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A

Al Hamra
Raumerstr. 16
Chillout, Late night
This popular Arabian-style café, tucked in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, offers excellent Mediterranean food, an extensive variety of coffees and teas, as well as beer, wine, water pipes, backgammon and chess, internet access (house computers or WLAN) and, importantly, a warm, comfortable atmosphere in which to relax and chat with friends. The staff are shockingly kind. A favorite New Berlin hangout, this recommendation won’t last long if we can’t find seats this week. Raumerstr. 16, Prenzlauer Berg. S8, S41, S42 Prenzlauer Allee. Map 4

Am to Pm
Am Zwirngraben 2
Late night, Cocktail, Food
As the name suggests, this place never sleeps. So whether you fancy an afternoon beer by in the beach bar, or a cocktail at 4 in the morning, this is the place to go anytime of day. The bar has a constantly bustling environment and is a brilliant place to go if you’re around Hackescher Markt (the bar is just under the railway arches). There’s a long cocktail hour from 5pm to 9pm (€4.50) and with over 100 cocktails to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice. After Happy Hour the club starts up downstairs, however, the dresscode is strict and those under 24 won’t be admitted. There is also a pizza happy hour (€3.50 from 3pm-6pm), a 24 hour grill and a food menu. Am Zwirngraben 2, S-bahn Hackescher Markt.

Anna Blume
Kollwitzstrasse 83
Food, All day
'Oh, the love of my 27 senses,' the first few lines of a Kurt Schwitters poem for which this joint cafe/flower shop was named, could easily have been written about Anna Blume itself. Offering visitors everything from beautiful jugendstil decor to homemade ice cream and cakes to floral arrangements sold in the attached florist shop, Anna Blume is one of the loveliest places in Berlin and has more than enough to captivate all of one's senses. The owners try to bring floral elements into their dishes - for example, crepes filled with rose petals, cheese and rum-ice cream (€4.20) or champagne flavored with rose liquor, and with breakfast names like Alpine Rose and Oleander, beautiful floral arrangements throughout the dining room, and herbal teas, Anna Blume does a great job of thematically connecting the cafe and flower shop. Blume specialises in creatively executed crepes (€2.40 - 4.80) and home made cakes (around €2.90), but with a full dinner menu (entrees €8.00 - 13.00), this cafe is also a lovely place for special occasion meals. 8am - 2am. U2 Eberswalder Strasse.

Assel
Oranienburger Str. 21, Mitte
Traditional German, Food
Named after the humble silverfish, this cozy cellar bar is certainly on its way up. Since its establishment in the former East Berlin's (now) trendy Mitte district ten years ago, Assel has become seriously popular with English-speaking visitors looking for an authentic but approachable Berlin bar. And the place is now heaving. Come in on a Friday or Saturday night for a piano singalong or just get there late to push amongst the crowds. A recent change in management also means that top-class chefs are now part of the friendly team at Assel. Meals are hearty with a modern German emphasis. Menus are available in English. Oranienburger Str. 21 S5,S7,S75,S9 Hackescher Markt, Map 1.

Aufsturz
Oranienburger Str. 67
Traditional German, Live Music
Unlike many bars in Mitte, Aufsturz doesn’t look sleek, retro, or outrageous. It is what it is – a Berliner bar that serves well-priced German food, 100 types of beer, and 40 types of whisky. Live music downstairs. It’s a large place too, with plenty of outside seating in the warm months on colorful Oranienburger Str. Oranienburger Str. 67, Mitte. S1, S2 Oranienburger Str.

Australian Homemade Premium Ice
Friedrichstraße 96
Eiscafe
You are bound to have walked past one of these two fantastic locations and thought, "I didn't realize Australians were THAT good at icecream." Maybe they're not, but these guys certainly know what they're doing, consistently producing the most delicious all-natural icecream and chocolate in the city. Both venues also operate as 'standcafes' (a german institution designed for eating food fast on your feet while people-watching). This means that waffles and premium coffee are also available for those who need an excuse for coming in and buying mountains of chocolate! Friedrichstraße 96, Mitte, S5 S7 S75 S9 Friedrichstraße, Map 1.. Also at: Karl-Liebknecht Str. 1, Mitte, S5 S7S75 S9 Hackescher Markt, Map 1. Austrailian Homemade website

B

Bar 11
Wiener Strasse 21.
Late night
‘Where baroque meets trash’ is how the manager describes Bar 11 and he’s not far wrong. With curious décor (silver horses heads mounted on the wall) this bar stands out from the run of white-washed minimalist bars springing up all over Berlin. The best thing about Bar 11 must be the hours the bar keeps. No matter what time of night you come here, it will be busy and buzzing, often until 10am the next day at weekends. Add to that an interesting mix of rock and indie djs and prices that the bar constantly tries to keep down and you’ve got the recipe for a top late night bar. Wiener Strasse 21.

