Guten Tag, Berlin!

A city of art

By Daniela Bonetto

Berlin is a city of layers. There is the cultural layer where it boasts some of the best museums in Europe. Then there is the artistic layer which has a schizophrenic soul, grappling with creative freedom versus the need to survive in a growing, demanding city. Then there is the food layer – abundant, flavoursome and still discovering it’s placing in the world. The German capital is a fascinating city which is still very much moulding itself after a harrowing recent past. It’s a vibrant place where nothing is impossible due to this ‘infantile’ characteristic which, unfortunately, has been slowed down due to the crisis. But nothing gets Berlin down. It is constantly launching new and exciting projects for a generation with a lets-show em motto.

TABLE FOR TWO A small selection of Berlin’s must-visit restaurants, from the vast array on offer
KEYSER SOZE
A great neighbourhood haunt where delicious German favourites mix with generous portions. Mingle with the creative crowd of the ex- Jewish Quarter and enjoy relaxed surroundings.
Tucholskystraße 33, Berlin-Mitte

FASSBENDER & RAUSCH CHOCOLATIORS am Gendarmenmarkt
Ditch the cornflakes and head to this chocolate paradise for a full blown sweet start to the day. Indulge in all the chocolate delicacies in a haus dedicated to only luscious chocolate!
Charlottenstraße 60, Berlin – Mitte

BANDOL SUR MER
Tres bon, tres delicieux, tres teensy! This 20 – seater eatery offers re-worked French fare in a low key venue. Delicious ensembles and creative dishes.
Torstraße 167, Berlin – Mitte

IMREN GRILL II
Jump headfirst into kebab haven at Imren Grill II. Turkish food is definitely a must try when visiting Berlin and this is one of the best joints to do that in.
Boppstr 4, Berlin – Kreuzberg

PILLOW TALK Choose between classic or quirky and sleep in the best beds Berlin has to offer
THE DUDE
Oozing in attitude and character this is the place to have sweet dreams. Incredibly witty in its layout and form, The Dude is a boutique hotel with a difference.
Köpenicker Straße 92, Berlin-Mitte

HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI
If frills is what you are after then this hotel adjacent to the Brandenburg Gate is above and beyond expectations. It is luxury to another level and fyi where all the celebrities stay.
Unter den Linden 77, Berlin – Mitte

MUST SEE & DO An endless amount of interesting place to be and see so here is a small array
SHOW ME – GLAMOUR IS BACK
Friedrichstadt Palace hosts the must-see show in Berlin (and Europe) with scintillating costumes, astonishing acrobatics, fabulous set design and captivating performances. Show Me – Glamour is Back is an opulent, razzle dazzle work of art on the biggest stage in Europe.
Friedrichstr 107, Berlin-Mitte

BREWER’S BERLIN TOUR
Why bother with the multitude of guide books out there? Embark on an interesting, guided walking tour of Berlin and meander the streets of the city while gazing at the big tourist sites but also listening to personal anecdotes from the knowledgeable guides.
brewersberlintours.com

REICHSTAG DOME
Make sure to book this visit well in advance or you just aren’t going. Simple as that. The Reichstag dome is a large glass dome, designed by Norman Foster, with a 360 degree view of the surrounding Berlin cityscape.
bundestag.de

EAST SIDE GALLERY
ESG is an international memorial for freedom. It is a 1.3km long section of the Berliner Mauer which consists of 105 paintings by artists from all over the world. Painted in 1990 on the east side of the Wall it is a truly striking work of art with very powerful images.
eastsidegallery.com

CREDIT CARD WORTHY Berlin is lined with interesting boutiques. Go for the up and coming or splurge on the big names – either way always remember you are worth it!
KREUZBERG AREA
Explore the quirky side of the city and head to Kreuzberg. This area is most associated with the left-wing youth culture, artists and Turkish immigrants and is abundant with independent shops and up-and-coming artists. Lined with little galleries it makes for a very interesting outing indeed.

VOO
This concept store is fast becoming a fashion landmark for those in the know. It showcases an eclectic mix of world-wide labels and is particularly cool.
Oranienstraße 24, Berlin – Kreuzberg

KADEWE
The Kaufhaus des Westens (“Department Store of the West”) is the equivalent to what Harrods is to London, a retail haven. It’s eight floors of shopping spree galore with each floor dedicated to one type of merchandising. So also very organised – we like!
kadewe.de

SOTO
Remind you of something? ‘Soho’ perhaps? Mimicking the coolness of the Soho area of London this is a great place for the boys. Menswear boutiques in Berlin are few and far between, so here our significant others will find an impressive range of brands, hard to find elsewhere in the city, such as Band of Outsiders, Norse Projects and Our Legacy.
Torstraße 72, Berin