Hidden Gems of Berlin

I know this may be hard to believe, but you CAN find authentic Mexican food in Berlin. After living in Europe for many years and being let down every time a new Mexican restaurant would open up, I was recommended Maria Bonita's by very good...

Do You Read Me? is one of the most fabulous bookstores/magazine shops in Berlin. While living in Berlin, I stumbled upon this find purely by chance as I was walking home from a friend's place. I was already on a quest to find the latest editions...

The Kino is a movie theater in Mitte, Berlin that was built in the 1960s and run by the GDR. The theater has a mesmerizing undulating ceiling and some shimmery curtains.

It might be small and simple—just a smattering of handmade wooden tables topped with flower arrangements; conspicuously bare white walls; and a few barstools—but the updated German cuisine at Lokal is far from basic. With a commitment...

Through my varied travels, I have seen the rivalry food can cause in a country. In Central Asia, chefs fight over plov; in Japan it is ramen noodles; but in Germany it is the currywurst. You are probably asking yourself, what the heck is...

The baristas here know a trick or two about coffee and Bonanza Coffee Roasters is one of the names that always comes up when discussing Berlin's best coffee. An amazing and hard to find Synesso Cyncra espresso machine is the center of attention in...

Kauhaus de Westens (Department Store of the West) is Europe’s second-largest department store, boasting a food hall rivaling Harrod’s. The 6th and 7th floors are entirely devoted to gourmet, and advertisements tout the place as having two football...

The East Side Galley is the longest stretch of the Berlin wall that remains today. It is covered in beautiful murals from artists from all over the world including this well-know and controversial image of two soviet leaders kissing! A must see...

All the designers here—there are about 94 of us—are from Neukölln. People passing by on a Sunday get a chance to see the pieces up close. It’s mainly clothes and accessories. One Sunday a month, location varies. ...

Looming over one of central Berlin's most vibrant intersections, this restored Bauhaus building, with its distinctive 1920s curved facade, was transformed in 2010 into the Berlin outpost of the glamorous Soho House hotel and private members brand....

I believe you need to put yourself in a certain mindset before making a trip to Berlin. It's not a beautiful city—in the traditional sense—and walking around the city can be very grim. However, the history and artwork displayed in many Berlin...

One evening while I was strolling the streets of Mitte, I noticed a hectic scene and a young crowd outside a buzzing restaurant. It was Monsieur Vuong, a hip Vietnamese restaurant with pink and red walls, great cocktails, and fresh Vietnamese...

Upon entering this airy store, it's impossible not to find anything to pimp up your home. There's bamboo bowls, beautiful glass vases, wool blankets or socks and various cute little knickknacks. The best part is that although many things look...

Rosa Caleta fuses the sophistication of European flavors with the fiery spices of Jamaica. Sounds crazy, but it's done so well that you're likely to plan your return before you even leave. It's an independently-owned restaurant in the heart of...