Barcomi's Deli
Sophienstrasse 21
Food, All day
New York has Serendipity, and Berlin has Barcomi´s. Seattle-raised owner Cynthia Barcomi serves up house-roasted coffee alongside American baked-good classics like apple pie, New York cheese cake, and berry crisp at this beloved American-style deli/cafe. Barcomi has set a precedent for fresh-baked goods in Berlin, with everything, even the bagels, made daily from scratch, and light meals have made the cafe a favorite for business lunches as well. The dining room's dark leather booths and black-and-white gridded tables bring to mind an up-scale NYC deli-diner, and true to fashion, you can select baked goods, sandwiches, and even cold cuts to take away from a big glass cases in back. Although a bit more expensive than other cafes in Berlin, the baked goods here are good enough to make any homesick American's heart melt, and Barcomi's is a must for anyone missing mom's baking while on the road. Mon – Sat 9am – 10pm, Sun 10am – 10pm. U8 Weinmeisterstrasse

BR101
Torstraße 69
Cocktail, Chillout
This local hangout is known for its cheap cocktails. Choose from a list of over 100 tasty cocktails, 60 of which are concocted by the owners. Every tasty cocktail on the menu is just €3 during happy hour, daily 7pm-12am. This bar has a TV screen that shows surfing videos all night. Unwind by candlelight, and if you get hungry, order one of the tasty tapas. Torstraße 69, U-Bahn Rosenthaler Platz. Mitte.

C

Cafe Buchwald
Bartningallee 29
Traditional German
The oldest café in Berlin has been passed down from daughter to daughter since 1852. Friendly waitresses in pink-striped vests and decor that brings to mind a 1940’s ice cream parlor give Buchwald a familiar, almost American feel, although the specialties – Baumkuchen and dense cream-based tortes, are decisively German. You won’t find meals here, but the cakes (from €2.30), made fresh daily from old family recipes, justify the trip.

Cafe Mia
Pappelallee 58.
Chillout, Breakfast
One of Berlin’s only smoke-free cafes, this is a real treat if you’ve been over-exposed to the smoky atmosphere in most Berlin bars. The theme of the café was influenced by the owner Mia’s time in India and the café has a real chilled-out vibe. Indian influences are reflected in the menu too, with Indian teas, coffees and sandwiches. The café serves good breakfasts and snacks throughout the day. Currently the café is only open until around 7pm, as Berlin nightlife has not been quick to catch on to the non-smoking idea. Mia hopes that when they do, the café will serve cocktails late into the night. Pappelallee 58. U2, S2 Schönhauser Allee

Cafe Mir
Lübbener Strasse 1
All day
A sleek, earth-toned cafe with high ceilings, vivid poster-sized photography and beautiful dark wood accents right on Gorlitzer Park. Mir is a great all-day cafe, with homemade brioche (€4,30 with butter, marmelade and a milchkafee) and omelets (Korsisches Omelet, with goat cheese and honey for €5.50) for breakfast, fresh pasta and a daily rotating lunch menu, famous southern-German beer Augustiner on tap and an epic cocktail menu. One of the most polished cafes in Berlin, Cafe Mir is a buzzing, pleasant place at all hours. Sun - Fri 10am - 1am; Sat 10am - 2am. U1 Schlesisches Tor.

Café Swingdiele
Knesebeckstraße 12
Retro
In the golden 20s and 30s of Berlin, Charlottenburg was a steamy quarter full of jazz and bars. These days things might be a little bit more refined, but that era hasn’t been forgotten. Newly-founded Café Swingdiele does its best to give you a Zeitsprung (leap in time) back to what it would have been like. The music on the old speakers is swing and everything you see has been kitted out by the faithful owner’s determined fleamarketing to give the place a genuine Charleston feel. Food also keeps in step with homemade soup and pastries doing the business. A unique stop-off. Knesebeckstraße 12 (corner Goethe Straße), Charlottenburg, U2 Ernst-Reuter-Platz, Map 2.

