AWESOME BERLIN

Earlier this year we published a list of our BEST NON SMOKING BERLIN BARS. And it was one of the most read posts ever. Well, I guess you guys do appreciate being able to breath freely while drinking your cocktails and craft beers! Therefore we think it is only fitting to publish another list with MORE BEST NON SMOKING BERLIN BARS. Check out the interactive map in the bottom!

We pledge to keep our quest for the best non smoking berlin bars and will publish more lists as we discover new great smoke free bars in the city.

Enjoy! And remember, Berlin is a city that embraces freedom of choice and smoking in bars (where it is alowed) is seen as a very normal part of life. Some of the best bars in town still allow smoking inside and if you can take it (we do), it is totally worth visiting some of them.

Phoro from www.designsponge.com

ORA

An old Pharmacy in Kreuzberg serves at the setting for this beautiful bar. Take a moment to explore the premises and details. It is mesmerizing. Ora also functions as a coffee/cake/lunch place during the day.

Photo from Bar’s Website

MICHELBERGER BAR

Perhaps one of Berlin’s coolest hotel bars, Michelberger not only serves great drinks but it also delivers some of the coolest music pop up events in town.

KOSMETIKSALON BABETTE

GDR vibes and modernist architecture blend to deliver a truly special Berlin experience along Karl Marx Allee, perhaps Berlin’s most “soviet looking” promenade. Check their agenda, the cultural program is quite interesting.

LAGER LAGER

This great little establishment doubles as a great craft beer shop and a bar. Well, they don’t call themselves a bar. Apparently it is a “tasting room”. Solid beer selection, great casual vibes in a hipster neighborhood setting.

VAGABUND BRAUEREI

A pioneer in the craft beer scene in Berlin, Vagabund Brauerei is a cozy Wedding institution by now. Come here to get away from the hyped craft beer Berlin scene and enjoy your pint among locals.

Photo from ZSA’s FB Page

ZUM STARKEN AUGUST

We came across this bar accidentally one night and ended up having great beer and a funky burlesque show experience. Check their website for some fun events!

Photo from HB’s FB Page

HOME BAR

Super chill and friendly neighborhood bar in the heart of Friedrichshain. Cozy ambiance and great tap as well as bottled beer selection. Find a spot on a comfy couch and enjoy the night with friends.

MORE BEST NON SMOKING BERLIN BARS

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What a find! The Tree Craft Noodle house is the cutest Chinese noodle house I have ever seen. Located in one of our favorite parts of Mitte, The Tree doesn’t  even look like a restaurant, let alone a noodle house. And that is a good thing, in this case. It feels like a mix of cozy art gallery and earthy tea house. Make sure to notice the stunning organic table “installation”. The airy light floaded room is inviting and charming.

To get to The Tree Craft Noodle House make your way to Rosenthaler Platz (U8) and walk for 5-7 minutes. On the way up Brunnenstrasse notice a row of cute shops, restaurants and bars. In fact, Bar Milano, one of our favorite places for an Aperitivo is along this row.

Back to The Tree. The restaurant is the brainchild of Ling Ma and Xiaoting Zhang, a landscape architect and an engineer. The place, however, delivers more than design, atmosphere and beauty. The food is also stunning. Both visually and in taste.

The menu centers around solid cold starters and noodle dishes. All very fresh with attention to detail. Some of the dishes have a more present Sichuan (Chinese) character. Others are more subdued and subtle. The pickled cold starters were absolutely delicious and the tea drinks were beautifully prepared. As mains we recommend you order the Ahorn noodle dish. Stunning! Needless to say, the noodles at this craft shop are handmade. And you can tell as you slurp the beautiful bowls of goodness.

We enjoyed sitting by the window and looking out the street as we anticipate our warm bowl of noodle paradise.  It is a small shop. Run by two passionate ladies. Service may take a while. But do not be turned off by that. Enjoy the beautiful ambiance while you wait. It will be worth it. We promise!

Last tip: get there early as the space fills up pretty quickly.

Click HERE for The Tree’s FACEBOOK PAGE.

Address: Brunnenstrasse, 167 Berlin

THE TREE CRAFT NOODLE HOUSE

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By now you know we are suckers for great craft beer and we were very excited to learn that Brewdog was opening a flagship craftbeer bar in our neighborhood. They have opened their doors only recently and the place feels like it has been part of my life for a long time. Yes, Brewdog Craftbeer Bar definitely my kind of beer bar!

Very centrally located and yet with a neighborhood feel, Brewdog Craftbeer Bar can be reached by a short walk from Rosenthaler Platz. The M8 tram basically stops 100 meters from it, if you do not feel like walking for 5 minutes. Get off at Pappelplatz.

Let me start by saying that the service is amazing. Rarely have I encountered such knowledgeable and interested staff. Give them some information to work with and they will bring you exactly the kind of beer you are craving.

Brewdog has an impressive 30 draft beer lines (some local, some regional and some international). On site you can also find a “Bottle Dog” area for takeaway purchases. If you happen to be hungry, there are also quite a few pizza options available (bar food style). I suspect they will develop their food menu further, so fingers crossed.

The crowd is pretty mixed (which I like) and casual. The design is super cool and the space is quite large. If you get there early for a happy hour, it may feel a little empty, but wait until 7PM and you’ll see the place come alive and become more cozy. They do take reservations, so if you are planning to come here in a group I strongly advise you to reserve a table beforehand.

BREW DOG CRAFTBEER BAR’S WEBSITE

Address: Ackerstrasse 29, Berlin 10115

BREWDOG CRAFTBEER

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I simply could not wait to tell you about this place. Don’t tell anyone, but I just discovered a gem of a place that just opened recently on Pappelalle in Prenzlauerberg. Mrs. Robinson’s is simply the type of restaurant that I wish we could find more of in Berlin.

Casual, hip, small, lively and delicious, Mrs. Robinson’s delivers a modern asian inspired menu with very interesting and creative flavor profiles, without going over the top. Not fussy. Just right.

We started the evening with an exciting oxtail gyosa dish (we had to order it again!). When we thought it could not get better, the fried tofu dish arrived. Oh, my! I could have that dish every day for the rest of my life (make sure to bathe the tofu in the sauce). We then moved to the bao options. Our favorites were the fried chicken and the soft shell crab bao. Ask the staff for the homemade sriracha sauce and use it to spice up every dish!

The Cocktail and wine menu is limited but quite good. We had quite a few dessert options and while they were all tasty, it is the creamy rich ice cream hugged by deep fried bao bun that will stick to our memories. I mean…check it out! 

Service is very friendly and efficient. The crowd is quite interesting and lively. We cannot wait to visit Mrs. Robinson’s again soon. PS: I need to go back to take pictures of the cute space. Got so distracted by the food that I forgot to take my usual pics. Sorry.

