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. 

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Peristal Singum | Art & culture, Bars | Labyrinth entrance € 10.00
Alt-Strahlau 70 | Friedrichshain
Wed – Sat 18:00 – 22:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Berlin

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. 

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Seth Restaurant | Restaurants (Indian/Pakistani) | From € 3.50
Proskauerstr. 29 | Friedrichshain | +493042011753
12:00 – 00:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Berlin

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Berlin

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Berlin

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Berlin

Image by Herrmann Koenigs

My secret tip : Sonntagstrasse.

For going out, many Berliners know and use trendy areas like around Simon-Dach-Strasse (see the Simon-Dach-Strasse article) or Kastanienalle. But if you go to Sonntagstrasse (regularly or not) you are either a real local or have read this article. Even those tourists who stay in nearby hostels are rarely seen here.

Get yourself a cheap pizza, kebab or beer in one of the cheaper stores and have it on a bench in adjacent Lenbachplatz (a little green area including meadows, a playground, table tennis tables, swings and soccer/basketball courts).

Or go for cocktails, coffee, beer, breakfast or foosball (here referred to as “Kicker”) in one of the hip bars and cafes, such as the “Geronimo”, “Uebereck”, “Sunday”, “Tonart”, “Sieben” or “Lykia“. Or enjoy fine dining in the Asian restaurant “Transit“.

The Sonntagstrasse even satisfies lovers of culture, e.g. in the theater “Zebrano” (simultaneously a bar & cafe). Also, unique clothing stores invite for shopping.

Located in the very east of trendy district Friedrichshain, Sonntagstrasse is extremely easy to reach by public transport. It starts exactly at one of two exits of S-Bahn station “Ostkreuz” (the northern exit!). Also, bus no. 240 and tram no. 21 pass by (get off at “Neue Bahnhofstrasse”). The famous Simon-Dach-Strasse (see the Simon-Dach-Strasse article) is within a walking distance of about 10 minutes.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Sonntagstrasse | Bars, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks, Restaurants (Several)
Sonntagstrasse | Friedrichshain
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Berlin

Image by Herrmann Koenigs

There is no sign anywhere saying that this ruin-like, run down little building that might have been an old workshop is the “Antje Øklesund”. I admit it’s hard to find but more than worth the search.

Inside you will get the special feeling, a special atmosphere that can only be created in these seemingly unfinished places; rooms of which you think they have hardly been overworked to make it a club for live music. Here you walk between old brick stone walls that are used as exhibition space for photography work. Or as the makers understand it, here everything and everyone is part of the art. Believe me in this: It’s an awesome place!

The music can be any type of live amusement – from Trash to Rock, from Singer/Songwriter to Electro-Pop. The website gives you funny descriptions of the band’s type of music. In my experience, it doesn’t really give you a clear picture; it’s always a bit of a surprise. But be sure the musicians are mostly unknown and give their best to convince the audience and to establish themselves.

Nowadays it seems there are no regular opening days and times. Make sure you check the website for dates.

Here a special tip to find it: When you are on Rigaer Strasse watch out for a super market called “Lidl”. Exactly opposite you will find a widely open gate, enter it into the backyard and go through, sticking to the right.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Antje Øklesund | Music | Admisssion € 4.00
Rigaer Straße 71 | Friedrichshain
Tue & Fri 22:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Berlin

Image by Herrmann Koenigs

Simon-Dach-Strasse became very famous some 15 years back. It is not at all a secret, hidden road but still more than worth to choose for going out.

Restaurants, cafes, bars, snack bars (such as the “Pizza Dach” (see the Pizza Dach article), ice cream parlors, shops and bakeries – the whole road is lined with them. There is always a bar that offers Happy Hour for cocktails (then €4.00 – €4.50). Beers cost between €2.80 – €3.20 in most places.

Find all styles of bars: rock, retro, old school or modern ones. One bar, the “DK – Dachkammer” even has a very atmospheric lounge on the floor upstairs.On Saturdays and Sundays people gather for “Brunch” when all cafes and restaurants offer quality buffet (all you can eat) for between € 5.00 and € 10.00.

When walking through Simon-Dach-Strasse pay attention to the recently renovated old buildings that are now probably more beautiful than they were in the times when they were built – an extraordinary example is on corner Simon-Dach-Str./Krossener Str. – check it out!

Important to know: Many more restaurants, cafes and bars are located at close by roads “Gabriel-Max-Strasse”, “Grünberger Strasse”, “Wühlischstrasse”, “Boxhagener Strasse” and “Gärtnerstrasse”. Although the most important road of all, “Simon-Dach-Strasse” can be used as a synonym for the whole area (in German called “Kiez”), including famous Boxhagener Platz (see the Boxhagener Platz article).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Simon-Dach-Strasse | Bars, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks, Restaurants
Simon-Dach-Strasse | Friedrichshain
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Berlin

Image by Herrmann Koenigs

Berlin is famous for many things. One of them is being green. You can find a little park, lawns and other little green areas on nearly every corner of this city. One example is the Boxhagener Platz, by locals called “Boxi(-Platz)”, situated right in the famous Kiez (= a hip little area) around Simon-Dach-Strasse (see the Simon-Dach-Strasse article).

What makes this square/little park so special is not only the friendly atmosphere created by little children playing on Boxi’s playground, but rather the Saturdays and especially the Sundays.

On Saturdays is when the surrounding footpath turns into a market for fresh and organic food, local specialties and Berliner snacks.

But what makes it burst with people is the flea market on Sundays. It’s certainly not as big as the flea market in Mauerpark (check the Mauerpark article) but definitely more charming and individual. Local artists have their stands there and funny street musicians know how to amuse people and make them stop by.

I love to start my free Sunday by having brunch with friends in the Simon-Dach-Straße and then wandering about at the flea market on Boxi-Platz.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Boxhagener Platz | Art & culture, Shopping, Snacks | Free
Gabriel-Max-Straße 10 | Friedrichshain
Food market Sat 08:00 – 13:30 | Flea Market Sun 10:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Berlin

Image by Herrmann Koenigs

Pizza Dach is located right in the heart of Simon-Dach-Strasse (See the Simon-Dach-Strasse article). It is by far not a high class restaurant but rather a snack bar. They offer normal sized pizzas for as cheap as € 2.50. And you get good taste and quality! That makes Pizza Dach one of the cheapest pizza places in that area.

Beer garden benches outside are the only seats you can take as the shop itself is too narrow inside. I can also recommend their variety of quality pastas which are cheap as well (from € 2.90).

The Pizza Dach has got a brother snack bar on Wuehlischstrasse 32 (only a few meters away). There you can sit inside and feel a slightly more comfy bar-restaurant-atmosphere, though prices are not the same but still relatively cheap.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pizza Dach | Snacks | 26 cm pizza € 2.50
Simon-Dach-Strasse 12 | Friedrichshain | +493020078786
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Berlin