Schlagwort: Kreuzberg

A little Japan in Best Friends Berlin

Grilled tuna with vegetables and rice.
Udon carbonara with mushrooms

If you want to add a little color to your dinner, we recommend to check out Best Friends Berlin (formerly called ‚Little Long‘, meaning Small Dragon) in Kreuzberg, a modern Japanese restaurant that combines traditional Japanese flavours with a western touch and a very colorful interior (all paintings you find in the restaurant are hand-painted by the owner). If you are only a small group, reservations are not necessary (provided that you come early; between 6pm and 7pm). We recommend to start your evening with different starters (Kimchi and Edamame are always a good idea), and proceed with one of their main dishes (the grilled tuna can be very much recommended. For the full menu see their website here). Finally, if you still have room for desert, we have to warn you: you need to be a fan of Matcha, because there is no way around it when it comes to their desert.

Where: Wiener Str. 60, 10999 Berlin
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday noon-midnight
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Do your weekly grocery shopping at the turkish market at Maybachufer

Wochenmarkt am Maybachufer: Der Türkenmarkt | BERLIN ICK LIEBE DIR
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Why not ditch your local supermarket that is only five minutes from your house and go on a shopping adventure to the Turkish market in Kreuzberg/Neukölln (even if not for your weekly grocery shopping, then at least for the experience). The Turkish market at Maybachufer is a mix of stalls selling a variety of different things, from household items to fabrics, to books, and of course, lots of, lots of food (including cooked lunch options). Most of the fruit and vegetable is unbelievably cheap in comparision to normal supermarkets. We remember times, where former roommates used to come home with 10 mangos for only 5€ (noone can eat this many mango though). It can get a little crowded, once local shoppers and curious tourists are all heading down the rather narrow path between the stalls. However, this just gives you the time to slow down your pace and immerse yourself into the numerous food options.

Ein Stück Orient mitten in Berlin « Irgendwo – Nirgendwo
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Where? Turkish Market, Maybachufer, 12047 Berlin
When? Every Tuesday and Friday from 11am - 5:30pm

Check out Berlin’s open-air cinemas

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Summer in Berlin means many things. It is also the time for outdoor cinemas (in German ‚Freiluftkinos‘). The season is from May to September, which means all Fall FU-BESTers will defnitely be able to catch a movie under the starlit sky.

To make your life a little easier, we have put together a list of the best outdoor cinema opportunities in Berlin.

Freiluftkino Kreuzberg

Berlin’s oldest open air cinema is tucked away behind the Kunstquatier Bethanien, which makes for a very special atmosphere. The pro tip is to buy tickets beforehand online and come early, so that you can grab one of the sun loungers available and safe yourself the perfect spot on the grass in front of the screen. If you snooze, you will lose. So don’t be late. Most movies that are shown are originals.

Where: Mariannenpl. 2, 10997 Berlin

Freiluftkino Friedrichshain

This one is located in Volkspark with bench-style seating options. If you prefer to spread out, you can bring a blanket and sit on the grass. They mostly show dubbed movies, so pay attention to their program.

Where:  Landsberger Allee 15, 10249 Berlin

Freiluftkino Rehberge

Rehberge is a lovely park in Wedding, which provides a very peaceful location for watching a movie. Probablyt the only thing you will hear whilst watching the movie will be the whistling of the trees around you. They have seats available for up to 1500 people. Again, pay special attention to their program to see which films are in English or German.

Where: Windhuker Str., 13351 Berlin

Freiluftkino Potsdamer Platz

This is by far the open-air cinema with the most urban feel setting in this list. It is not as intimate as some of the other suggestions, but for those who want an opulent city view to come with their movie experience it is perfect. From indie films to blockbusters, this cinema shows originals with German subtitles.

Where: Matthäikirchplatz 4, 10785 Berlin

Freiluftkino Hasenheide

Going back to a more cosy cinema experience, Freiluftkino Hasenheide comes to mind.  It’s a charming open-air space with a sizable screen. The bench style seats can be a little hard on the bum though, so you might wanna bring your own blankets or cushion.

Landsberger Allee 15, 10249 Berlin

Kulturfabrik Moabit

Last but not least, here is a tip for a free cinema experience. The Kulturfabrik, which usually serves as a concert hall, music venue, art house theatre, to name but a few things that are happening here, hosts free open-air movies in the courtyard, on Fridays and Saturdays at 10pm. Most of the films shown are in German.