Mrs Robinson’s Facebook Page

Address: Pappelallee 29 Berlin

MRS ROBINSON

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I am happy to report that the guys from Silo (one of our favorite brunch/coffee places in Friedrichshain) have heard my prayers and have opened a delicious outpost in our neighborhood in Mitte. Yes, it was nice to have an excuse to get on the subway to Fhain once in a while for brunch, but I have to admit it is great to be able to walk to a great brunch place. I present COMMONGROUND BERLIN BRUNCH!

COMMONGROUND is located right at Rosenthaler Platz in Mitte. Easy access via tram and Ubahn (U8). The mix of coffee shop, restaurant and bar (yes, there is a nice bar!) is part of the Circus Hotel complex. Do not get turned off by that, though. I often skip places that are located inside hotels…this place is different. And it even has a separate entrance.

Commonground has a super cool design scheme with fun and insteresting art pieces. It is quite spacious! Check out the wooden sculptures and the giant monkey picture! I was also drawn to the light fixtures. You can choose to sit at tables (communal or not) or couches. Either way, it is a very comfy setup.

Now on to the hightlight! The food!! The menu, of course, centers around high quality ingredients from local producers (like the bread from our favorite Sironi!). I did not expect anything different from the Silo guys! I ordered “The Commonground” (bread, bacon, poached eggs, avocado and a delicious sauce) and my partner in crime ordered a smoked cod version. Both were very tasty! We also ordered the blood sausage Scotch egg to share and I have to admit that I am a Scotch egg aficionado…and this one was special! I loved it. If anything, I had to add a sprinkle of salt to make it perfect…but that’s a taste thing.

Coffee options are great (as expected) from local coffee roaster Fjord. I did see an amazing-looking carrot cake, but at that point my belly was so full that I had to leave it for the next time. And there will be many next times! I can tell! Also, we have to go back in the evening to try the cocktails and tapas menu.

Check out the video we made from the dishes we ordered below!

Commonground Berlin Brunch (video)

COMMONGROUND BERLIN BRUNCH’S WEBSITE

Address: Rosenthaler Str. 1 Berlin

COMMONGROUND BRUNCH

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Since we moved to Berlin we have had the privilege of every once in a while exploring Arminius Market Hall in Moabit. Until recently it was just like making a trip to the past. To a Berlin that does not exist anymore. In many ways that identity is still there and we love it for it. But we also welcome the recent movement in making the food and events options at the market more current and higher quality.

To get to this special market hall take the U9 (U-Bahn) Turmstrasse and walk for 5 minutes (see map below). Arminius Market Hall (also known as Markthalle Moabit or Markthalle X) was erected in 1891 and is part of a number of market halls (14 in total) that served Berlin’s population. Most of such markets did not survive The War, though.

Arminius, however, is arguable the most “old school” of them. The 3,500 square meters of floor space (it actually sprawls over an entire city block!) are sprinkled with traditional produce, meats, dairy, sweets, flowers and more. Very local and artisanal.  The crowd is comprised of locals and a few curious tourists.The quality of products is getting better every year. We predict that it will change faster in the coming years and perhaps loose a bit of its character, so come here while you can.

The real transformation has hapenned in the restaurant scene (perhaps announcing the “hipsterization” of it all). We are not complaining, though. We do love a great meal! Over the past few years the gastronomy scene has upped its game and welcomed some great food and craft beer options. Our current favorite vendors are:

• Pignut (American Barbecue). They also serve great craft beers.
• Brewbaker (Craft Brewery)
• Rosa Lisbert (German/Alsacian).
• Naninka (Peruvian)
• Lucha Libre (Mexican Tacos)

Arminiushalle is open Monday through Saturday. Come here after 5PM to see it at its best. Busy, lively, fun. **The best food options only open after 5PM. Check out their websites for opening days/hours.

Arminius Market Hall’s Website

Address: Arminiusstraße 2, 10551 Berlin

ARMINIUS MARKET HALL

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BRLO (a loved local craft beer brand) had announced the construction of its first BRLO Brewhouse last year and I got super excited about the overall concept. They started last summer with a popup biergarten and have now finalized the construction of the main brewhouse. So I paid them a visit this past weekend.

BRLO Brewhouse is located right off the Gleisdreieck Subway stop (U2 and U1) between Kreuzberg and Schöneberg. In fact, the whole container complex (yes! it’s a cool container construction) is located inside Gleisdreieck Park, one of the newest and coolest parks in Berlin. This park was built from a wasteland railway area and has won various urban planning awards. It gets super lively in the warmer months! We love  this area and how we have all embraced it. Good job, Berlin city planners!

Back to BRLO Brewhouse. As we just said, the design of the space is very cool. Once you walk in, there is a hall filled with communal tables and the main bar area. Look up! They have a very cool lighting scheme hanging from the high ceileings.The bar area is very pretty and I particularly love the pannels above it announcing the options on tap that day. The atmosphere is quite lively and relaxed. Walk up the stairs to the second floor if you would like a more private beer drinking experience. Don’t miss the cool neon sign: “Save the Planet. It’s the only one with Beer”.

The night we were there they had about 20 beer on tap. Some BRLO beers and some guest options (focused on regional beers). You can order at the bar or at the table. My friends and I tried quite a few options and we were very happy with what we got. Hits were: the BRLO German IPA, the Superfreunde Super Ale and the Jenny’s Artisanal Amber Ale. The BRLO Berliner Weisse was also great, for those of us that like it a bit sour. I do!

The food menu is surprisingly strong. We ordered so many things that our meal ended up being a bit confusing. So, the next time we go there we decided we would edited our food choices down. As a group we were particularly impressed by the meat cuts (the brisket and the pork belly were insanely good!). The side dishes were also quite good. Order one per person. Unless you are super hungry. Good job with the food, BRLO friends! We need more beer places with great food in Berlin!

Service was very attentive and pleasant. If anything, the staff seemed a bit overwhelmed and some of our beer took a whilte to arrive. They just opened the place, though…so it might be a learning curve thing.

They do accept reservations, so if you want to make sure you are seated you might want to contact them beforehand.

BRLO BREWHOUSE’S WEBSITE

ADDRESS: Schöneberger Straße 16, Berlin

BRLO BREWHOUSE

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Whenever I come across fun and tasty food I simply cannot wait to share with you. It is not easy to come by exceptional Mexican food in Berlin. Yes…yes…there are quite a few decent places, but non of them really hit the sweet spot. Well, Lucha Libre is the closest (in my humble opinion) to do just that. I have to say, they serve up my favorite tacos these days! I hope they can keep up consistency as demand for their delicious tacos increases. Yes, Lucha Libre is still kind of a secret spot.

