This is the original currywurst as invented at Curry 36. The sausage is a high-quality bratwurst or knockwurst, sliced thick and served without the casing. The curry sauce is made in-house using tomato paste, curry powder, and a blend of spices. The result is a tangy, spiced sauce that clings to the sausage slices. The dish is finished with a sprinkle of paprika powder. Multiple reviews note that Curry 36's version is the standard against which all other Berlin currywurst stands are judged.
Tips from diners
This is the original currywurst — the dish that started it all. Come here to taste the benchmark version that other stands are measured against.
Order it with fries (Pommes). Most people get the combination — currywurst plus a generous portion of crispy fries.
This is the classic Berlin combination — currywurst paired with crispy fries. The fries are thick-cut, fried until golden and slightly crispy on the outside, and salted generously. Many locals eat the fries separately, then dip them into the curry sauce from the sausage. This is the most common order at Curry 36 and the full meal that keeps lines long from morning through night.
Tips from diners
Get the Currywurst mit Pommes (with fries) — it's the complete meal and only 6.50 euros. Ask for ketchup on the side if you want it.
This is designed to be eaten standing up at one of the high tables. You'll see locals, tourists, construction workers all eating shoulder-to-shoulder. It's part of the experience.
Simple crispy fries made from quality potatoes, fried until golden and tender inside, crispy outside. They come with your choice of sauce on the side — ketchup, mayo, or curry sauce. Many Berlin regulars order just fries from Curry 36 to snack on while standing outside.
Tips from diners
Fries alone are just 2.50 euros and filling as a snack. Dip them in curry sauce if you want to try the flavor without committing to the full sausage.
Curry 36 was one of the first Berlin currywurst stands to offer a vegan option, and it's been on the menu for years. The vegan sausage is grilled until it has color, then sliced and topped with the same curry sauce and paprika as the meat version. Reviewers note that the curry sauce carries the dish — the quality is comparable to the meat version because the sauce is what makes currywurst currywurst.
Tips from diners
The vegan currywurst is a legitimate option here — not a grudging accommodation. Curry 36 pioneered this option years ago.
A heavier-duty version where two sausages are sliced and layered with curry sauce. This is for diners who want more protein or are working through a hangover after a night out. Still modest in price at under 7 euros.
Tips from diners
After midnight, order the double sausage version — you'll need the extra protein and calories for the rest of the night out.
Curry 36 is credited as the birthplace of currywurst — a dish that would become emblematic of Berlin street food. In 1981, a wooden cart called Wurstmaxe was placed in the entrance of Mehringdamm 36, selling currywurst and other kettle wares. The name 'Curry 36' comes from the house number that had to be left visible in the entrance. From this humble origin, it has become a Berlin institution and the standard against which other currywurst stands are measured. The stand opens early (9am) and operates until 5am most nights, making it equally suited for breakfast currywurst or post-nightclub kebab fix.
Curry 36 is the birthplace of currywurst (1981) — this is the stand that started it all. Come to taste the original and understand why it matters.
Open until 5am every single night. This is a go-to spot after clubs, bars, and parties close. The lines are just as long at 2am as they are at lunchtime.
This is a standing-room-only stand with high tables. You'll eat shoulder-to-shoulder with locals and tourists. Bring cash and expect to wait 10-20 minutes even at off-peak times.
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