It is easy to find okay food in Berlin. It is even easy to find good food. Or international food. Hipster cafés or coffee spaces at every corner. I am looking for something more, some spots with great atmosphere, traces of history or some other bonus features. But to kick things off: a nice looking but mediocre serving of sushi.

What would Berlin be without an avocado bagel? But anyways, let’s move on to the rooftop of a project house Sharehouse in Neukölln, harboring apartments for refugees and even a café and bar. With a prime position to see Berlin’s skyline, aka just the TV tower.

A favorite of mine, the Tadschikische Teestube (Tadjik Tea House) with authentic colorful Sowjet furniture from the 70s, a gift as a sign of German-Sowjet friendship, it is now on display in this cute tea house not far from the synagoge. Enjoying a Russian tea ceremony while sitting on round cushions and colorful carpets, with a large selection of Russian (and other) teas and delicacies. Five stars for ambience.

Another recently discovered gem is Clärchens Ballhaus (Clärchen’s ballroom house), a rough looking, worn in ballroom with cracked mirrors, a few dusty pieces of furniture and a black grand piano in the corner. A great place to dance in the evenings, but around noon, the kitchen serves up great German dishes for a romantic candlelight lunch.

And because I haven’t gotten enough of tea yet (I do love tea!), another quiet oasis not far from the last two places included in this post. Nannuoshan is the name of a well designed, calm place that is perfect for enjoying a cup of Gongfu Cha (tea made according to a certain tea ceremony) or maybe join one of their seminars to learn more about tea! They serve a variety of Chinese teas.

Full and content, I look forward to the next time visiting Berlin – more food is waiting for me!

March 10th – 13th 2017