This fun “taqueria” is located inside Arminius Market Hall (a gem of a market hall in Moabit). To get here make your way to Turmstrasse Station (U9) and walk for 5 minutes. See map below. Lucha Libre is somewhat hidden inside the market hall. Walk towards the back and look for the funky “VW Kombi carcass”, which doubles as kitchen space. Another design aspect I love: the vintage radios behind the main counter. Coolio!!

Order your tacos or quesadillas at the counter and chill with a cold beer in hand while your delicious food is prepared. Service is friendly and efficient.

The menu focuses, you guessed it, on tacos. But Lucha Libre also serves quesadillhas and sides. We ordered the Tongue, Octopus, Pork Belly and Chorizo tacos (they all come as duos) as well as the fried manioc and the avocado chips (yes, you read it right). Although all tacos were delicious and tasted fresh, we were particularly impressed by the Tongue and Chorizo options, closely followed by the Octopus. Pork Belly was also tasty, but faded in comparison to the others. The manioc fries were great! We have to admit we will have to get used to the avocado fries…I’ll leave it at that. I believe they are still developing their ultimate menu, so keep an eye out for new options and fun ideas!

Photo from Lucha Libre’s Facebook Page

Photo from Lucha Libre’s Facebook Page

Bottled beer options are served super cold, just like in Mexico. And we love it. We heard their cocktail bar is competent and fun, so we’ll have to try some of their drinks the next time we go.

It was Friday evening. It wasn’t too busy. Just the right atmosphere, the right number of people. I hope it doesn’t get too crazy as these guys get better known. But of course, we wish them all the success in the world. So maybe we’ll have to stand in line for a while in the near future. ; )

Tip: Order one taco duo at a time so you can sample them as fresh as possible. Keep going back for more!

At the time of this publishing Lucha Libre only served food in the evenings, so check their Facebook page for updated information.

LUCHA LIBRE’S FACEBOOK PAGE

Address: Arminiusstrasse 2-4  Berlin, Germany

LUCHA LIBRE TACOS

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A couple of my closest friends had raved about this place and insisted to take me there. Well…I checked it out last Sunday and I have to say: This is my new favorite place in Neukölln at the moment! Beuster Bar delivers not only when it comes to drinks, but also when it comes to food and AMBIANCE! More on that in a second.

Beuster Bar is located in an interesting part of Neukölln’s. On a corner. On Weserstrasse.  A street dotted with cool bars and eateries. I love how cozy this street feels in the winter months! Just a stone’s throw away from busy Sonnenallee. To get here, hop on the subway to Rathaus Neukölln (U7) and walk for about 5 minutes.

A cozy, lively, friendly and delicious corner bar. That’s how I would describe Beuster. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by a charming wooden bar area. There’s something to be said for bars that feel current and yet keep their old Berliner charm. I also love the tilework and the fun ceiling design.

The atmosphere is super lively. Just about the right level of noise for my taste. Friends toasting, animated conversations and the occasional bursts of laughter. The back area seems to be a little noisier, but I do like a lively and fun place…so no complaints here. My friends and I sat around a cozy booth across from the bar. It was the perfect spot!

One of the secrets behind Beuster’s success is the über talented cocktail “alchemist” Damien Guichard. Hi, Damien! He joined the Beuster team in the last few months and brought along his topnotch bar skills and charm. Classic or inventive…you name it. They will deliver!

The French focused food menu is quite fun. Highlights of the evening were the Octopus dish, the Moules Frites and the Entrecôte. Their most famous dish seems to be the Steak Tartar, which was also tasty. However, our table felt the other dishes were a bit more interesting that evening.

I can’t wait to go back and spend another fun filled evening with friends at Beuster!

Make sure to make reservations as this gastrobar gets quite busy! AND it is a smoke free establishment! For more smoke free bars in Berlin, make sure to check our SMOKE FREE BARS BERLIN MAP!

BEUSTER BAR’S WEBSITE.

Address: Weserstrasse 32 12045 BERLIN

BEUSTER

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I get this question a lot. “It is my first time in the city. What are the top things to do in Berlin?”. Followed by: “Where should I visit? and What and where should I eat?”. So I decided to break it down to you. And to be honest, I believe this short list of things to do can probably be used by some people that have been living in the city for a while. The other day, for example, I got a comment on one of my Instagram Live Broadcasts (Yes, I am starting to do those!) from a woman that had been living in Berlin for 6 months and had never set food in Hackescher Markt! I mean….let’s get with the game, friends!

Statistically, visitors to Berlin spend three days and nights (on average) visiting the city for the first time. Or something like that. So I will use that as a guide to suggest the top things to do in Berlin for each day on various categories, ok?

If you are spending more than 3 days in town or if I didn’t hit the sweet spot with my tips, you can always keep navigating my website. I am 100% confident you will find something you like. Also,  check out the website’s AGENDA. I update it weekly with fresh and fun things to do!

On each day, before you start your day, a great thing to do is to get some coffee and pastries at REFINERY. Or get your breakfast fix at one of our favorites from our BERLIN BREAKFAST & BRUNCH MAP.

YOUR FIRST DAY IN BERLIN

Go historical and hit the main sights. I would hit the Government Area and Brandenburg Gate in the morning. If you are feeling sporty, walk up to the Victory Column and climb it! It will take your breath away!  Grab German food at CAFE EINSTEIN. Go for the one along Unter den Linden. The original (super cool one) is a little off the itinerary. But it’s your call.

Before heading to the Government Area, make sure to read our tip about how to visit the Parliament Building and the Dome! It’s a MUST!

Photo Credit: Flavio Edreira Photography

After lunch, walk along Unter den Linden(Stunning Boulevard) towards the Museum Island. Take note of the amazing architecture but do not stop too often along the way (there are quite a few distractions). Otherwise you will not have time to explore the insane Museum Island.

At the Museum Island, pick one or two museums (AT MOST). I would start with the Pergamon Museum and The German History Museum or the Neues. After the museum (s), walk around the Island and sit on the grass in front of the Berliner Dom (Cathedral). Relax, enjoy the scenery and watch the day come to an end.

Check out a list of our favorite Museums to explore!

Go for dinner at one of our favorite RESTAURANTS. After dinner, get a cocktail or craft beer in one of our favorite BARS.

If you feel like going out into the night, check out our Agenda and our NIGHTLIFE tips!

To keep it short and fun, I decided to break this article down. Make sure to read the following articles to complete your fun itinerary of things to do on your first visit to Berlin!

THINGS TO DO ON YOUR SECOND DAY IN BERLIN (coming shortly)

Take a break from the touristy areas and visit some of our favorite neighborhoods. Just like a local!

