While the name is a tribute to its Elbestraße roots, the energy today comes from two Berlin food scene heavyweights: Tim Tanneberger and Sebastian Leyer. Together, they’ve ditched traditional fine-dining stuffiness for an “emancipated” style of cooking that puts the integrity of the ingredients above the chef’s ego.

The menu
The focus is narrowed down to two concise, essential tasting menus: one vegetarian and one omnivore. The best part? You can totally freestyle it. I did exactly that—mixing and matching courses from both menus to get the full experience.
After the amuse-bouches, things kicked off with “Asparagus” paired with avocado and pistachio. The bread arrived shortly after—warm, fragrant, and served with whipped butter and mushroom whey (seriously delicious).

Next up was the “Kohlrabi” with goat milk and dill, which looked stunning, plated in the shape of a peace sign.

The chefs love pulling inspiration from global classics, like their take on the Japanese Chawanmushi, served here with razor clam, Jerusalem artichoke, and an optional (but recommended) hit of caviar.

Then came what might have been my favorite dish of the night: Morel “Aztec Gold.” It’s a spicy Central American-inspired preparation featuring gold leaf, cocoa, and vanilla, finished with walnuts.

It was followed by a culinary trip to Hamburg with a twist on the “Franzbrötchen.” Usually a sweet, buttery cinnamon pastry, they’ve reinvented it here with mussels and pear.

The grand finale was Rhubarb with Koshihikari (premium Japanese rice known for its nutty sweetness and perfect “bite”) and Shiso, which added a unique, aromatic punch.

The wine list is excellent , all dishes were paired with an accurate selection of wines from different territories. Among all of them , I felt in love with the yellow-gold Marcus Meier Silvaner 2024, fruity-sweet nose with notes of forest honey, ripe pears, and candied apricots. A touch of vanilla and a hint of beeswax complete the picture.

On the palate, sweet, lean, and fresh, with intense fruit, delicate spice, and a lively acidity. Complex and again with pronounced candied fruit paired with subtle minerality. Long, powerful, and fruit-driven finish with exceptional drinkability.

After the tasting, I had the wonderful opportunity to chat a little with Chefs.
Hello Tim, hello Sebastian, what’s the vibe behind your cooking?
Think German-European roots meet global techniques. We’re all about international ingredients, but we love the DIY approach—we even grow and prep our own shiso in-house!
Chefs, if I were to crash your apartment right now and raid the fridge, what’s a guaranteed “yes” and what’s a “never”?
(In unison) A ton of veggies. Always.
What’s your first “core memory” in the kitchen?
Sebastian: I was nine, at my parents’ place. My best friend and I decided to whip up this dish involving bananas… honestly, don’t even ask me if it tasted good!
Tim: For me, it’s definitely my grandma’s chicken soup. Pure nostalgia.
Sebastian, when did you realize this was a career and not just a hobby?
Back in school. I decided to spend a week working in a professional kitchen. Then summer break hit, and I realized I just loved spending all my time on the art of the craft. That was it.

How do you find your direction as you grow?
We love thinking out of the box, but we always keep our feet on the ground—rooted in our local territory and traditions.
Is there a specific dish you’d rather have someone else cook for you?
Paella! We’ve traveled all over Spain and absolutely love the country. Honestly, it just tastes better over there.
What’s your signature dish?
(Smiling) Oh, we’re way too young to have a “signature dish” yet!
So… should I just come back in twenty years?
Chef Both laugh

My final take?
If you want to breathe the air of an “Older yet Modern Berlin” Einss44 is the ideal place. There it seems that time has stopped and don’t ask if there is wifi…to enjoy a truly unforgettable lunch in absolute peace. You will truly taste the love put into every plate.
That kind of passion makes all the difference.

EINS44
Elbestraße 28/29, 12045 Berlin, Germany
https://www.eins44.com/

Phone: +49 30 62981212