We have friends that rave about Berlin and how awesome it is. When someone tells me Rome is awesome, I get it. But Berlin, I wasn’t sure about. Other than making a quick stop during a train ride from Prague to Frankfurt in 2001, I really had no desire to experience it.

Then we decided to visit last minute on the tail end of our Europe. Trip. And guys, Berlin is Awesome and Amazing!!

And the best way to get to know a city is to experience its different neighborhoods. We definitely had our favorites in Berlin!

Friday Night:

We arrived late Friday night after an eight hour drive from Brugge, Belgium. At first drive through the city trying to find our Airbnb, Berlin appeared to be a massive and very cold feeling city. After checking into our Airbnb, it was time for a late dinner. We ended up at Weingalerie and Café No. We ended up ordering a bottle of Brunello and also had one of their flatbread appetizers. We had a cozy corner table in front of the restaurant but on a warm day, the outdoor seating would be perfect!

Saturday:

First Stop, coffee and a pastry. So many choices and so many neighborhoods to check out, but No Fire No Glory Café in the Prenzlauer neighborhood (my husband can never remember the name and calls it Pretzelberg, which is adorable!) was our #1 choice. We really wanted to check out the neighborhood and also have amazing coffee. No Fire No Glory did not disappoint; the croissants are super buttery and flaky and their espresso is perfectly made.

The Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood exudes charisma with its historic buildings, treelined streets, abundance of quaint cafes and restaurants, and colorful shops. We spent a few hours just wandering about, strolling through a exuberant farmers market, and wondering what it would be like to live in the neighborhood.

: Loved that we got to sit at a park, eat, and have a glass of bubbly!

: Vegan Hamburger from one of the stands in the market!

Next neighborhood to explore is Kreuzberg. Brazen Kreuzricberg was considered the black sheep of West Berlin with its graffiti covered buildings, late night revelers, and a neighborhood founded by its anti-establishment values. It has an array of coffee shops, late night eats, and just a cool vibe. If you are looking for Turkish food, this is definitely the area given its large Turkish community.

We ended up eating at Viasko, an amazing find that offers 100% vegan food and drinks. We shared the gyro plate and the flavors just burst in your mouth!

Gyro – 100% vegan!

Sunday:

My absolute favorite neighborhood in Berlin: Friedrichshain: Entire buildings are turned into works of art, gritty, cool bars and boutiques, a diverse restaurant vibe, green spaces, intimate cinemas, and more! I just loved the vibe and ambiance when you walk around.

For breakfast, we stopped at Haferkater, an intimate breakfast place that specializes in Scottish porridge. It was delicious! I normally just drink coffee and have a pastry for breakfast, but this was something I could eat a couple of times a week!

With full bellies, we meandered through the streets of Friedrichshain, and ended up at a flea market at Boxhagener Platz. We strolled, we drank we ate, and we watched one of the World Cup games, Germany V. Mexico. So much fun!