A well thought out menu, stylish interior and professional, friendly staff are all hallmarks of a good eatery and while Luchs Restaurant and Bar boasts all of the above, its sophistication and unpretentious atmosphere is what earmarks it as a classic. Part of the Lux 11 Design Hotel in Berlin’s Mitte district, Luchs is managed by Hilke Saul and Matthias Peschke, previously of Schönbrunn in Volkspark Friedrichshain.

Cooking exclusively with ingredients of the highest quality, head chef Christian Khalaf’s skill and competence underscore his creative interpretations of Italian classics. The melt-in-your-mouth Argentinian beef in red wine sauce is luxuriously tender and the heavy flavors are expertly complemented by a neat parcel of creamed salsify with orange and thyme. The unexpected pairing of fresh shiitake mushrooms with strips of veal on home-made tagliatelle ravishes the tastebuds while the classic Tiramisu is the ideal ending to the luscious experience.

Designed by architects Efe Erenler and Paul Bauer, the warm hues of mahogany and grey that lace throughout add a slight sense of tradition to the modern interior, achieving a comfortable, unobtrusive ambience. The spacious bar purveys a well curated wine list as well as assorted cocktails, not to mention charming beats from resident DJ Clé.