Lehrter Str. 35, 10557 Berlin

Gereral-open-air-cinema-advice: Do not make the rooky mistake and be fooled by the warm weather. After the sun goes down it still gets pretty chilly, especially when you are sitting. Bring layers!

Share a meal at La Lucha

Let us start by saying that it is probably a good idea to reserve a table at La Lucha, as it seems to get extremely busy. The high demand is justified though, as La Lucha adds a very interesting and, more importantly, very delicious twist to Mexican staples.

Large corn tortilla with baby corn, baby zucchini, shimeji mushrooms and chilie poblano

What seems to become a trend right now – La Lucha orientates itself toward authentic flavors, but takes them up a notch. For example, what would you say about ‚blue corn tortilla with smoked ricotta, melted gouda, crispy parmesan and figs‘? We’d say „yes, please!!“ Modern cuisine might often have the problem that it wants to be too modern, too pretty and too visual and then forgets all about the flavour. As far as we are concerned, this certainly is not the problem here. The food tastes as good as it looks, if not better.

Guacamole; Tacos with miso glazed sweet potato, cucumber & celery salsa fresca, peanuts and habanero; Blue corn tortilla with smoked ricotta, melted gouda, crispy parmesan and figs

We also especially like the restaurant’s belief in sharing food. To encourage this, every order is served as soon as it is ready, without a schedule in mind. We thus recommend to order a bunch of smaller meals and then share everything once it is on the table (have we mentioned the blue tortillas!? Because they are amazing).

In Spanish, La Lucha means “the struggle.” Mexicans are passionate and hard working people, and they use the term La Lucha in a positive way, to refer to their drive to achieve what they believe in. We share the drive and passion of the Mexican people, and strive everyday to bring you an honest, delicious and authentic Mexican experience. La Lucha is our struggle to bring Berlin a taste of the real Mexico.

Where? Paul-Lincke-Ufer 39–41, 10999 Berlin.
Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 6pm – 10pm, Friday & Saturday
6pm - 11pm

Discover a new spin on Vietnamese food at Con Tho in Kreuzberg

Right opposite the Volkspark Hasenheide (*rabbit-heath*) in Kreuzberg, you find the restaurant Con Tho, which is Vietnamese for rabbit. Coincidence? We don’t think so. If you like Vietnamese food, but are a bit bored of the same old standard menu, Con Tho offers a different take on the typical Vietnamese cuisine. It’s a fusion of local ingredients and typical Vietnamese staples. Appetizers are sorted by small and medium dishes (recommendable are the black rolls or the in coconut water simmered tofu with garlic-mayonnaise sauce). For the main course you need to decide between Com Tam (different rice dishes served in a hot stone bowl), Banh Xeo (different variations of a riceflower crepe) and a Hue Bowl (different interpretations of lemongrass soup). Also recommendable are their own creations of lemonade and tea. As far as we are concerned, it’s almost impossible to make a choice that you’ll regret. Seating situation in the warmer months is perfect due to the nice outside terrace. As long as temperature is on the chilly side, you’ll find a cosy spot inside between bamboo sticks and big lampions. Consider making a reservation, if you come to prime time dinner times (8pm onwards), because it gets crowded quickly.

Where? Hasenheide 16, Berlin, Germany 10967
Opening Hours: Mon&Wed-Sun 12-22PM / Tuesday closed 
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Discover new flavors at Umami

Umami in XBerg

For us, Umami finds the perfect balance between traditional asian flavours and slightly more unusual creations. This is not only true for their food, but also for their homemade lemonade and tea offers (our tip for tea fans: order the ‚Herbstlaub‘ tea). Don’t be discouraged by the queue that is forming at peak times. Waiting time is usually not that long and well worth it (we can only speak for the Kreuzberg location though). Try the ‚Buddah Burger‘:  a sautéed seitan patty with mango-coleslaw and sweetpotatoe fries or the ‚Dragon Barbeque‘: grilled king prawns with honey, vegetables and sweetpotatoe fries on the side. For a glimpse into Umami’s menu, visit their website here. If you come with a larger group, plan ahead and try to make a reservation for the seating area where you sit – traditional asian style – on the floor.

Where? Umami XBerg, Bergmannstr. 97, 10961 Berlin
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, Noon – 11:30pm
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or

Where? Umami PBerg, Knaackstr. 16, 10405 Berlin
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, Noon – 11:30pm
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