Cafe Sybille
Karl Marx Allee 72
Eiscafe
Part museum-grade exhibit, part traditional German ice cream parlor/cafe, Sybille is a must for anyone interested in the East Bloc. Run by the Society for Socialist Architecture, a series of sleek exhibit boards, propaganda posters, socialist statues and furniture from the DDR are arranged in this cozy, old-fashioned cafe to chronicle the history of pre-planned Karl-Marx Allee, the best example of socialist classicism in Berlin. Home-made cakes (from €1.50), traditional German fountain creations like the Schwedereisbecker (vanilla ice cream, apple sauce, egg nog and cream, €4.70), and the best Cappuccino on Karl Marx Allee make Sybille equally worth while for those less architecturally inclined. U5 Straudberger Platz.

Café Zapata (Tacheles)
Oranienburger Str. 54-56
Arty
This grungy, artsy, funky, and popular café-bar is housed in one of the more unusual and historic venues in Berlin. Squatters saved the building (Tacheles) from demolition and turned it into an alternative arts center. Today people pay a symbolic rent to live there. The building houses three bars, a cinema, a beer garden (summer only), a sculpture gallery, and a workshop. Café Zapata, one of the bars, offers coffee during the day, and live music during the night (everything from DJ spun electro to live rock to reggae), with cheap entry fees. Oranienburger Str. 54-56, Mitte. U6 Oranienburger Tor. Map 1.

Café „An einem Sonntag im August
Kastanien Allee 103
Breakfast, Traditional German
With a name like „On one Sunday in August…”, you might think that this is a bit of a lazy weekend café for Berlin trendites. In fact, it's one of Berlin’s most traditional cafés, with a distinctly local feel to it, despite its central position in Berlin’s most cosmopolitan bezirk, Prenzlauer Berg. Each day from 9am you can head in here for an all-you-can-eat Berlin buffet for just €3 before you head out to go shopping on Kastanien Allee (a must!). Or drop in at night for a cheap hot snack that doesn’t involve Döner or Currywurst. But be warned: you may stay all night. The music in the evenings here has a reputation for being loud and varied, sometimes forcing the patrons to push aside their chairs and get boot-scooting. Kastanien Allee 103, Prenzlauer Berg, U2 Eberswalder Straße.

CCCP
Torstrasse 136
Late night
A celebration of Russian subculture. With decor that’s part 1970’s bourgeoisie living room, part Russian whore house, mannequins decked out in machine guns and military gear, bills fluttering over the bar on a laundry line, and soft-core porn projected to kitschy 60s through the night, this eclectic after-hours bar right in the heart of mitte brings Russia's courrupt underbelly to Berlin. Quiet earlier on, a well-dressed international crowd gets the place moving after midnight. While there, choose from a huge variety of vodka drinks to nurse your hangover. U8 Rosenthaler Platz.

CSA
96 Karl-Marx-Allee
Designer Bar, Cocktail
This minimalist retro bar is on the main thoroughfare of Karl-Marx Allee but you’d be forgiven for missing the place. A previous winner of prizes for its design and architecture, the bar is based in the old headquarters of Czech Airlines, renovated in 2001 by the architect and owner Rene. Cocktails are on the pricey side (from €6) but it’s worth a look just to see objects from the original 1953 décor re-used in interesting ways. 96 Karl-Marx Allee, U5 Weberweise.

E

E. & M. Leydicke
Mansteinstraße 4
Traditional German, Chillout
This 135 year-old schnapps bar is a must for any spirit-loving visitor to Berlin. Leydickes has mellowed since its days as a rowdy hangout for American soldiers stationed in west Berlin and now attracts an older, quieter crowd. But live country and blues music brings back the party atmosphere several times each month, and Leydicke’s turn-of-the-century decoration, (unchanged since the joint first opened), and outstanding homemade schnapps (15 types, from Danziger Goldwasser to Apricot Brandy) and fruit wine alone are well worth a trip to Schöneberg. Mo - Fri 4pm- 12am; Sa - So: 11am - 1am. U/Sbahn Yorkstrasse

