OUR STORY

The Turkish people who migrated to Germany after World War II brought with them a fresh and nutritious cuisine. Many of the new arrivals moved to a neighborhood in West Berlin, a diverse and dynamic district next to the Berlin Wall. One entrepreneurial "Gastarbeiter” recognized an opportunity and invented the döner, a quick and hearty meal to meet the tastes and desires of a growing population. First sold at the gates of Kotti, the main subway hub, this new creation skyrocketed in popularity in Germany and throughout Europe. In 2019, the döner generated $4.5 Billion in annual sales and created over 200,000 new jobs. In Germany alone, over 720 million döner kebabs were served.

Kotti Berliner Döner Kebab’s founder, Erkan Emre, has been eating döner since his childhood in Berlin. But when he moved to New York City, he noticed there was nowhere to feed his döner craving! The only solution was to bring döner to New York City himself, so he partnered with his Co-Founder, food industry expert Michael Stark, to turn his vision into reality. Soon after, Kotti was selected from hundreds of applicants to participate in Smorgasburg, Brooklyn’s premiere outdoor food festival.

Kotti caters to a growing health-conscious consumer base seeking healthy, sustainable, and satisfying food that is good for them and the planet. Using antibiotic-free meats, local produce, and a rainbow of nutritious vegetables, Kotti is for the discerning customer who wants to make responsible choices about food without sacrificing taste.

After a summer stint at Smorgasburg, the Kotti team decided it was time to share the döner love seven days a week. Just a few years later, we are proud to offer a taste of Berlin across six locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, including at:

  • Industry City in Brooklyn's Sunset Park;

  • Dekalb Market Hall in Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn's largest and most eclectic food hall;

  • Olly Olly Food Hall in historic Chelsea;

  • The Hugh at 601 Lexington Ave;

  • the historic Essex Street Market;

  • and our first stand-alone restaurant on Dean Street, around the corner from the Barclays Center!

Come say hi and have a taste of Berlin right here in New York!