THINGS TO DO ON YOUR THIRD DAY IN BERLIN (coming shortly)

Leaving Berlin without diving into its amazing Art scene would be a shame, so enjoy a couple of our favorite art spaces. We recommend art openings and parties all the time in our AGENDA.

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Be Coffee my Friend is a welcome new addition to the Berlin vegetarian restaurant/gastro-café scene. To get here, take the S-Bahn to  Yorckstrasse  Station (U7) and walk about 5 minutes.

The 300-meter walk towards “Be Coffee My Friend” takes you through the cool old iron columns of the old track bridges (Yorckbrücken – now part of Gleisdreieck Park). Spend some time exploring and soaking in this fast changing neighborhood. This is still an up and coming area when it comes to new and exciting places, but it is fast evolving. Cute and original places like Be Coffee my Friend (I mean…the name is already original, right?) are popping up here and there. Especially after the Gleisdreieck Park area project got  good traction.

This cozy vegetarian restaurant has an eclectic feel to it with wooden and iron design elements. What I am obsessed about (and I have a hunch most people that will come here will be) are the two swing tables out front. I mean…how fun! Sipping your coffee, eating your delicious food while being transported to your childhood. There are ony two swings…so get here early if you want to experience that.

The super friendly staff serves delicious vegetarian mediterranean/oriental fusion dishes, juices, smoothie bowls, pancakes (sugar free, gluten free paleo, buttermilk or vegan). I went for the Shakshuka and I have to say it was super flavorful with just the right level of spice (I like spicy food, FYI). The bread was also delicious. Fatta, Foul, Falafel and Haloumi dishes complete the savory dish menu. I am curious about their pancakes which look amazing, but I will have to come back to try them. The coffee options are decent, but I feel they are still working to get to the level they would like to be.

Come here on a sunny day, enjoy this inviting place and go for a walk afterwards. Park am Gleisdreieck is one more my favorite parks at the moment and it gets quite lively during the warmer months.

Address: Yorckstraße 60, 10965 Berlin

Be Coffee My Friend’s Facebook

Phone: 030 64163688

Be Cofffee My Friend

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Winds of change in the Asian fusion food scene in Berlin! Historically the city has had plenty Thai, Vietnamese and other Asian cuisine options. Unfortunately for the foodie crowd, most of them (with a few notable expections) were in the low quality/low price range. Well…that’s changing. There are a couple of new mid-range restaurants opening up and Nithan Thai Restaurant is a fun and welcome new addition to the scene.

Nithan Thai Restaurant is a concept transplanted from Tel Aviv to Berlin. The head chef (Shahaf Shabtay) is a French/Asian fusion enthusiast from Israel. That’s fusion for you!

The restaurant is located on Chauseesstrasse in Mitte (a continuation of Friedrichstrasse) right where the beloved Asia Deli used to be. To get here, hop on the U6 line to Oranienburger Tor or Naturkunde Museum and walk for about 3-5 minutes. Around the corner from our beloved Torstrasse.

Right of the bat, the design elements announce a different Asian restaurant experience. I love the play with textures and earthy tones. From the comfy yellow velvet chairs to the strong dark wooden elements, Nithan Thai is determined to divorce itself from the traditional Asian restaurant feel. I particularly like the bar setup and the bright yellow/golden and blue mosaics framing the ceiling. Even the toilettes have a cool design concept!

The menu takes Southeast Asian cuisine as a basis, add layers of different Eastern and Western cuisine styles/influences and offer an innovative and fun Asian fusion dining experience. The dishes are conceived to be shared and  create specific “flavor trips”. Some do need explanation from the super attentive and friendly staff to make complete sense. Rich flavors, interesting concepts and an overall fun experience. That’s what we got!

Photo from Restaurant’s Facebook Feed.

We ordered the 5AM Beef Salad, Gang Pad Coconut and the Massaman Mai. The salad was tasty and a good start to the meal. Followed by the surprising Gang Pad (with Fries) mimicked Moules Frites and the Massaman had a clear Japanese visual influence.

The Coconut Mascarpone dessert dish was a clean and nice way to finish the meal. Additionally, the cocktail/drinks menu seems interesting, however, we didn’t dive into it as we wanted to focus on the food first. We will certainly come back for more food and cocktails at this promising new Asian fusion restaurant.

Nithan Thai Restaurant’s Website

Phone: +493055213969

Address: Chausseestraße 5 10115 Berlin

Nithan thai Restaurant

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Wether you are looking for lunch, brunch, coffee or dinner, there is a hidden courtyard for that. It is Berlin, after all. And a lot of what goes on in this town takes place away from the “street level”. Read on to discover our favorite such experiences!

By now you know that we are absolutely in love with Berlin’s inner courtyards. We have even written a Inner Couryard Berlin Guide  and a Hidden Courtyard Coffee Guide.  Not only do these urban oases inspire us to explore and discover some of Berlin’s secrets everyday, but they also hide some of the city’s most atmospheric food experiences. Enjoy our “Berlin Restaurants in hidden courtyards – a comprehensive guide”.

Tip: During the warmer months, get there early or make specific reservations to enjoy these Berlin restaurants in hidden courtyards “al fresco”!

Mars Berlin (Wedding)

Mars is located at the back area of a deactivated crematorium turned office, culture and art space. After or before your meal go for an exploratory walk through the whole complex.

Photo from Mar’s Website

Address: Gerichtstrasse 35, 13347 Berlin-Wedding

Phone: +49 (0)30 46067324

Panama/Tiger Bar (Schöneberg)

Panama Restaurant and Tiger Bar occupy one of the hippest inner courtyards in town. Right off what is currently the epicenter of Berlin’s gallery scene.

Photo from Tiger Bar’s Facebook feed

Address: Potsdamer Straße 91, 10785 Berlin

Phone: +49 (0)30 983208435

Zola (Kreuzberg)

Zola’s Neopolitan style pizzas are some of Berlin’s best and you can enjoy them in a courtyard right by one of Berlin’s coolest canals. There are quite a few cool inner courtyards to explore around here. Explore away, but on a full stomach!

Address: Paul-Lincke-Ufer 39-40, 10999 Berlin

Phone: +49 (0)1514 3596561

Chipperfield Kantine (Mitte)

Lunch with friends in the building complex where famed architect David Chipperfield has his Berlin offices. Modern architecture meets old brick buildings. A “cool crowd” pleaser!

Photo from: http://www.mittagsinmitte.de (Another cool Berlin blog).

Address: Joachimstraße 11, 10119 Berlin

Phone: +49 (0)30 33844430

Schnizelei (Mitte)

Hidden in an atmospheric inner courtyard just off Chaussesstrasse in Mitte, this restaurant serves all kinds of Schnitzel. They also have an outpost in Charlottenburg, for you, Schnitzel fanatics!

