Lunch in the city center? With Berlin’s huge selection, that’s generally no problem. However, prices can quickly exceed what we’re willing to spend on lunch. After all, it should still be filling and taste really good . Fortunately, there are plenty of places where you don’t have to break the bank to walk out of the restaurant with a full stomach. While you shouldn’t miss this month’s food campaign at Berlin’s largest bookstore, this time we’re focusing on a completely different spot—one that even combines affordable food with a social project. Die Alte Mensa is located at Atzpodienstraße 45/46 in Berlin-Lichtenberg, just about two minutes from the Magdalenenstraße U-Bahn station.
The building was constructed in 1893–94 as a public school and is now a listed historic building. After World War II, it was used by various administrative offices, among others, before Kiezküchen opened its dining and educational center there in 2006. Today, anyone can come to the Alte Mensa for lunch just like any other place. At the same time, however, the location is far more than just an ordinary restaurant, as it also serves as a training restaurant and educational center.
That’s exactly what makes the Alte Mensa’s concept so special. According to the organization ,the Kiezküchen have been training young people and adults in their restaurants and cafeteriasfor more than 30 years,helping them develop career prospects. Among other things, the Alte Mensa offers apprenticeships and training programs in the fields of culinary arts, hospitality, and housekeeping. For example, they offer apprenticeships as culinary specialists, in the hospitality industry, or in housekeeping. Some of these programs lead to a vocational certificate from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). In addition, participants receive job application training and social-educational counseling, as well as support during their subsequent transition into the workforce.
In addition, there are shorter training programs. These include, for example, the four-month introductory training course “Fit for the Kitchen.” In this program, participants gain practical experience four days a week in training restaurants and are subsequently supported in finding employment or retraining opportunities. A new session of the program began on August 31, 2026.
At the Alte Mensa, the culinary focus is primarily on lunch. They offer a small selection of dishes that change daily, including vegetarian options. According to the kitchen, they use mostly regional and seasonal ingredients. If you don’t want to eat there, you can also order the dishes to go.
As of September 2026, the daily special costs 7.90 euros, while a main course is priced at 9.50 euros . You can get a salad for 7.50 euros and a dessert for 3.50 euros. Since the menu changes regularly, the dishes offered and their prices may vary. The Alte Mensa is especially lovely during the warmer months. Behind the historic school building is a green garden—or rather, the former schoolyard—where you can sit outside when the weather is nice and enjoy your lunch surrounded by greenery.
This place combines several unique features all at once. You’ll eat in a historic former school building, enjoy a comparatively affordable lunch special, can relax afterward in the green outdoor area, and at the same time support a place where people are being trained and prepared to enter the workforce.
