LOUMI

We had a memorable evening at Loumi, with some excellent highlights alongside areas that could be improved. Several dishes really impressed us: the squid with piment d’espelette and XO was bold and offered perfectly contrasting textures and flavors; the quail with cep, pancetta and brioche stood out as the most satisfying course; and the citrusy pre-dessert (sudachi sherbet with lemon verbena and almond) was bright and refreshing. Sitting at the counter also made for a lovely atmosphere and view of the kitchen. Henry was a fantastic host: attentive, warm, and clearly passionate about the wines, which were beautifully chosen. The pacing, however, felt too drawn out at times - nearly 4.5 hours in total, with long gaps between some of the main dishes. Portions were very small, so our feeling of hunger only really subsided once the quail dish and brioche accompaniment arrived around 22:30 (and even after having pre-oysters). Some courses also lacked balance: the delicate kinmedai bream was overwhelmed by its vin jaune broth, and the final desserts didn’t quite live up to the expectations. What surprised us was the absence of any extras or “gestures” one usually expects at this level: no amuse-bouche, no bread, no intermezzo, no petit fours. That’s fine in principle, but combined with the pacing and portion size, it left the overall experience feeling sparse. And although we had flagged food intolerances by email, this wasn’t acknowledged during the evening. Even just a brief word up front would have been appreciated. Overall, Loumi shows real talent and creativity, with standout dishes and excellent wines, but a few adjustments to pacing, portioning and communication would make the experience truly shine.

Service was top-notch – even to the detail of proactively noticing and bringing a little stool for my bag. The whole menu felt connected, and each dish had a fun twist, playing with surprising textures or tastes. Loved the vibe too - very classy while still really relaxed, and you could tell the staff enjoyed working together.

3.5 stars. Great setting. Great food. Great service. Great wine. But we left hungry. Yes, it's the "small" menu but for 85 eur (plus 10 eur for one oyster) I shouldn't leave hungry.

One of the best hidden gem restaurants I discovered in Berlin—Loumi is a 10/10. I loved every dish, and the interior design really hit me. The service team was super friendly and chatty. The food is on another level. I’m definitely coming back again.

One of the best fine dining in Berlin for me. For their dishes they use many interesting ingredients. Service is very friendly and nice. Quite chill and laid back. You need to book in advance as restaurant is small and has limited sitting capacity.