Photo from Restaurant’s Website

Address: Chausseestraße 8, 10115 Berlin

Phone: +49 (0)30 32519422

Katz Orange (Mitte)

Photo from Restaurant’s Website

Perhaps one of the prettiest restaurant courtyard experiences anywhere. Katz Orange occupies an old brewery building on a quiet corner in Mitte.

Address: Bergstraße 22 10115 Berlin

Phone: +49 (0)30 983208430

Vabrique (Kreuzberg)

A casual industrial (and stunning) courtyard in Kreuzberg is home to one of the coolest lunch hotspots in Berlin: Vabrique. There are some cool street art walls around here. Explore!

Address: Ritterstraße 12-14, 10969 Berlin

Phone: +49 (0)1512 7520263

Kanaan (Prenzlauer Berg)

Kanaan has been raved as having the best hummus in Berlin. Enjoy the “Berlin vibes” of this “junk yard” turned hip restaurant. Make sure to explore the back patio overlooking the train tracks. It is fun to eat delicious food while trainspotting! Trust!

Address: Kopenhagener Str. 17, 10437 Berlin

Phone: +49 (0)176 22586673

Café Bravo (Mitte)

Café Bravo’s exterior mirrored structure reflects the beautiful courtyard that surrounds it. A treat, really! Do not miss visiting KW Institute of Contemporary Art, located at the same courtyard. 

Address:Auguststraße 69, 10117 Berlin

Phone: +49 (0)30 23457777

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My foodie friends (the fun ones) are all about this place. I decided to come here one night after drinking a few beers at Kaschk and realizing I needed food before I got drunk. Very “spontan”. Best decision of the month! LOL.

Yafo Israeli Gastro Bar is the kind of restaurant I love. Lively, friendly, busy, fun and delicious. I mean…what a combo!

This Israeli gastro heaven is located on an atmospheric graffitied corner, a few blocks east of Rosenthaler Platz. Between Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg. To get here, take the U-Bahn (U8) to Rosethaler Platz Station and walk for 5 minutes.

Photo by Jaque Attaque from Yafo’s Facebook Feed.

When you arrive at Yafo (at least at night), it feels like you are entering a fun party hosted by dear friends. The staff could not be lovelier. We got there without a reservation (probably not a good idea) and they did their best to accommodate us. The mishmash design elements are charming and somewhat random. All very “Berlin-meets-Tel Aviv”. Homey and cool.

The menu focuses on classic Israeli dishes but gives it a fresh and exciting twist. All delicious and comforting, like being hugged by someone you love. Our table ordered quite a few dishes, but the ones we loved the most were: 1) Minced lamb, roasted aubergine and Matbucha; 2) Baked cauliflower (best I have eaten in Berlin). That said, I get a feeling that everything you order here will be very tasty.

Foto from Yafo’s Facebook Feed.

This is, no doubt,  the perfect place to hang out after dinner and enjoy drinks with your friends until whenever. I am so in love with it, I might have to move in. I hear it feels more chill and has a completely different vibe at lunch time. I still have to come back to check that out. Or not…maybe I’ll stick to the lively, evening party vibe!

Reservations highly recommended!

Visit Yafo Israeli Restaurant’s Facebook Page

Address: Gormannstr. 17b Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 92350250

Yafo Israeli Gastro Bar

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So you are in Berlin and you obviously would like to try typical German food. Personally I think that eating a people’s food is one of the most fun ways to get acquainted with its culture.

Typical German/Austrian food classics are great, but I think you should consider starting with the true local dishes. That said, it is sometimes hard to decide what and where to get certain foods. Often, visitors and locals end up trying poorly prepared versions of local delicacies.

We are in the business of helping you get the best experience out of Berlin. So read on as I give you tips on local foods you should try in Berlin and where to find them. Go beyond the “typical” German food items!

Our list starts with Berliner classics. I will soon publish another list with a few German/Austrian classics that will enrich your experience of trying the best local food!

CURRYWURST

A local lady called Herta Heuwer put together a mixture of tomato sauce, Worcester sauce and curry power back in 1949, and the famous currywurst was born. This is Berlin’s most iconic street food item. There is even a museum dedicated to it! This local classic is often served with French fries (Pommes) or bread rolls (Brötchen). Go all in and add Mayo to your fries! Ask for your Currywurst “Ohne Darm” (without the sausage skin) and you might be taken for a local! Eat your currywurst at Konnopke’s Imbiss (Prenzlauer Berg) or for a spicy version head to Curry & Chili (Wedding). For a more upscale and delicious version of this dish, stop by Das Meisterstück in Mitte (they have some of the best sausages in town and a great beer selection).

Photo from Konnopke’s Facebook Feed.

DÖNER KEBAB and DÜRÜM

Similar to the Currywurst, the Döner Kebap is said to have been invented in Berlin.  Apparently, in the 1970s, a Turkish immigrant named Kadir Nurman came up with this delicious combo of meat and salad stuffed inside a fluffy Turkish bread. The Döner Kebab is the most common food item for a late night meal. That said, one can also have it for lunch/dinner. There is pretty much a Döner stand on every street/corner in Berlin, but for a better experience try and head to IMREN GRILL (Neukölln Location) or MUSTAFA’S (Kreuzberg). By the way, at Mustafa’s, expect long lines…always. Or check out the awesome list of the best ones in town by Berlin Food Stories. As a variation on the theme, try a Dürum. A  wrap usually filled with typical döner kebab ingredients. The wrap is made from lavash or yufka flatbreads. Get your Dürüm at the places mentioned above.

Photo from our friends at Berlin Food Stories.

SENFEIER

Senfeier is a delicious comfort food dish. Something from a grandmother’s kitchen. These “mustard eggs” are a relatively simple concotion but they taste GREAT. Basically the dish is composed of hard boiled or poached eggs served with mashed potatoes and covered with a creamy mustard sauce. The secret is in the sauce, folks! You can find it in many Berliner canteens and lunch places but none of them will ever compare to my favorites: La Soupe Populaire (Prenzlauer Berg – closed for renovations until Dec. 2017), Prater Biergarten, Chipperfield Kantine and Chipp’s.

Photo from www.essen-und-trinken.de

KÖNIGSBERGER KLOPSE

At first glance most people ignore this dish. No wonder, its description does not do it justice. Again, the secret of great Königsberger Klopse is in the sauce (a creamy mixture of capers and lemon). Basically, this dish comes with meatballs and mashed or boiled potatoes. AND of course, the amazing sauce. My favorite version in town is BY FAR the one concocted by famed Chef Tim Raue at his La Soupe Populaire (Prenzlauer Berg – closed for renovations until Dec. 2017). Since this restaurant is currently closed for renovations, try eating the Klopse at Britzer Seeterrassen or Zuhause Delikatessen. If you decide to go for Britzer Seeterrassen, make sure to read THIS before you go, the restaurant is located in the middle of a most wonderful garden.

