street was full. A grungy little place with good coffee, very friendly service(who convinced us to get some cake- Himbeer Quark!!!) and music at a resonable volume. Looks like a good place to get drunk, just wish their Scotch selection were better. read more

We are regular customers and have been really disappointed by the treatment tonight. It took more than an hour to get the food, they forgot our second round of drinks and then were treated extremely badly at the bar! They just lost at least 10 regular customers! read more

This is what I'd call a dive cafe. Really grungy appearance with good service, local patrons and generally good food and beer. Nothing outstanding but it's ingrained in the area and always worth stopping in. The food isn't extraordinary nor is anything much else on the menu. Yet, they can fullfill most needs and if you can grab a spot outdoors in the sun, a spectacular place to while away the time. Some really entertaining characters show up here and the people watching couldn't be beat as there is a constant stream of folks walking by. Lutz is obviously a big part of the draw and is often mentioned in the German reviews. He seems to be the mainstay bartendar in this place. read more

I loved this place! I did say 'Drink the wine...' but I've been back it must have been a good night last time cause now - 'Don't drink the wine!' read more

Super Kaffee das Essen war so gut und sogar richtig günstig. Ich hatte eine Ofenkartoffel mit Quark und Lachs und ein Salat für nur 8,60 Euro. es war alles frisch. Meine Frau hatte ein Getränk und redete mit dem Besitzer über Alkohol und er gab ihr zwei Getränke umsonst. Es ist eine super Atmosphäre und super Bedienung!!! read more

Amazingly cozy and friendly place. Best "pelmeni" (Russian dumplings) and borsht in town. Also serving European dishes (not limited to E. European), great bar services and a very large terrace. read more

I really enjoyed this restaurant- great outdoor dining. The manager and the staff were great and so friendly...and a great value as well. I had 3 types of fresh pasta filled with various items and fantastic russian garlic sauce as well as a salad and some great beer. Excellent Atmosphere. read more

Great, inexpensive, Russian food. Friendly service; open late, even on Sundays. We ate here for almost half of what we spent at Monsieur Vongs--dinner for five for 45 Euros. You go Cafe Chagall! read more

This place is amazing. Not only is the food fantastic and the atmosphere perfect, but the staff are incredible. I accidentally left an envelope with several hundred euros in it on the table when we left, and the next day the woman at the bar was genuinely concerned and helped me look for it. When we couldn't find it she suggested I come back and ask the night staff. Our waiter from the night before had found it and kept it just for me, and nothing was missing. I cannot recommend this place enough, there are too many good things going for it to miss. I would recommend the pasta, it was absolutely delicious. read more

Just average place, rather noisy and food is just on ucceptable level. I was tired and hungry. There was no difference in taste between tomato soup and bolognese sauce. It was the same pealed tomatos with basil from the tin served once as a sour once as bolognese sauce. I will certainly not recommend this place. And I will never come back. Just great dissapointment. read more

Was travelling in 2007 and came across this very Bohemian looking Cafe/Bar. I was told that the bar had Russian roots, but I couldn't get over the multi-Kulti clientel. I was immediately made to feel welcome and sat down to a wonderful bowl of Pelmeni and Garlic smand (yoghurt I think). It was so good I went back again in the evening where the cafe took on even livlier feel. The place was lit by candlelite and there was a very flamboyant Kellner named Lutz who entertained and cheered all. Street muscians wondered in intermittently and all in all a wonderful eveing, I did ask a couple of english speaking guests if it was always like this and the reply was Yes, great place highly recommended. read more