Eckstein
Pappelallee 73
Food, All day
A beautiful, spacious cafe with a warm neighborhood feel, friendly staff, rotating daily menu and very reasonable prices in the perfect Prenzlauerberg location. On weekend mornings, stylishly dressed locals frequent Eckstein, pouring over an extensive selection of magazines and newspapers while indulging in the cafe's fabulous brunch. Eckstein's brunch (€7.00, Sat & Sun until 4pm) includes a warm full breakfast, traditional German cold cuts, pasta salad, egg rolls, and homemade jellos and puddings. €7,00. A great selection of a la carte breakfast selections run between €3.00 to €5.00, and most lunch and dinner entrees are €6.50 to €8.50. Sun-Thu 9am - 1am. Fri-Sat 9am - 2am . U2 Eberswalder Strasse

EKA
Dunckerstrasse 9
Retro, Arty, Late night
The place to go for those seeking the intimate, do-it-yourself feel of Berlin's early 90's bar scene. Decked out with well-worn, mismatched 70's lounge chairs, a retro-candy dispenser, orange-red string curtains, and a thoughtful collection of flea market nick-knacks, EKA is darling and kitchy in the best sense of the word. At night, old slides are projected on a blank wall and 30-something artists mingle over Eka Thai, a weaker version of Mai Thai made with Portugese almond liquor. (€5.50) The Portuguese owner adds a slight foreign accent to the place with delicious Pastel de Nata – Portuguese vanilla-creme tortes, and sandwiches made from organic Portuguese bread. 12pm – late. U2 Eberswalderstrasse.

G

Gagarin
Knaackstrasse 22-4
Retro, Cocktail
Named after the USSR's first cosmonaut Juri Gagarin, this retro Soviet-themed restaurant-bar is extremely popular among locals (and even a few celebrities). Soviet propaganda posters and murals, old photographs of soviet astronauts, red plastic 60's-era bar stools, and breakfast names like 'Sputnik' and 'Laika' recall the space-race era and freshly prepared specialties like peaches wrapped in bacon (€5.00), Russian cheese cake (€2.50), and borsch (€4.00) are enough to make you start singing the Internationale. As one might expect, Gagarin serves up 8 types of vodka and even has a Russian beer on tap. Great at night, but with some of the best milchkaffee in Berlin, a good variety of breakfast specials, and a buffet featuring Russian fingerfoods on Sundays (€8,00 until 3pm, €5,00 after), this bar is red hot at any time. 10am - 2am. U2 Senefelderplatz.

Galão
Weinbergersweg 8
Breakfast, Food, All day
Somehow, gritty blue and white wall tiles and brown-and-beige floors manage to look cool together in this portugese-themed cafe. No tables, but a big crowd of eclectically dressed locals and scruffy backpackers is content snack on pasteries and paninis (€2.90) from cushioned benches that rings the cafe's perimeter. And a stack of grey wool blankets allow customers to enjoy the cafe's namesake, (galao) a creamy portugese milchkafee (€2.20) outdoors right into winter. 7:30am - 8pm Mon-Fri; 8am - 8pm Sat, Sun. U8 Rosenthaler Platz.

Generator Bar
Storkower Str.160
Chillout
A great place for meeting fellow travelers and fun-seekers, this in-house Generator Hostels water-hole has everything a person requires for a night of fun and entertainment. Bathed in a neon-blue light, the Generator Bar is the perfect place for drinking away the excitement of the day. Watch live sports on the huge flat-screen TVs, chill out to DJs, and sip yummy cocktails during Happy Hour (5-7pm). And if you’re game, there’s always the famous Generator Karaoke Event! Open from 5pm-2pm. S-Bahn Station Landsberger Allee .

Gorki Park
Weinbergsweg 25.
Retro, All day, Breakfast
This Russian themed cafe has a brilliant sense of humour about all things Soviet and is a brilliant café to visit day or night. Decked out like a 1970s Russian house, with retro wallpaper, green velvet chairs, wooden stools and pictures of Yuri Gagarin up on the walls, it’s a good spot to take in a Russian beer or vodka, or some Russian cuisine. Sundays boast the Russian breakfast for €8 and main courses start from €3.50. The menu and café are peppered with Soviet references, (such as the café’s motto ‘long live hospitality’) and all done very tongue-in-cheek. Weinbergsweg 25. U8 Rosenthaler Platz.

