At the heart of Berlin, exists Mitte, an affluent neighborhood known for its shops, eats, and galleries. Though it may not impress the hipsters in Kreuzberg or the trendsetters in neighboring Prenzlauer Berg, Mitte seems to have it all. Here, abandoned graffitied buildings sit adjacent to modern contemporary homes. Sprightly young families sip on freshly pressed juices at corner cafes while an older generation wallows on park benches. In Mitte, everyone and everything seems to coexist without flaw.
History of Mitte (Skip this if you haven’t had your morning coffee)
Like the culture in Mitte today, the history is vibrant. When Berlin was founded in the 12th century, Mitte (translating to ‘middle’) was the center of it all; commerce, politics, and daily life. The area was home to many Jewish families, the Jewish Hospital and even the Jewish Girls’ School. But after 1945, things changed. Berlin was divided into four distinct districts – American, Russian, French and British. When the infamous wall went up, Mitte was no longer the middle of Berlin, but simply a part of East Berlin. It wasn’t until the 90s that the neighborhood took on its artsy care-free persona and until 2001, that the boundaries were redrawn.
Today, Mitte encompasses a much larger space than it did prior to Hitler’s reign. The artistic district that was known for cheap rent, raves, graffiti, musicians, free-spirits and squatters after reunification is now equally popular with modern homes, upscale art galleries, trendy boutiques and a wealthy crowd.
Here are some of my favorite places to spend a day in Mitte, Berlin.
The Barn: Morning Coffee
At The Barn, they take coffee seriously. No laptops and no music, just a lot of coffee addicts. Owner Ralf Kueller and his team are dedicated to sourcing and roasting the best beans available. It seems like things are working out well- The Barn is one of Germany’s leading coffee roasteries. As someone who only chugs coffee on Friday evenings before a house party, I ordered a fresh mint tea (it was delicious, thank you for asking). Don’t worry, I got some real intel on the coffee too. My colleagues, who tend to drink four espressos before noon, rave about the bold bodied flavor and attention to detail at The Barn.
The Barn, Auguststraße 58 M-F 8:30-18, SS 10-18
Art on Auguststraße
Auguststraße is only a half mile long, but it is sometimes considered a neighborhood in itself. Rich with style and history, it only makes sense that most of Berlin’s finest art galleries are located in and around this street. Here you’ll find something for every taste from traditional sculptures to more modern abstract art. The KW Institute for Contemporary Art has no permanent collection, yet showcases some of the most relevant contemporary art from Germany and occasionally, the world. The Me Collectors Room, Eigen+Art, and my favorite, C/O, a photography gallery a bit off Auguststraße on Oranienberger Straße, are two can’t miss stops.
Though the galleries are enticing, the art doesn’t stop there. Like the rest of Berlin, Mitte has a thriving street art scene. Dotted with work by renowned local and international street artists, there’s so much to look at, your eyes may not know where to begin. For more impressive artwork in Berlin, I recommend Kreuzberg and the East Side Gallery.
Dada Falafel: Lunch
If your feet are dragging after all the galleries, it’s time to refuel. Dada Falafel has the best falafel I’ve eaten outside of Israel. It’s at the corner of Oranienburger Straße and Linienstraße in line with a kebab joint, a pizzeria, a curry stall and a Thai restaurant – late night eat central. No matter what you do, don’t be tempted by the next door neighbors, Dada Falafel is the place for you. Dada was so good I wrote an entire post about it!
Dada Falafel, Linienstraße 132, M-Su 11-24 (open late F & Sa)
Retail Therapy in Mitte
If you’re craving a little retail therapy, you’ve come to the right place. This neighborhood is known for ritz and glamour. Mulackstraße is the most elite and fashionable place to shop in Mitte. Chic storefronts featuring designer labels and local brands populate this rather unappealing looking street.
If you are looking for something a little less costly, I recommend Alte Schönhauser Straße, the street just perpendicular to Mulackstraße. Local boutiques and international flagship stores cater to the most fashionable fashionistas in Berlin. Here, concept shops are abundant with eclectic knick knacks, coffee table books and plush looking furniture while storefronts are designed to entice a peek inside.
Green Tea Café Mamecha: Afternoon Pick-Me-Up
Mamacha is a cozy Japanese café and green tea boutique. They serve a wide range of traditional Japanese teas in addition to a small food menu. The bento boxes looked appetizing, but I had already had lunch at Dada, so I opted for a matcha cappuccino- possibly the best I’ve tasted in Europe. Don’t miss the tea shop next door. They sell authentic Japanese tea cups, plates, bowls and mugs along with a variety of matcha and loose tea.
Green Tea Café Mamecha, Mulackstraße 33, M-Sa 12-19
Buck and Breck: Drinks
A 1920s inspired speakeasy hidden behind a secret door at the edge of Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte. Buck and Breck may seem pretentious at first, but if you can snag one of the 14 seats at the black top bar, I say do it. The small space is well catered by a feisty mixologist and his crew. The Prohibition style menu is heavy on whisky, scotch, cognac and brandy, but there are a few lighter offerings for the rest of us, including a couple delectable champagne cocktails. To find out more, see my post on Buck and Breck!
Buck and Breck, Brunnenstraße 177, Nightly 19-late
Have you been to Mitte? I’d love to hear about your favorite places in the comments below.
