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• Israeli mezze - tucked away in the picturesque Heckmann courtyards

• the team here is absolutely phenomenal

• we can't get enough of - warm challah bread, which also makes a delicious bread pudding for dessert

We adore Berlin’s signature charm of discovering hidden courtyards within courtyards within courtyards…

It’s a secret world tucked away from the one outside. 

Stepping off Oranienburger Straße, we slip through an archway into the Heckmann Höfe, where a quaint little house awaits us.

Once upon a time, horses were stabled here.

Today, the space feels like a film set straight out of Oliver Twist - red brick walls, gas lanterns, trees, a wooden bench and cobblestones completing the scene.

Inside, bathed in warm light against rust-red wallpaper, everything revolves around the open kitchen. 

The coolest team serves up divine cocktails alongside mouthwatering Israeli mezze. 

Our role simply requires to sit back, soak it all in and savor the night.

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• casual, like among friends and excellent, like a Michelin-starred restaurant

• genuine love for the region - game from the Schorfheide forest and vegetables from their own garden

• our nostalgic darling – the solei with Otto's fine bread and kojibutter

Vadim Otto Ursus describes his gem on Oderberger Straße as a small, lively neighborhood restaurant. 

And the description couldn’t be more fitting.

Rooted in regional tradition, close to nature, and stripped down to the essentials - both in its ingredients and its décor. 

Yet, this minimalism is, in truth, a distilled essence of Ursus’ years of experience in some of the world’s most acclaimed kitchens - Noma, Maaemo, Koks…

“At the heart of it all is always a really good product. Then it’s about asking what we can do to make that product taste its very best.“, he explains.

Making culinary artistry appear this effortless might just be part of the secret to why dining at Otto feels simultaneously like a cozy meal in your own dining room and a visit to a Michelin-starred restaurant.

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• a little bit of London in the Graefekiez neighbourhood

• back bacon sandwich or brick chicken - simple but perfect

• not to forget - be sure to leave some room for Millionaire's Shortbread

Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that leave the greatest impression - provided, of course, they’re done just right. 

That’s exactly what makes St. Bart so special.

This pub in the Graefekiez neighborhood radiates an understated charm - vintage pendant lamps, a tiled bar and a timeworn wooden floor that seems to hold countless stories. 

The laid-back crew moves at its own unhurried pace, exuding a calm that’s contagious.

As we sink our teeth into the Back Bacon Sandwich, slathered with homemade BBQ dip and complemented by house-pickled vegetables and sip on a crisp IPA, we imagine black cabs pulling up outside next to a classic red phone booth.

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• Chinese-Cantonese cuisine with cosy street food charm

• homemade dumplings and dim sum

• to top it off - tang bao with nougat filling

On the corner of Wrangelstraße and Pücklerstraße in Kreuzberg, the Long March Canteen awaits behind a graffiti-covered facade.

Stepping inside, we’re greeted warmly in a vibrant, electric-blue room illuminated by neon lettering. 

From there, we’re guided through a kind of maze inside the restaurant - black walls, dim lighting, the kitchen hidden behind bamboo blinds. 

A striking mural decorates the space near a glowing red station, where delicate morsels steam away in baskets.

The cuisine is Chinese-Cantonese. 

And we’re eager for an evening of exciting dim sum and fantastic dumplings - all freshly prepared, homemade and delicious.

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• siblings Miriam and Marcel run this small, refined bistro

• from soy sauce to limoncello, everything  is homemade

• we find the „Wishing Table"-menu perfect for experiencing MaMi's culinary skills

On Oderberger Straße in Prenzlauer Berg, a cozy retreat awaits just a few steps below street level, next to a charming terrace shaded by a red awning. 

The bar’s whitewashed walls, Toile de Jouy curtains, wooden tables, and school chairs with mustard-yellow cushions might easily transport you to Paris.

And there are not just exceptional French wines - the carefully curated selection also features exquisite bottles from Germany, Austria and Spain.  