Green Door
Winterfeldt Straße 50
Cocktail
There are plenty of cocktails on offer around Berlin, but if you don’t want to just rotate yourself through the usual suspects, put on your smart black shoes and head to Schöneberg. With over 40 pages of cocktails, it’s fair to say that Green Door is pretty serious about what it does. Little wonder that the bar has consistently been voted one of Berlin’s top cocktail bars. You have to ring a bell to get the barperson to come and let you in, so try to show up in a ‘not too rowdy’ state. Secret tip: For those of us who want to look cool but can’t quite afford it yet, all cocktails are €5.50 between 6pm and 9pm. Winterfeldt Straße 50, Schöneberg, U1 U2 U3 U4 Nollendorfplatz, Map 2.

I

Intersoup
Schliemannstr. 31
Chillout, Food
Intersoup's mellow vibe, den-like atmosphere, and unique selection of soups and drinks combine to make it an ideal bar to lay back and soak in the sights and sounds of Berlin by night. Intersoup is trendy without being pretentious. Try the original Intersoup - a delectable Thai- Indonesian recipe featuring bean sprouts, noodles, lemon grass, coconut milk, and more, topped with chicken, tofu, fish or shrimp. Schliemannstr. 31, Prenzlauer Berg. U2 Eberswalder Str, S-Bahn Prenzlauer Allee.

K

Kapelle
Zionskirchplatz 22-4
All day, Food
This cafe's view of the lush Zion's Church Square, lizard stenciling, distressed, light green walls and emerald marble bar counter give Kapelle a rustic, garden-like atmosphere that complements its organic vegitarian specialties. Fresh waffles (start at €1.50) and tarte flambee are always available, and a small but creative menu of pastas, sandwiches and salads, most between €5.00 and €7.00, changes daily. Soft music, high ceilings and beautiful natural light make Kapelle a peaceful place to sip home-made hot chocolate or cashew-nut fruit smoothies during the day. And at night, candles and power music give the cafe great ambiance for pre-club cocktails. 9am – 3am. U8 Rosenthaler Platz.

Keyser Soze
Tucholskystraße 33
All day, Late night, Breakfast
Occupying a prime corner spot in the heart of Mitte is this laid back café bar. Perfect for having a coffee whilst watching the people of Berlin walk by. Food is good value, with baguettes, salads and German specialties from €4 and breakfast is served from 8am until 6pm every day. Comfy seating, lots of room and a mixed crowd make this place a perfect respite from the rowdiness of Oranienberger Strasse.

M

Manolo
Schönhauser Allee 45
All day
A great spot for people watching in Prenzlauer Berg, this café sits on the corner of Schönhauser Allee just by Eberswalder Straße U-Bahn. Serving good coffee and a mixture of juices, gourmet cakes, muffins and sandwiches, take some time out to sit, relax and watch the hustle bustle outside from one of the seats by the massive windows. With the ambiance of a Parisian café and a good mixture of locals and tourists it’s a good place to take a break before seeing the sights of Prenzlauer Berg. Schönhauser Allee 45, corner Danziger Strasse. U2 Eberwalder Strasse.

Marrakesch
Schönhauser Allee 5
Chillout, Late night
This shischa (waterpipe) bar is the perfect place to chill out with friends, or to warm up for a big night out. Everyone sits about on cushion-covered sofas and stools and looks like they have been sitting in the same spot for weeks. The shischas are cheap (€4.90) and come in watermelon, grape and apple flavours. So make yourself comfy, and perhaps grab a cocktail and some tasty Moroccan food whilst you’re at it. Schönhauser Allee 5.U2 Rosa-Luxemburg Platz.

Mas y mas
Oranienstraße 168
Cocktail, Food
This is one of the few bars in Berlin that knows how to make frozen fruity drinks like you would find at home. Choose from raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry frozen margaritas, among others. Located on hip Oranienstraße in alternative Kreuzberg, this is a great place to go for a drink after filling up on falafel. On Wednesdays, enjoy the all night happy hour - every cocktail is €4! The amiable staff can speak English and serve up your drinks in a flash. The atmosphere is cozy, with drinks by candlelight and wooden paneling on the walls. Oranienstraße 168. U/S-Bahn Kottbusser Tor.

Morgenrot
Kastanienallee 85
Breakfast, Chillout
This collective run cafe/bar is a hub of political activity in the bohemian street of Kastanienallee. Politics and good food and drink go hand in hand, with healthy and hearty vegan breakfasts, fair trade coffee and organic food. Beer is only €2 and the breakfast is run on a ‘pay what you should’ basis, so you donate €3 to €7, depending on how much you earn (They trust you to be honest!). Morgenrot attracts an international crowd and is a popular local meeting place, especially as there is free internet and a range of international books and magazines. Closed on Mondays, with occasional exhibitions and speeches on Monday evenings. Kastanienallee 85, U2 Eberswalder Str.

