Berlin is my favorite place in the world. There is a certain quality about that city that keeps bringing me back.
I left out a lot of places that are already featured in lots of other trendy Berlin guidebooks and instead just featured all the places I ended up going to a lot during my summer in the city.
Just a disclaimer, theres going to be a lot of cafes in this list because thats where I ended up spending most of my time, haha
I left out a lot of places that are already featured in lots of other trendy Berlin guidebooks and instead just featured all the places I ended up going to a lot during my summer in the city.
Just a disclaimer, theres going to be a lot of cafes in this list because thats where I ended up spending most of my time, haha
DINING
Restaurant Bastard
----
Reichenberger Str. 122
Best brunch spot in Berlin. I love order their mixed breakfast plates so you
get a little bit of everything
get a little bit of everything
Tante Emma
----
Köpenicker Str. 1
Again, another great spot for brunch.
Cafe Suicide Sue
----
Dunckerstraße 2
Healthy brunch options!
Nothaft & Seidel
----
Schönhauser Allee 43A
My go-to for a quick breakfast. Their banana bread is amazing and so good
when paired with a flat white.
when paired with a flat white.
Preussen (Thai) Park
----
----
Brandenburgische Str.
Probably one of the best things to do on a weekend in Berlin is to travel (with
a picnic blanket at hand) to Prussen Park to dine at the technically-illegal Thai
market. This place is run by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Thai families who decided
to set up shop in the city on the weekends to serve food to the hungry masses as a
communal activity that serves as a reminder of home. Everything here is freshly
prepared and authentic to boot. Pictured here is a sweet lady making my spicy papya
salad from scracth. I would recommend coming with a small group of friends so you
can mix and match your meals.
Strategy: Split up, buy as much food as you can carry and then congregate
somewhere on the grassy field. Last time we were here I think we spend about
4 hours lounging about. Probably the best Saturday of my life.
It's not very often you come across a restaurant that serves Ethiopian food. I
was introduced to this cuisine by my sister, who insisted I try the flat bread (Injera).
At Bejte Ethiopia, I recommend the mixed veggie and meat platter. Not entirely
sure what goes into the dishes, but it's so so good.
CAFE & COFFEESHOPS
a picnic blanket at hand) to Prussen Park to dine at the technically-illegal Thai
market. This place is run by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Thai families who decided
to set up shop in the city on the weekends to serve food to the hungry masses as a
communal activity that serves as a reminder of home. Everything here is freshly
prepared and authentic to boot. Pictured here is a sweet lady making my spicy papya
salad from scracth. I would recommend coming with a small group of friends so you
can mix and match your meals.
Strategy: Split up, buy as much food as you can carry and then congregate
somewhere on the grassy field. Last time we were here I think we spend about
4 hours lounging about. Probably the best Saturday of my life.
Markthalle Neun
----
Eisenbahnstraße 42-43
I watched a lot of videos about this place before I went to berlin. Story is that
a few years ago, Berlin's culinary scene was dead and uninspiring. But recently
young, innovative, international cooks and chefs banded together and created a
space to share new and exciting cuisine.
Markthalle Neun is now best known for "Street Food Thursdays", where one can
go and sample famous street food from different countries. I saw people making
takoyaki and chinese/korean fusion baos (but since I already live in Asia and am
constantly surrounded by amazing asian food I naturally gravitated towards the pizza).
And even if your'e not ordering anything to eat (and I don't see why you wouldn't),
the market is also a great place to walk around and soak in the good vibes.
I watched a lot of videos about this place before I went to berlin. Story is that
a few years ago, Berlin's culinary scene was dead and uninspiring. But recently
young, innovative, international cooks and chefs banded together and created a
space to share new and exciting cuisine.
Markthalle Neun is now best known for "Street Food Thursdays", where one can
go and sample famous street food from different countries. I saw people making
takoyaki and chinese/korean fusion baos (but since I already live in Asia and am
constantly surrounded by amazing asian food I naturally gravitated towards the pizza).
And even if your'e not ordering anything to eat (and I don't see why you wouldn't),
the market is also a great place to walk around and soak in the good vibes.
