Otto’s brings Berlin’s favourite late-night snacks to Kensington Market

Otto’s brings Berlin’s favourite late-night snacks to Kensington Market

(Image: Caroline Aksich)

“Hallo,” reads the neon sign that greets patrons at Otto’s Berlin Döner in Kensington Market. The new 33-seat spot serves up the kind of late-night snacks that fuel German techno-heads, namely döners (not totally unlike our own donair) and currywurst, a poutine-like dish (with its own museum) where fries are topped with sausage and spiced ketchup. Collectively, co-owners Nancy Chen, Konrad Droeske, Matt Eckensweiler and Thomas Masmejean have zero restaurant experience—the quartet is the force behind underground dance parties Mansion and Foundry. Luckily, ex-Auberge du Pommier chef Steven Nguyen is in charge of the food. The team originally wanted to open a Berlin-style club in Toronto, but when red tape got in the way, they settled for opening a restaurant. The party goes well past when other kitchens have closed—the place is open until 3:30 a.m. on weekends—and there are nine German brews on offer, including a black ale called Köstritzer Schwarzbier from a 472-year-old brewery. Head down to the washrooms for a taste of Kreuzberg’s party scene: inside each stall is a glowing, novelty-sized button that, when pressed, transforms der waschraum into das club, complete with flashing lights and throbbing music.

256 Augusta Ave., 647-347-7713, ottosdoner.com, @ottosdoner