INSIDER TIPS
BERLIN ON A DIME
WATERGATE
House music and techno fans – take note. Located on the River Spree with panoramic views of Berlin’s Kreuzberg neighbourhood, this club is known for its impressive light installation that runs the entire length of the top floor. Stay late (or ’til early) to see the sunrise views behind the curtains as the night winds down.
MODERNE ZEIT
This antique shop isn’t your regular antique shop filled with old, dusty stuff. A little stuck in time, this shop on Goltzstraße will make you time travel to your great-grandma’s place. You’ll find the fanciest silverware, the most extravagant jewellery and the brightest gold coins. And yes, you’re allowed to touch them. After stepping out of this time machine, grab a glass of wine or some food in one of the bars and restaurants on the same street.
CALIGARI
Mamma mia! This cosy Italian restaurant will make your heart sing. The daily changing menu composed of fresh vegetable dishes and homemade pasta is inspired by southern and northern Italian cuisine. The staff is super knowledgeable and will help you pick the best wine to go with your dish. An absolute go-to for those comfort food cravings.
PAOLO PINKEL
Three kitchens, one bar and a 100% Berlin experience in the Neukolln area. Their three separate kitchens serve Northern Chinese, Cypriot and Peruvian food, and their drinks always hit the spot. (And if you’re wondering about the name, Paolo Pinkel was the pseudonym of a famous Jewish politician who got caught up in a scandal.)
SON KITCHEN
A cute neighbourhood streetfood gem on Kantstraße, only a short walk away from the hotel. The small snack bar in the middle of Kantstraße sells a wide range of Korean cuisine to go, from Korean tacos and burgers to the traditional Bibimbab.
KOKU
If you’re in Berlin and want to dress the part, ‘Doc up. This shop in the Schillerkiez offers what just might be Berlin’s largest secondhand collection of the very Berlin Dr. Martens, with an ever-changing variety and lots of local fans.
LON-MEN’S NOODLE HOUSE
Looking for some no-nonsense, cheap and delicious food? Go to Lon-Men’s. This Taiwanese noodle house is a local favorite, and you can’t go wrong here. It’s also close to Max Brown Ku’Damm, so after you eat, you can just roll back to your room.
TEMPELHOFER FELD
This isn’t just any field. It used to be an airport! Now people gather here to relax, stroll, in-line skate, fly kites or picnic during summer time. The great atmosphere will keep you there until the sun sets. Truly basic at its best.
REICHSTAG BUILDING DOME
Mix in a little history at the dome and roof terrace of this historic Reichstag building, which houses part of Germany’s parliament and offers great views of Berlin and its government district. Admission is totally free, but online registration is required in advance via their website.
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ARTS & CULTURE
KUNSTPARK TEGEL
This park is a unique place where international artists have created huge, dazzling murals that are up to 42 meters high and decorate the walls of eight high-rise buildings. Visit Tegel and discover the uniqueness of this Berlin neighborhood.
DEUTSCHE KINEMATHEK
Explore the history of German cinema from its beginning to the present day at the Museum for Film and TV. You can also dive into the story of the iconic actress and singer Marlene Dietrich.
KÜNSTLERHAUS BETHANIEN
The Künstlerhaus Bethanien is home to an international contemporary art gallery within the 10,000 square meters of a former light factory. The mix of different exhibitions results in an interesting confluence of art and culture.
BAUHAUS ARCHIVE
When in Berlin, make sure to check out “Original Bauhaus”, the centenary exhibition of Bauhaus Archive, located just a couple of minutes from our hotel. It’s a unique opportunity to discover more about the history of the 20th century’s most influential school of architecture, design and art.
NATURKUNDEMUSEUM
The Natural History Museum is not only interesting for kids—we promise! It’s a fascinating look into the history of our planet. Definitely go when you’re in Vienna.
BERLINSCHE GALERIE
The Berlinische Galerie is one-of-a-kind: they collect, preserve, display and investigate modern and contemporary art made in Berlin. It is an interdisciplinary collection that includes painting and sculpture, prints and drawings, photography and architecture, all dating from 1870 until the present day. The Berlinische Galerie is a museum for everyone in the city, locals and visitors alike.
PERGAMONMUSEUM
This majestic archeology museum is one of the most visited in Berlin and for a good reason. This huge building houses some awe-inspiring, impressive collections. You can even sit on the stairs of an ancient Roman structure inside the museum.
CO / GALLERY
CO / Gallery is an exhibition center for photography and visual media. You will find the perfect mix of works by internationally renowned artists and emerging talent.
MARTIN GROPIUS BAU
The Gropius Bau is one of Europe’s most-important exhibition venues. With its acclaimed contemporary and archaeological exhibitions, it has consistently opened up new realms of experience and reconfirmed its international reputation. We recommend that you stay up-to-date with the changing exhibitions.