Photo from La Soupe Populaire’s Facebook Feed

BERLINER/PFANNKUCHEN

The Berliner Pfannkuchen or just Pfannkuchen is a traditional German pastry similar to a doughnut filled with marmelade or jam. Usually with icing or powedered sugar on top. Locals do refer to it as just “Pfannkuchen” so if you ask for a Berliner you might be left hanging.  Legend has it that on New Year’s Eve, locals will put one mustard-filled doughnut in the pile and the lucky person that finds it gets good luck for the year.  Get great Pfannkuchen at either Bäckerei  & Konditorei W. Balzer or Bäckerei Siebert. For hipster vegan versions of the Pfannkuchen (doughnuts) try Brammibal’s.

KÜNEFE

You know Berlin has a huge Turkish population, right? And here you can get some of the most delicious versions of Turkish classics. The Künefe is a great Turkish dessert. Actually we cannot leave a Turkish restaurant without having one of these babies. The Künefe is a Levantine cheese pastry soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup and topped with pistachio bits. Trust me, it is de-li-cious! It is also a dessert that needs to be prepared à la minute (don’t go for the pre-made ones!!) and therefore  you will have to wait about 20 minutes to get to savor it. It is totally worth the wait. For the best Künefe in town head to either HASIR(Kreuzberg) or IMREN GRILL (Neukölln Location).

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Believe the hype! Khwan Thai Barbecue is one of the most exciting things to happen to the Berlin food scene this year. Yes, you probably know by now that we love Thai flavors. And we have followed Khwan’s jorney from street food stand to pop-ups to its current state: a “permanent pop-up” or as they call it “a short residency”! That’s right…Khwan has not left the pop-up realm yet, but they did find an amazing spot in Friedrichshain and will hopefully stay there until they find a permanent home. Fingers crossed!!

Khwan took over the Craft & Smoke space at RAW-Gelände, one of our favorite entertainment complexes in Friedrichshain. This whole area is home to some exciting clubs, bars and art spaces (like our beloved Urban Spree). Not to mention the amazing street art spread all over the area.

Photo from Khwan’s Facebook Feed.

To get to Khwan Thai Wood Fire Barbecue take public transportation to the Warschauer Strasse Station and walk for about 5 minutes through the complex (see map below). First timers may find it a bit tricky to find the place so refer to the map for the exact location.

Photo from Khwan’s Facebook Feed

Beautifully executed Regional Thai flavors. Wood fire barbecue. Amazing casual and fun location. We got a winner! In fact, we like this place so much we might consider moving to the area just to be closer to it. ; ) The menu showcases some exciting starters, like the wonderful  bite-size “Miang Kham” (coconut, peanut, lime, chilli, Thai shallot, and more …all wrapped on bethel leaves), roast oysters with “nam jim” sauce and the charred corn and coconut. The stars of the menu, however, are the main dishes.

An amazing selection of beautiful brained/marinated/fermented/smoked/roasted/grilled (Yes!) protein bathed in very exciting herbs and spices. We are salivating just thinking about the insane fermented pork ribs, the Chiang Mai sausage with soy cured egg and the hand-smoked chicken “Gai yang”. There are other amazing options as well, but these were our favorites. Order “The Feast” to get a chance to sample most dishes and bring friends along to help you devour it all!

Photo from Khwan’s Facebook Feed

Khwan is also hosting brunch on weekends. We cannot wait to try it!

And…since you are in the area, make sure to explore the different entertainment options around RAW. Come for dinner and go out bar hopping and/or clubbing afterwards. Perfect night out!

ATTENTION: As this is a “residency operation/pop-up”, they have a peculiar opening hours schedule:Thursday to Saturday 6pm till late and SUNDAY brunch barbecue 11am till afternoon.

Khwan Thai Wood Fire Barbecue’s Facebook Feed

Address: Revaler Str. 99 Berlin, Germany 10245

Phone: 01522 5120139

Khwan Thai Barbecue
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The summer is here and Berlin does summer like no other! Do not listen to the grumpies…it does get sunny and warm! We love soaking up the sun, drinking a few cocktails, people watching and feeling the great city vibes. And we are happy that we can pick and choose from quite a few great rooftop bar options (depending on our mood and company). We love them all.  Whether you like it fancy, hipstery, cheesy or cool, we have an option for you.

The best rooftop bars in Berlin have one thing in common, though. They all provide great views over Berlin. And nothing beats that! 

Good to know:

• Most bars can be visited in the afternoon and in the evening. For chill vibes go in the afternoon and during the week. For party vibes, go in the evening and on weekends. Soundowners tend to be busy!
• Some bars do charge $$ after a certain time of day, so check their websites for details.

And here are our favorites (in no particular order):

Amano Rooftop Bar

Located on top of a cool hotel in the heart of Mitte, Amano Rooftop Bar is a magnet for the Berlin Mitte hip crowd. The rooftop area is stylish and comfortable and the space has an overall loungy vibe. Great views over Mitte rooftops.

Photo from Amano’s website

Klunkerkranich

Klunkerkranich used to be a secret a few years back. It is located on top of a mall’s parking lot in Neukölln. This rooftop bar has some of the most iconic views over Berlin. Vibes are casual and fun. It can get overrun with a younger hipster-toursim crowd at times. Come here during the week and before sunset for more of a “local” and chill experience.

Photo from Klunkerkranich’s Facebook Feed

Rooftop Terrace at Hotel de Rome

Overlooking Bebelplatz in Mitte, this fancy rooftop bar has stunning views of some of the most engimatic Berlin landmarks. The crowd is mixed and tends to dress up a little more than the other options. This is a perfect rooftop bar for a special occasion or to bring that 30-year-old+ friend from out of town.

Photo from www.luxus.welt.de

Deck5

Deck5 is the Prenzlauerberg version of Klunkerkranich in many ways. It occupies the rooftop of a small shopping mall’s parking lot. This one, however,  along Schönhauser Allee. Unlike Klunkerkranich, Deck5’s crowd is quite mixed and less hipster. Parts of it feel a little beachy (with sand on the floor). Take your shoes off, grab a drink and enjoy the sunset with a view!

Café Kanzler – The Barn Coffee Roasters

Overlooking Ku’damm, Berlin’s main shopping artery, Café Kanzler was taken over by one of Berlin’s most respected coffee roasteries. That’s right, this is not a typical “bar”…it’s a “coffee bar”. Get it? Grab a coffee and a delicious pastry and hang out at their very atmospheric outdoor seeting area.