The delicious sharing plates even draw inspiration from across the globe.

MaMi’s is the perfect place to escape the hustle of Berlin for a few hours, immersing yourself in soft music, fine wine and outstanding food, served by warm and welcoming hosts.

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• magnificent bar in a vault hidden behind ivy

• for lovers of experimentation - mysterious drinks from the coordinate system

• perfect overall aesthetics - the delicate room painting by Laurent Ajina

Tucked away in the enchanted courtyard of the Wilmina Hotel, the Lovis Bar reveals itself behind a black ivy-draped door. 

We descend a few steps into a historic vaulted cellar, where French artist Laurent Ajina has adorned the walls with delicate black lines on white lime plaster, giving the space a distinctive charm.

But it’s not just the design that sets the Lovis Bar apart. The drinks are as artful as the setting - imaginative, intricate concoctions crafted from mysterious, unlabeled bottles, measured and mixed with tiny beakers and pipettes. 

Alongside these exquisite cocktails, the bar serves refined bar food that not only pairs beautifully with the bold drinks but could easily hold its own as a light dinner.

In fact, arriving a little earlier to enjoy all the Lovis Bar has to offer is a highly recommended plan.

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• the X-berg Duck - a five-course feast, from dashi to crispy skin

• the free-range ducks hail from Ireland's Silver Hill Farm

• a dinner could hardly be more comfy than in Orania's lounge-style restaurant 

When it comes to Peking duck, conversations often veer into debates about how authentic the experience is compared to the original in China. 

Truth be told, we haven’t yet had the chance to witness the dish in Běijīng.

What we can say with certainty, however, is that the five-course Peking duck served in the lounge-like restaurant of Orania is an absolute feast for the senses. 

Masterfully prepared, lovingly presented and served in an irresistibly cozy atmosphere, it’s a culinary highlight of any Berlin visit that we wholeheartedly recommend.

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• for anyone who sometimes wants just a slice, not a whole pizza – NY Pizza Slices

• crispy crust, thin base, tomato sauce and lots of melted mozzarella

• home alone or in the little place on Torstraße - always scrumptious

Kevin orders an entire pie when he’s home alone and John Travolta folds two slices together, devouring them on the go through the streets of New York in Saturday Night Fever. 

Every time a classic New York film features this iconic food, our cravings kick in.

A crisp crust, thin base, simple tomato sauce, and plenty of melted mozzarella - those are the essentials of a true New York pizza. 

It sounds simple, but tastes delicious.

New Yorkers insist that their city’s mineral-rich water is the secret ingredient no replica can match. 

But we’d argue that Slice Society comes as close as it gets. 

Whether enjoyed at home, on-site  or while strolling through Berlin, we’re big fans of the small restaurant on Torstraße.

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• café and bakery behind ivy-covered brick facades

• a place where queuing can be nice - and worthwhile

• cardamom orange morning bun - that's how we like to start our day

Every morning, a line quickly forms in the charming Sophie-Gips-Höfe in Berlin Mitte. 

And it’s worth the wait, for anyone dreaming of flawless Danish pastries but unable to hop on a plane to Copenhagen that day.

Frederik Bille Brahe, the renowned chef behind Copenhagen’s Atelier September, has brought more than just crisp sourdough bread with a moist, airy crumb to Berlin. 

Sofi’s croissant might just be the best in the city. And the pillowy Morning Bun, infused with cardamom and orange, is as well worth the wait.

For those who lack the patience or prefer to avoid the competition for one of the café’s limited seats, there’s a simple solution - pre-order!

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• bookstore and café in Friedrichshain - a deeply relaxing place that we particularly love

• books in English and New York-style bagels

• leisurely browsing and deliciously eating

Books and Bagels? You bet!

In many bookstores, a sign greets you at the entrance with a stern warning - no food or drinks beyond this point.

At Shakespeare & Sons, the expectation to treat their carefully curated selection of mostly English-language books with care is no different. 

But here, there’s a twist. The inhouse café, Fine Bagels, is an inseparable part of the experience.

