East Berlin's oldest currywurst stand since 1930, under Eberswalder Strasse U-Bahn. Family recipe sauce, quality sausages, authentic GDR-era atmosphere. Beloved by locals, featured in guidebooks worldwide.
Konnopke's Imbiss at Schönhauser Allee 44a in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg has operated under the Eberswalder Strasse elevated railway since 1930, making it the oldest surviving currywurst stand in former East Berlin. The family-run business was founded by Max Konnopke and has been passed down through three generations. Unlike most currywurst stands in Berlin, Konnopke's produces its own in-house sauce — a proprietary recipe that has remained consistent for decades — and the result is a deeper, more complex flavour than the typical ketchup-and-powder combination found elsewhere. The signature currywurst is available mit Darm (with casing) or ohne Darm (without), with fries or bread roll as accompaniments. Prices are genuinely low: a currywurst with fries is under €5. The stand sits beneath the distinctive green ironwork of the U2 viaduct, and the clatter of trains overhead is part of the atmosphere. Service is fast, the space is compact, and there are limited standing places. The business survived the GDR era, German reunification, and multiple street renovations that forced temporary closures and relocations. It remains a local institution, and the Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood around it has transformed from working-class East Berlin to one of the city's most gentrified districts — making Konnopke's one of the last original businesses on the strip.
Signature dishes
- Currywurst — $4.50
- Boulette (meatball) — $3.50
Good to know
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sat 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Reservations
- Walk-in stand
Location
Schönhauser Allee 44a, 10435 Berlin
52.5406, 13.4127 View on map
Highlights
- East Berlin's oldest currywurst stand, operating since 1930 beneath the Eberswalder Strasse U-Bahn viaduct
- Proprietary in-house sauce recipe producing a richer, more complex flavour than most competitors
- Family-run for three generations — one of Berlin's most authentic food institutions
- Prices under €5 for currywurst with fries — remarkable value in a gentrified neighbourhood
- Open Monday to Friday from 6 AM — one of the few currywurst stands with a morning service
Tips for visiting
- Visit on a weekday to see the stand at its most local and least crowded
- The in-house sauce is the key difference from other stands — ask for extra sauce to fully appreciate it
- Arrive before the lunch rush (before 12 PM) for the shortest wait
- The stand is closed on Sundays — plan accordingly
Accessibility
The stand operates on the pavement beneath the elevated railway and is at street level. The area is open and flat, accessible to wheelchair users. There is no indoor space; all service takes place at an outdoor counter.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
What makes Konnopke's currywurst different?
The stand uses a proprietary sauce made in-house to a recipe developed over decades, producing a richer, less sharp flavour than the standard store-bought ketchup-based sauces used at most Berlin currywurst stands.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Friday 6 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 12 PM to 8 PM. The stand is closed on Sundays.
Is it touristy?
Konnopke's appears in most Berlin travel guides, so visitors are present, but the clientele is predominantly local — workers, students, and Prenzlauer Berg residents who have been coming for years.
Where exactly is it located?
Under the elevated U2 railway viaduct at the Eberswalder Straße station, on Schönhauser Allee in Prenzlauer Berg. It is unmissable from the U-Bahn platform above.