INSIDER TIPS
BERLIN’S INDULGENCES
BRITZER GARDEN
A green oasis in the heart of Berlin, Britzer Garden is home to ten hectares of lakes and gardens, including the famous rose garden. Pack a picnic, take a stroll and find a peaceful spot to catch up on your current read or podcast.
LOTI PANTÓNS
Located in Berlin’s stylish Mitte neighbourhood, LOTI PANTÓN’s macarons are up there with the most deliciously unique flavours we’ve tasted. Crafted by an ex-violinist whose creative talent knows no bounds, don’t miss out on originals like the Orange Blossom & Green Peas, or the Eggnog, Miso & Nutmeg.
SAWADE
As the oldest chocolate factory in the city, Sawade has been producing the finest pralines, truffles and chocolates for over 140 years. With seasonal specials and personalised options all lovingly packed in boxes designed with Berlin’s famous sights, choose the perfect souvenir to enjoy back home (if you can wait that long).
SPREEPARK BERLIN
Ever fantasized about breaking into a creepy, abandoned property? Well, here you can actually do that. The amusement park Spreepark has been abandoned for 10 years now, and the moss on the already weird rides and fallen dinosaur statues gives this place an eerie vibe. You can get a tour of the park for €5.
W PIZZA
By far the best Napoli style pizza in town. W Pizza is a no-nonsense pizza place, just like in Napoli. You can eat in or take your pizza to-go. Since it’s often very busy, people eat their pizza across the street.
JONES ICE CREAM
With its handmade cones and insta-worthy scoop technique, Jones ice cream tastes as it looks: delicious. Next to some straightforward flavors, be prepared to find some very intriguing options on their menu. Cucumber & tonic sorbet, anyone?
BENEDICT
Ever feel like having breakfast for dinner? Us, too. At Benedict the door is always open for breakfast, and by always, we mean always. The restaurant serves pancakes, omelettes, french toast and everything else you can dream of 24/7. And even better, it’s attached to Max Brown.
BRAMMIBAL’S DONUTS
For breakfast? Donuts that happen to be vegan. If you’re a sweet tooth and don’t mind the occasional sugar bomb in the morning, Brammibal’s will rock your world. They have two locations in Berlin, which doubles your chance on being close to one.
LIQUIDROM
Imagine yourself floating peacefully in salty water with nothing on your mind except… the underwater techno-music playing. If you’re up for a sneak peek into the future of spas, this former WWII train station will take you there. Make sure to check the schedule to see which DJ is playing.
DELABUU ICE CREAM
Ice cream is not just ice cream at Delabuu. It’s Berlin’s first cold plate ice creamery, offering delicious compositions with only fresh & organic ingredients. They are also vegan-friendly.
HILDEGARD BAR
If you’re a cocktail lover, Hildegard Bar is just the right place for you. The owner, Thomas, is also known as the founder of the delicious cocktail called Watermelon Man.
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CONSCIOUS BERLIN
MALZFABRIK
Keep an eye on the events calendar of this venue for interesting festivals and happenings. This green and vibrant place in the heart of Berlin was once Europe’s largest malt production facility and has found a new purpose since 2005, where creativity, environmental awareness and culture are its main values. The area consists of a large park with two pools, a modern office complex, several natural gardens, nine historic buildings and a beach.
BIKINI BERLIN
The world’s first concept shopping mall, giving a new dimension to our idea of the shopping centre. Here you’ll find a compilation of carefully curated boutiques, eateries and pop-ups. Besides sustainable shopping, you can enjoy the beautiful view from the rooftop terrace.
+84 VIETNAMESE VEGAN KITCHEN
This vegan restaurant took our love for Vietnamese cuisine to a new level. +84 has two locations right next to each other, and one is vegan and one is not. If you accidentally go to the non-vegan one, we won’t tell anyone.
VEG’D
At the new restaurant VEG’D in Frierichshain, you can find the tasty (and vegan) Burghain Burger as well as Asian bowls. The DJ and label founder Andre Crom decided to launch a new kitchen with a hand-picked menu. The Beyond Meat Burger is a very special one and it’s definitely worth a try.
FOLKDAYS
Folkdays is a store and online shop with fair fashion, interiors and accessories that aren’t just good for our environment but also really unique. After you find the perfect birthday present for your loved one, you’ll find somethign perfect for yourself. With their shop, the owners want to make fair fashion hip and trendy.
DALUMA
At Daluma, you’ll start your day healthier than ever before. Go for juices, salads, bowls and smoothies packed with superfoods.