Picture this - savoring sweet or salty handmade bagels, chocolate or plain rugelach, cookies and cakes, all while leisurely browsing through the shelves. 

Every visit tempts us to take at least one treasure home - a delicious one or a written one.

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• bright daytime café with an art gallery atmosphere

• drink specialty coffee in an old printing building

• he most pleasant stop before or after visiting the Jewish Museum just steps away

Nestled in a former printing building, the Akkurat Café sits in the southeastern corner, framed by expansive windows.

Outside, a sun-drenched terrace awaits, encircled by striking 1960s architecture. 

The café offers exceptional specialty coffee and lemonades, alongside wholesome breakfasts, indulgent treats and hearty lunches.

Being at Akkurat always feels a bit like stepping into an art gallery. 

The walls showcase rotating artworks, while a rectangular light installation hangs beneath the blush-pink ceiling, casting a warm glow.

At the heart of the space, three poured-concrete counters serve as the stage where coffee and matcha are crafted with meticulous care.

The hum of guests’ voices reverberates gently through the room, creating a relaxed and informal atmosphere. 

Bright and airy, Akkurat is a place where a simple coffee break has the power to lift your spirits.

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• heavenly éclairs in the most magnificent colours

• small breakfast - pain au chocolat and a creamy cappuccino

• to sit and linger - a few tables inside and a red bench out front 

Small and exquisite - that’s how pastry chefs Daniella Barriobero Canal and Guadalupe Eichner have envisioned their three patisserie locations.

In Berlin’s Sophienstraße, a bright vermilion bench sits in front of the café’s matching storefront. 

Indoors it becomes even more colorful with most beautiful éclairs displayed in a glass case.

Flavors like Tahitian vanilla-pecan, salted caramel, pistachio-raspberry or matcha-blackberry-white sesame transform these éclairs into delicious works of art.

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• warm apple-cinnamon rolls, fresh brick oven bread and house-roasted coffee

• organic ingredients and slow food concept

• sweetest pastime - watching the dough being knotted and kneaded in the open bakery

The small bakery chain „Zeit für Brot” is popping up in more and more German cities. 

With two locations already in Tel Aviv and another in London, you might think the secret’s out.

But we beg to differ!

Despite being a Berlin staple since 2009, we still meet people who have yet to discover the luscious apple-cinnamon swirl, the decadent chocolate-hazelnut baba or the exceptional walnut-date bread baked to perfection in a stone oven.

Everything here is crafted by hand, using the finest organic ingredients certified by Bioland. 

And we can watch it all come to life in the “transparent bakeries,” where every loaf and pastry emerges fresh from the oven before our eyes. 

We pair our treat with a cup of their inhouse roasted coffee - naturally organic as well.

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• avante-garde cross-gender fashion in Berlin Mitte

• „black is colourful“ - charming slogan for a charming shop

• the super-friendly designer can often be met in person here at the flagship store

In the heart of Mitte district, Esther Perbandt’s flagship store sits on Almstadtstraße. 

A string of black pennants fluttering above the sidewalk and a small bench by the door give the storefront the casual charm of a neighborhood gathering. 

The iconic Berlin TV Tower watches over the city rooftops, gazing directly into Esther’s display window.

Every piece in the Berlin-based designer’s collection is steeped in black, her signature color. 

Her gender-fluid designs break traditional molds, reimagining fashion with a bold artistic vision. 

To us, Esther’s work feels like the embodiment of Berlin itself.

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• a wonderful French-Bavarian fusion

• tiny and highly desirable - be sure to make a reservation

• an extraordinary highlight - a whole butterhead lettuce in perfection

The charming bistro with the cheerful name belongs to Ella, André, and Corvin.

Right in the heart of Glockenbach, the trio of Munich locals has created a delightful mix of Bavarian coziness and French ease.

Here, they serve small plates made with regional ingredients and inspired by French recipes, accompanied by Bavarian beers or French wines.