Bejte Ethiopia
----
Zietenstraße 8
It's not very often you come across a restaurant that serves Ethiopian food. I
was introduced to this cuisine by my sister, who insisted I try the flat bread (Injera).
At Bejte Ethiopia, I recommend the mixed veggie and meat platter. Not entirely
sure what goes into the dishes, but it's so so good.
CAFE & COFFEESHOPS
Oslo Kaffebar
----
Eichendorffstraße 13
Basically my workspace/office for the summer whenever I wanted to get out
of the apartment to work. Their staff is so nice and the coffee is really good.
They're not also serving all their drinks in cups made from recycled coffee grounds.
This gets a thumbs up from me!
Bonanza Coffee Heroes
----
Oderberger Str. 35 & Adalbertstraße 70
nice and they always play good music.
Five Elephant
----
Reichenberger Str. 101
Order an espresso and pair it with their famous cheesecake. Mouth is watering
just thinking about it.
just thinking about it.
Passenger Espresso
----
Oppelner Str. 45
In the summer time they open up their accordion windows so best seat in the house looks right into the street. Prime people watching spot
Concierge Coffee
----
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 39-40
This place is fun. It's this little random shop in the archway into a building.
Customers sit on benches opposite to the window where you pick up your coffee.
Or you can take it to go, walk a few steps and sip your coffee by the canal.
Customers sit on benches opposite to the window where you pick up your coffee.
Or you can take it to go, walk a few steps and sip your coffee by the canal.
ORA
----
Oranienpl. 14
An old apotheke repurposed into a cafe/restaurant. You can still see all the
old glass bottles on the shelves. Hipster--you're doing it right.
An old apotheke repurposed into a cafe/restaurant. You can still see all the
old glass bottles on the shelves. Hipster--you're doing it right.
DoubleEye
----
Akazienstraße 22
If I remember correctly, this is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, coffeehouse
in Berlin. Or maybe it's the oldest third wave, maybe? Anyways, its a tiny shop,
so theres no seating inside. But the atmosphere is cozy and you can really tell
that the staff is passionate about coffee. I saw them talking to warmly to regular
customers and I wished I was one of them too.
If I remember correctly, this is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, coffeehouse
in Berlin. Or maybe it's the oldest third wave, maybe? Anyways, its a tiny shop,
so theres no seating inside. But the atmosphere is cozy and you can really tell
that the staff is passionate about coffee. I saw them talking to warmly to regular
customers and I wished I was one of them too.
The Barn
----
Auguststraße 58
Another good coffee spot.
Another good coffee spot.
Distrikt Coffee
----
Bergstr. 68
Cozy cafe located in Mitte. It's a stones throw away from the busier part
of the city center so it's a nice place for a shopping/sightseeing break.
Cozy cafe located in Mitte. It's a stones throw away from the busier part
of the city center so it's a nice place for a shopping/sightseeing break.
Populus Coffee
----
Maybachufer 20
A new favourite! This coffeeshop is located right next to the canals.
It's nice to sit outside and people watch. I also highly recommend their
vegan coconut cookies--so yummy!
A new favourite! This coffeeshop is located right next to the canals.
It's nice to sit outside and people watch. I also highly recommend their
vegan coconut cookies--so yummy!
BRLO Brwhouse
----
Schöneberger Str. 16
According to a friend, BRLO is an old nickname for Berlin. Roman and I
actually accidentally stumbled upon this place and now it's one of my favorite
spots in Berlin. Their outdoor area is a great place grab a couple beers and
enjoy a chill Friday evening with some friends. Their food is also pretty tasty
but don't come here thinking you'll get a full meal--the dishes are small and are
meant to be enjoyed as a snack. PS. Come around sunset!
According to a friend, BRLO is an old nickname for Berlin. Roman and I
actually accidentally stumbled upon this place and now it's one of my favorite
spots in Berlin. Their outdoor area is a great place grab a couple beers and
enjoy a chill Friday evening with some friends. Their food is also pretty tasty
but don't come here thinking you'll get a full meal--the dishes are small and are
meant to be enjoyed as a snack. PS. Come around sunset!
SHOPPING
Do You Read Me?