Tribeca Vegan Ice Cream Bar
One of the new plant based hotspots of Berlin offers superfood-charged ice-cream, located in one of the most picturesque hoods of Berlin. How about a trip to Prenzlauer Berg for a scoop or three?
TEUFELSBERG
Get a unique, budget-friendly tour through history. This 80-meter-tall hill was made from the rubble of Berlin’s destroyed buildings during World War II. After the war, the US set up a spy-station there, and for a good reason—it has an incredible view of the city. The station has been abandoned for years, and for a small fee you can tour the creepy facilities.
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FANCY BERLIN
CODA
For a unique end to your day, head to this spot in Neukölln for an interpreted journey through dessert dining. At Germany’s first and only dessert restaurant with two Michelin stars, choose from a 4 or 7-course menu and enjoy the drink specially paired with each course to complete the dishes’ stories.
KINK Restaurant Bar
The list of great Berlin restaurants is long, but this one’s up there. Uniting culinary and cocktail art into one cohesive experience, this high-end yet laid-back spot in the middle of Berlin also has a great patio for sitting and sipping on some supremely creative cocktails. They even host guest chefs and bartenders from time to time, making this one to book in advance.
Mine Restaurant Bar
It’s always wine o’clock at this delicious Italian spot, housed in the building previously home to Berlin’s smallest bar. Continue the history with their seriously impressive selection of natural and biodynamic wines, private label Bordeaux and Prosecco in magnum bottles from the wine cellar (also available for private dinners and chef events you’ll need to book in advance).
TRÖDEL- UND KUNSTMARKT STRAßE DES 17. JUNI
This fleamarket is a very special one (and not that far from Max Brown Ku’damm). You can buy really unique vintage and retro crafts, art and clothes from special dealers that come from villages outside of Berlin. There you can find extravagant giveaways and presents for your friends and family.
OSMANS TÖCHTER
This team first opened a restaurant in the north of Berlin and finally brought their tasty Israelian and Mediterrean mezze to our neighbourhood in Charlottenburg. It is a perfect place for a family-style dinner where you can taste from all your friend’s mezze. Be sure to make a reservation in advance as it’s always pretty busy.
OH, PANAMA
Treat yourself as often as you can–especially when you’re on vacation. Oh, Panama is definitely one of our favourite places to do so. Their soul-nourishing creations are meant to be shared and they always have a little surprise up their sleeve.
PARIS BAR
Step into Paris Bar and travel back in time to Paris in the 1960s. Here you’ll have a non-pretentious, classic French dining experience. Everything from the escargots to ambiance—c’est manifique!
RYOTEI 893
Hidden behind a graffitied storefront on Kanstraße, you’ll find the best Japanese food and some of the tastiest cocktails in town. The contrast between the incredible food and the graffitied windows makes dining here an unforgettable experience.
NEWTON BAR
If you feel like being part of Helmet Newton’s entourage for one night, get a drink at Newton Bar. As you can tell by the name, the bar is a homage to the famous photographer, with life-size prints of Newton’s naked models, heavy and red leather seats and an ever so impressive crowd.
INSIDER TIPS
DOG-FRIENDLY
DER BLAUE FUCHS
Craving delicious comfort food with your furry bestie by your side? Der Blaue Fuchs is the place. Go for delicious Georgian cuisine and a super dog-loving atmosphere.
SCMACKOFATZ BARF MANUFAKTUR
This is your go-to when it comes to mouth-watering treats for your four-legged friend. They only serve the best and nothing else.
HAUPTSTADT HUND
Searching for bio dog food and other good stuff for your pup? Hauptstadt Hund is just the right place to find it all and more.
HUNDEAUSLAUFGEBIET GRUNEWALD
Perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle. Green wherever you look and great swimming for your dog in the little lake.
TEMPELHOFER FELD
Located in Neuköln, Tempelhofer Feld is a bit of ride but so worth it. Enjoy amazing outdoor festivals and other cultural happenings as well as breathtaking sunsets with your furry friend.
BENEDICT
Enter pancake heaven and treat yourself with the best breakfast in town. Your pup is welcome to tag along here.
DOGTAP BERLIN
Good food, good beer and an outdoor dog park. What else can you ask for? Probably nothing. At DogTap Berlin you’ll find it all.
SONNBERG.BERLIN
Nothing more fun than spoiling your little (or big) one. Sonnberg.Berlin is the place to be when it comes to all dog everything: treats, toys, and some things you might not necessarily need but definitely will want.
SOCIETY DOG
If shopping is a must during your trip, don’t forget about your best friend! Society Dog definitely has your dog’s back when it comes to all things accessories and more.
SPREEGOLD
Good food and even better views. You can either start, take a break or end your day here–up to you and your pup. Just make sure to take in all the good vibes while escaping the city’s hustle and bustle.