The menu simply lists the ingredients, leaving the details to be explained personally at your table.

And “personal” may be the best way to describe the atmosphere at Bingo.

Everyone here takes their time with guests. Even the chefs come out now and then to chat and make sure everything is just right.

Bingo is truly one of our favorite Munich discoveries.

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• great interior design by Stephanie Thatenhorst

• fabulous grilled meat and fish with incredible side dishes

• for guests bursting with energy -  private dining area with bowling alley

“Not for vegetarians” - that might be the first thought when you catch sight of the glass-fronted aging cabinet filled with mouthwatering cuts of meat.

But that wouldn’t be quite fair to Theresa Grill.

Sure, we mostly come here when we’re craving a proper rib eye steak.

But some of our absolute highlights are the smaller plates - dishes so good, it feels wrong to call them “sides“ - grilled cauliflower with passion fruit, parsley and egg yolk or spinach with caramelized cream and crispy fried onions or  our all-time favorite - sweet peas à la Parisienne with butter lettuce and breadcrumbs.

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• a piece of Italy at Dreimühlenviertel

• run by Federico's family for over 30 years with a great love for good ingredients

• our tip for sweet tooths - you'll never find better tiramisu, anywhere

It’s only fair to warn you that we can hardly write about Il Piccolo Principe with any degree of neutrality - we are completely in love with this place.

This small, family-run restaurant in Dreimühlenviertel has been around for over 30 years.

It doesn’t try to follow the latest trends, nor does it aim for perfect Instagram appeal.

What truly matters here is a deep love for exceptional food, wonderful wines, close connections to producers and the joy of being a gracious host.

“The true joy is the joy of others,” as it says in the book The Little Prince.

If that’s true, then at Il Piccolo Principe, the joy is undoubtedly mutual.

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• Paris the easy way – all day, every day

• best enjoyed with crevettes rosé, a glass of crémant and friends

• no reservations, just turn up - the cool team always finds us a spot

“Pas de réservation – simplement s’y rendre” reads the Petit Fritz website.

And that’s exactly how it is here -just show up!

This unpretentious French bistro is the charming little sibling of the refined Chez Fritz.

We can drop by any time, where cozy tables await, serving up unfussy French delights.

For petit déjeuner on the weekends, we love croque madame, pain perdu, or a croissant with café au lait.

In the evening, we gather with friends over crevettes rosé, moules frites, and tartines with duck rillettes, paired with a glass of crémant.

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• Levantine food to share with friends

• a cheerful place with a fun team

• our all-time favourite falafel plus great hummus - and at fair prices too 

Sometimes I don’t want to share my food. I’d rather enjoy the whole portion unabashedly for myself.

But at Nana, I always look forward to filling the entire table with small bowls and plates.

Deep red beets with bulgur, green Israeli pickles, eggplant in tomato sauce, marinated mushrooms with herbs, labaneh, shakshuka…one of everything, please.

Then gather as many friends as the little spot can fit, all seated around the table, clinking glasses of Maccabee beer.

For us, Nana is Munich’s happiest place, one that must be shared with our nearest and dearest.

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• Japanese hospitality at the family-run izakaya in Schwabing

• authentic culinary craftsmanship from master chef Toshio Kobatake

• be sure to try lots of the delicious little Ippin and afterwards Nikka Miyagikyo Whisky

For years, Toshio Kobatake, known as Toshi, ran an elegant Teppan-Yaki restaurant in Munich’s Altstadt, named after himself.

Now, he welcomes us to his Japatapa Toshibar in Schwabing.

Stripped back to the essentials, it’s just as exciting as the original Toshi.

For those who, like us, are passionate about authentic Japanese cuisine, Toshi’s place is a must. Together with his wife, he creates a warm, inviting atmosphere filled with Japanese hospitality and cozy Izakaya charm.

It’s no wonder Toshi was honored as a Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador.

This unique spot, hard to find elsewhere in Munich, is tucked away on the unassuming Marschallstraße.