Photo from The Barn’s Facebook Feed.

Monkey Bar

Overlooking Tiergarten and the Berlin Zoo (hence the name), Monkey Bar has, by now, become a West Berlin must-stop. The space is beautifully designed. The crowd is a mix of tourists, hotel guests (the bar is located on top of Hotel 25), and occasional locals of all ages. Come here on “off peak” hours for a better overall experience.

Photo from Monkey Bar’s website

Also check out…

• PanAm Lounge – Retro cool vibes in West Berlin

• House of Weekend – Dramatic views over Alexanderplatz and TV Tower

• Solar Sky Lounge – Hidden gem on top of a tower block across Anhalter Bahnhof

• Soho House Roof Top – Hang out with the “in crowd”. ( **Membership to Soho House required)

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As Berliners love to remind us that the weather in Berlin can be quite temperamental (even during summer). And I have to admit, they are not completely wrong. However, just because the weather might be crappy it does not mean you have to stay put. What to do in Berlin when it rains? I came up with a  shortlist of activities plus my personal recommendations for the best places to have fun while the weather figures itself out.

Tip: Do not. I repeat. Do not get into the weather-complaining mode. It can be a very unrewarding path. And not very attractive…Instead, focus on the fun possibilities. What to do in Berlin on rainy days does just that! Here are quite a few weather-proof ideas!

Our tips focus on places with easy and convenient public transportation access so you don’t have to get wet while trying to get to FUN! Check specific links for schedules and current shows.

Cinemas

• CineStar at Potsdamer Platz (Mainstream original version and Imax)
• Hackesche Höfe Kino ( Independent and well curated program)
• Lichtblick Kino (Independent tiny gem)

  Photo from Lichtblick Kino’s Facebook Feed

   

Museums/Art Spaces/Galleries

• C/O Berlin (Photography Mecca)
• Deutsches Historisches Museum (Where all historical trips to Berlin should start)
• Hamburger Bahnhof (Contemporary art powerhouse)
• Martin Gropius Bau (Diverse well-well curated shows)

Check out more museum ideas and tips HERE. If you are into smaller art spaces, click HERE.

Sights

• Visit the Reichstag (German Parliament)
• Sony Center/Potsdamer Platz (pair that with a movie at CineStar)
• Tropical Islands (Europe’s largest “tropical” resort inside located in a former Airfield)
• Berlin Underworld Tours (Tour company focused on underground sights)

  Photo Credit: Flavio Edreira Photography

   

For Active (still fun) folks

• Magic Mountain Berlin or at the super cool Der Kegel (Indoors rock climbing)
• Dr. Pong (Ping Pong Bar)
• Bowling Arena Spandau
• Billiard House Friedrichshain
• Indoor Golf Center Charlottenburg
• South Beach Berlin or Beach Mitte (indoor/outdoor beach volleyball courts)

  Image from Der Kegel’s Website

Spas/Saunas

• Liquidrom (Listen to music underwater)
• Vabali (Beautiful grounds close to the main Central Station)
• Bath at Oderberger Hotel (Beautifully renovated old Baths in Prenzlauerberg)
• Stadtbad Neukölln (Old World Charm)

  Photo from Tempodrom Berlin’s Website

  Photo from Stadtbad Neukölln’s Website.

Theater/Opera/Symphony

• English Theater Berlin (Plays in English)
• CHAMELEON Theater (Plays and Performances)
• Berliner Philharmonika (Orchestra)
• Deutsche Oper (Opera)
• Bar Jeder Vernunft (Cabaret/Comedy)

  Photo from Philharmonie’s website.

   

For concert venues, click HERE or if you’d like to find additional classic/opera options click HERE.

Indoor Markets

• Markthalle Neun and Street Food Thursday (Hip Kreuzberg market hall)
• Arminiushalle (Old School market hall in Moabit)
• Marheineke Markthalle (functional market hall in charming Bergmannkiez)

  Photo from Markthalle Neun’s Website

   

Shopping

• Bikini Berlin
• Mall of Berlin
• Alexa Mall

  Photo from Bikini’s Website

   

Naturally, rainy days also call for great:

• Restaurants
• Cafés/Coffee Shops
• Bars

  Photo from Tiger Bar’s Facebook feed

   

As you can see, there is absolutely no excuse not to have a great time! EVER!!

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If people only have a few days to spend in Berlin, chances are they don’t make it to Wedding. But if you’ve lived in the city for any amount of time and haven’t explored that far north of the Ringbahn, you’re seriously missing out. Here’s a local’s take on spending a perfect day in Berlin Wedding.

Coffee first. Cafe Pförtner is packed on weekends for good reason – it’s got an extensive, hangover-slaying menu and a cool gutted-schoolbus dining section. But nearby Cafe DuJardin, with a better view for people watching on the Panke Ufer, gets lots of locals, especially on a lazy Sunday morning. Post up here for a latte (or beer) to get up on the right side of bed. If your perfect day in Berlin Wedding must include some street art, check out this fun street art walk around the neighborhood.

Cafe Pförtner // 8-11 Uferstr., Wedding

Leopoldplatz is the place for farmer’s markets and antique sellers in Wedding, and the traffic here only increases during the summer. Try snacks from local food truck Mimi’s African Fast Food, which serves up some of Wedding’s best beans and dodo (fried plantain). Or get a steal on some speakers or antique furniture that hasn’t been totally picked over (looking at you, Mauerpark).

Leopoldplatz

If it’s a sunny day, chances are Plötzensee is the place to be. Skip the crowd at the Strandbad and stick to the east side of the lake – you’ll find prime sunbathing and people-watching spots at the Steingarten am Plötzensee. Not to mention, it’s a perfect place to go for a swim (pro tip: just stay away from the lake’s notoriously aggressive swans – they don’t mess around!).

Plötzensee

Hungry? Head back towards Seestraße for a million and one places to grab a good döner, or dip into the nearby Sprengelkiez neighborhood. It may look sleepy and a bit residential, but there are some surprising hidden gems. Tegeler Straße has a longboard shop, Bioladen, and cute cafes (Göttlich Essen und Trinken is a perfect place to take a book or a laptop and get some work done). Around the corner, bei Ernst bar is always packed for the free jazz night on Friday evenings.

I’ll tell you a secret about the food scene in Wedding that locals don’t like to share around too often. The Korean food selection is pretty amazing. Check out Shikgoo on Tegeler Straße for a cozy, authentic setting that’s a hit with locals. If you’re a vegetarian, drop everything you’re doing right now and go order the teriyaki tofu from Korea Haus on Nazarethkirchstraße. (it’s fine, we’ll wait).