O

Optica Club Lounge
Ziegelstr.28
Cocktail, Chillout, Late night
Situated just off Oranienburgerstraße in the hip area surrounding Hackescher Markt lies Mitte’s new place to party the night away. Optica – named rightly so for the easy-on-the-eyes décor and lighting. Soul, R&B, house and disco tunes are spun by DJs JAM, Cream and friends every Saturday from 11pm. And if you’re fortunate enough to be staying in the stylish baxpax Downtown Hostel that houses Optica, it’ll make getting home in the wee hours that much easier! Oranienburgerstr. S-Bahn Station.

OstZone
Monbijoupark/S-Bahnbogen 153
Live Music, Late night
When the Wall fell, the East Berlin district of Mitte was one of the first to embrace capitalism, which led to a growth in trendy, expensive bars – but OstZone remains true to its East Berlin, “underground” roots: rough around the edges, good beer, and good music (often live and always free on Saturday nights). It is located in Monbijoupark beneath the S-Bahn tracks that overlook the River Spree and the back of Museum Island – a lovely spot, also within striking distance of many other bars and clubs in Mitte. Does not close on the weekends. Monbijoupark/S-Bahnbogen 153, Mitte. S5, S7, S75, S9 Hackescher Markt. Map 1.

R

Raststätte
Martin-Luther-Str. 20a
Retro, Food
Raststätte (Roadhouse) can only be compared to, well, a diner found on a highway – but a diner that is so great and so cool that you return again and again. The décor and music pay retro-tribute to the 1970s. And there’s food: choose from a variety of tapa-esque German dishes and pastries at low prices. All-you-can-eat bread and butter! Check out one of the DJ cooking sessions. The Raststaette staff prove that cooking, eating, and drinking are great fun. And the long tables make it easy to spark conversation with the friendly locals. Martin-Luther-Str. 20a, Schöneberg. U1, U2, U4 Nollendorfplatz. Map 2.

Red Rooster
Grünberger Straße 23.
Live Music, Late night
Owned by the same people at the Globetrotter Hostel next door, this is a brilliant little hangout for a couple of pints and a comfy seat in a leather armchair. The beer is cheap, the bar staff are lovely and they also serve food in case the beer leaves you a bit peckish. They do an all you can eat breakfast brunch on Sundays which for €5.90 and unlimited drinks, is one of the cheapest brunch options in Berlin. Red Rooster doubles up as a music venue, housing German and European bands. Also serves Strongbow on tap just in case the beer-orientation of Germany leaves you cold. Grünberger Straße 23. U5 Frankfurter Tor

Rinetta's
Immanuelkirchstrasse 3
Owner Rinetta can do everything – from decorating to serving to baking – brilliantly. Her self-designed minimalist café is a beautiful oasis, and plastic pig figurines, vivid modern art, pink menus and unusual, bright floral arrangements pop in this pure white space. Rinetta bakes the delicious pastries (brownies and tiramisu layer cake are favorites) herself daily from whole wheat and soy milk. The menu includes a big variety of teas and flavored milks, and all drinks can be prepared without dairy for the lactose intolerant. U2 Senefelderplatz.

Rote Harfe / Orient Lounge
Oranien Str 13
Breakfast, Food
A unique café/bar right in the heart of Kreuzberg, well worth a visit during the day or in the evening. Downstairs is Rote Harfe, a modest-looking café with an extensive menu that changes daily. Upstairs is Orient Lounge, a snuggly Shisha/Cocktail Bar where, in the evenings, everyone is so laid back that they are practically horizontal. Both are seriously quality establishments - and don’t the locals know it! Weekend brunch in the café can be busy and bookings for groups of 4 or more for the cocktail bar upstairs are advisable, even during the week. Midday menu (soup and a main) is €6.50 and evening mains are around €10. Oranien Str 13 (Heinrichplatz), Kreuzberg, U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof, Map 3.

