Handbestand Berlin
A Sunday bookstore and café
In 2018, Korean visual anthropologist Yoonha Kim brought me here. Since then, Handbestand has become my official meeting point with friends in Mitte. The most important thing about is that this secondhand bookstore café is open on Sundays! It smells of old books, literally: although mostly in German (and some are even in German dialects), the everyday-open café offers a museum-like range of secondhand books, and of course, good coffee and cakes made by its very friendly German owner, Thomas, who has given me a friendly discount for several beautifully printed books. Few English, Polish, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish books are among its beautiful collection.
Some of its highlights include children's books and philosophical œuvres printed in the German Reich period through the East German regime up until some more recent times. An Irish coffee or a made-in-Berlin Milchkaffee only make this cultural café even cozier: either for a short stopover refreshment or a longer temporary working place. The most famous Berlin flea markets at Mauer Park or Alexander Platz are a few minutes away by tram or metro (UBahn) from here, but don’t forget its Bernauer Straße UBahn station! Handbestand is just in front of one of the two entrances/exits of this mythical station: trains from the West were not allowed to stop here, but they did go through this station when Berlin was still divided into two different worlds.
Find your way with 215 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Berlin
PalaisPopulaire
Your art & talk space on Mondays
"PalaisPopulaire" in Berlin hosts the art collection of Deutsche Bank, often in cooperation with intern. museums. Check out the "I like Mondays" tours.
by
Anna
Hantelmann
Maxim Gorki Theater
Smallest but greatest theater
"Maxim Gorki Theater" in Berlin is one of a kind. It's the smallest one but its plays are always thoughtful and I love eating leisurely at the cafeteria...
by
Anna
Hantelmann
Shakespeare and Sons Bookstore
Books and bagels
"Shakespeare and Sons Bookstore" in Berlin is one of my favorites for Sunday morning. I love their jazz music and Jewish pastries, such as the Rugelach...
by
Anna
Hantelmann
Rises Delicacies
Homemade Mediterranean food
"Rises Delicacies" is a homey Greek restaurant in Berlin that gives you the sensation that you're in Greece sharing a table w/ a family! Amazing moussaka.
by
Rafael
Dujarric
Neuzwei Vintage Store
Curated, classy 2nd hand
"Neuzwei Vintage Store" is a very refreshing escape from ordinary second-hand vintage shops in Berlin-Neukölln. It's like a small, unobtrusive boutique...
by
Anna
Hantelmann
Il Kino
Italian bistro and cinema
"Il Kino" is a cinema that's one of those magic place in Berlin where magic can happen. It combines a modern deco w/ Italian comfort food & surprise films.
by
Anna
Hantelmann
Bikini Berlin
Not your usual concept mall
"Bikini Berlin" is not your typical mall. Looking over the Zoo and the memorial church, with just some carefully chosen shops, it's in the right direction.
by
Anna
Hantelmann
Mosaic Seats
Rest your feet in style
The decorated "Mosaic Seats" in Berlin's Neukölln are located in a beautiful residential area. I like coming to rest my feet here if I'm in the area...
by
Josephine
Gauss
Geist im Glas
Creative bar & fantastic brunch
"Geist im Glas" Berlin really is the best of both worlds: a bar at night and a fabulous brunch place on the weekends! I always ask about the new cocktails.
by
Josephine
Gauss
Tree Stumps with Faces
Green street art
Steglitz-Zehlendorf in Berlin is full with "Tree Stumps with Faces"! It's a great specimen of street art, and there are more than 500 in the neighborhood!
by
Josephine
Gauss
Andraschko
Speciality coffee Roaster
"Andraschko" in Berlin and their 'Wiener Kaffeehaus Mischung' Espresso blend is the roastery/shop that actually made me like coffee in the first place...
by
Josephine
Gauss
Kranoldplatz Market
Local farmers market
"Kranoldplatz Market": a small market in Berlin. What I love about it, apart from the potato stall, is the flatbread and cream cheese for a quick lunch!
by
Josephine
Gauss
Heading to Berlin?
215 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 215 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Berlin
Get to know our other Spotters from Berlin
As featured on:
