Ice cream, food shopping and staying. Berlin
Ice cream, markets, hotel and more. Things that will make your trip to Berlin much more tastier.
Cuore Di Vetro
The place for Bronte pistachio, dark chocolate, Mozart (with marzipan), crème brûlée, stracciatella, vegan pear, cinnamon and other ice creams. Cuore Di Vetro is a bit tricky to find, not being on any of the main streets. But it’s worth the search if you love a good Italian gelato. At this small workshop organic milk and ingredients from Italy become ice cream right in front of your eyes. The place is also famous among Italians for its affogato, the renowned ice-cream-scoop-drowned-in-espresso dessert. Besides ice cream you’ll also find sandwiches and coffee drinks here, but don’t leave without trying the ice cream.
Address: Max-Beer-Straße 33, Berlin.
www.facebook.com/CuoreDiVetroBerlin
Kauf Dich Glücklich Cafe & Mehr
Well known for superb waffles and crêpes (classic, vegan, full-grain, etc.), served plain or with the very popular filling of hot cherries, whipped cream and ice cream. The ice cream (both the creamy kind and the refreshing sorbet) is made here on the spot, and it’s truly heavenly. The flavours change with the seasons, and their mango ice cream in the winter is more than perfect. You can also have the savoury version of waffles and pancakes, if you like. This is one of those breakfast and lunch places in Mitte that have plenty of space indoors and also on the terrace in the warmer seasons.
Address: Oderberger Straße 4, Berlin
www.kaufdichgluecklich-shop.de/berlin
MARKET
To get a feel of the city you go to art galleries, walk the streets and explore the architecture, watch the people and, of course, you go to the market. Markets reveal so much about what people feel, how they communicate, what they eat and how they understand each other. On a trip it’s practically mandatory to visit a market. You don’t even have to buy anything (good luck with that though!) – it’s enough to give things a taste and a good look.
Kollwitzplatz Market
The most famous morning market in Berlin – this is where organic farmers, bakers, cheesemakers meet, along with everyone who is passionate about eating organic and loves shopping at one of the most beautiful green spots of the city. Saturday is certainly the best day to visit this market, but don’t fret if you can’t make it – there’s also Thursday, and it’s quieter. On Saturdays the market is open from 9:00 to16:00 and on Thursdays from 12:00 to 19:00.
Address: Kollwitzplatz, Wörtherstraße, Berlin
Markthalle Neun
On a regular day this market pavilion is rather on the quiet side. You can buy groceries or have a light meal at Sironi, one of the most famous bakeries of Berlin (they bake focaccias, big round sourdough loaves, grissinis and a few other kinds of bread), the meat and sausage stand called The Sausage Man Never Sleeps, fresh pasta at Mani in Pasta and a few more spots. But the place really comes alive at certain times of a month or even a year. Probably the best known are Thursday nights, known as Street Food Thursday, when the best street food trucks, vendors and cooks all gather here. It’s a great time to have a snack, shop for food, meet people and enjoy a meal out in a slightly different environment. Tuesdays and Fridays (12:00‒20:00) and Saturdays (10:00‒18:00) you’re welcome to the small weekly market, while every third Saturday of a month this turns into a breakfast market from 10:00, and there’s a very special confection market on March 12, June 5 and December 4. Their website is worth a good look – there are also coffee, sausage&beer, bread markets and many other themed events.
Address: Eisenbahnstraße 42-43, Berlin
markthalleneun.de
Where to stay
Otto. The Otto hotel is very conveniently located – 15 minutes by metro from the centre, 15 minutes from the airport (and literally a 5 minute walk from the bus stop), within walking distance from the zoo and Tiergarten park. The breakfast, using as much slow food and local organic produce as possible, is served on the 7th floor overlooking the roofs of Berlin. Dig into pancakes with organic maple syrup, homemade cakes, organic juices, sparkling wine, a great selection of local cheeses, organic muesli, fruit etc. 14:00‒21:00 is the time for afternoon tea, cake, juice and fruit buffet, available for all guests. Fine clean rooms, well-stocked with organic snacks and drinks – and unlike regular minibars, these don’t cost a fortune. Much closer to store pricing actually. Some of the rooms have a fully equipped kitchen with an Illy coffee machine and Althaus tea. Brabantia accessories, Artemide lamps and fairtrade cosmetics for all. Otto is the perfect place if you’re looking for a good price/performance, sumptuous yet healthy breakfast, light and clean interiors, lots of silence and lovely service.
Address: Knesebeckstraße 10, Berlin
www.hotelotto.com/en
Useful bits and pieces!
A book to buy: Cee Cee Berlin (published by Distanz). I bought it at The Barn, but it’s also available at Aunt Benny. It has it all on food, places and events in Berlin. Inspiring, stylish, hipstery, essential.
For your home and gift needs: handsome home decor, games and also clothing at Victoria met Albert (Krossenerstraße 9, Berlin, www.facebook.com/Victoria-met-Albert). Dishes, pillows, home- and gardenware, straws and plates, gorgeous packaging. A truly stylish design shop that you just want to take home with you. Located between Silo Coffee and Aunt Benny. Nice prices as well.
Organic stores to explore if you’re looking for something new on your plate: Veganz (Warschauer Straße 33, Berlin, veganz.de/en), also housing a raw food eatery beloved by the locals, The Bowl. Bio Company (www.biocompany.de) – small stores in several locations across the city. LPG BioMarkt (www.lpg-biomarkt.de/en) – big marketlike stores in multiple locations, stocking nearly everything.