Mastul // 33 Liebenwalder Str., Wedding

Finish off the evening with drinks just around the corner on Liebenwalder Straße. Mastul, with it’s cool tilework and cozy armchairs, is the perfect place to grab a cold beer and chat with friends. The regular jazz and standup comedy nights means there’s always something going on. Practically across the street is WG Bar, which really heats up later in the evening. The interior looks like your average university flat (complete with Mario Kart in the corner and bunk beds), making it the place to meet up before heading out to a party.

For more ideas on things to do in Berlin Wedding, check out our Wedding Neighorhood Posts. 

*”A perfect day in Berlin Wedding” was written by Olea Morris. Olea is a professional anthropologist and writer originally from the US who travelled to 20 countries before finding a second home in Berlin. You can often find her working from a cafe in Wedding or biking through the city. 

**Edited by Tulio Edreira.

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Everyone I know has a bit of a problem when it comes to finding good places to eat and drink around Berlin’s most iconic places. Partly because the assumption is: if it is a place where tourists go, the food and drink options must be generic and have no soul. Well, I am taking up the challenge and proposing that you can find great places for food and drink anywhere in Berlin. Including places like Alexander Platz, Gendarmenmarkt, Hackescher Markt, Potsdamer Platz, etc…

If you are a local or a visitor, this series of articles will provide a definitive guide to enjoying what these areas have to offer (sights, architecture, shops, etc…) while having access to good restaurants and bars. Let’s start with one of Berlin’s most emblematic areas: Retaurants and bars around Potsdamer Platz!

And let’s make it easier, but giving you tips by category.  Enjoy!

Lunch & Dinner

Facil

Facil is perhaps the finest dining experience available around Potsdamer Platz.  It is a restaurant with two Michelin stars. Luxurious, elegant and pushing avant-garde cooking techniques. Head chef Michael Kempf is known for stunning dishes that are both refined and understated. Facil’s design is stunning with a lush green garden view.

Photo from restaurant’s website.

Lutter & Wegner

Experience traditional German/Austrian cuisine in the historical Weinhaus Huth. Small but sophisticated, traditional yet cosy. Lutter & Wegner’s dark-wood bar, its large picture windows and the classically set tables create a charming atmosphere. This place is a wine shop, delicatessen and restaurant in one. It serves a hearty and regional cuisine. Make sure to enjoy the terrace in the warmer months.

Essenza

Ristorante Essenza is a higher-end Italian restaurant. It focuses on seasonal dishes from the “Cucina Italiana” with a heavy emphasis on preserving the essence of natural flavours. The wine menu is stellar with a selection of over 750 labels, including rare harvests. Essenza also offers a yummy and more affordable weekly lunch menu.

Photo from Restaurant’s Website

Alt Bayern

Alt Bayern is a bavarian style restaurant. The staff welcomes guests in leather pants and Bavarian shirts. The kitchen serves traditional South German classics. Even though the food menu is quite decent, we prefer to come here for a beer early in the evening.

Photo from the Restaurant’s Website

*If you catch yourself in a hurry, the Potsdamer Platz Arkaden has quite a few express restaurant options. Our favorites for that quick bite are:

Salomon Bagels 

Salomon Bagels, you guessed it, focuses on bagels! The popular roll with the hole in the middle. Apparently there is quite a complex production process. Bagels are cooled and boiled before baking, which gives them their distinctive flavour – quite different from classic German rolls. Their menu offers quite a selection of bagels, oriental dishes like couscous, falafel and hummus, as well as freshly cooked seasonal dishes.

Photo from Potsdamer Platz’s Website

Salaid

SALAID promises a  “whole new way to eat salads”. Salads and ingredients are prepared and chopped right in front of the guests. Come here if you are craving that easily customized fresh salad. They have a few options with quite healthy and filling ingredients. I have to say we were quite satisfied with what we got here.

Photo from Restaurant’s Website

Asia Gourmet

Asia Gourmet is a chain of Pan-asian restaurants, usually found in the major train stations and malls. It is our “go to” Asian joint when we are in for a quick and flavorful Asian option.  Sometimes we come here and get our food “to go”. We then either have our meal on the grassy and beautiful Tilla-Durieux-Park or around the stunning Piano Lake.

Photo from Restaurant’s Website

Coffee, Cakes & Ice Cream

The Coffee Shop

The Coffee Shop is slightly reminiscent of a Viennese coffee house. The design elements are stylish and cool. Come here for very well prepared specialty coffee drinks. The small snacks and cakes on offer are also quite tasty. A good place to spend some time enjoying the locals go by or just working on your computer.

Photo from The Coffee Shop’s Website

Panorama Café

Hop on Europe’s fastest elevator (100 metres in just 20 seconds) and enjoy great cakes and coffee with a stunning view of Berlin from the 24th floor. Panoramacafé also offers 360° views over Berlin and when the weather is nice, go up their rooftop terrace for the perfect sunset. There is also an open-air exhibition space that showcases the History of Potsdamer Platz!

Photo from Panorama Café’s Website

Caffé e Gelato

“Caffè e Gelato” is considered one of Germany’s best ice cream parlours. In fact, the Chef just participated in the Gelato World Tour! Perhaps the best around this neighborhood. They offer unique ice cream flavors that are developed in their own laboratory. Think organic, spaghetti-style, even sushi-like mini morsels. Everything is prepared in-house. Even the waflles, chocolate and fruit toppings!

Photo from http://caffe-e-gelato.de/

Wiener Conditorei Caffeehaus

Established in 1928, Wiener Conditorei Caffeehaus is one of Berlin’s most traditional coffee houses. Fresh ingredients, in-house confectionery, delicious cake creations, Viennese desserts, French pastries and peti fours. You can get it all here. They even make their own ice cream! The menu also covers some savory options and of course, coffee!

Photo from Café’s Website

Bars

Jamboree

Jamboree is the new stunning bar concept by Grand Hyatt Hotel Berlin. A very well curated trip to the 80s. From the bar décor to the interpretation of classic cocktails, Jamboree delivers a true 80s vintage feel. Yes, even the drinks are named after song hits from the 80s, like “Der Kommissar” or “Love will tear us apart”. DJ sounds take over the space from Thursday through Saturday from 10 PM.

Photo from Jamboree’s Website

Qiu

QIU is bar/restaurant. This funky bar looks out across the Boulevard of the Stars, a nice spot to watch the hectic life outside, while sipping through your cocktails. The clientele is a bit “businessy” but the lounge design and the first class cocktails surely merit a visit.

Photo from Qiu’s Website

Momsen Eck

Momsen Eck is regarded as The “House of 100 Beers”. Beyond the amazing beer selection, this place also serve traditional German cuisine. The restaurant’s panorama window looks directly out across Fontaneplatz in front of the historic Haus Huth. Sit outside for a fun “happy hour” during the warmer months.

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