Here is a list of two of our favorites from Berlin’s eclectic cast of biergartens—both on and off the beaten path. (Need some more suggestions? Check out this list of biergartens from last year!)

1. Prater Garten
Kastanienallee 7– 9
10435 Berlin
030 448 56 88

Considered Berlin’s oldest biergarten, Prater lies tucked off Kastanienallee submerged in a mini-forest of shady chestnut trees. During the spring and summer, Prater is always packed with loyal patrons and newcomers—both drawn to its lair, which seats more than 300.

Relaxing in the Tiergarten at Schleusenkrug. Photo: Fozzman

Prater boasts a fine selection of beers combined with a selection of other beverages, such as wine, appeasing all palates. Its house-made Bavarian-inspired cuisine, such as wurst, schnitzel, sauerkraut and potato salad functions as the perfect pair for a night of beer drinking and good German grub.

2. Schleusenkrug
Müller-Breslau-Str.
10623 Berlin
030 313 9909

Schleusenkrug is a classic-style biergarten situated near the Tiergarten. It’s canal-side location allows customers to wave to the boats passing by whilst they sip their frothy brew and absorb the beautiful scene.

Schleusenkrug’s close proximity to the Berlin zoo makes it a good pick-me-up for families—specifically moms and dads in need of a refreshment after a long day of staring at caged animals. Like most biergartens, the menu remains simple and loyal to its German roots, providing patrons with a nice variety of German-style beers and food.

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Although bäckerei are a common fixture on any Berlin street, not all loaves are created equal. But fear not, here’s a quick(-rising) guide to three of my favorite bakeries in Berlin:

Soluna Soluna Brot und Öl.
Gneisenaustr. 58, 10961 Berlin
(+49) 30 61671191
Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sat 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Owner, Peter Klann is a baker of the Old World. His Kreuzberg-based bakery’s wood-oven stone near the entrance hints at the quality of loaves that rise here, luring customers in with the yeasty aroma of freshly baked bread.

The shop offers a range of traditional German style brots, as well as some foreign-inspired starches, such as Ligurian Olive Bread or the traditional French baguette. There are also house-made spreads (known as “pistes”), cheeses, cured meats, leberwurst, and other amiable bread companions available for purchase.

Weichardt
Mehlitzstrasse 7, Wilmersdorf
(+49) 30 873 8099
Tues-Fri 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Located off a sleepy street in Wilmersdorf, Weichardt’s modest entrance and size belies its reputation when it comes to the art of German bread-baking. Although a small space, it manages to craft a vast variety of German-style breads that easily rival the size of your head.

Since its inception in 1977, Weichardt has leavened its reputation amongst Berlin bread-lovers dishing out traditional loaves, such as Roggenbrot (rye) and Volkornbrot (whole-grain). If you have sweet tooth, then their Schokosahne Torteand, a decadent confection composed of bitter chocolate and cream is a must.

Brotgarten
Seelingstrasse 30, Charlottenburg
(+49) 30 322 8880
Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Sun 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

The whole-grain bread movement first took shape in the late 19th century under the direction of the “life reform” movement, which sought to return dense unrefined bread to the table and reinstate its place in German life in order to counter the rise of starchy white rolls. A close cousin of the Austrian-led organic movement, its hearty reign continues today and Brotgarten, located in Charlottenburg is further evidence of it.

Founded in 1978, Brotgarten is considered one of Berlin’s first whole-grain bakeries. It offers an impressive variety of 29 whole-grain style loaves keeping customer healthy (not to mention full). Next-door is a sister cafe, where you can dip your crusty loaf in some warm soup or indulge in the traditional afternoon, kaffee and kuchen ritual with a sweet slice of their Linzertorte and a frothy latte macchiato.

Also in our guide: If this post has raised your interest, stop loafing around and head over to our Berlin guide where you’ll find a wide-variety of information on budget travel, including reviews of the best budget hotels in Berlin.

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Although Berlin is renowned for its diversity, creativity, and rich (if complicated) history, there are a few places that can be worth skipping. Here are five places that are among the city’s most popular (and none of which was created as a “tourist trap”). However, each of these can also devolve into a waste of time. Know before you go—and spend your time (and euros) wisely!

1. Alexanderplatz

Alexanderplatz might as well be called, “Anarchy Central.” Located in the city center, it is a tamer version of New York’s Time Square—minus the naked cowboy, but with bratwurst vendors and the Fernsehturm looming above instead. This part of Berlin is heavy with traffic, as it’s the main hub for the U-Bahn and buses shuttling to and from Tegel Airport.

Although it’s quite a sight, if you’re not keen on crowds nor a big shopper, skip the square (or “platz”) and head either to Mitte for some quality shopping, designer studios, and a row of great cafes and bars, or skip on over to Museum Island.

2. Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie, along with Glienicker Brücke (Glienicker Bridge), was the best-known border crossing during the Cold War. Today, the Checkpoint is more of symbol, an echo of the past whose historical and emotional resonance is its main appeal. The sight itself possesses little charm and is always crowded with the flashing of overzealous visitors’ cameras.

As it is one of the only border remnants of the pre-1988 days, history buffs may feel compelled to stop and pay homage to ole Charlie and its museum. Your history text book, however, could also suffice.

3. The characters around Brandenburger Tor

Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most important historical monuments and certainly deserves a visit. Visiting the Gate, along with the nearby embassies and the Adlon Kempinski Hotel, however, can be slightly disorientating. First there’s the Starbucks located across the street from it, the overeager cameramen “kindly” offering to take your picture, and the Mickey Mouse and Space Invader ready to pose with you. They all have one track minds focused on ripping you off.

If you can’t shake the hangers-on, seek solace in the Tiergarten (located across the street) or head to the nearby Holocaust Memorial—a sight well worth the visit.

4. East Side Gallery

History meets art at the East Side Gallery. One of Berlin’s most popular tourist attractions, the remaining panels of the Berlin Wall offers a 1.3 km-long outdoor gallery. However, it’s lost its luster in the past few years due to an expensive copyright controversy.

The art is nothing remarkable, although the gallery’s ability to blend art and history is still impressive. Either way, the canal is nearby and is a perfect spot for snagging a beer and enjoying a lazy Berlin day.

5. “Traditional” and “authentic” German meals

When it comes to food in Berlin these days, the words “authentic” and “traditional” are used so loosely that they have lost their real meaning. Keep this in mind when you are on the prowl for traditional German food. Berlin is home to people from 187 nations, giving it a unique international flavor of its own. Although currywurst is a true Berlin dish, a döner kebab is just as “authentic,” and I would say tastier and more filling.

The city does have, however, a heady mix of Bavarian-style restaurants and biergartens that do serve something close to authentic German food. Best to avoid the commercial ones near Alexanderplatz as they are overpriced and overcrowded, especially during the summer months. (Oddly, there is also an American-imported “Hooters” restaurant located inside the Tiegarten that I advise against.)

However, if you don’t mind paying a little extra cash for sub-par schnitzel and bratwursts stuffed in starchy rolls, then go for it. It may not be terribly authentic, but it can be tasty. Guten appetit!

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