David K.
Yelp
Defne is a sit-down Turkish restaurant located near the Turkish market in Kreuzberg. The food and atmosphere here are definitely higher class than the ubiquitous Döner kebab stalls found all over Berlin. The restaurant was very busy when we arrived for dinner, but we were fine with sitting inside and got a table right away. We started with an order of the Karisik Deniz Güveci, a mixed seafood dish baked with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cheese. This was a fantastic dish--the vegetables were plentiful and fresh, and the tomato-based sauce was very reminiscent of Italian flavors. We also had the Ali Nazik ("der Vornehme Ali" in German), grilled strips of lamb with rice and salad. While the lamb was peppery and flavorful, it was also a little bit tough, but it went very well with the subtle flavors of the eggplant puree and the cooling yogurt sauce. The service here was accommodating and attentive as well, despite the large number of guests that were also there.
Overall, while this dinner was delicious, it might not have been my favorite, as it seems that Turkish street food in Berlin is where the best flavors (and value for money) can be had.