Berlin Guide - Part Two
In this series, CONTU founder and editor-in-chief Katharina Müller shares her 10 personal favourite places in Berlin for drinking and eating, experiencing culture and art, for watching people and being surrounded by nature.
While curating and working on VOLUME 1 I have enjoyed the plentitude of options this exciting city has to offer. In this second part of this mini guide series I will be sharing more of my favourite spots I have encountered and have come back to many times again.
Reading time: 5 Minutes
Places to enjoy art.
Founded in 2018, KVOST is an art association deriving from the previous Galerie koal, which closed after 12 years in 2018. KVOST focuses since its beginning on artists originating from East Europe. Its premises in Mitte have an interesting background, too, which are a distinct reference point in that respect: It was designed as part of the socialist inspired urban construction programme of Leipziger Straße.
@kvost
Leipziger Straße 47, Mitte
Galerie 68projects is founded by Galerie Kornfeld with an international residency programme and an equal international team of curators. Its rooms with their white washed walls are decorated with stucco on the ceiling and are still airy and welcoming.
@68projects
Fasanenstraße 68, Charlottenburg
The Alte Nationalgalerie on Museum Island still stands out with its monumental building and stands in stark contrast to the more unconventional galleries of which Berlin has no shortage of. Alte Nationalgalerie has three floors with permanent exhibitions, too, displaying art from the 19th and early 20th century.
Bodestraße 1, Mitte
A place to take a breather.
Nordufer
This canal, running along the borders of the district Wedding is a unique place at the water. On one side, long cranes protrude industry sites and on the other side, where paths lead the way along trees and cafés, the street is dotted with early 19th buildings. Think: creme coloured, balconies and facades overgrown with plants.
Two places to have coffee (and people watch).
Cuccuma
This café in Bergmannkiez in Kreuzberg is a place you will not forget easily. It’s tiny inside but if you do get a place, you will feel like home.
It’s friendly, there’s always fresh and very tasty pastry and if you sit at one of the tables outside, it’s a lovely place to watch the street happenings.
@cuccuma
Zossener Straße 34, Kreuzberg
Two bars.
Henrietta Bar
A well-liked bar in Malplaquetkiez in Wedding that attracts mostly neighbours and people of all ages, which makes it such a nice Kiezkneipe, a neighbourhood bar. It’s laid-back, cosy and candle-lit, with wooden tables and vintage style couches.
@bar.henrietta.berlin
Malplaquetstraße 38, Wedding
Bademeister Bar
This is the sort of bar, that you wish you would have in your neighbourhood and luckily, Weissensee has it. A short stroll from lake Weissensee, it’s also a great destination in summer. Well-made drinks and an atmosphere that is somewhere comfortably ranked between relaxed sophisticated and curated unconventionality, Bademeister Bar has quickly gained a loyal following and as established itself in Weissensee.
@bademeisterbar
Bizetstraße 143, Weissensee
Where to get pies.
Since 2013, HelloGoodPie serves Berlin shortcrust pastries with only fresh and seasonal ingredients for their fillings, vegetarian included. The the pies can be ordered hot or frozen; the latter is perfect for later cravings.
Falkensteinstraße 9, Kreuzberg
A place to spend the day.
Are you looking for a place to spend some more time than a coffee or a lunch? We have the place for you. Café FRIEDA is a café, a restaurant and a bar in one. The inviting and beautiful designed interior are only one reason you might want to spend more time than expected in this place. Café FRIEDA celebrates local, organic and seasonal produce and have decided to a more natural way, sourcing their produce from their sister Mrs. Robinson’s in Prenzlauer Berg.
@cafe_frieda
Lychener Straße 37, Prenzlauer Berg
How to get to know Berlin.
Go for walks. In fact, go for long walks. Berlin is a walkable city and one, that is best discovered on foot. Experience the city in changing seasons, find nooks and places and hidden backyards and stop at Spätis and Cafés on the way. Skip (a few) Tram or metro stations and let your curiosity guide your way. I promise, it’s worth it.
Berlin-Friedrichshain