Berlin Travel Guide

Back in October I was able to spend a few short days in Berlin after my First We Eat workshop in Croatia. I’ve already talked a bit about my last visit with Marta and my stop by Our Food Stories – Christiann and I had one more shoot with Marta that I haven’t shared yet (but will be posting soon!), but first I wanted to put together a mini Berlin travel guide for you all. This is by no means a comprehensive guide (I was only there for 2 1/2 days) but it is a list of the things that I did/saw/heard about/ate/drank while I was there and loved, (including coffee with the warm and lovely Susan and Yannic behind Krautkopf!) Marta has an amazing Berlin food guide and general Berlin guide up on her blog, too, if you’re planning on visiting and want more recommendations. I also highly recommend VisitBerlin as a great resource for planning your trip.

Stay
Hotel Oderberger – used to be a bathhouse and has now been renovated, but still has the amazing swimming hall structure  and has retained the original tiles throughout and repurposed old vintage doors. Absolutely stunning and with a great hotel bar by a roaring fire.
Eat + Drink
Bonanza Coffee – superb coffee roaster and brewer on Oderberg Strasse just a few blocks from Hotel Oderberger.

The Barn – delicious coffee roaster, brewer, and snack stop. They make tasty little sandwiches, and the milk they use in their lattes is raw and from local cows.
Nothaft Siedel Cafe – great coffee, sandwiches, and fresh-pressed juices. They also make a killer beet cake.
Kaffeebar – serving both coffee and booze, you can slow down and get a little pick up in the same spot. Awesome interior.
Umami – delicious Indonesian food (if you’re new to Indonesian, think hearty Thai food) with an awesome ambiance, including floor seating options. The cocktails are also amazing.
See
Museum Island – there are five museums on this island in the middle of the Spree River that goes through the city. You can check out the Pergamom, Bode, Neues, Alte Nationalgalerie, and Altes Museum.
Karl Marx Allee – this street is a classic example of the socialist style of architecture and city planning. Very beautiful buildings, a great walk.
The Holocaust Memorial – an interactive monument that is at once deeply touching, heartbreaking, and beautiful.
Street Art – there is an incredible curated public street art exhibition on the Berlin wall known as the ‘East Side Gallery’, but there is also street art all over the city. Just keep your eyes peeled as you’re walking around and you’ll see some really amazing pieces.
Clårchens Ballhaus – beautiful old authentic ball house on the second floor of this building, they have classical music concerts on Sundays that are very affordable but tickets should be bought in advance.
Brandenberg Gate – the only remaining city gate in Berlin, it used to serve as the divider between east and west Berlin but is now a symbol of the unity of the city. A huge and breathtaking monument.
Oberbaumbrücke – an old bridge with incredible architecture. Used to serve as a pedestrian crossing between east and west Berlin but now connects the Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg areas.
Shop
Do You Read Me – all the magazines and periodicals you could ever want to read in one place.
Tablea Berlin – fantastic home goods shop with lots of handmade and well-sourced pieces. Great linens, baskets, glasses, and serveware.
Flagship Store – modern clothing handmade in Berlin.
Paul’s Boutique + Goo – second hand & vintage clothing shops, really great selection and prices for the quality. Both are on Oderberger Strasse just a few blocks from Hotel Oderberger.