S

Schnell und Sauber
Torstrasse 115
An adjoining retro-themed cafe with fresh muffins and warm sandwiches, cheap internet, and an abundance of modern wash machines make this café/laundry fusion the best place for those bunking up around Rosenthaler Platz to wash clothes. 1950's theater lights, a pot-bellied space heater, and checkerboard flooring make the café a great place for high-quality Italian coffee and pastries between wash cycles. 6.5 kg loads cost €2.50 and take only 33 minutes, and internet runs at 1 euro/hour. U8 Rosenthaler Platz.

Silberfisch
Oranienburger Str. 35
Chillout
Silberfisch may be located on posh Oranienburger Str. but you'd never know it once you've decended into this dark and cozy bar. It feels like you've discovered a proper Berlin bar. With live DJs every night Silberfisch is a great place to chat and down a few beers with a mixture of German and Eglish speakers. On the weekends it's open until 8pm, weekdays 6am, so it's also a great place to stumble back to after the clubs - and still find a crowd. Oranienburger Str. 35, Mitte. S1, S2 Oranienburger Str.

Smoothees
Kastanienallee 100
Chillout, Food
If you’ve been living the hedonistic lifestyle whilst traveling and need some fruity goodness, then this is the place to go. With delicious smoothies and juices to drink in or take away, they give a much needed vitamin boost to the weary traveler. You can make your own smoothie, but the Mango Pleasure and Spicy Apple (with apple, banana, peanut butter, cinnamon, honey and dates) are highly recommended. The smoothies can come with fruit juice, yoghurt, ice cream or even vodka and rum if you’re feeling tipsy. Add to this a tasty and cheap (€5) Thai/European fusion menu and late night dj sets on Fridays and you have the perfect place to chill out and relax after a tough day’s sightseeing. Also another location at Friedrichstrasse 67, Quartier 205

Sofia
Wrangelstrasse 93
Chillout
One of the best neighborhood kneipes in Berlin. The decor here is so tacky it's golden: owners left rustic stone flooring and frescoes of Balkan peasant women and black sea landscapes when they took over this abandoned Albanian meeting house, and crepe streamers remains on the ceiling from The Celebration of Love, Cuddling and Cocktails, one of the parties Sofia gives semi-monthly. The staff is great for a chat and the clientele is friendly, relaxed, and mainly local. Also a coffee shop during the day serving some of the cheapest free-trade milchkaffee in Berlin (€1.30), alcohol can be ordered from 6pm. U1 Schlesisches Tor.

St. Oberholz
Rosenthaler Straße 72a
Food, Designer Bar, Chillout
100 years ago, the building was used as a Bavarian beer hall, and working-class patrons got free bread with their soup and booze. Now it’s a trendy a la carte café, and crowds of well-dressed students get free internet access with their tea and paninis. Owner Oberholz puts brilliant modern twists on old concepts, serving traditional, home made boulettes (€2.20) and Knacker (€2.00) alongside pasta and milk-pita sandwiches (start at €3.00), and juxtaposing antique market tables and an old winding oak staircase with design benches and silver-cushioned niches, retro – leather chairs, and star-burst chandeliers. A huge selection of fresh pasteries, cakes, and organic juices are available, and for those wanting to enjoy the outdoor buzz, tennis referee chairs (bucket seats mounted on ladders) allow you to enjoy the Rosenthaler Platz from a new perspective. Mon – Fri 8am – 12am; Sat, Sun 9am – 12am. U8 Rosenthaler Platz.

T

The Irish Pub Europa Center
Tauentzienstraße 9-12
Late night, Live Music, All day
The Irish Pub Europa Center is not only the largest Irish Pub in Berlin, it's also the most famous - for having the longest bar in Europe! Grab a pint of Guiness or Kilkenny and pull up a chair as Live Bands battle through the night. Europa Center, Ku'damm S-Bahn Zoo Station. 12pm-4am + 4930 2621634

Trompete
Lützowplatz 7
Designer Bar, Chillout
Owned by the German film star Ben Becker, this is the kind of lounge bar you want to dress up for. Set amongst a smart row of bars, this is where Berlin’s city workers come to relax after work. On Thursdays the bar has Berlin’s Radio Eins DJs and a chilled out feel. If you fancy mixing with Berlin’s more wealthy and glamorous, put your shiny shoes on and check out Trompete. (Entry fee on most nights). Lützowplatz 7. U1, U2, U3, U4 Nollendorfplatz

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Universum Lounge
Kurfürstendamm 153
Cocktail, Retro
James Bond would feel right at home at this swanky space-theme's cocktail bar in West Berlin. This c-shaped lounge is meant to transport guests to the first Apollo moon landing with white leather lounge chairs, space style pod tables, backlit photos of outer space, and a radiological clock. Universum views the adjoining Schaubühne (a major Berlin theater venue) as a mother ship and attracts a well-dressed artsy crowd before and after performances. As might be expected, the cocktail menu has a generous list of martinis (€8.00 – 10.00) in addition to some of the best mixed drinks in Berlin. 6pm - 3am. U7 Adenauerplatz.