----
Auguststraße 28
Indie magazine and books galore. One of the more famous bookstores in Berlin.
Pro qm
----
Almstadtstraße 48
I mean, just look at it!
Motto
----
----
Skalitzer Str. 68
A great hole-in-the-wall place to check out if you're into zines and indie
publications. Their selection is even more obscure than the other indie bookstores.
publications. Their selection is even more obscure than the other indie bookstores.
Saint George's English Bookstore
----
Wörther Str. 27
I try not to buy new books in store or on amazon anymore,
This bookstore is great in many ways, first the staff is friendly and knowledgable.
Second, they're able to order almost any book you're looking for if they don't
happen to have it in stock. Finally, their shop is cozy as hell. There's a large
leather sofa inside for your reading pleasure.
This bookstore is great in many ways, first the staff is friendly and knowledgable.
Second, they're able to order almost any book you're looking for if they don't
happen to have it in stock. Finally, their shop is cozy as hell. There's a large
leather sofa inside for your reading pleasure.
R.S.V.P Papier in Mitte
----
Mulackstraße 14
Fancy stationary and DIY equipment. Before you scoff, they actually have
a really nice selection of high quality papers, prints, pens and other tools.
I like to buy gifts here.
a really nice selection of high quality papers, prints, pens and other tools.
I like to buy gifts here.
Neuzwei
----
Weserstra. 53
Looks like a boutique but is actually a vintage store. Neuzwei has it's own
aesthetics and the garments are very well selected and in excellent condition.
aesthetics and the garments are very well selected and in excellent condition.
ACTIVITES
Templehofer Feld
----
Muliple entries. But I to enter from the gate closest to Herrfurthplatz (U Boddinstraße)
Old airport turned into a public park. One day I want to rent a bike and ride
around the runways, it always looks like a lot of fun. A lot of people also like
to take their dogs here to play. In addition Tempelhof also holds a lot of historical
significance, read about it { here }
around the runways, it always looks like a lot of fun. A lot of people also like
to take their dogs here to play. In addition Tempelhof also holds a lot of historical
significance, read about it { here }
Bauhaus Archive
----
Klingelhöferstraße 14
I am a big fan of the Bauhaus philosophy and style--in fact, Gropius and
Laszlo Moholy-Nagy are personal design heroes of mine. It's nice to see that
their work and ideologies are preserved in such a beautiful space. Be sure to
stop by the cafe afterwards too, their pastas are pretty good!
Laszlo Moholy-Nagy are personal design heroes of mine. It's nice to see that
their work and ideologies are preserved in such a beautiful space. Be sure to
stop by the cafe afterwards too, their pastas are pretty good!
Berlinische Galerie
----
Alte Jakobstraße 124-128
Modern museum for fine art, photography, and architecture. Last time I was here
I caught a beautiful exhibition on post-WWII Berlin architecture.
Modulor
----
Prinzenstraße 85
craft tools, and general knick-knacks they sell at Modulor. They literally sell everything...
makes DIY-ing a breeze. All cities should have an art store like this.
Schlachtensee
----
S1 Schlactensee
S1 Schlactensee
Huge lake between Berlin and Potsdam. Here you can rent paddle boats or
canoes, but personally I like swimming. It's really nice to just walk the perimeter
of it too.
canoes, but personally I like swimming. It's really nice to just walk the perimeter
of it too.
Krumme Lanke
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U3 Krumme Lanke
Smaller lake next to Schlachtensee. Only about a 35-40 minute U-Bahn ride
from city center.
Teufelsberg
----
S5, S7, S75 Gruewald
S5, S7, S75 Gruewald
locality of former West Berlin. The listening station (seen here) was built during
the Cold War by the US NSA. Now it's abandoned and serves as a playground of
sorts to street/graffiti artists. It was one of the coolest places I've ever visited.
Fluxbau
----
Pfuelstra. 5
Live music from international bands every Wednesday evening in the summer months.
Then after the concerts, grab a drink and a table in their outdoor seating area and
relax right next to the Spree.
Then after the concerts, grab a drink and a table in their outdoor seating area and
relax right next to the Spree.
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