Image by Robby Block

On a dark side street in Friedrichshain by the railway viaduct, right next to the river before the land slips away into the Stralauer peninsula, you will find the Salon – Zur wilden Renate. The bar itself seems quite normal by Berlin standards, comfy mix and match furniture, a real fireplace, slightly quirky decorations, nothing too madcap – and nothing that would give you a hint of the mutli-level labyrinth below that seems like the brainchild of Tim Burton and Josef Fritzl.

Enter the bar and to the left of the door you will find the gatekeeper who explains to you in only rough ideas what you are about to experience. You may enter only alone! Do not take anything you don’t want to lose! No smoking! No drinks! 

Once you agree to his pre-conditions and fork over ten euro, he’ll give you a large gold coin and exhort you not to lose it. He’ll leave you to get a drink and think over what’s going to happen next. At some point he’ll come over and take you by the hand and lead you to a door at the end of the bar. He’ll show you their statue of liberty. He’ll tell you to keep an open mind and he’ll open the door for you.

And I can’t tell you anything else….. except if it gets tight, breathe. 

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Peristal Singum | Art & culture, Bars | Labyrinth entrance € 10.00
Alt-Strahlau 70 | Friedrichshain
Wed – Sat 18:00 – 22:00

Image by Sharon Mertins

I discovered this colorful little spot when I met a friend for coffee in Friedrichshain and I mentioned I had been craving Indian food for a while.  I ‘Love’ Indian food (with a capital ‘L). And although there are some good Indian restaurants in this city, they are not exactly easy to find.

 She took me to ‘Seth’ for lunch, and this one didn’t disappoint in the least.  I am happy to say that her suggestion of this quiet and humble restaurant was right on the dot.  The food at Seth is fresh, tasty, authentic, very nicely presented and best of all, very reasonably priced. 

My favorites are the Shahi Bengen (stuffed aubergine in shahinsauce), and the Sabzi Korma (mixed vegetables). But they have loads of other choices for vegetarians, vegans and meat eaters,  AND fantastic mango lassies.

And since I’m lucky enough to work close by, I now go there quite often. I prefer the quiet lunch hours. But even though it can get a bit busy in the evening, it’s never too long of a wait. The staff is extremely friendly and they’ve always welcomed me with a big warm smile.  Weather permiting, there are also often tables to sit comfortably outside. 

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Seth Restaurant | Restaurants (Indian/Pakistani) | From € 3.50
Proskauerstr. 29 | Friedrichshain | +493042011753
12:00 – 00:00 daily

Image by Sharon Mertins

Resting quietly amongst the other colorful shops on Niederbarminstrasse in Friedrichshain, is ‘Schoene Schreibwaren’. It’s a quiet little ‘laden’ with a very tasteful selection of utensils for writers, sketchers, graphic designers, print art lovers , or anyone who likes to store photographs or doodle in style.

I stumbled upon this shop when I found myself drawn to the postcards on display outside. Everything they sell here comes from small or independent manufacturers and artists, mostly local. They sell lithographies, digital printwork, photo albums, journals, a variety of very nicely finished leather cases and wallets, and many different styles of elegant lead and color pencils.

The selection is not exactly huge but the minimalism is exactly what I like about this place. I get the sense everything is very carefully selected and I haven’t seen many of these items anywhere else. It’s not the typical art or office shop. The shop attendant was extremely friendly and happily told me about all the different artworks and artists, and went through the mechanical design of all the different pencils they sell. Sounds quite meticulous I know. But isn’t this really the way we should be shopping?

You can also find their products in certain markets like the Turkish market in Kreuzberg and Hackescher markt.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Schoene Schreibwaren | Shopping
Niederbarminstr.6 | Friedrichshain
12:00 – 19:00 daily

Image by Sarah Curth

Not far away from the crowded Simon-Dach-Straße (check the Simon-Dach-Strasse article), in one of the monumental looking buildings of Karl-Marx-Allee you’ll find a small bar called ČSR. 

ČSR is a classy, chic bar that you normally won’t expect in the more trashy, sloppy quarter of Friedrichshain. But don’t worry – there is no dresscode. In a cozy, dimmed atmosphere you will get served perfect quality cocktails, longdrinks and any drink you can imagine. The cocktail menu is quite long! 

Even on Saturdays around 22:00 you’ll find a place to sit and relax. Have a look at the majestic looking table lamps and watch the cars running down the magnificent avenue outside. Cheers!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
ČSR Bar | Bars | Cocktail € 8.00
Karl-Marx-Allee 96 | Friedrichshain | +493029044741
19:00 – open end daily

Image by Herrmann Königs

My preferred place when it comes to having lunch: Die Garbe. EVERYTHING I had was cheap but at the same time of the highest quality I could find in the area. How come?

Die Garbe is part of the Berliner drug rehabilitation association. Since 1999 it’s their aim to give former drug addicted people a new chance to get back into working life. And this is how they came up with Die Garbe.

Being a social project, Die Garbe doesn’t aim at a maximum profit but rather at covering all expanses, including salaries. That allows them to offer yummy soups for around €3, daily changing meals for around €5 or the filled pork schnitzel with feta cheese, tomatoes, olives, fries and salad for €7.90 (the top price of the menu!).

You can also order breakfast (€1.90 – €6.00) or salads (€2.50 – €5.80). My other recommendation are their freshly squeezed juices (€2.50/€2.80) and their range of teas (€1.50). They don’t serve alcohol but you’ll get along very well with their Coffees (€1.00 – €2.20).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Die Garbe | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Intern.) | Lunch € 5.00
Frankfurter Allee 40 | Friedrichshain | +493029385204
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 17:00