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Victoria Bar
Potsdamer Str. 102
Cocktail
With over 20 years of cocktail-making experience behind the bar, it's little wonder that the staff here has even started holding lectures on the art of mixing the perfect cocktail. But if drinking rather than learning is more your style, then nestling yourself into the secluded Victoria Bar is nevertheless a masterstroke. Clients are varied - the uniting element being a love of serious cocktails. Drinks are 7€ - 10€, cheaper during the week from 6:30pm to 9:30pm and on Sunday evenings. Potsdamer Str. 102, Schöneberg U1 Kurfürstenstrasse, Map 2.

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wendel
Schlesische Straße 42
Live Music, Arty
With graffiti-covered walls and floors, industrial fixtures left over from the building's coil-fabricating days, and a mix of seventies-era train seats, design furniture, and worn wooden tables, this new bar (opened winter 2006) is alternative Berlin at its purist. The owner takes Wendel's subname, `a bar for present music and graphic art that, once presented, will never be removed,´ seriously, viewing the space as a gallery for graffiti-art and venue for alternative music. Live, predominantly electronica music begins daily around 10pm, attracting crowds of Kreuzberg locals. Light breakfasts and snacks are available all day, and a large menu of organic beers and juices and quality spirits are served pure – room temperature in identical glasses, the way 'they’re meant to be.' 12pm – 3am. U1 Schlesische Tor.

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Wohnzimmer
Lettesstrasse 6
Chillout, Late night, All day
'Wohnzimmer' translates as living room, and this shabby-chic cafe, divided into themed niches and decorated with everything from DDR light fixtures to cushy Louis XIV couches, is the closest you'll get to your eccentric aunt's parlor while traveling. With distressed gold walls and rustic wood floor, seating scored from a theater set, and even a few pieces donated by the purveyor's grandmother, this cafe is delightfully whimsical and embodies Berlin's Ostalgie and flea-market aesthetic. Wohnzimmer's light, indie music, bio-wine (€3.00 - 3.50), organic pastries and delicious milchkaffee (€2.20) served up in DDR-era china draw a large crowd of 30-somethings locals during pre- and post-clubbing hours. 10am - 4pm. U2 Eberswalder Strasse.

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Z-Bar
Bergstrasse 2.
Arty
Not just any old bar, this place is both a bar and home to art, culture and the very cleverly named z-inema. Hosting regular film showings of arthouse and classic films in a really cool retro cinema, this is a slightly different place to drink. The bar itself is bustling with a mixture of students and arty types and there is an impressive cocktail list (most cocktails around €5). There’s a chilled out ambiance and very relaxed lighting, so even if you’re not the cultural type, it’s a warm and lively watering hole. Check the website for full listings. Bergstrasse 2. S1, S2 Oranienburger Straße, U8 Rosenthaler Platz, U6 Oranienburger Tor.

Zur Möbelfabrik
Brunnenstrasse 10
Music, Arty
Berlin 's underground art community congregates in this grungy former furniture factory for cheep beer and long drinks, experimental music, and innovative art installations. Modern art exhibitions rotate weekly through a gallery space, and experimental art-videos play to electo-music every Friday under the name Club Couch – Video. Thread-bare living room furniture is spread very spaciously around a large bar space, making ZMF one of the best bars in Berlin for chatting, even with loud music playing. In short, this place has a truly organic underground feel and is perfect for anyone morning the death of the 1990's mitte squatter scene. U8 Rosenthaler Platz.

Zur Rose
Weinbergsweg 26
Filling portions of homemade soup and bread (€3.50), cushy 1950's era seating, and patches of vintage floral wallpaper make this new café one of the warmest in the Rosenthalter platz area. Inspired by childhood visits to his grandmother's house, the owner mixes gold-lame curtains, velour arm-chairs and retro lighting to create a homey, delightfully tacky place for coffee and homemade cake. U8 Rosenthaler Platz.